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Qualifying for this year's Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix has been completed, and while the rain evaded the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the action certainly did not, with talking points coming from up and down the grid. This weekend can see some momentous milestones being achieved, but what are the big stories ahead of the 2018 Mexican GP?
1: Red Bull back on form
Red Bull have been in a relative limbo for most of this season, slower than Ferrari and Mercedes at the front, but much faster than the other seven teams on the grid. Qualifying in Mexico City, though, has possibly seen them return to their frontrunning form, with their first front-row lockout since the United States Grand Prix of 2013.
Max Verstappen looked like he would be the one to claim pole and become the youngest pole-sitter in the sport's history, but the Honey Badger had other ideas. Ricciardo set a sensational lap in Q3 to take his first pole since Monaco, where the Aussie would go on to win. Despite Mexico's long straights, downforce is key thanks to the circuit's high altitude and the Red Bull car is generally considered to be the best when it comes to aerodynamic and mechanical grip.
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A Red Bull driver hasn't stood on the top step of the podium since Austria, and Ricciardo hasn't been there since his sensational victory around the streets of Monte Carlo earlier this season.
With the pace that the RB14 has shown so far this weekend, you'd be a brave man to bet against them drawing a blank once again. On a side note, if Verstappen wins, he'll become the first driver to ever win back-to-back Mexican Grands Prix and with rain a possibility for Sunday, the Dutchman is definitely in with a shout.
2: Hamilton in Pole Position for the title
With a 70-point lead and only 75 points remaining in the last three races, Lewis Hamilton has all-but wrapped up the driver's championship this year. 7th place or higher on Sunday, regardless of what Sebastian Vettel does, the British driver will become a five-time Formula 1 champion.
With the pace of the Mercedes car, even an early spin won't prevent Hamilton from getting at least sixth, such is the advantage over the midfield. Third place on the grid obviously isn't pole, but it is ahead of his main championship rival, which was the ultimate aim of Saturday for the Englishman.
Realistically, only a win by Vettel and a mechanical failure or a crash will prevent Hamilton from equalling Juan Manuel Fangio's record of 5 drivers' world titles and leaving only Michael Schumacher ahead of LH44.
Mercedes can also clinch a fifth constructor's title in a row, although that looks more likely to come in Brazil rather than Mexico.
3: Sauber slowly climbing the ladder
If there's one team that has steadily improved throughout 2018, it's definitely Alfa Romeo-Sauber. After 2 dismal years in 2016 and 2017, 2018 has been a welcome return to the midfield melee for the Swiss outfit. They went over 3 years without seeing both of their cars in Q3, but today's qualifying saw the cars from Hinwil make the top 10 for the second time in 4 races, marking superb progress for the team.
With the experience of 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen and the youth of Antonio Giovinazzi in the car for next season, there's real optimism in the team. Don't rule out the Iceman getting a podium next year, if the car is a good one again, it would certainly be a possibility.
4: Haas is nowhere near their rivals' pace
As Romain Grosjean put it, Haas can't seem to crack Mexico.
Ever since the American team entered Formula 1 in 2016, Hermanos Rodriguez has proven to be a bogey track for the outfit. 2016 saw Esteban Gutierrez and Grosjean finish 19th and 20th out of 21 finishers and 2017 produced just a sole point-finish for Kevin Magnussen.
Despite an upturn in form in 2018, both drivers failed to make it into Q2, P16 and 18 for their drivers. Even worse for Grosjean is the fact that he has a three-place grid penalty for the crash he caused in the US GP. It could be a long race for KMag and RoGro on Sunday.
5: Perez needs a miracle in his home race
The sole Mexican driver on the grid will do well to make the top 10 again in his home race.
Sergio Perez has enjoyed another superb season at Force India, the Mexican is the only driver to make the podium who doesn't drive for Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull this year. 13th on the grid for Perez, though, doesn't make good reading for the home support, who will be hoping, rather than expecting, for their man to make the top 10.
But with long straights and a decent car underneath him, the Guadalajara native has the opportunity to overtake. Esteban Ocon also failed to make it out of Q3, Mexico City doesn't appear to be Force India's track either.
Pérez and Ocon did not make it into Q3 due to a strategic move and the wish to have a free choice of tyres to start to Grand Prix.
