Mercedes have already secured the 2019 Formula 1 constructors’ championship and this weekend at the Mexican Grand Prix it’s possible that Lewis Hamilton can wrap up his sixth drivers’ title.
Hamilton, who won the 2018 title in Mexico, said: “I think Mexico is generally our worst race of the year because of the way our car is set up and it's going to be a tough one for us. The last few have been pretty shocking, even though we’ve won the title there.
“I’m hoping for a better weekend but I think it’s going to be very hard to beat the Ferraris with those long straights.
“We have no hope of getting by on those straights, that’s for sure, but even if you look at the others, the McLarens are picking up some serious speeds on the straights, so are the Red Bulls so I think it will be a tricky one.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has won the two previous Mexican GPs and he is confident ahead of Sunday’s race.
He said: “I’m looking forward to going back to Mexico as the last two years have been pretty special there with the two wins. I really enjoy driving there as well as the track is very different as it’s at high altitude which makes it low grip.
“The corners are also very technical so you have to work hard to make sure you get the best out of it but it’s a good track for us normally. I expect it to be a little bit more difficult this year because of the Ferrari pace but I think we can still have a very good race.”
2019 F1 Mexican GP race guide
Circuit name: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City
First grand prix: 1963
Number of laps: 71
Circuit length: 4.304km
Race distance: 305.354km
Lap record: 1:18.741 by Valtteri Bottas in 2018
2018 podium: 1st Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2nd Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), 3rd Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)
When are the practice sessions?
There are three full practice (FP) sessions in Mexico. On Friday 25 October FP1 takes place from 4pm-5.30pm and FP2 is from 8pm-9.30pm. FP3 will be from 4pm-5pm on Saturday 26 October. All times UK.
When is qualifying?
Qualifying for the F1 Mexican GP starts at 7pm on Saturday 26 October.
What time does the race start?
The 2019 F1 Mexican GP starts at 7.10pm (UK time) on Sunday 27 October.
Pundit predictions: who will win in Mexico?
The Daily Telegraph: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
“After winning in Mexico in 2015 and 2016, Mercedes have only scored one podium since so it is fair to say they are not favourites here. Ferrari have also taken pole position in the last five rounds, so it would be a slight surprise if Mercedes managed to beat them on Saturday. Sunday may be a slightly different story but I expect Ferrari to be the quickest on both days. Podium prediction: 1st Leclerc 2nd Hamilton 3rd Bottas.”
Tony Kelshaw, bwin: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
“Lewis Hamilton left Japan in a foul mood and we’re expecting his opponents to face the backlash in our Mexican Grand Prix predictions. Although still 64 points clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas with just four rounds and 104 points left to play for, the Briton was fuming at Mercedes over strategy errors. A fired-up Hamilton is a formidable foe.”
GamblingSites.net: Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
“With nothing to lose, I like the chances of Ferrari in this race. Leclerc is the favourite but don’t count out Vettel. The smart bet would be the favourite Leclerc or his team-mate Vettel who has more experience. But don’t forget that this is a race which Max Verstappen has won in back to back seasons. I like the Ferraris. Vettel finished second to Verstappen in Mexico last season and he’s finished in the Top 5 in the last three races in Mexico. The German is also coming off a 2nd place finish in Japan in a race where he took pole position. I think he wants to finish strong in a disappointing season. Everyone has his motive but I think Vettel has more to prove.”
BettingPro: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
“Mercedes outperformed Ferrari when it mattered most [in Japan], denying ‘The Prancing Horse’ a race win after Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel had successfully locked out the front row on Saturday, and we may well see more of the same here as the world champion wins the race and either wins the championship or at least moves to within touching distance of the crown.”
BettingTop10: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
“Verstappen’s record in Mexico has to make him a serious contender this time out. The track suits Red Bull’s car and he is looking to win his third race of the season. Jenson Button recently described the 22-year-old as the fastest driver F1 has ever seen and he’ll be looking to justify that on what could be a tough Sunday for Red Bull’s rivals.”
OLBG: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
“Max Verstappen has had an up and down second half to the season, with 2 victories from the last 9 Grand Prix. However, he has good form at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and won here in 2018 and 2017. It’s Max that is my pick of the favourites.”
Sky Sports F1 will show live coverage of practice, qualifying and the GP from Mexico. Channel 4 will show highlights of qualifying and the race.
Watch F1 on Now TV
Formula 1 fans can also watch the action live on Now TV. Viewers can subscribe to a Sky Sports Day Pass via Now TV for just £8.99, the most economical way of watching each race.
Sky Sports coverage of the Mexican GP Thursday 24 October
5pm: drivers’ press conference
10pm: Welcome To The Weekend (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
Friday 25 October
3.45pm: practice one build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
4pm: practice one live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
7.45pm: practice two build-up
8pm: practice two live
10pm: The Story So Far
Saturday 26 October
3.45pm: practice three build-up (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
4pm: practice three live (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
6pm: qualifying build-up
7pm: qualifying live
8.30pm: The F1 Show (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
Sunday 27 October
5.30pm: Pit Lane Live
6.30pm: On The Grid
7.10pm: F1 Mexican Grand Prix (simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event)
9pm: Paddock Live
10pm: The Notebook
10.30pm: Mexican GP highlights
11.30pm: Mexican GP Best Bits (race replay at 12am Monday 28 October)
Channel 4 coverage of the Mexican GP
Qualifying highlights: 10.30pm on Saturday 26 October
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