Verstappen edges Albon in opening Mexico GP practice

Max Verstappen narrowly bested Alex Albon to the top spot in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Verstappen set the benchmark at 1m19.718s on a sole run on fresh softs, though he subsequently had to cut short his stint on the red-marked …

Max Verstappen narrowly bested Alex Albon to the top spot in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Verstappen set the benchmark at 1m19.718s on a sole run on fresh softs, though he subsequently had to cut short his stint on the red-marked tire after reporting something loose in the footwell.

Albon was his closest challenger, the Williams car propelling him to a time just 0.095s further back thanks to a purple first sector. Sergio Perez completed the top three at 0.297s off the pace of his session-topping teammate.

No other driver got within half a second of the leading trio.

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Lando Norris led a tight battle between McLaren and Ferrari for fourth. The Briton finished 0.06s ahead of Charles Leclerc, while Oscar Piastri was 0.016s quicker than Carlos Sainz in sixth and seventh respectively despite the Australian setting his fastest time on Pirelli’s experimental medium-compound tire.

Sainz was forced into a 20-minute garage stay in the middle of the session with an apparent hydraulic failure while on a lap, forcing him to limp back to pit lane without power steering and stuck in fourth gear, although the team got him back on track with time enough to complete 23 laps.

Daniel Ricciardo was eighth quickest for AlphaTauri ahead of Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll rounding out the top 10.

Lewis Hamilton was the best-placed Mercedes driver in 11th but 1.006s off the pace thanks to a mistake on his fastest lap that was otherwise on track for a top-five position. Nico Hulkenberg, Zhou Guanyu and Logan Sargeant followed in places 12 to 14.

Five of the bottom six drivers on the time sheet comprised stand-in rookies, requiring one of two practice sessions required to be dedicated to young drivers per team each season.

British Ferrari academy driver and multiple F2 race winner Oliver Bearman took the wheel of Kevin Magnussen’s Haas car and was quickest of the bunch, lapping 1.595s off the pace.

Fernando Alonso, in 16th, was the only interloper among the rookies, the Aston Martin driver having lost half an hour to repairs shortly after setting his first installation lap.

AlphaTauri swapped Yuki Tsunoda for Frenchman Isack Hadjar, the F2 podium getter, who finished 17th.

“Best day of my life,” he said on his cool-down lap. “That was incredible.”

Hadjar had the benefit of a new power unit and gearbox for his session, though that will cost Tsunoda a back-of-grid start for Sunday’s race, being beyond his season allocations.

Australian Jack Doohan, a multiple F2 race winner, took over from Pierre Gasly to put his Alpine 18th in the session. Danish Mercedes young gun Frederik Vesti, currently second in the F2 championship, was 19th in George Russell’s car.

Theo Pourchaire’s session was lost to a brake pedal problem. The Alfa Romeo junior undertook just four installation laps, each time reporting strange feedback from the brake pedal and returning to his garage, where the team is still attempting to rectify the problem for FP2 later today.

Technical updates: Mexico City Grand Prix

Cooling requirements are the main focus for a number of teams due to the altitude at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is situated over 7,200 feet above sea level and the air density creates a challenge when it comes to …

Cooling requirements are the main focus for a number of teams due to the altitude at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez is situated over 7,200 feet above sea level and the air density creates a challenge when it comes to cooling as well as downforce. As such, there are eight teams who have made minor changes to adapt their cars to the environment this weekend.

Red Bull has enlarged the frontal cooling louvers on the right-hand side of its car, while Ferrari has done the same on both sides extending further back along its engine cover. Alpine has made a similar change with the mid louvers being enlarged and have added to that with a bigger exit for the Coke section of the engine cover at the rear of the car.

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At McLaren there is a revised engine cover geometry as well as a larger front brake duct scoop to help more airflow into the front brake ducts for cooling purposes. A similar pair of new parts are available at Haas too, although the there the engine cover sees additional louvers added to the updated bodywork that was brought to the United States Grand Prix as part of a wider package last weekend.

