Mexican Grand Prix live: F1 updates as Verstappen flies net and Perez puts pressure on Hamilton

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(AFP via Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton aims to close the gap with Max Verstappen at the top of the drivers’ championship after Mercedes secured the front row at the Mexican Grand Prix. Hamilton’s teammate Valtteri Bottas is first ahead of Hamilton in second, with Max Verstappen third alongside Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in fourth. Verstappen currently leads the standings, 12 points clear of rival Hamilton and five races remaining.

Red Bull dominated every session leading up to qualifying but missed their setup when it mattered, struggling with soft tires and giving up the front of the net. But there was practically enough promising pace to suggest the Red Bulls could respond during the race. But Bottas is first, for the second time in three races, and he could play a key role in how this race goes.

“I need to enjoy this pole for a while but then I change my mind for tomorrow,” Bottas told Sky Sports at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday. “You never know what the race situation will be like. I’m still 100% sure there might be a circumstance I can still win the race and I believe and I hope. But if not, I’ll support Lewis and get as many points for us as a team. “.

Follow all the live racing action from the Mexican Grand Prix below.

Mexican Grand PrixShow Last Updated 1636316942

Lap 61/71: Pérez is now within range of the DRS, as the fans roll into the stands in Mexico City!

10 laps left and we’re ready to finish a classic in Mexico – and Verstappen, the race leader, didn’t even participate!

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:29

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Lap 60/71: Perez is within a second now, and home fans are loving this one.

Hamilton met McLaren’s McLaren from Norris – but Hamilton can’t get past him!

“It’s crazy, I can’t even get close! The tires are heating up.” Hamilton says.

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:28

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Lap 59/71: Only 1.5 seconds for Perez now, and hear this from Hamilton: “Tires wear out,” he says.

Contrast that from Red Bull: “The speed is good, the tires are good, the battery is good, let’s have it.”

Furthermore, Sainz notes that Leclerc was making mistakes to “keep him behind”. Despite this, Ferraris have now swapped cars.

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:26

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Lap 56/71: Perez is now within three seconds of Hamilton, with only 15 laps left! What an end to the store. Can you imagine if Perez passed the defending champion to take second place in the Grand Prix at his home?

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:23

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Lap 55/71: Ah, we’re back to where we were 20 laps ago as Riccardo Bottas put his mirror back. Will Mercedes finally be able to make the move?

Ahead, Ferraris are cruising in fifth and sixth and set to make big gains over McLaren in their makers. Ferrari wants to swap Leclerc and Sainz, with Sainz running faster.

I don’t think Leclerc liked it.

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:21

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Lap 53/71: Hamilton got a little confused: “Are you still there?” He says on the team radio. If his Mercedes team were talking to him, they’d say Perez is now within five seconds of him and his title rival currently holds the fastest bonus point.

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:19

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Lap 51/71: Perez cut the gap to 5.3 seconds. But Verstappen suddenly pops up with the fastest lap of the race!

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:17

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Lap 49/71: It’s safe to say, barring a disaster, that Verstappen has the Mexican Grand Prix coming to an end.

The big focus now is on whether Perez will catch Hamilton – the home driver did 1.2sec faster on that lap! He’s now only six seconds behind him!

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:14

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Lap 46/71: Perez continued to lock in Hamilton – he was 0.7secs faster than Mercedes. Red Bull also told Verstappen that his tires are fine, so there’s no drama there.

Meanwhile, Bottas made his way behind Ricciardo.

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:10

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Lap 44/71: Verstappen has expressed some concern about his front left tyre, but I don’t think there is any immediate problem for the race leader. Norris climbed to seventh after starting in eighteenth but has yet to move around. He finally did it and was back in 10th place, once again behind Alonso. Every driver has now stopped at least once, and here’s how we stand.

Jimmy Braidwood November 7, 2021 20:09

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