Piastri: McLaren’s Mexico GP prospects ‘very difficult to know’ after Friday practice

Oscar Piastri says McLaren’s Mexico City GP form remains “very difficult to know” after a reasonable but inconclusive Friday. The Australian was eighth in FP1 and 10th in FP2, while Lando Norris ended the second session second behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

Why it matters:

McLaren leave Friday without a clear picture of their true pace. Ferrari looked strong, the front four are tightly matched, and Mexico’s high altitude and rapidly improving track make comparisons especially tricky.

The details:

• Piastri ran FP1 alongside reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli, who was 17th after a test-heavy session.
• Norris returned for FP2 and finished P2; Piastri had a scruffy soft-tyre lap and a close call with the barriers.
• Piastri called the day “okay” but admitted his FP2 soft lap was “pretty scruffy at the end.”
• McLaren Senior Racing Director Randy Singh praised Fornaroli’s work in helping set up the car for high-altitude conditions.
• Singh expects a tight qualifying fight, with the midfield closer than at recent races and temperature management likely to cause lock-ups on Sunday.

What’s next:

Qualifying should reveal more, but McLaren are not reading too much into Friday. Their focus is on overnight improvement and managing the heat and altitude challenges that could shape Sunday.