Max Verstappen believes he will need cars ahead of him to “retire” to go up the order in Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix after only qualifying fifth on the grid.

In a surprise turn of form, Red Bull ’s Verstappen struggled for pace and will start on the third row, between the Mercedes drivers of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Lando Norris sealed a stunning pole position ahead of both Ferraris, while championship leader Oscar Piastri will start the spot directly behind Verstappen on the grid in seventh .

Verstappen, who has won three of the last four races, trails Piastri by 40 points as he looks to execute the most unfathomable of F1 world championship comebacks.

But asked on Saturday what the issues with Red Bull’s RB21 car were, the Dutchman replied: “If we would know

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