AlphaTauri also has bigger front brake ducts as well as increasing the size of the central engine cover exit to get more airflow through the central radiator, while Williams joins the list of cars with a bigger engine cover available as well as additional cooling louvers if required based on how power unit and gearbox fluid temperatures are during practice.

The only performance update that has been submitted is at Alfa Romeo, where a new rear brake duct has been introduced that “works in conjunction with the floor introduced in Austin to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of the car and generate downforce.”

Perez dismisses Verstappen rivalry amid increased security

Sergio Perez says he and Max Verstappen are only rivals on track and not off it amid increased security for Red Bull at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Verstappen and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko have been singled out in some local media outlets as …

Sergio Perez says he and Max Verstappen are only rivals on track and not off it amid increased security for Red Bull at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Verstappen and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko have been singled out in some local media outlets as problems for Perez, with Marko having made questionable comments about the Mexican’s nationality in the past. However, Perez says that the only time that he and Verstappen are rivals is during a race and wants his fans to understand there are no external issues between the pair.

“No, not at all, and I think it’s important that we give this message because I think the media likes to create this sort of rivalry outside of the track,” Perez said. “I think we are a great sport, we are a great example for a lot of young generations and we should just be focused on the sports side.

“Whatever happens on track should always stay there and that’s the best message we as a country want to give to the rest of the world. There is nothing else going on. The most important is that everything stays on track.

“I think, obviously, we are all rivals, but at the same time we are all sports athletes and we all want to do the best for ourselves. Max and myself are in the same team, so we both want to win and we are always giving our best, so I don’t think there should be any rivalry.

“For example, if I am in a race with Fernando (Alonso), he is not my rival outside of the track — we are just fighting on track — but the media like to create this rivalry outside of the track which I don’t think is great, and it’s important for the fans to understand that.”

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Verstappen has extra security with him in Mexico City but says he does not feel unsafe or made unwelcome by the local fan base.

“I have a bit more security here, but there are always a few countries around the world where it’s very busy,” Verstappen said. “Also here in the paddock, for example last year, it was really, really busy to get from your hospitality to your garage. It just helps to make it all a bit smoother on-track, off-track, traveling from your hotel and stuff like that.

“I feel very safe. Yesterday I had a whole marketing day, and it’s been honestly a great reception here like I always had. It’s good to be back.”

The Dutchman echoed Perez’s comments regarding any rivalry between them, as a new campaign called #Racepect has been launched this weekend to discourage abuse.

“Yeah [the rivalry is], made up,” he said. “Checo and I, we get on really well. For us, I don’t think there is any rivalry. Of course as a driver on track, you always like to be first or you try to be faster, but I think we have a lot of respect for each other, and we appreciate each other’s performances.

“I think it’s a good thing that [the campaign] maybe starts here now. It’s not only here. In general, the behavior of the crowd in some places I think can be a bit better. For example in Austin, maybe it was a bit towards me, but in general, I think the behavior of supporting your favorite driver is fine, but then I think you also have to respect the competition.

“This is not only in our sport. It’s a general problem in a lot of sports that I think needs to be looked at, and needs to be improved.”

Bearman warned against FP1 errors ahead of possible Haas reserve opportunity

Ollie Bearman could become a reserve option for Haas after Pietro Fittipaldi’s full-time IndyCar drive was confirmed this week, but the 18-year-old has been warned against making headlines for the wrong reasons on his FP1 debut at the Mexico City …

Fittipaldi will join Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2024, limiting his ability to carry out the full-time reserve duties he’s held at Haas in recent years. While team principal Guenther Steiner says the team will look to retain Fittipaldi in some form, he acknowledges another option is likely to be needed and Ferrari young driver Bearman could be one.

“We have to figure that one out,” Steiner said. “I’m speaking with Fred [Vasseur]…about reserve drivers next year but we haven’t come to a conclusion,” Steiner said. “I don’t think we lose [Pietro] completely; we will look into what’s possible and what’s not.

