F1 Mexican Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying updates and times in Mexico City

We’re underway with the third and final practice session in Mexico City!

Can anyone ruffle feathers at the top or will Max Verstappen complete a clean sweep in practice?

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

As often was the case amid an American society embedded in racism in the 1980s, Muhammad Ali put it best. Advising black racing driver Willy T Ribbs, the people’s champion made his point in no uncertain terms: “There are Blacks in my sport. But there are no Blacks in your sport. They’re going to want to kill you.”

Yet for all the death threats, discrimination and abuse, Ribbs had long decided that the only option was to meet the uphill battle head-on. He made history in 1986 when he became the first Black driver to test an F1 car. Five years later, he was the first to race in the Indy 500, one of the world’s most famous events.

But on the course of that journey, Ribbs faced it all. Don’t let me tell you though; let the man himself.

Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson

Six months ago, it was all so rosy for Red Bull. Four races into the 2023 season and it was two apiece for Max Verstappen and Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez, with the Mexican seemingly signalling his intent to be a genuine contender for the championship with a sprint and race victory in Azerbaijan. After all, no car could come close to the speed generated by Red Bull design-guru Adrian Newey and his team of top-tier engineers this season.

Even in Miami a week later, Perez looked set to take the lead in the standings after claiming pole position, with Verstappen down in ninth. But since the Dutchman stormed to victory, propelling past his team-mate with relative ease, it has been one-way traffic. And while Verstappen has won every race bar one since then, amid an unprecedented winning streak, Perez’s form has fallen off a cliff.

Since Miami, Perez has recorded just four podiums in 13 races in the fastest car on the grid – and none in his last four meets. On the contrary to challenging Verstappen for the title, he is now looking over his shoulder as he tries to seal second place.

1) Red Bull – 706 points (champions)

5) Aston Martin – 236 points

8) Alfa Romeo – 16 points

10) AlphaTauri – 10 points

Max Verstappen has told the boo brigade to show him some respect as the triple world champion prepares to enter the lion’s den at Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix.

Verstappen has beefed up his security for Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez’s home race at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez venue in Mexico City.

Verstappen, who was jeered by Perez’s supporters a week ago in Austin, Texas, is prepared for another hostile reception this weekend – and he will be flanked by multiple security guards in the paddock.

1) Max Verstappen – 466 points (champion)

2) Sergio Perez – 240 points

3) Lewis Hamilton – 201 points

4) Fernando Alonso – 183 points

5) Carlos Sainz – 171 points

6) Lando Norris – 159 points

7) Charles Leclerc – 151 points

8) George Russell – 143 points

9) Oscar Piastri – 83 points

10) Pierre Gasly – 56 points

11) Lance Stroll – 53 points

12) Esteban Ocon – 44 points

13) Alex Albon – 25 points

14) Valtteri Bottas – 10 points

15) Nico Hulkenberg – 9 points

16) Yuki Tsunoda – 8 points

17) Zhou Guanyu – 6 points

18) Kevin Magnussen – 3 points

19) Liam Lawson – 2 points

20) Logan Sargeant – 1 point

21) Nyck de Vries – 0 points

22) Daniel Ricciardo – 0 points

• Free practice 3: 6:30pm
• Qualifying: 10pm

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of qualifying at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend!

Max Verstappen – shock! – was the quickest man in both practice sessions on Friday, with the likes of Lando Norris and Alex Albon running him close. But can anybody stop the Dutchman today?

The third and final practice is at 6:30pm (BST), before qualifying at 10pm.