Valtteri Bottas takes surprise Mexico City Grand Prix pole ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes front-row lockout, with Brit's title rival Max Verstappen in third - after qualifying was delayed due to crash involving Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas took a surprise pole position for the Grand Prix in Mexico City
- Lewis Hamilton finished second as Mercedes locked out the front row of the grid
- Red Bull, expected to dominate in the high-altitude conditions, came P3 and P4
- Hamilton's title rival Max Verstappen will attack the Mercedes cars from third
- Red Bull's Verstappen leads the reigning world champion by just 12 points
- Max Verstappen won an enthralling race last time out in the United States
- Follow this link for the latest Formula One news, including live action and results
Lewis Hamilton was handed a leg-up in his world championship fight by his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas taking a shock pole position in Mexico.
The Mercedes cars been unable to match the punching power of the Red Bull all weekend until it finally mattered, with Hamilton second fastest, 0.145sec off the top.
Max Verstappen, Hamilton's only rival for the crown, was only third best. It was a totally unexpected order and one that gives Hamilton a great chance of nibbling into the Dutchman's 12-point lead.
Valtteri Bottas (above) took pole position for Mercedes ahead of Sunday's Mexican Grand Prix
The Finnish driver's shock win will give his team-mate Lewis Hamilton a boost in the title race
Bottas and current champion Hamilton locked out an all-Mercedes front row for Sunday's race
Verstappen was hampered on his final flying lap and backed off. 'Unbelievable,' said Verstappen of someone. 'What a dumb idiot.' Whether he would have taken pole otherwise is doubtful.
Red Bull's No 2 Sergio Perez, the local favourite among the 110,000-strong crowd was fourth best.
There was a delay in proceedings in Q1, when Lance Stroll lost control around the final bend, running wide on to the dirty part of the track. His Aston Martin was badly bruised and hoisted away by crane.
Stroll reassured his pit wall that he was OK after the 12G impact and did not require an FIA medical test following precautionary x-rays.
Briton Hamilton will be hopeful of eating into Max Verstappen's 12-point championship lead
Verstappen, however, had grip problems as Red Bull's expected dominance did not happen
The barrier was less than OK and hurried repairs were carried out under the on-spot supervision of race director Michael Masi after his red flag brought about a hiatus of some 25 minutes.
Canadian Stroll was already due to start at the back of the grid but may now begin the 71-lap grand prix from the pit lane. His team have plenty of repair work to do.
George Russell qualified 13th for Williams but takes a five-place grid penalty after a change of gearbox.
Lando Norris was 10th best for McLaren but his engine change dooms him to start at the back.
To see all the thrills and spills from Formula One qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix as they happened live, follow coverage from Sportsmail's DAN RIPLEY for below, including all the build-up, updates and results.