5 interesting race predictions for 2018 Mexican Grand Prix

With the 2018 season all but decided, a lot is yet to happen, particularly when you are Sebastian Vettel. But well, even as Vettel is to win the Grand Prix, what can the Ferrari driver do to prevent Hamilton from standing outside sixth or seventh.

So well as Raikkonen says each time when contacted as to what might happen in the race- "who knows"- one can only speculate about the possible outcomes for the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix.

Where on the one hand, fans will wait excitingly to see their hero Lewis being declared the championship winner, there'd be some hearts that'll sink in despair for Sebastian Vettel.

As Red Bulls will look to dominate the proceedings, Ricciardo playing the nice anchor to the Mexican Grand Prix in clinching the pole, his first since Monaco, we predict the following 5 interesting outcomes for the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix:

Max overtakes Ricciardo in the opening lap

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - Final Practice

Can Verstappen do a repeat of his 2017 effort at Mexico City? Well, if you are a member of the famous "Orange Army", you'd want nothing more at the 2018 race, isn't it? But if you are a Dan-Ric fan you'd hate that.

Having said that, inside the opening lap, Verstappen, who begins second will leapfrog his teammate by making a sudden lunge and secure lead of the 2018 Mexican Grand Prix. It would be his race to lose thereafter.

Having said that, how far will Daniel Ricciardo actually go to contain his domineering teammate will be the subject of great interest for many a fan. In the totalitarian perspective of the race, however, in the battle at Mexico City, Ricciardo's fighting finish, perhaps on the podium will be incredibly exciting for the Aussie's point of view.

Vettel and Hamilton put on a show

While the top honours will eventually rest with Lewis, who'll finally become a five-time title winner, an epic feat, he would have to fend off an attacking Sebastian Vettel, who, in knowing well that the best strategy for the race would be to attack his main rival, will go all out against Lewis.

In so doing, fans will be treated to a delightful show that'll start very early in the race from the onset of the middle sector inside the opening lap wherein Vettel will dive down on the inside of Hamilton around the first chicane and make a place which Hamilton will duly clinch back using customary calmness under pressure.

But the spectacle of two modern greats putting on a show will provide the adrenaline rush fans so crave for. At the end of the day, Hamilton fans won't really be surprised to hear the customary on the team radio, "Get in there, Lewis! World champion!"

Ricciardo sets the fastest lap

It hasn't really been a fantastic year for Daniel Ricciardo, who given the recent run of races he's had surprises one to even think that he managed not one but two race wins.

But then, is there something that Ricciardo cannot do

One's got to feel for the Australian driver, currently on pole, who's had to suffer the massive ignominy of enduring seven DNFs this season.

Having said that, Ricciardo, who'll enjoy his first front row start in a long time will make the most of it in his mighty battle with his young, more ferocious teammate.

In so doing, Ricciardo, who went flat out in the early moments of the opening qualifying run on Saturday, will end up as the fastest man on the grid. He'd look after his tyres well and clinch a racy lap going really fast, probably hitting the 1:11:002 or something.

Leclerc finishes inside top six, battles off Nico

If there's one man who's impressed everyone given his talent and performance this year then it's Charles Leclerc, the new Ferrari signee for 2019.

Make no mistake, he will become the subject of admiration of fans once again here in his maiden race effort at Mexico. So what is it that Leclerc is going to do?

Having finished inside the top ten in qualifying, perhaps a habit for young Charles, the young Frenchman will demonstrate his supreme skills all throughout the race by battling the experienced Nico Hulkenberg in the early stages, the German beginning from seventh, behind Ferrari's Kimi.

Leclerc will also exhibit some class, this being his maiden Mexico Grand Prix by setting some impressive lap times, going quicker on more occasions than his teammate, Ericsson. And at the end of the day, he shall justify once again his selection for the Scuderia stable next year.

Kimi to have a modest final Mexican GP with Ferrari

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico - an ordinary weekend for Kimi ahead?

The Iceman, the latest Grand Prix winner having driven a literally unforgettable drive at Texas will look to emulate his American effort at neighbouring Mexico. But to be honest, it won't be all that great for the Finn, who'll not only struggle to match the faster times set by Bottas but would also lag behind his teammate who already begins from fourth, two spots ahead of Kimi Raikkonen.

While Raikkonen fans would absolutely love to have the Finnish superstar do a repeat of his 2017 effort, where he finished on the podium, once again, there'll be a few troubles for Raikkonen, who might dread the fact that he's beginning sixth in his contention to emerge a race-winner, if at all he's wanting to try that.

Having said that, Raikkonen will charm everyone by improving on his personal speed traps, perhaps even managing to better Marcus Ericsson's 353 k's as seen during the qualifying on Saturday.