<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2BQHms_0wNyspeB00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2BQHms_0wNyspeB00" width="1040" height="572" >Carlos Sainz Jr. secured his first pole position of the season at the Mexican GP, showcasing a strong performance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez's struggles continued as he failed to progress past the first round of qualifying, leaving him to start 18th in a challenging race. Max Verstappen qualified second despite engine issues, while Lando Norris rounded out the top three. Perez's performance has been disappointing this year, raising concerns about his future with Red Bull as he aims to recover points amid a fierce constructors' championship race.<ul><li>Carlos Sainz achieved pole position with nearly identical lap times.</li><li>Sergio Perez will start from 18th place, marking a significant drop from his team's expectations.</li><li>Max Verstappen, a five-time winner in Mexico City, qualified second.</li></ul>Yes, ButDespite Perez's contract extension with Red Bull through 2025, his performance this season raises questions about job security, given there's an option for an early exit based on performance clauses.State of Play<ul><li>Perez has not won a race in 2023, currently sitting eighth in the driver standings.</li><li>Red Bull has witnessed a drop in the constructors' standings, now behind McLaren.</li><li>Verstappen has recently faced engine issues but qualified well for the upcoming race.</li></ul>Looking ahead, Perez will need to reclaim his performance quickly to alleviate seat security concerns while Verstappen aims to capitalize on his strong qualifying position to challenge Sainz for the lead.Bottom LinePerez's ongoing struggles contrast sharply with Sainz's success, highlighting the pressure on Red Bull's driver to improve dramatically if he hopes to maintain his seat in the competitive landscape of Formula 1.</div></body>

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Carlos Sainz secures pole at Mexican GP; Perez struggles again

Carlos Sainz Jr. secured his first pole position of the season at the Mexican GP, showcasing a strong performance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez's struggles continued as he failed to progress past the first round of qualifying, leaving him to start 18th in a challenging race. Max Verstappen qualified second despite engine issues, while Lando Norris rounded out the top three. Perez's performance has been disappointing this year, raising concerns about his future with Red Bull as he aims to recover points amid a fierce constructors' championship race.