Mexican Grand Prix betting preview, free tips & track guide

F1 tips, best bets and predictions for the Mexican Grand Prix.

Where to watch

Sky Sports F1, 7.10pm Sunday

Best bets

Sebastian Vettel to win race
1pt 11-4 Betfair, Paddy Power

Alex Albon fastest lap
1pt 7-1 Sky Bet

Sergio Perez top-six finish
1pt 7-1 Sky Bet

Race preview

Mexican Grand Prix weekend has already seen more drama than some other events - and a potentially thrilling race is still to come.

Valtteri Bottas crashed heavily at the end of qualifying and although Max Verstappen recorded the fastest qualifying time, he was demoted three places on the grid for ignoring yellow flags and not slowing at the scene of the accident.

That handed Ferrari their sixth successive pole and a front-row lockout with Charles Leclerc starting at the front alongside teammate Sebastian Vettel, whose chances of pole were hampered when he did slow on his final run due to Bottas's incident.

So we have two squabbling Ferraris at the front with the potential for more team-orders arguments, a fired-up Verstappen in fourth and between them is Lewis Hamilton, who can claim his sixth world title if he finishes far enough ahead of Bottas.

Mercedes were hopeful that they can repeair the car without needing to take grid penalties or start from the pit lane, but the Finn's fitness should also be a concern after his heavy impact and Hamilton could well wrap up the title tonight.

Added to the mix is the heavy tyre degradation expected that could play a major role in the race, and the threat of rain. It should be an interesting evening.

Verstappen is 7-2, having been a 13-8 chance before his penalty and he should be in the mix with the Ferraris for the race win if it stays dry. The Mercedes seemed to be just off the other two top teams on race pace and Ferrari have an edge on the straights both from their engine power and their field-leading DRS system, so slight preference of the top four candidates is for Vettel.

Alex Albon is fifth on the grid in the second Red Bull, having missed practice time after a crash, but providing there are no lingering effects he looks a value bet to set the fastest lap. The car has plenty of pace and he might well have more space on the track to set a flyer later in the race.

The McLaren has shown strong pace this weekend but their cars and the Toro Rossos will start the race on the soft tyres, which may not last long. Sergio Perez, in his home event for Racing Point, can put on harder rubber from 11th on the grid and could have decent long-run pace. He looks worth an interest for the top six at a big price with the potential for those ahead to suffer mishaps.

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
Start 7.10pm Sunday
TV 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 rain, 21C