In a scintillating start to the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set the track on fire as he topped the timesheets during the first practice session. Despite facing competition from his rivals and choosing the medium tires over the softs, Verstappen displayed his mastery of the circuit, finishing 0.095 seconds ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon.
The home crowd had reason to celebrate as Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, claimed the third spot. The Mexican driver was buoyed by the passionate support of his fans. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris showed impressive pace, securing fourth place, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc closely following in fifth. Oscar Piastri, in the second McLaren, also had a strong showing, rounding out the top six.
Fans and pundits alike were left wondering, “How did Mercedes make such a mistake?” Lewis Hamilton, fresh off a controversial disqualification in the United States Grand Prix, found himself in 11th place, a full second behind Verstappen’s blistering pace.
One intriguing aspect of this practice session was the presence of Pirelli test tires that teams were mandated to use. This factor added an extra layer of complexity to interpreting the lap times, making it challenging to gauge true performance.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso used the session to assess the new floor introduced by the team after mixed results in Austin. He ended up in the 16th position, hoping for improvements as the weekend unfolds.
This race weekend in Mexico marks a departure from the recent sprint format seen in Qatar and Austin, allowing teams three practice sessions to fine-tune their race and qualifying setups. This change in format provided a less frenetic first practice session compared to previous races.
Furthermore, five teams took advantage of this opportunity to give their young drivers some valuable track time. One standout performer was British talent Oliver Bearman, a member of the Ferrari driver academy. Bearman impressed by finishing 15th in the Haas, a mere four places behind regular driver Nico Hulkenberg. His performance included a heart-pounding moment when he flirted with the track’s kerbs at the Esses but managed to rescue the car from what could have been a disastrous crash. He later set an even faster time on the soft tires.
Other young talents like Frenchman Isack Hadjar in the Alpha Tauri and Alpine’s Jack Doohan showcased their skills, while Dane Frederik Vesti in the Mercedes added to the mix of emerging talents.
However, not everyone had a smooth ride. Frenchman Theo Pourchaire encountered a series of braking problems in the Alfa Romeo, preventing him from completing a flying lap before his session was prematurely halted.
As the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend unfolds, the stage is set for an exciting battle between the seasoned champions and the emerging stars, promising thrills and drama for fans of motorsport around the world. Stay tuned for more updates from the track!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mexico City Grand Prix Practice
What were the key highlights of the Mexico City Grand Prix first practice session?
In the first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dominated, setting the fastest time. He was 0.095 seconds quicker than the second-place driver, Williams’ Alex Albon, despite using medium tires instead of softs. Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, delighted his home fans by securing the third spot. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also had strong showings, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
How did Lewis Hamilton perform in the first practice session?
Lewis Hamilton, who had recently been disqualified from the United States Grand Prix, faced a challenging session in Mexico. He finished 11th in the first practice session, a full second behind Max Verstappen’s pace. It was a less-than-ideal start to the weekend for the Mercedes driver.
What made this practice session unique compared to previous races?
This practice session featured the use of mandatory Pirelli test tires by all teams. This added complexity to interpreting lap times, making it more challenging to gauge true performance. Additionally, the Mexico City Grand Prix marked a departure from the recent sprint format, allowing teams three practice sessions to fine-tune their race and qualifying setups, resulting in a less hectic first practice session compared to previous races.
Were there any standout performances by young drivers during this session?
Yes, several young drivers made their mark during this practice session. One notable performer was British talent Oliver Bearman, a member of the Ferrari driver academy, who impressed by finishing 15th in the Haas, just behind regular driver Nico Hulkenberg. Other emerging talents like Frenchman Isack Hadjar in the Alpha Tauri and Alpine’s Jack Doohan showcased their skills, while Dane Frederik Vesti in the Mercedes added to the mix of up-and-coming talents.
Did any driver face significant challenges during the session?
Frenchman Theo Pourchaire had a challenging session in the Alfa Romeo. He encountered a series of braking problems that prevented him from completing a flying lap before his session was brought to a premature close, highlighting the difficulties some drivers faced during this practice session.
More about Mexico City Grand Prix Practice
- Mexico City Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen
- Williams F1 Team
- Sergio Perez
- Lando Norris
- Charles Leclerc
- Lewis Hamilton
- Pirelli
- Ferrari Driver Academy
- Haas F1 Team
- Alpha Tauri
- Alpine F1 Team
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
- United States Grand Prix
- Alfa Romeo Racing
