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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.
