Nico Rosberg Takes 20th Career Pole in Mexico

By: S. Harding, Xiro Xone News  October 31, 2015

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Photo: Mercedes AMG Petronas
Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg took his 20th career pole at the Mexican Grand Prix. The quickest times were set on the first opening runs in Q3. Rosberg's first timed lap was eclipsed by Hamilton's second, but then Rosberg improved again to take pole.

“I don't really have a precise explanation. I just felt good all weekend. I've been quick in all different sessions and found a good balance in qualifying. So thanks to my engineers in the team I was able to push and got a really good lap in.” said Rosberg.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was 0.3s off the pace of Rosberg and also failed to improve in Q3. He was faster, then both Red Bull drivers Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo.

Williams finished sixth and seventh on the grid with Valtteri Bottas qualifying ahead of teammate Felipe Massa, while Max Verstappen took his Toro Rosso to eighth place. The Home hero Sergio Perez took his Force India to ninth out-qualifying his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg. While Verstappen's teammate Carlos Sainz missed the top ten by less than 0.1s and will line in front of Lotus drivers Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado with Marcus Ericsson finishing 14th.

Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen will have to start towards the back after a penalty for a gearbox change. Raikkonen had to pull over after four laps in final practice with a small fire at the rear of the car.

​And the penalties continue as Fernando Alonso will take a 15-place penalty and will start from the back row of the grid. He will be joined by his teammate Jenson Button, who didn't make it out on track due to an ongoing issue with his newly upgraded power unit. Mexico's long straights may prove tricky as they might struggle in normal conditions.

Fernando Alonso's penalty will move Felipe Nasr to 16th in front American F1 driver Alexander Rossi, who qualified ahead Manor team-mate Will Stevens.
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