Verstappen Dominates Mexico City GP Free Practice 2

Max Verstappen led Free Practice 2 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, setting the pace ahead of Charles Leclerc and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The session provided crucial data for teams ahead of qualifying and the main race in what is traditionally a challenging high-altitude circuit.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's strong showing reinforces Red Bull's potential dominance at a track where they have historically performed well. For Ferrari and Mercedes, their close proximity to Verstappen suggests a tight battle for pole position, with the emergent talent of Antonelli making a notable impact.

The details:

• Verstappen's Edge: Max Verstappen recorded the fastest lap of 1:17.392s, completing 33 laps, indicating strong performance and consistency.
• Ferrari's Pace: Charles Leclerc was hot on his heels, just 0.153s behind, suggesting Ferrari could be a significant threat in qualifying. Lewis Hamilton, in the second Ferrari, also showed promising pace, finishing P5.
• Antonelli's Impact: Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed, securing third place and being only 0.174s off Verstappen's time across 26 laps. This performance highlights his rapid adaptation to F1 machinery and the high-altitude conditions.
• McLaren's Performance: Lando Norris secured P4, maintaining McLaren's competitive form, while Oscar Piastri finished P12, indicating some potential for improvement.
• Midfield Scramble: The midfield was tightly contested, with less than a second separating P1 from P16, showcasing the competitive nature of the 2025 season. Drivers like Yuki Tsunoda (P7) and Fernando Alonso (P8) demonstrated solid outings.
• Rookie and Reserve Driver Appearances: Several young talents and reserve drivers participated, gathering valuable experience. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), and Oliver Bearman (Haas) were among those getting track time, contributing to their teams' data collection.

The big picture:

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, known for its high altitude, presents unique challenges for engine performance and aerodynamic setup. Teams are balancing downforce requirements with the reduced air density, making accurate data from practice sessions critical. Verstappen's early advantage suggests Red Bull has found a strong setup, but the narrow margins at the top indicate that rivals are not far behind. The performance of young drivers like Antonelli also signals an exciting future for the sport.

What's next:

Teams will now analyze the telemetry from Free Practice 2 to fine-tune their cars for Free Practice 3 and, most importantly, qualifying. The close times suggest that securing pole position will be a fierce fight, with tire management and a perfect lap being paramount. The unique demands of the Mexico City circuit mean that even minor setup changes can have significant impacts on race day.