Formula One: Mexican Grand Prix practice - free F1 tips & best odds

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 4pm Friday & 8pm Friday

Best bet

Sebastian Vettel fastest in practice one
1pt each-way 5-1 bet365
Back this tip with bet365

Practice preview

Lewis Hamilton could clinch the world championship in Mexico this weekend, as he did last season, but bookmakers don't think he will be on the top step of the podium on Sunday.

Hamilton is 11-4 second favourite behind Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, the 15-8 market leader. Hamilton's Mercedes team expect this to be their toughest weekend of the four remaining.

The British star sealed his fifth world title by finishing fourth to Max Verstappen in Mexico in 2018 and he needs to stretch his advantage over teammate Valtteri Bottas from 64 points to 78 or more on Sunday night to secure the crown with three races to spare.

Ferrari have had the most impressive car since the summer break and are gunning for their sixth consecutive pole position this week but their failures when it matters most have seen Mercedes win the last two races in Russia and Japan.

The quirky circuit in Mexico City is a test for all the teams, and the threat of rain this weekend makes predictions even harder than usual.

The safest bet for Friday afternoon's first practice could be an each-way punt on Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel at 5-1 with three places.

Vettel has been in the top three in the opening session in six of the last seven events, posting the fastest time twice, and should be in the mix whatever the conditions.

Renault were excluded from the results of the Japanese Grand Prix this week after their braking system was ruled to have been acting as a driver aid.

Track guide

Venue Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico
Number of laps 71
Lap length 4.304km
Lap record 1.18.741 V Bottas (Mercedes), 2018
Schedule – practice one 4pm Friday; ­practice two 8pm Friday; practice three 4pm Saturday; qualifying 7pm Saturday; race 7.10pm Sunday.
TV All live on Sky Sports F1
Circuit characteristics The circuit is at high altitude and sees the highest straight-line speeds of the year but there are also some very tight sections
DRS zones A third DRS zone has been added between turns 11 & 12 this year. The others are along the pits straight and before turn four
Last four years winner (grid) M Verstappen (2), M Verstappen (2), L Hamilton (1), N Rosberg (1)
Last year Pole-sitter Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull suffered a hydraulic failure on the first lap, allowing his teammate Max Verstappen to take a comfortable win. Fourth place was enough to see Lewis Hamilton claim his fifth title
2018 pole D Ricciardo, 1.14.759
2018 fastest lap V Bottas, 1.18.741 on lap 65
2018 classified finishers 16/20

Weather Chance of thunderstorms all weekend with more than 50 per cent chance of rain every day. 22C

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