Verstappen Tops Mexico City GP Free Practice 2

Max Verstappen led Free Practice 2 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Red Bull showing strong form. The reigning champion posted a 1m17.392s, narrowly beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, setting the stage for a competitive weekend.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's strong performance in FP2 signals Red Bull's potential return to dominance after a mixed start to the weekend. With Leclerc and Antonelli close behind, it suggests a tight battle for pole position and race victory could be on the cards, especially with the unique challenges of the Mexico City circuit's high altitude.

The details:

• Top Performers: Max Verstappen (Red Bull) secured the fastest lap with 1:17.392s.
• Close Contenders: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was just 0.153s behind Verstappen, followed by Mercedes' rookie Kimi Antonelli, who impressed by finishing 0.174s off the pace.
• Midfield Battle: Lando Norris (McLaren) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) completed the top five, indicating strong competition across multiple teams.
• Rookie Presence: Antonelli's strong showing highlights the impact of young talent in the sport, as several rookies participated in the session.
• Notable Absences from Top 10: Oscar Piastri, a strong contender this season, finished 12th, while experienced drivers like Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly were further down the order.

The big picture:

The Mexico City Grand Prix is known for its high-altitude challenges, which significantly impact engine performance and aerodynamic efficiency. Red Bull's ability to adapt quickly and top the charts in FP2 suggests they have found a strong setup for these unique conditions. Ferrari and Mercedes, however, remain strong threats, ensuring a thrilling qualifying and race.

What's next:

Teams will return to the track for Free Practice 3 on Saturday at 11:30 AM local time, providing one last opportunity to fine-tune their cars before qualifying. The data gathered from FP2 will be crucial for engineers to optimize strategies for both qualifying and Sunday's race, where tire degradation and engine management will be key factors.