How strategy could play a key role in Verstappen's Mexico win chances

Max Verstappen will start Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix from pole position, with the Mercedes of George Russell lining up alongside him on the front row.

Verstappen set the fastest lap of 1:17.775 using the Soft tyre, giving him his maiden P1 start in Mexico.

The World Champion is looking for his 14th win of the 2022 F1 season, but can he take victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez?

Pirelli have given an insight into what could be the most effective strategies for the race and, fortunately for Verstappen, the most favourable plan is only available to a select number of drivers, including him.

Pirelli outlines best strategy options in Mexico

According to Pirelli, both one-stop and two-stop strategies are an option for the Mexican Grand Prix, with this depending on factors such as individual team and driver tyre degradation rates as well as the weather.

A two-stopper looks to be the fastest strategy, whereby drivers would start on the Soft compound before two stints on the Medium.

However, this option is only possible for the 10 drivers who have two sets of Medium tyres still available in their allocation – the teams who do are Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams and Haas.

An alternative choice for a two-stop strategy is to start with the Soft before switching to Mediums for the second stint and returning to Softs for the final stint.

The Medium to Hard one-stopper is close to this option in overall time, while a one-stop of Medium to Soft looks to be slower.