Sauber enjoys another double top-10 start in Mexico

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Like in Russia, Sauber will see both its drivers line up among the top-10 on Sunday's grid in Mexico, with Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson qualifying respectively P9 and P10.

For the Ferrari-bound driver, it will be his third consecutive top-10 start, his sixth this season, but Leclerc admits he'll have his work cut out for him to keep a few of his rivals behind given his launch on Pirelli's high degradation hypersoft tyre.

"I am happy about qualifying today – 9th place, another Q3," said the Monegasque.

"Our performance looks strong, and we made a good recovery since yesterday.

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"It will be a challenge to keep our competitors behind us, as we are starting on the hypersoft tyres which we qualified on.

"We will make the best of it and hopefully will be able to score some points after being less lucky in the last two races."

Ericsson conquered a spot on the first half of the grid for only the second time this year, the Swede believing the performance was fully warranted after the team's hard overnight work to improve its C37.

"After having a difficult day yesterday, we worked hard overnight to improve for qualifying," said Ericsson.

"Today’s results show a great team effort, by both the team at the track as well as in the factory.

"We made quite a few changes for today, and they paid off. The car felt much better and we could already see the improvements in FP3," he added.

"Qualifying was great, and it felt good to make it to Q3. It was a good effort and we should have good chances for a good result tomorrow, staring in the top ten with both cars.."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.