McLaren makes statement on pace ahead of Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying from 10pm, as Oscar Piastri led title contending teammate Lando Norris one-two and Max Verstappen finished half a second in practice three session announced. You’ll be off their pace.
The first real representative session of the weekend took place at Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez after Friday’s disrupted practice session, with McLaren leading the way in a low-fuel qualifying simulation in late third, with Piastri on 0.059. He set the pace for Norris by a second. He recorded the fastest lap of 1:16.492.
Ferrari took an impressive lead in the early runs and established its own one-two, but was unable to react to the slow pace of McLaren, which picked up the pace on new soft tyres, with Carlos Sainz finishing third, 0.3 seconds off Papaya’s pace. retreated.
Max Verstappen was fourth, a whopping 0.511 seconds behind his main Red Bull rivals as the world champion’s struggles continued in Mexico.
After a power unit problem severely limited his run on Friday, Verstappen returned to the track on Saturday with a different engine in his RB20 and drove without issue, although the car’s overall handling was poor compared to that of the world championship leader. It remained far from my liking. .
“Oh, this isn’t working,” said a frustrated Verstappen at the end of the session, likely referring to the setup trial.
“There is no front or rear grip.”
Things looked even worse for teammate Sergio Perez. Sergio Perez was a Mexican driver who ran off the track en route to 14th place.
McLaren appears to be the front-row candidate for qualifying. Sky Sports F1 “I’m very interested to see on the front lines whether Ferrari and Red Bull can challenge McLaren,” said Karun Chandhok.
“It wasn’t just one driver, but the two McLaren drivers had a huge lead over the field.”
George Russell returned from a big crash in P2 in 8th place, leaving Lewis Hamilton in 5th fastest time in the leading Mercedes, but Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari was 2nd behind Sainz in the early stages. However, he only finished 6th in the qualifying simulation.
Just like last year, when Daniel Ricciardo took an unexpected 4th place on the grid, RB seems to be enjoying the thin air of Mexico City, with both cars finishing in the top 10 in final practice, with Yuki Tsunoda finishing 7th. Liam Lawson finished in 10th place.
Kevin Magnussen, who finished seventh in last week’s Austin Sprint, led Haas to ninth.
Will Norris be able to capitalize on Verstappen’s past struggles?
After last week’s drama, controversy and Austin’s ultimate disappointment over Norris, the Briton’s already uphill task to overtake Verstappen and win the world title has only increased since Mexico, with the McLaren driver somehow managing to beat Verstappen. I know that I have to try to beat it even for just one second. Over the remaining five-race weekend, he averaged about 12 points per race.
For that to happen, he will need a few cars to finish between him and his Dutch rival, and at least from early evidence from this first weekend, Mexico will be the best place for Norris to establish that kind of run. This could be an opportunity to take at least the first step.
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Max Verstappen was left dissatisfied with his Red Bull’s performance after having to enter the pit lane in both P1 and P2 in Mexico.
Verstappen has not been happy with his RB20 since putting it on track on Friday. Red Bull’s World Champion Day was significantly shortened due to repeated troubles with its power unit caused by leaks in the intake circuit.
There was no need to apply a grid penalty as that unit was removed from the car and replaced with one already in the ‘pool’ and used this season.
However, he has already exceeded his season penalty-free quota by one unit at August’s Belgian Grand Prix, raising the possibility that Verstappen will need a further unit at some point in the season’s crucial five races. This probably increases the possibility of new grid penalties.
Sky Sports F1 Mexico City GP Live Schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments that happened at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Saturday, October 26th
9pm: Mexico City GP qualifying build-up*
10pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying*
Sunday, October 27th
6:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP Build-up*
8pm: Mexico City Grand Prix*
10pm: Checkered flag: Mexico City GP reaction
*Also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event (Race build-up from 7.30pm on Sunday)
F1’s Americas Triple Header continues this weekend with the Mexico City Grand Prix, with all sessions being broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership – cancel anytime with no contract
