In the highest Mexican circuit the first free practice session has just ended. A track still not rubberized, as in FP1 ed FP2, still does not allow the new single-seaters to show their full potential. Russell takes the first half with Mercedes; Ferraris and Red Bulls they prefer race pace simulation, though they don't excite on the flying lap compared to other weekends. Verstappen is the first of the others after the Mercedes, followed immediately by Leclerc. The fight for pole doesn't seem to have any particular favourites, being able to be one of the most fought of the year.
Mercedes hopes for pole, Verstappen tries to killjoy
The star team concentrated more than the others in the qualifying simulation. George Russell snatches the best performance with soft rubber, signing a 1:18.399. follows the mate Lewis Hamilton at 144 thousandths second. The two Brits look like valid contenders for pole position, but they will have to beware of two teams that hardly leave crumbs on Saturdays.
Max Verstappen places just behind the Mercedes, putting Leclerc behind him. The host Sergio Perez follows fifth, the Mexican will try to make his fans dream for the 22pm qualifying session. The Milton Keynes team didn't have the best of sessions when it comes to the vagaries of the car. The RB00 features a configuration more loaded than Ferrari; Furthermore, he gave the technicians a hard time to find the right setup. The traction of Newey's creature he didn't drive the winged bull's men crazy, which have resorted to constant setup changes.
Ferrari plays the joker to undermine Mercedes and Red Bull
Charles Leclerc is the first Ferrari driver, closing at just over seven tenths off the top. The Monegasque does not seem to feel the potential loss of confidence after the bang in FP2. The mate Carlos Sainz, confident for the weekend, follows sixth putting Perez in the red sandwich. The Spaniard will not change the turbo, therefore will not suffer any penalty in view of tomorrow. The little horse's team takes a risk by making its F1-75 wear a 'vintage' setup, mounting therear wing of Bahrain. In Maranello they judged the choice of a bettermore unloaded winger than Red Bull, focusing on long stretches to give an extra weapon to its pilots in close combat.
The team hopes for moderate degradation, which is not a given when going all-in on top speed. The layout of Mexico City, more than 2000 meters above sea level, will put the reliability of the Ferrari engine to the test, called to meet expectations after updates to avoid frequent breakages seen in the current season.
Norris the first of the others, good Alfa Romeo
Lando Norris put on once again the role of the driver who deserves more. English is placed in seventh position trimming about eight tenths of a second from his teammate, who finishes 14th. Well Bottas with theAlfa Romeo, eighth, while the companion Zhou is 12th. Better Tsunoda than Gasly: the Japanese boy is ninth, leaving his teammate in 15th position. An excellent Albon closes the top ten, which surprises her Williams in tenth position. Just outside the first half of the standings are the Alpines, with Or with 11th and Alonso 13th.
Who closes the second half of the standings?
It doesn't excite Aston Martin: Stroll is sixteenth e Hag penultimate, in front of Magnussen. Schumacher does a little better than his partner Danish, finishing in 17th position. 18th Latifi, almost a second from his partner.
