Here's the thing about the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez: once the lights go out, you might as well lock the grid in place. According to Motorsport.com, Charles Leclerc has warned that overtaking could prove almost impossible at the Mexican Grand Prix, leaving the race order essentially frozen after the opening sequence of corners.
Leclerc topped both of Friday's practice sessions for Ferrari, but when it mattered most on Saturday, he had to settle for third on the grid. Meanwhile, his team-mate and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton claimed his first pole position with the Maranello outfit. Hamilton will share the front row with Mercedes driver George Russell.
Despite missing out on pole, Leclerc is confident in his machine's speed. "I think the pace is good. I think the car feels good and felt good since FP1. So I think on that we've got the race pace, but I doubt there will be any overtakes tomorrow," Leclerc explained during the post-qualifying press conference.
The root of the problem lies in the low-grip conditions at the Mexico City circuit, combined with a lack of effectiveness from the overtaking mode. Leclerc tested out the limits during Friday running. "I've tried more in FP2, and it's just very difficult because the overtake mode doesn't do much. So, I think whatever the standing is after Turn 3, it's going to be very difficult then to overtake. So, it's a bit of a shame that I didn't do the job eventually when it mattered."
Asked whether he could take advantage of a tow from his team-mate, he said: "Yeah, I mean I’ll keep my head down as much as possible and see what’s possible, but yeah, it’s always an exciting Turn 1 there, and we’ll see how it goes."
The stakes stretch far beyond the podium this weekend. Leclerc currently sits fifth in the drivers' standings with 233 points, trapped in a tense fight for P2 where only nine points separate second from fifth place. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli currently leads the championship and has the opportunity to claim the title at this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix. Russell sits second, Hamilton third, and Max Verstappen fourth.
The Mexican Grand Prix will take place on 1 November at 2pm local time, which is 8pm UK time.
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