Max Verstappen’s engine problems continued to severely limit the world championship leader’s run at the Mexico City Grand Prix as practice two was halted due to George Russell’s heavy crash.
In a session extended to 90 minutes longer than usual for next year’s tire compound testing, Verstappen completed just four laps and failed to set a time.
The Red Bull driver appeared to pop up immediately in the second session after his practice one run was curtailed due to an engine problem previously described by team principal Christian Horner as “serious”.
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Max Verstappen’s difficult Friday continued in Mexico, where he had to return to the pitlane in second practice.
Russell showed impressive speed in the opening session for the Mercedes, but lasted only 12 minutes in practice 2 when he lost control at turn 8 and crashed into the barrier at high speed.
The Briton was released from the medical center at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez despite being moved cautiously from the W15 to a medical vehicle after the accident.
“I really don’t know what happened,” Russell said. “The car just started bouncing off the ground and was already spinning before I could catch it.
“There’s a lot going on for the guys tonight as well. It seems like it’s happening one after another at the moment.”
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Sky F1’s Martin Brundle was at the trackside to inspect the damage caused to George Russell’s Mercedes after it suffered a heavy crash during P2 in Mexico.
Carlos Sainz topped the Ferrari session, but timetables were difficult to gauge because the tire compounds used by each driver were not disclosed.
Oscar Piastri finished second for McLaren, while his teammate and Verstappen’s closest title challenger, Lando Norris, finished fifth.
Norris was one of a group of five drivers, including Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who did not compete in the first session as the team fulfilled its obligation to run its young drivers in two practices during the season.
The British duo were therefore able to use the standard 2024 medium compound tires in the final stages of Practice 2, along with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu.
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Highlights from Friday’s practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Norris improved by nearly half a second on the medium tires, moving from ninth to fourth, while Alonso, driving in his record 400th race of the weekend, jumped from 15th to ninth in the final minute.
Verstappen leads Norris by 57 points at the top of the Drivers’ Championship with five rounds remaining in the 2024 season.
The Red Bull driver said he was confident his engine would not need to be replaced and could face a grid penalty if necessary.
“No, that would be fine,” Verstappen said when asked about a possible powertrain change.
“I’m checking the engine side. I don’t know what it is. It’s been a wasted day from my side. I’ve done four or five laps. There’s not much to read at the moment.”
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Max Verstappen was frustrated with his Red Bull’s performance in Mexico after having to sit in the pitlane during P1 and P2.
Friday’s track action was accompanied by a major sideshow with McLaren’s bid to overturn the penalty awarded to Norris for overtaking Verstappen at last weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
The first hearing, which will require McLaren to provide “significant and relevant” new evidence that was not available at the time of the decision, was to be held at 9.30pm UK time between sessions on Friday, but the FIA has not announced when practice times will be. Two were finished in three hours.
Williams’ Alex Albon failed to get on track in the second practice after suffering a heavy crash in the first session. This left his car needing too many repairs to get it ready to run again.
Stewards decided no action was needed over Albon’s collision, which occurred before his collision with British teenager Ollie Bearman, who was representing Ferrari as a young driver.
Live Mexico City GP schedule on Sky Sports F1
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Take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments from the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Saturday, October 26th
6.15pm: Mexico City GP Practice 3 (session starts at 6.30pm)
9pm: Preparing for Mexico City GP qualifying*
10pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying*
Sunday, October 27
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP strengthened*
8 p.m.: Mexico City Grand Prix*
10pm: Checkered flag: Mexico City GP reaction
*Also shown live on Sky Sports Main Event (race build-up from 7.30pm on Sunday).
Formula 1’s Americas Triple Heading continues this weekend with the Mexico City Grand Prix, with all sessions broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month membership. There is no contract and you can cancel at any time.
