Mexico City GP - Free Practice

Hello @Stratastic
Oct 26, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Jan 30

Mexico City GP

Free Practice 1

October 25, 2024

George Russell led the field in opening practice for the Mexican Grand Prix, clocking in the fastest lap of the session while Williams’ Alex Albon and Ferrari’s Oliver Bearman made headlines with a dramatic on-track collision.

Russell, in strong form for Mercedes, set the pace with a time of 1:17.998 seconds, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was 0.317 seconds behind in second place, and Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda finished third on the timesheets. Max Verstappen, the current championship leader, struggled with an engine issue and closed out the session in fourth.

Albon and Bearman’s Crash Pauses the Session

The main drama of the session unfolded when Albon lost control at Turn 10 and collided with Bearman’s Ferrari. Bearman, the British reserve driver who will join Haas next season, was standing in for Charles Leclerc. Albon's Williams went sideways after he rounded the corner at high speed, only to find Bearman’s slower Ferrari on the right side of the track. The impact was severe enough to damage Bearman’s suspension and bring the session to a halt for 13 minutes.

After the collision, a frustrated Albon described Bearman as an “idiot” over the team radio, expressing clear dissatisfaction. “Alex had to back out of it and lost the car on the apex,” explained Williams’ team boss, James Vowles. Vowles added that they would be able to proceed with the second practice session if the car’s chassis is undamaged.

Verstappen Battles Engine Issues

Verstappen, who was fourth fastest, experienced engine problems late in the session. He radioed in, noting, “There’s something wrong with the engine, mate... I don’t know... it’s not behaving nice. I have no power.” His early retirement from the session could put Red Bull under pressure to secure the car’s performance ahead of the qualifying sessions.

McLaren’s Guest Driver O’Ward Shines

McLaren’s usual driver, Lando Norris, sat out the session, allowing Mexican IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward to take the wheel. O’Ward, a fan favorite in his home country, finished 13th and demonstrated impressive skill in handling an F1 car under Mexico’s demanding conditions.

Mercedes and Ferrari Field Young Talent

Mercedes also shook things up by allowing 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli to take Lewis Hamilton’s spot for the session. Antonelli, who will replace Hamilton at Ferrari next season, set the 12th-fastest time in only his second practice outing, with his debut at Monza marred by a crash in August.

Ferrari reserve driver Bearman’s stint, though interrupted by the crash with Albon, marked a significant opportunity as he prepares to step up with Haas next year. Bearman’s progress will be closely watched as he prepares to join the F1 grid full-time.

Rounding Out the Grid

Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who has been under scrutiny for a series of lackluster performances, finished only 10th in front of his home crowd. This result may add to the pressure on Perez as he seeks to recapture form in front of his fans in Mexico City. Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto performed admirably, clocking in 11th for Williams, while Brazilian Felipe Drugovich took 18th in Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin. Alonso is set to return for the next session, marking his 400th career race milestone.

As the Mexican Grand Prix weekend unfolds, drivers will return for a second practice session, which has been extended to allow testing on Pirelli’s new 2025 development tires. With Russell leading the charge, Verstappen seeking solutions to engine issues, and young talent like O’Ward and Antonelli rising to the occasion, fans can expect an exciting weekend of racing in Mexico City.

Free Practice 2

October 25, 2024

Carlos Sainz emerged as the fastest driver in Friday’s second practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, as Mercedes’ George Russell crashed heavily, ending what was an eventful day of practice sessions at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Sainz, in his Ferrari, recorded the top time of 1:17.699 seconds, setting his mark on Pirelli’s 2025 prototype tires. His lap was 0.178 seconds quicker than McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, with Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda surprisingly securing third in both practice sessions.

Russell’s Crash Casts Shadow Over Mercedes’ Day

After leading the first practice with a 1:17.998 lap, Russell’s second practice session was cut short by a significant crash at Turn 8. The Briton lost control, with his car spinning and colliding with the barriers. Although Russell emerged without major injury, Mercedes confirmed that the impact was “significant,” with the car sustaining extensive damage. Reflecting on the incident, Russell explained, “Honestly, don’t know what happened… the car started bouncing on the ground, and before I had a chance to catch it, I was already spinning.”

