Max Verstappen may have already claimed this year’s world title, but he can set a new record for race wins in a season if he gets over the line first in Mexico City.

The Red Bull ace starts from third on the grid, behind Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

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A huge focus for Australian racing fans will be the surprise pace shown by Daniel Ricciardo all weekend in his AlphaTauri.

Can the “Honey badger” convert that pace into points? Stay tuned to our live blog to find out.

11pm AEDT – Is the real Ricciardo back in town?

From the heights of contending for regular race wins with Red Bull, Daniel Ricciardo had experienced a rapid decline in recent years.

Mostly ill-fated stints with Renault and McLaren transitioned to a back-up role with Red Bull before a surprise mid-year call-up to AlphaTauri.

Brief signs of life were interrupted by a broken wrist and he returned to finish 15th – last of the field that completed the race – last week’s Texas GP.

But there has been a turnaround in Mexico City.

Ricciardo’s sixth-placing in the second practice session was a pleasant surprise, but he showed that was no fluke by improving to a lofty P4 in final qualifying.

With Verstappen alongside him and the likes of Sergio Perez, Lewis Hamilton and compatriot Oscar Piastri in his rearview mirrors to start – and teammate Yuki Tsunoda lagging in 15th – there is optimism the 34-year-old Ricciardo has recaptured something.

While he has been contracted with AlphaTauri for next season, there is a strong feeling Ricciardo is auditioning to potentially replace Perez alongside Verstappen in 2024.

10.30pm AEDT – Calm before the Mexican storm

There is so much to watch for in this Grand Prix, with storylines all over the place.

For the second straight race, Charles Leclerc is on pole in his Ferrari, but he will be aiming for much better than sixth at the checkered flag and then a DQ as the floor of his and Lewis Hamilton’s machines failed an inspection in Texas.

Max Verstappen can break his own record from last year with a 16th race win when he starts from third, behind Carlos Sainz.

And plenty of eyes will be on Daniel Ricciardo as he starts a remarkable fourth on the grid in his AlphaTauri.

Also, will Martin Brundle have yet another awkward pre-race interview attempt? We sure hope so.

More to come