A few surprising results as altitude affects performance and alters the order in qualifying…

Red Bull – A 19th career pole for Verstappen came after a string of impressive laps throughout. Perez struggled to progress through the stages of qualifying but ended up P4.

Mercedes – Tantalisingly close for Mercedes but track limits let them down. Hamilton had his first Q3 run deleted and could only manage P3 on his final lap while Russell set a storming first lap but a detour into the run-off may have cost him pole. In P2, he is still the only Mercedes driver to start on the front row this seaosn.

Ferrari – Close throughout qualifying but not when it mattered. Poor laps from both drivers on their final runs left Sainz P5 and Leclerc P7 as they failed to improve.

Alfa Romeo – In a surprising turn of events, Bottas made it through to Q3 with relative ease and set a brilliant time to secure P6. Zhou failed to repeat this and is in P12.

McLaren – A decent outing for McLaren with Norris in P8 and Ricciardo in P11.

Alpine – Not as close to the front as in previous weeks for Alpine but the drivers are close together with Ocon in P10 and Alonso in P9 as they take the fifth row.

AlphaTauri – A mediocre outing for AlphaTauri with both cars reaching Q2 and close together with Tsunoda in front in P13 with Gasly in P14.

Haas – For the first time in their history, Haas have reached Q2 in Mexico with Magnussen in P15 however a penalty means he starts last. Schumacher was P16.

Aston Martin – Mechanical issues plagued Aston Martin with birthday boy Stroll in P18 and Vettel in P17 after setting an identical lap time to Schumacher.

Williams – Disappointment once again for Williams after Latifi comes in last as he was out qualified by Albon for the 17th time this year who was in P19.

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