Max Verstappen Leads Mexico City Practice; McLarens Face Challenges
In the lead-up to the Mexico City Grand Prix, Max Verstappen showcased impressive skill during Friday practice sessions. The Dutch driver, racing for Red Bull, secured the fastest lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, outpacing his closest competitor, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, by 0.153 seconds.
McLaren’s Challenges
McLaren’s Lando Norris expressed concerns about his team’s performance, stating that they felt “a little bit behind.” His teammate, Oscar Piastri, who currently sits 14 points ahead of Norris in the rankings, finished the session in a disappointing 12th place. Norris managed to secure the fourth-fastest time but acknowledged that maintaining pace could be a significant hurdle.
Team Insights
Norris highlighted the difficulties in finding an optimal balance with the car. “We’re in a reasonable place,” he said, noting his quick adaptation to the speed of the track. However, he admitted that the team has substantial work to do before the race, particularly with single-lap performance. “Normally, we’re very good on a Friday and then everyone catches up on Saturday,” he added.
Verstappen’s Performance
Despite topping the time sheets, Verstappen voiced his dissatisfaction with the car’s long-run performance. He reported struggling with grip during race simulations, which he considers a concerning issue for the upcoming race. “On the medium tire, the big problem was the long run, where we seemed to struggle a lot,” he remarked.
- Driver: Max Verstappen
- Team: Red Bull Racing
- Fastest Time: Topped Friday practice
- Second Place: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Norris’s Position: Fourth Fastest
- Piastri’s Position: Twelfth
- Points Behind Championship Leader: Verstappen is 40 points behind Piastri
- Piastri’s Lead Over Norris: 14 points
As the teams prepare for the main event, the contrasting experiences of Verstappen and the McLaren drivers underline the competitive nature of this year’s championship.
