F1 Mexico City Grand Prix 2023 - Qualifying: As it happened

Follow all of the F1 action from Mexico City here with the Crash.net live blog.

28 Oct 2023
22:06
Verstappen storms to the top

A 1m18.099s for Verstappen, 0.5s ahead of Perez.

Hamilton slots into third on the mediums, 0.6s off Verstappen's pace.

22:05
Alonso sets the early pace

A 1m19.604s for Alonso - a tenth ahead of Magnussen.

 

22:04
Medium tyres?

Russell, Piastri, Norris and Hamilton are all out there on the mediums, rather than the softs. 

22:03
First time of the session

Magnussen sets the first time of Q1 - a 1m19.730s.

Expect that to be beaten pretty easily. 

22:00
Q1 is underway

The first part of qualifying is underway in Mexico City.

21:55
Weather update

According to the FIA, there's a 10 per cent chance of rain.

21:46
21:42
Twenty minutes to go

Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523 runs wide. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 20, Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City,
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Alpine F1 Team A523 runs wide. Formula 1 World…

21:29
The surprise package this weekend

Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 20, Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City, Mexico,
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 20…

21:21
Can Perez challenge Max in Mexico?

Jenson Button's thoughts: "He's going to be tricky to beat but looking at the times through practice, it's a lot closer than I thought it would be. And Checo is definitely closer than what he's been the last few races."

21:19
Fastest in all three practice sessions

Max Verstappen (NLD), Red Bull Racing Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 20, Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City, Mexico,
Max Verstappen (NLD), Red Bull Racing Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 20,…

21:11
We're building up to qualifying

Qualifying kicks off at 10pm UK time - just under 50 minutes to go.

19:35
FP3 results

Full FP3 results from Mexico...

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 20, Mexican Grand Prix, Mexico City, Mexico,
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship,…

19:30
FP3 is over

Verstappen on top ahead of Albon, Perez, Russell and Piastri.

19:26
A spin for Sainz

Looks like he got caught out by a slow-moving Stroll. No damage to his car though.

19:25
Into the final five minutes

Both Ferraris are impeded on their fast laps on the softs.

19:22
Perez into third

Tidy lap from the home hero as he's just a tenth off the pace.

19:21
Verstappen pips Albon

Just 0.070s ahead of Albon.

19:17
Albon remains on top

Russell isn't able to beat Albon's top time as he slots into second, 0.2s off.

19:15
More soft runs

Third for Bottas; seventh for Zhou.

19:12
Albon continues Williams' fine form

A 1m17.957s for the Thai driver, 0.4s ahead of Verstappen.

19:05
Current order

Verstappen, Russell, Perez, Ricciardo, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Sargeant, Albon and Norris.

18:59
Verstappen goes top

A 1m18.429s for Verstappen now, 0.2s ahead of Russell. Perez, Ricciardo and Hamilton complete the top five.

18:53
Verstappen into second

Verstappen is unable to topple Russell at the top of the timesheets - less than a tenth off.

Perez slots into fifth after his mistake.

18:52
Red Bulls on track

Perez goes fastest of all in the first sector but then locks up.