Carlos Sainz will start the F1 Mexico City GP from P12 on the grid. A superb performance in qualifying saw him beat championship leader Oscar Piastri to P7. However, a 5-place grid penalty for taking out Kimi Antonelli at COTA leaves him with work to do to score points.
Williams had struggled in FP3 on low fuel as the Spanish driver was P15. Teammate Alex Albon was a place behind him.
Come qualifying, the 2024 F1 Mexico City GP winner was absolutely flying. P11 in Q1, he found half a second on his Q2 run to end up P5. Sainz gained nearly another 0.4s in Q3 to finish P7, ahead of Piastri, Hadjar and Bearman. He beat his main midfield rival in the Racing Bulls by 0.080s.
Carlos Sainz says 2025 lap as good as 2024 pole lap at F1 Mexico City GP
In his final season with Scuderia Ferrari last year, Carlos Sainz was outstanding in Mexico. He took pole by 0.225s over Max Verstappen on a weekend where he looked unbeatable.
Talking after qualifying on Saturday, he believes his Q3 lap this year for P7 was as good as last year’s run. His 2025 lap would have put him P3 on the 2024 grid, such has been Williams’ and F1’s general rate of development over the last 12 months.
Sainz also discussed his journey of continuing to learn about things with the FW47.
“Yeah, I like it [around Mexico].
“Every weekend that goes by I’m enjoying driving the car a bit more. The more I understand it, the more I know how to set it up for my liking, the more I understand a bit the tyres, that with this car is difficult, the more competitive I’m getting.
“And the more, yeah, the better I am performing and enjoying it because today that lap felt as good as last year’s lap, obviously with a different car, but a very, very, very good lap.”
Will cooling and dirty air ruin Carlos Sainz’s chances of points in the F1 Mexico City GP?
Although he is only two places outside the points, the start will be a critical point in Mexico. With the altitude making it incredibly difficult to pass and follow without engine and car temps skyrocketing, Sainz is aware of the difficulties he’ll face.
Nonetheless, the Williams is generally stronger in race trim than qualifying. He is confident a top 10 result is on the cards.
“I’m confident that we can do a good step.
“Honestly speaking, I’m in that point where tomorrow I’ll just do whatever I can to recover.
“I will probably be a bit limited by the cooling of the car in dirty air. Around here, you cannot push more than three or four laps in dirty air, so let’s see what the cooling allows me to do and then I will try my best to get back into the points.
“I think we have a good chance.”
