HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from qualifying in Mexico as Sainz storms to pole after shock Q1 exits for Perez and Piastri

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz charged to pole position for the Mexico City Grand Prix, getting the better of Red Bull rival Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris – while there was early drama when home hero Sergio Perez got knocked out in Q1.

Already on provisional pole, Sainz’s stunning final time of 1m 15.946s in the decisive Q3 shootout put him a couple of tenths clear of Verstappen, with Norris, Charles Leclerc and George Russell rounding out the top five positions.

READ MORE: Sainz clinches sensational pole position ahead of Verstappen and Norris during dramatic qualifying session in Mexico

It was a disastrous session for Perez, who fell at the first qualifying hurdle in front of his loyal fans, and there was another shock at the Q1 chequered flag when McLaren driver Oscar Piastri failed to miss the cut.

There was also trouble for Yuki Tsunoda, who locked up, lost control of his RB and slammed into the wall as Q2 drew to a close, meaning he dropped out in P11 and 12th-placed team mate Liam Lawson could not post an improvement amid the red flag.

Hit go on the video player above to watch the highlights from qualifying.