F1 Live | 2021 Mexican Grand Prix: Mercedes front row, Red Bull second row

Mercedes took the entire front row of the grid, but Red Bull Racing are still the favourites to win in Mexico. Max Verstappen will have to start from third on the grid, but may benefit from the slipstream offered by the cars in front of him. The same goes for Sergio Perez, who will start from the second row alongside his teammate at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit.

Against all odds, Valtteri Bottas took pole position for the Mexico Grand Prix. Next to him is Lewis Hamilton, completing the one-two for Mercedes. Verstappen won't start where he wants to, but in the long run to the first corner, the Red Bull drivers may be able to benefit from the slipstream of both Mercedes cars.

Additionally, it will be interesting to see what Pierre Gasly can do. The AlphaTauri driver will start just behind his Red Bull colleagues and could potentially play a role in the race. The best-case scenario for Red Bull will be for both drivers to work their way past Hamilton and Bottas, while Gasly keeps the rivals busy.

Mercedes surprised with their good result on Saturday. Another team that did well, although this was somewhat expected, is Ferrari. Carlos Sainz ended in sixth place, after having feared at the beginning of the qualifying that his engine would fail. Teammate Charles Leclerc is not far behind in P8.

Another surprising factor is McLaren. The team from Woking had a rather difficult weekend, but Daniel Ricciardo has a seventh place on the grid. Pierre Gasly was also in his element: he will start from fifth place.

The Alfa Romeo drivers are also doing well, with Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi starting from tenth and eleventh respectively. Because of all the grid penalties that are being handed out Haas are also doing well, with Mick Schumacher on the 14th and Nikita Mazepin on the 16th spot.

The 2021 Formula 1 season is one that will feature as a stand-alone chapter in the sport's history book. Perhaps the best season since the turn of the century, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are battling hard for the title. The Dutchman currently has a 12 point lead over the Brit who has seen it all before. Last time out, the Red Bull driver held off a charging Hamilton in the final stages of the United States Grand Prix.

Red Bull arrive at the Mexico circuit as favourites to win. That isn't unusual because Mercedes traditionally struggle here anyway, but this year Red Bull's car has the ability to work well on any track. They've proved that around the world in 2021.