Russell’s incident raises concerns for Mercedes, especially as he missed valuable track time ahead of Saturday's final practice session, which could impact the team’s preparations.

Verstappen’s Engine Woes Sideline the Championship Leader

Current championship leader Max Verstappen, who holds a comfortable 57-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris, also faced setbacks in Mexico. An engine issue early in the second practice kept Verstappen out of action for the remainder of the session. “This noise is very disturbing, this can’t be normal,” Verstappen reported over the team radio before pulling into the garage. The triple world champion, who has a strong history at the Mexico GP, now faces a challenging road to maintain his dominant form.

Albon and Bearman’s Collision Overshadows Opening Practice

The day’s first practice saw high drama as Williams’ Alex Albon collided with Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman, who was filling in for Charles Leclerc. The collision forced Albon out of the second session, leaving his team to repair substantial damage. Albon didn’t hold back his frustration, calling Bearman an “idiot” over team radio, though race stewards later ruled it a racing incident with no further action. Bearman’s incident didn’t hinder Ferrari’s progress, as Leclerc was back in the car for the second practice, managing to clock the fourth-fastest time.

Young Guns Take the Wheel

McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton each handed over their cars to promising young drivers in the first practice. Mexican IndyCar star Pato O’Ward brought enthusiasm from the home crowd, finishing 13th in Norris’ car, while 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, Hamilton’s successor at Ferrari next season, made his second outing of the year, recording the 12th-fastest time. This experience is critical for Antonelli as he prepares for a full season with Ferrari, despite his Monza debut marred by a crash.

Notable Performances and Mexican Hopefuls

McLaren’s Norris returned for the second session and finished fifth on medium tires, while Fernando Alonso took an 11th place as he prepares for his record-breaking 400th race this weekend. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, however, continued his challenging streak, finishing 10th in the first practice and 9th in the second — performances that may fuel the scrutiny he’s facing from fans and analysts alike.

As the Mexico City GP weekend continues, the spotlight will remain on these storylines: Sainz’s impressive pace, Russell’s recovery from the crash, and Verstappen’s attempts to overcome his engine issues. With one more practice session before qualifying, teams will need to maximize their adjustments and strategies in what’s already shaping up to be an intense and unpredictable weekend in Mexico City.

Free Practice 3

October 26, 2024

Oscar Piastri Steals the Spotlight with McLaren One-Two in Mexico Final Practice

Mexico City — McLaren’s Oscar Piastri set the pace in Saturday’s final practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, leading his teammate Lando Norris to secure a McLaren one-two finish ahead of Sunday’s showdown at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Piastri clocked a best lap of 1:16.492 seconds, just 0.059 seconds ahead of Norris, showing McLaren’s fierce competitiveness as they continue to chase points and podiums.

Piastri and Norris: McLaren’s Power Duo

Piastri’s stellar performance reinforces McLaren’s recent form, with the team delivering a tight-knit display of speed and control. The Australian driver, who may soon be mathematically out of title contention, has consistently showcased his prowess on the track. Norris, just a fraction behind, aims to close the 57-point gap to championship leader Max Verstappen, who currently holds a strong position with five races remaining.

Verstappen’s Friday Struggles and Engine Swap

Despite this change, which spared him any grid penalties, Verstappen continued to struggle with “a lack of grip”, a complaint that may spell trouble for his weekend performance. The reigning triple champion ended the session in fourth, 0.511 seconds off Piastri’s pace.

Hometown Hero Perez Faces Setbacks

For Sergio Perez, Mexico’s homegrown hero, the weekend has been particularly tough. After grappling with Friday’s sessions, Perez placed a disappointing 14th in final practice.

Ferrari and Mercedes Keep Up the Pace

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz took the third spot, 0.340 seconds behind Piastri, maintaining a strong showing for the Italian team. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, followed in sixth, while Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell rounded out the top spots in fifth and eighth respectively.

Final Preparations Set the Stage for Sunday

As Saturday’s practice wrapped, the standings suggest a tight race in Mexico, with McLaren’s dominance in practice and Ferrari and Mercedes close behind. Red Bull will need to resolve Verstappen’s grip issues to maintain his winning streak, while Perez must overcome his recent struggles to please the home crowd.