For fans, FP2 in Mexico was a bit unusualThe teams were busy following a established test program, rather than optimizing performance for the race.
On the occasion of the Mexican Grand Prix, Pirelli organized a session of 'special test' which has been added to the normal course of business Free Trials 2. This test during the race weekend allowed the Italian company to carry out an evaluation of tyres that could to be employed in 2025.
For the occasion, the duration of the session was extended from the usual 60 minutes to a total of 90 minutes, with a strict test program. The aim was to collect data by dividing different compounds among the different drivers. This inevitably has somewhat limited the collection of information for Sunday's race.
The work program carried out includes: for each pilot a “performance run” and a “long run” with each of the sets of tires supplied, keeping the number of turns and the constant fuel load for all participants. This approach ensures a more homogeneous data collection, thus facilitating Pirelli in the comparative analysis of the performances of the different sets.
Opportunity for those who did not take part in the Free Practice 1
Not all pilots, however, will be able to take advantage of the data collected in the FP1, since some (Norris, Hamilton, Leclerc, Zhou, Alonso) did not take part in the first practice session. For this reason, in a half-hour window, they will have a additional set of medium tires to complete their program and make up for the absence in FP1.
In summary, this decision by Pirelli reserving part of the free practice sessions for experimentation confirms the company's attention towards the development , security.
For the teams this test will represent an extra challenge in preparing for the raceThe entire session is seen as a investment for a future and not everyone has benefited in the present. An example? Russell who starts his FP2 session in Mexico with a bang.
red flag and first courses 30 minutes compromised.
Now over half of the Free Trials 2, on the single-seater driven by Charles Leclerc, with mix C4 2024 simulation is being carried out Long Run. The SF-24, at this stage of the session, seems like a well-balanced car, capable of leaning on the kerbs of T1 and not behaving badly in the fast sections.
Il speech is turned upside down with Mercedes, great aerodynamic instability and, like in Austin, the accident was triggered by a bumpNot a fantastic day for the reigning world champion either, Power Unit problems for him.
When the session is almost over, Verstappen is out of the car and no longer has time available to spend on FP2. The remaining teams decide to work on the qualification simulation and led to the following ranking: