Max fourth in Mexico FP1

Published on 25 October 2024 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen opened his Mexican Grand Prix weekend with fourth place in the first Friday practice session. Mercedes’ George Russell was quickest ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz. The top three was completed, albeit surprisingly, by Yuki Tsunoda in the RB.

FP1 featured several new faces on track with Patricio O’Ward driving Lando Norris’ McLaren in front of his home crowd. The young Mexican was joined by other youngsters Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin), Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Oliver Bearman (Ferrari) and Robert Shwartzman (Sauber).

The session starts under a clear blue sky and a pleasant twenty degrees. A few minutes into FP1 the session is red flagged due to debris on track, coming from a bridge over the main straight. The marshals are quick to tidy the scene, and the session is resumed with most drivers completing their first few stints in the opening third of FP1.

After 23 minutes the second red flag is waved following a collision between Bearman and Albon. The former backs off the throttle in turn nine as the latter approaches the same turn at full speed. A heavy crash for Albon follows. Thankfully both drivers are able to hop out of their cars unharmed, but their FP1 has come to a premature end.

The clearing of the stricken cars and debris, as well as the barrier repairs, take just under twenty minutes and the session is resumed with a third of practice still remaining.

Most drivers opt to switch to the soft Pirellis, resulting in quicker lap times as the session progresses. In the end, George Russell is quickest ahead of Sainz and Tsunoda.

In his final stint, having switched to the hard compound, Max informs the team that he thinks his RB20 has engine issues. The Dutchman is called back into the pits and his session is over with only a handful of minutes remaining.

Contest GP Mexico: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing cap!

Results first free practice Mexico: