Sainz details key Ferrari change behind ‘perfect’ pole

Carlos Sainz believes Ferrari's efforts to "find something extra" with its F1 tyres was a key part of his stunning Mexico City Grand Prix pole position.

The soon-to-be-ex-Ferrari driver set two times in Q3 good enough for pole and become the only driver to dip into the 1:15 region with a 1:15.945, some two-tenths clear of Max Verstappen in second. 

Given the troubles drivers often experience in Mexico, Sainz revelled in his first pole since the 2023 Singapore GP and sixth overall, and revealed how work to understand the tyres helped propel him to pole.

"It was a great couple of laps, and a lot of the time around Mexico, you always have the feeling that you cannot put a lap together," he explained.

"It is extremely difficult with how much sliding there is, but today, honestly, my two laps of Q3 were pretty much identical and almost perfect. 

"I just put two really solid laps in Q3 for pole and I am very happy because that is not normally the case around Mexico with how tricky it is.

"Especially on my side, in terms of qualifying, we've been trying to find something extra with tyre preparation and it seems like we are going in the right direction."

Ferrari has not won in Mexico since Alain Prost's 1990 victory, with the pole-sitter not winning in Mexico since Lewis Hamilton in 2016, but Sainz is confident of converting his pole into a second win of the season - after Australia.

"We are looking to finish the job tomorrow, but at least the pole position of today, I will take because it shows progress," he added.

"Our number one priority is to bring both cars home, but especially if you win the race, those extra seven, eight points are important for the team in the constructors'. 

"I'll be looking to give lead into Turn 1, and hopefully from there, our race pace should be enough to win it."