F1 Mexico GP Qualifying: Start Time, How to Watch & More

Max Verstappen set the pace in practice for the Mexico Grand Prix, intensifying the pressure on McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the Formula 1 title race. After sitting out FP1, the four-time world champion immediately showed his speed, clocking the fastest time in FP2. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc topped the opening session for Ferrari, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressing for Mercedes.

Why it matters:

• The Mexico GP qualifying is a critical session as teams fine-tune their cars for a high-altitude circuit, which often presents unique challenges.
• Verstappen's immediate pace after missing FP1 signals his strong intent to maintain dominance, especially as rivals like McLaren are pushing hard.
• The performance in qualifying will largely dictate grid position, which is crucial for race strategy, particularly on a track where overtaking can be tricky.

The Details:

• Verstappen's Return: Max Verstappen, after missing FP1, topped FP2 with a 1m17.392s, 0.153s faster than Charles Leclerc.
• Leclerc's Pace: Charles Leclerc led FP1 for Ferrari, demonstrating strong early form.
• Mercedes' Young Talent: Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured third for Mercedes, highlighting emerging talent.
• McLaren's Mixed Fortunes: Lando Norris, also missing FP1, placed fourth in FP2. However, Oscar Piastri, participating in both sessions, finished 12th, 0.840s off Verstappen’s time.

How to Watch:

• Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
• Time: 3:00 PM local time / 10:00 PM BST
• UK Broadcast: Sky Sports F1 will provide live coverage starting at 9:00 PM BST. Highlights will be available on Channel 4 from 1:55 AM BST.
• Radio Coverage: Live commentary will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds app from 10:00 PM BST.
• Live Text Commentary: Motorsport.com will offer live text commentary throughout the qualifying session.

Weather Forecast:

• Qualifying is expected to take place under sunny skies with light winds.
• Temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-20s Celsius, indicating hot and dry conditions.

What's Next:

With Verstappen's formidable pace and McLaren's slightly inconsistent practice performance, qualifying promises to be a thrilling battle for pole position. Teams will be scrutinizing data from practice to optimize their setups for the challenging high-altitude conditions, setting the stage for a dramatic qualifying session that could significantly influence the outcome of the Mexico Grand Prix and further impact the intensifying F1 title fight.