Mexican Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton bids for sixth world championship
What's the story
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is bidding for a sixth world championship crown at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Fellow Mercedes Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas is in the line to stop Hamilton.
Mercedes will want to get the honors in Mexico after a record-breaking Japanese GP.
They were crowned constructors champions in Suzuka.
Here is all that you need to know.
Lead
Hamilton has a 64-point lead over Bottas
Five-time F1 champion Hamilton needs to outscore team mate Bottas by 14 points in Mexico to wrap up the title for the third consecutive season.
Hamilton has a 64-point lead over the Finn and goes into Mexico as the favorite.
A sixth title will take him closer to F1 legend Michael Schumacher, who holds the record haul of seven titles.
Title
How Hamilton can seal the title in Mexico?
A total of 78 points are available from the final three races.
That includes 25 points from a race win and a bonus point for the fastest lap.
The best possible manner for Hamilton is to finish first and take the fastest lap, besides hoping Bottas finishes fourth.
In any other mathematical scenario, Bottas needs to finish outside the podium places.
Bottas
Odds are certainly against Bottas in terms of championship win
Bottas will know that he has a big chance of giving a real fight.
For that to happen, Bottas needs to be at his best in the remaining races including Mexican GP.
He will definitely be boosted by his victory in Suzuka.
That was his first race win since Baku in April.
The odds are certainly against him, however, things are still possible.
Mercedes
Mercedes expected to struggle in Mexico
Ferrari set the pace in the second practice with Sebastian Vettel going 0.614 seconds quicker than the fastest Mercedes of Bottas in fourth.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen was second, 0.115 seconds behind Vettel.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc was third ahead of the two Mercedes drivers.
Mercedes could struggle in Mexico because of engine performance and straight-line speed.
Ferrari are better at the moment.
Key info
Things to expect, timing, TV listing and prediction
A lot of things will go down on the qualifying session on Saturday.
It remains to be seen whether Ferrari can get the pole and dominate on Sunday.
The race is set to be scheduled at 12:40 AM IST on Monday.
It will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network.
We feel it will be difficult for Hamilton to seal the championship here.