2017 Mexican GP, qualifying: live results and updates. Seb and Kimi are ready to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull for pole position.

Mexico has considerable Formula One heritage, as well as considerable Formula One presence. And when it reconvened as an F1 host two years ago it confirmed too that it bows to few when it comes to the quantity and passion of its fans.

You might think that lengthy flat out blasts at low altitude – at some 2,250m the highest on the itinerary – would suit the grunty Mercedes, but the silver squad doesn’t see it that way. That low altitude also means cars can pile high on downforce as there’s little drag penalty, and the Merc has struggled relative to Ferrari and Red Bull this year when downforce is maxed.

Also the track surface is smooth and there are not many quick corners to heat the tyres up, which may mean it struggles to get the rubber into a good operating zone a la Sochi.

Join us in the evening for the latest updates and results from the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as the qualifying session ahead of the 2017 Mexican Grand Prix will take place in Mexico City, with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen at the wheel of the SF70H, ready to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull for a front row start.