Sergio Perez’s already challenging season hit another low as the Red Bull driver was eliminated in the first round of qualifying at his home Grand Prix in Mexico. Despite roaring support from the crowd at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Perez struggled with braking issues, particularly in low-speed corners, as he voiced frustration over the team radio before bowing out early in Q1.
Perez wasn’t alone in facing early elimination. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who clocked the fastest time in FP3 earlier in the day, was also knocked out after a track limits violation deleted one of his laps. The Australian’s best remaining time wasn’t enough to place him among the top 15, bringing an unexpected end to what had looked like a promising qualifying session.
The tension continued in Q2 when a red flag was thrown after Yuki Tsunoda collided with the barriers in the final seconds, dashing any last-ditch efforts from other drivers. Notable exits in this session included Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, along with Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas, none of whom managed to secure a spot in Q3.
Here’s how the qualifying results shaped up at the Mexican GP:
F1 Qualifying Results: Mexican Grand Prix 2024
Eliminated in Q2
11. Yuki Tsunoda [VCARB]
12. Liam Lawson [VCARB]
13. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin]
14. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin]
15. Valtteri Bottas [Sauber]
Eliminated in Q1
16. Franco Colapinto [Williams]
17. Oscar Piastri [McLaren]
18. Sergio Perez [Red Bull]
19. Esteban Ocon [Alpine]
20. Zhou Guanyu [Sauber]
With Perez and Piastri facing uphill battles from the back of the grid, Sunday’s race promises to be a spectacle as they attempt to claw their way back into the points. For the home fans, however, it was a sobering reminder of the struggles Perez has faced throughout the season.
