If doubts could exist, Max Verstappen dispelled them on Friday, asserting himself as the main favorite in the Mexican Grand Prix of Formula 1. The three-time champion led both sessions yesterday at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
FP1 had some rookies in the field, which had no influence on the work of the present regular drivers. However, as happened in FP2 as well, there was a prototype tire compound from Pirelli being tested. Verstappen (Red Bull) set the pace, being one of the two drivers to run in the 1m19s (1m19.718s). The other was the surprising Alexander Albon (Williams), who was 0.095s behind the Dutchman.
Sergio Pérez (Red Bull), who competes at home, was third, followed by Lando Norris (McLaren) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari). Leclerc’s teammate, Carlos Sainz, finished seventh but had hydraulic problems early on that took away his work time.
Lewis Hamilton was the best Mercedes in 11th, in a session where George Russell gave the cockpit to rookie Frederik Vesti… who finished 19th. The strongest of the rookies was Oliver Bearman (Haas) in 15th.
Despite some drizzles, the times improved in the afternoon FP2, but once again it was Verstappen who prevailed. In the best of his 26 laps, he ran a 1m18.606s, but don’t be mistaken if you think it was a clearly superior performance. The championship leader was only 0.119s faster than Norris, while Leclerc was third, 0.266s behind.
After Albon surprised in the opening session, it was Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) who also impressed: he set the fourth time, 0.269s off the top. Pérez ended up in fifth place, just over three-tenths behind, followed by Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri).
The best Mercedes was Hamilton’s again, while Russell took his first steps this weekend and finished tenth. Sainz finished just behind in 11th, in a tough Friday for the Spaniard. His compatriot, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), had an even more difficult FP2, finishing last after spinning.
FP1 times:
FP2 times:
