Mark Hughes on a Misleading Mexico Friday Practice

Formula 1's Mexican Grand Prix practice day presented a typically dirty track and a mix of run programs, making the true pecking order less than clear. While Max Verstappen's Red Bull appeared super-quick in qualifying simulations, his long-run pace on medium tires lagged behind both Mercedes cars and was similar to the Ferraris. McLaren's Lando Norris showed mighty long-run pace on soft tires, but comparison was difficult as most others ran mediums.

Why it matters:

• The initial practice sessions in Mexico City often offer a distorted view due to unique track conditions and varying team strategies.
• Understanding the true performance dynamics, especially regarding tire degradation and car balance in low-grip, high-altitude conditions, is crucial for predicting the rest of the weekend's outcomes.
• The varying tire choices for long runs — particularly McLaren opting for softs when others used mediums — further complicates direct comparisons and creates uncertainty about who truly holds the advantage.

The details:

• Qualifying Pace: Verstappen's Red Bull demonstrated significant front-end grip in slow-speed sections, particularly through Turns 4-5, giving him an advantage over rivals like Norris and Leclerc.
• Long-Run Averages (C3 Mediums vs. C4 Softs):
  • Norris: 1m21.806s (9 laps on softs) - Top long-run average, but on a softer compound.
  • Russell: 1m22.402s (7 laps on mediums)
  • Piastri: 1m22.476s (10 laps on softs)
  • Antonelli: 1m22.647s (11 laps on mediums)
  • Verstappen: 1m22.821s (10 laps on mediums)
  • Hamilton: 1m22.847s (6 laps on mediums)
  • Leclerc: 1m22.879s (11 laps on mediums)
• McLaren's Stance: Oscar Piastri struggled to match Norris on low grip, similar to COTA, but expressed confidence in finding improvements. Norris, who missed FP1, felt he quickly hit the limit but noted the car's balance was "all over the place" on single laps.
• Ferrari's Strategy: Ferrari might have been running higher engine modes to test limits of plank wear and brake cooling. Their maximum wing level also appeared slightly lower than Red Bull's, McLaren's, or Mercedes', contributing to straight-line speed.
• Mercedes' Performance: Kimi Antonelli showed strong qualifying simulation pace, positioning himself between Leclerc and Norris. However, both Antonelli and George Russell were reportedly dissatisfied with their car's long-run performance.
• Grip Issues: Verstappen, Ferrari, and Mercedes drivers all complained about a general lack of grip, which could be attributed to the medium tires underperforming on the dirty, hot track.

What's next:

Expect significant balance and form changes throughout the weekend. The unique track conditions in Mexico City, with its rapid temperature fluctuations in thin air, mean that these adjustments can be sudden and dramatic, leading to volatile performance shifts between sessions.