Why starting from pole position isn’t the best place to be in Mexico

Since Mexico returned to the calendar in 2015, only four out of nine pole-sitters have gone on to win the race — a conversion rate of 44%.

In 2015 and 2016, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton both converted pole into victory, but that didn’t happen again for six years until Max Verstappen dominated the weekend after taking pole on Saturday.

The same story repeated last year, when Carlos Sainz managed to reclaim and secure the lead despite being overtaken off the line by the Dutchman.

Interestingly, of Verstappen’s five wins in Mexico, three came from third on the grid and two from second — further proof that starting from pole isn’t necessarily an advantage, given the long run down to Turn 1.

The same goes for Hamilton, who won the 2019 race after starting from third on the grid.

Pirelli has presented five possible strategies for the Mexican Grand Prix — two starting on the medium compound and three on the softs, allowing for a more aggressive start and the opportunity to gain positions in the opening meters.

Strategy could play a key role in this race, especially for those starting further back than usual — including Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, who will line up fifth and eighth respectively after a difficult qualifying session.