Ricciardo snatches pole, Hamilton and Vettel on second row

We expected an exciting three-way fight, and we got it. Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, fought a fierce battle during qualifying for the Mexican Grand Prix. When the dust raised by the fights has settled, Daniel Ricciardo came out of the woods to beat the second RB14 to the post. This is Red Bull’s first double in qualifying since USA 2013.

While Verstappen had dominated all of the free practice, the Dutchman had pole taken away from him in the final moments of a thrilling Q3. The Batavian, however, led after the first attempts in Q3 and seemed set to become the youngest pole sitter in history in F1. The record of Sebastian Vettel, 21 years and 2 months at Monza during the 2008 Italian Grand Prix, still holds up. 

In the fury of the last rounds, Lewis Hamilton limits the damage well with the 3rd best time. The Mercedes driver, who can claim a 5th world crown on Sunday, will be accompanied by his rival Vettel on the second row. The Finns Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari) will fill the 3rd row. 

Dashing in free practice on Friday, the Renault lock the 4th row with the 7th and 8th positions for Carlos Sainz et Nico Hulkenberg. The Yellows and Blacks are ahead of the Saubers by Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson.

After taking to the track in Q2 with Super-Soft then Ultra-Soft tyres, Esteban Ocon must be satisfied with 11th place on the grid but the Frenchman from Force India will be able to choose the tires he will use at the start unlike the Sauber and Renault in front of him. This quartet will be forced to set off with the Hyper-Tendre, the deterioration of which has been a real headache since the start of the Mexican weekend.

Nice performance from Fernando Alonso given the equipment at his disposal. The Spaniard hoists his McLaren up to 12th rank. Alonso precedes local hero Sergio Pérez in his Force India, as do both Toro Rosso de Brendon Hartley et Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman knew before the session that he was condemned to start at the back of the pack due to a new penalty for changing his engine and gearbox. 

Down since the start of the weekend, the Haas de Romain Grosjean et Kevin Magnussen leave the stage from Q1, just like Stoffel Vandoorne, who has still not beaten his teammate Alonso in qualifying this season. Grosjean remained on 11 consecutive Q3 entries but he knew before the weekend that he would have to move back three positions on the grid, a consequence of the penalty received in Austin for catching Charles Leclerc on the first lap. Vandoorne and the Haas drivers are accompanied in the cart by the usual Williams.

A 100% Red Bull front row, the two contenders for the crown just behind. This promises a hell of a spectacle on Sunday for the race. Follow the Mexican Grand Prix live with commentary on CARhebdo.fr.

Q3 CLASSIFICATION

It contains @redbullracing's first 1-2 in qualifying since USA 2013!

The title rivals will line up next to one another on the second row #MexicoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/QafdT1vkb1

- Formula 1 (@ F1) October 27, 2018