Mexican Grand Prix qualifying: Formula One 2026 – live

After last week’s rehearsal in Austin, Kimi Antonelli is going to become world champion this weekend provided he reaches the chequered flag on Sunday. Indeed, he may well do so even if he pulls up before the first corner. To take the title by his own efforts he need only finish in the top nine; if he crashes out on lap one, he will still be crowned if neither George Russell nor Lewis Hamilton wins.

A world champion at 20. OK, he’s no Luke Littler. But if he completes the job tomorrow, at 20 years, two months and seven days, he will be two months and 16 days inside the heavyweight boxing record set by Mike Tyson. And let’s be honest, he looks a lot younger than Littler now, despite being five months older, and younger today than the darts maestro did at 17.

Giles Richards in Mexico City has been looking at the mounting fiesta and its causes:

To trust the youngster’s instincts and talent, when the temptation to micromanage him must have been overwhelming, has worked brilliantly. Even as the opposition caught and at times surpassed Mercedes, Antonelli was able to deliver when a win was not on the table. When it was, as at the last round in Austin, he stepped up to sweep it away with a nonchalance that typified why he is world champion elect.

This makes the atmosphere in Mexico City all the more febrile in what is already one of the most vibrant venues on the calendar. Antonelli could barely have chosen a better location to enjoy the celebration of his childhood dream. The fans here embrace F1 with the same passion the Italian has for his trade.

With the race coinciding with Mexico’s Day of the Dead, the city and the paddock are adorned with the bright orange Mexican marigolds, the “flor de muerto”. Skulls and skeletons, candles and colour are plentiful to welcome the return of the departed in a joyful, festival lending the weekend an already celebratory air.

All hail the Mercedes wonder. But it’s not all about him. It may not be what he wanted, but George Russell is fighting for second, his best championship finish. McLaren, constructors’ champions in the past two seasons, are in fourth on countback, tied with Red Bull. Liam Lawson, brutally demoted by Red Bull last season, is fighting for his Racing Bulls seat, apparently. At the back of the grid, Ryo Hirakawa, the Haas reserve driver, is making his debut after Esteban Ocon was stood down.

So join me from 8.30pm to the buildup to qualifying. For now, here is Giles’s full report: