Piastri to benefit from Sainz's penalty as final Mexican GP grid is out

As expected, Lando Norris secured pole position in yesterday’s qualifying session, beating Charles Leclerc by nearly three tenths and Lewis Hamilton by almost four. For Hamilton, it marks the first time since joining Ferrari that he’ll be starting inside the top three.

George Russell will line up fourth, splitting the two Ferraris and Max Verstappen, who had to settle for fifth after a difficult session.

Things went even worse for Oscar Piastri, who could do no better than eight, ending up almost six tenths down on his teammate — and pole-sitter — Norris. The Australian will benefit from the grid penalty handed to Carlos Sainz — who had qualified ahead of him — for his collision with Kimi Antonelli in Austin last week.

As mentioned earlier, the four-time world champion will start only from fifth on the grid — not an ideal position, given that one of his main title rivals is on pole, but still significant as he lines up ahead of the current championship leader.

The Dutchman was, unsurprisingly, one of the main figures during the drivers’ parade in the build-up to the race, now less than an hour away.

He was asked about his goal for today’s Grand Prix, despite not starting from the very front. Here’s what he replied and what target he set for the race.