Verstappen Expresses 'Big Concern' for F1 Mexico GP Despite Topping FP2

Max Verstappen, despite setting the fastest lap in FP2 at the Mexico Grand Prix, harbors 'big concern' over Red Bull's long-run performance, calling it 'terrible' and like 'driving on ice.' His team, including advisor Helmut Marko, acknowledges the significant grip issues that could jeopardize their race prospects against rivals like Lando Norris and Ferrari.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's unusual apprehension after topping a practice session signals potential trouble for Red Bull in Mexico. With the championship battle tightening, particularly against a resurgent McLaren and consistent Ferrari, any fundamental performance issue, especially in race pace, could be detrimental to their title aspirations. The high-altitude conditions in Mexico City often throw up unexpected challenges, and Red Bull's struggle with tire degradation could be a critical factor.

The details:

• Verstappen sat out FP1, with Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad taking his place, as per regulations.
• He topped FP2 by 0.153s over Charles Leclerc, and was 0.251s quicker than Lando Norris, and 0.840s faster than Oscar Piastri.
• Qualifying Pace vs. Race Pace: Verstappen admitted his short-run pace on soft tires was strong, but described other aspects, particularly long runs, as 'pretty bad' and a 'big concern' for the race.
• Grip Issues: During a 12-lap run on medium tires, Verstappen radioed, "It's terrible, I have no grip, it's like driving on ice." He later stated the balance wasn't off, but the fundamental lack of grip was the problem, especially as tires heated up.
• Marko's Agreement: Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko echoed Verstappen's concerns, noting the 'non-grip' and the car being 'quite a bit sideways.'
• Rival Pace: Marko highlighted Norris's strong long-run pace, suggesting that if conditions remain, Norris "will be gone."
• Piastri's Struggles: Marko found some solace in Piastri being significantly slower than his McLaren teammate, Norris, in FP2, noting, "Norris seems to be, again, much more competitive than Piastri."

The big picture:

Red Bull's dominance has been challenged in recent races, with McLaren and Ferrari showing significant improvements. The unique characteristics of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, with its high altitude and low downforce conditions, often exaggerate performance discrepancies and tire management issues. Verstappen's concerns suggest that Red Bull might be struggling to find the optimal setup for these conditions, potentially opening the door for rivals to capitalize.

What's next:

Red Bull faces a critical challenge to analyze and resolve the grip and long-run issues before qualifying and the race. If they fail to address these concerns, Verstappen's impressive single-lap pace might not be enough to secure victory on a track that offers more overtaking opportunities than Suzuka or Imola. Their ability to adapt to the Mexican conditions will be a key indicator of their overall performance flexibility as the season progresses.