Verstappen Dominates Mexico FP2, Piastri Struggles

Max Verstappen led second practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, immediately finding pace despite skipping FP1. The championship leader, Oscar Piastri, however, continued to struggle, finishing a distant 12th. This session further highlights Verstappen's strong momentum, as he continues to close the gap in the title race, trailing Piastri by just 40 points with five rounds remaining.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's commanding performance in FP2 underscores his formidable form and Red Bull's potential advantage this weekend. With a crucial performance upgrade, Red Bull appears to be building on the momentum that began in Monza. Piastri's struggles are particularly concerning given his championship lead, as rivals like Lando Norris are now just 14 points behind him, intensifying the battle for the constructors' title.

The Details:

• Verstappen's Dominance: Max Verstappen, one of nine drivers to miss FP1 due to rookie regulations, quickly topped the charts, beating Charles Leclerc by 0.153s.
• Piastri's Pace Issues: Oscar Piastri, despite being the only title contender to run in FP1, finished a significant 0.840s off Verstappen's pace, landing in 12th position.
• Red Bull's Upgrade: Red Bull introduced a revised version of their Monza floor, an upgrade that coincided with the start of Verstappen's championship surge in early September.
• Team Performance: Yuki Tsunoda's seventh-place finish further demonstrated Red Bull's strong pace, a notable improvement from his usual Friday performances.
• Mercedes and Ferrari: Kimi Antonelli secured third for Mercedes, just ahead of Lando Norris. Lewis Hamilton was three tenths behind Verstappen, while Ferrari, who won in Mexico last year, saw Carlos Sainz finish ninth.
• Incidents: Alex Albon was the only driver to make contact with the barrier, glancing the outside wall at the final corner.

The Big Picture:

This practice session aligns with the trend of the last four rounds, where Verstappen has consistently eroded Piastri's championship lead. Red Bull's targeted upgrade for Mexico City further emphasizes their commitment to securing both the drivers' and constructors' titles. The tight battle among Piastri, Norris, and now a resurgent Verstappen sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the season.

What's next:

Qualifying for the Mexico City Grand Prix will be a critical session, especially for Piastri, who needs to find pace to challenge Verstappen and keep Norris at bay. Red Bull's new floor appears to be delivering the expected performance, and if Verstappen can maintain this form, he could make significant inroads into the championship lead this weekend. All eyes will be on how McLaren responds to their current challenges and if Ferrari can leverage their historical success at this track.