During the second Free Practice (FP2) session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing dominated the field by setting the fastest lap time. After a series of shifts in the top spot by Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris, and Verstappen’s teammate, Alex Albon, Verstappen reclaimed the lead with a lap time of 1m19.511s. It is worth noting that Verstappen achieved this feat using the standard 2023 Pirelli C4 medium tires instead of the prototype variety he initially started with. Verstappen’s lap time served as the benchmark for the early stages of the session, with most drivers completing their laps on hard, medium, and prototype medium tires.
Oscar Piastri emerged as a strong contender when he switched to the soft compound tires a few minutes past the one-third mark of the session. With a blistering lap time of 1m19.163s on the red-walled rubber, Piastri topped the timesheets and set the stage for qualifying simulation runs. As most of the field followed suit and opted for the soft tires, Piastri’s time remained uncontested for several minutes.
Fernando Alonso of Alpine had one of the most dramatic moments in FP2 when he spun out of Turn 9. With 25 minutes remaining in the session, Alonso lost control of his car after running too hard over the inside kerbs of the left-hander. The rear of his car swung around violently, resulting in a complete spin across the short straight heading towards Turn 10. This incident showcased the challenging nature of the track and the importance of finding the right balance between speed and control.
After Alonso’s spin, several drivers, including Alex Albon and Oscar Piastri, momentarily held the top spot before being overtaken by Verstappen. Clocking in at an impressive 1m18.686s, Verstappen set a new fastest lap time. His teammate, Sergio Perez, initially struggled to beat his personal best from earlier in the session while on prototype medium tires. However, he managed to climb up the order with a lap time of 1m18.988s, securing a competitive position.
As heavy clouds loomed over the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the teams switched gears and focused on high-fuel long runs towards the end of FP2. Rain made a brief appearance with just over 15 minutes remaining in the session, starting with light intensity before gradually intensifying. Fortunately, the rain did not reach a point where teams had to consider pit stops or transitioning to intermediate tires.
The Aston Martin pair, consisting of Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll, did not complete a soft tire run. Consequently, the top five positions remained unchanged at the end of the session, with Verstappen leading the pack. Daniel Ricciardo finished in sixth place, followed by Lewis Hamilton in seventh. Esteban Ocon, Oscar Piastri, and George Russell completed the top 10.
The Mexican Grand Prix posed various challenges for teams and drivers alike. Both Carlos Sainz and George Russell faced limited track time during FP1 due to different circumstances. Frederik Vesti took the helm of Russell’s Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team car, while Sainz encountered a hydraulics failure issue with his Ferrari, leading to a loss of power steering functionality.
Additionally, Lance Stroll encountered technical problems with the left-front of his Aston Martin, significantly reducing his track time during the second half of FP2. Fernando Alonso’s spin also impacted his session, causing him to finish in 20th place, two positions behind his teammate. Alex Albon encountered an aerodynamic issue with his Williams, forcing him to return to the pits before the session’s conclusion.
Despite the rain and technical challenges faced by some teams, Max Verstappen showcased his prowess by retaining the top spot in a rain-affected FP2 session. The impressive performances by Oscar Piastri, Sergio Perez, and other drivers further intensified the competition in preparation for qualifying and race day. As the Mexican Grand Prix unfolds, fans can anticipate an exhilarating battle for pole position and an action-packed race on one of Formula One’s iconic tracks.
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