It's been a week now since triumph of the Maranello team on the Austin circuit and it's now time to get back on track. The twenty single-seaters of Formula 1 they are ready to start the engines for the FP1 of the Mexican GP.
All set in Mexico City
The Circus is constantly on the move and this weekend it does stop at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez. On the Mexico City circuit the drivers touch the asphalt for the first time on the occasion of the FP1 of the GP. Right in this first session of the Mexican weekend five new faces appear: those of the rookie.
Since this is a “traditional” weekend – with the usual three Free Practice sessions – several teams they called up the young pilots, thus giving him the opportunity to drive an F1 single-seater. The rookies called are five: Bearman, Antonelli, Shwartzman, O'Ward and Drugovich.
Two red flags in FP1 of the Mexican GP
The first Red flag of the weekend is displayed five minutes into the session. This flag is caused by the presence on the track of a debris threatening that, if caught, risks damaging the bottom of single-seaters.
Carlos Sainz sets the best time in 1:19.407, followed by Russell and Albon. With 37 minutes left on the clock a touch between the Ferrari driven by Oliver Bearman and Williams's Albon places end of both sessions. The Thai was on his flying lap when, at turn 10, he found himself faced with the future Haas driver. Albon lost the car, making contact with Bearman and finishing his race in the barriers.
Problems for Max Verstappen?
Now halfway through Free Practice 1, the floor of the single-seater driven by Pato O'Ward is changed. McLaren arrived in Mexico with un new bottom only, who decided to mount on Lando Norris's car – entrusted to the home driver for FP1.
Following the various interruptions, several teams have decided to mount the soft tires for simulate the qualifying lap: among them Russell, Sainz and Tsunoda. The Silver Arrows driver is first after crossing the finish line in 1:17.998Max Verstappen complains on the radio, accusing engine problems and loss of power.
First among the rookies the Italian Antonelli in 12th position, behind the one who until two months ago was his opponent in Formula 2: Franco Colapinto. George Russell ends the session in first position, followed by Carlos Sainz. Appointment at midnight Italian time for the FP2 which, exceptionally, will have a duration of 90 minutes for Pirelli tests.