“Obviously we know the calendars. We had a chat today about it, and it also depends on how much testing — because in IndyCar they do a bit more testing than we do here — but Pietro is part of the family. If we don’t have him around we miss something.

“We’re looking into what we can do along with Ferrari, which reserve driver they have available and things like this.”

While Steiner has been impressed with Bearman’s approach so far, he’s warned the rookie not to try and prove too much on his first FP1 outing for the team.

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“You’re always a little bit nervous,” Steiner said. “I think — and hopefully I’m proven right tomorrow — he knows that the biggest mistake he can do is overdo it.

“I explained to him that we are always judged by the things you do badly, not the things you do good, because if you do everything right nobody will remember, but if you crash the car on your first outing in F1 in an FP1, that will be on your resume for the rest of your life…if you ever make it into F1 because of that! I made him aware of that and I think he’s smart enough to know that he doesn’t want to do anything stupid.”

Bearman himself says it’s advice he’s taken onboard as he prepares for his FP1 debut during an F1 weekend.

“Of course, like Guenther said, there’s no positives, nothing to win on a Friday — it’s a mandatory session and I just need to bring the car back,” Bearman said. “But at the same time I’m really excited to get going. It’s going to be really fun. I’ve already driven an F1 car in Fiorano so I’ve got a taste of what it’s like at full gas, and this will just be building into it and hopefully bringing some useful data for the team as well.

“No targets; no targets from anyone — even from myself. I think it would be silly to set any expectations. My first target is just to enjoy it. I’ve had it drummed into me a lot now — there’s nothing to win from here. Just do a solid job, build up step-by-step and enjoy it as well. That’s my target.”

The PREMA Formula 2 driver would also not be drawn on any reserve role hopes, but says he is keen to take advantage of being in the paddock so early in his career.

“It’s really cool to be here so young, just to have my foot in the door,” he said. “I think the main goal of this weekend is to get to know people and show them what I can do, and come across as a good guy. It helps that I’m young; I’ve got a lot of time to get here.

“Obviously it’s great news for Pietro to get a full-time drive. My primary focus is F2 and it will continue to be F2, but anything on top of that is obviously a bonus. No pressure — just try and do a good performance here and let’s see.”

Perez bracing for fight with Mercedes on his home ground

Sergio Perez says he doesn’t fear an improving Mercedes as he believes he has more potential to show himself at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton briefly moved to within 19 points of Perez in the drivers’ championship after …

Sergio Perez says he doesn’t fear an improving Mercedes as he believes he has more potential to show himself at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton briefly moved to within 19 points of Perez in the drivers’ championship after finishing second in Austin on Sunday, before being disqualified for a technical infringement. That leaves the gap at 39 points after Perez was promoted to fourth place, but despite Hamilton having outscored him over the previous three race weekends the Mexican insists he isn’t feeling any pressure from the battle for second place overall.

“I think we didn’t get to show our full pace, so I really believe that we should be a lot stronger now than we were (in Austin),” Perez said. “It’s good to just do a full race distance and understand that there is quite a lot more potential coming.

“I’m just doing my best and we will see where we end up. I need to make sure that we are able to improve up a gear and yeah, they [Mercedes] are improving the car, and we can see they are getting stronger and stronger every race. So, it will be a good fight which will be great the next four races.”

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Perez held meetings with his Red Bull engineers ahead of the United States Grand Prix weekend to try and understand where his lack of performance was coming from in recent races, and he saw positive signs at Circuit of The Americas despite admitting he and the team played it safe with car setup.

“Overall we had good pace but the hard tire was not good enough to make more progress. So, something we’ve got to look at,” he said. “We know we compromised our balance quite a bit for the weekend, given that it was only one practice and this is what happens on a sprint event. You either go in the wrong direction or right direction, but I expected it to be a lot better.

“I think we made some very good progress. Especially considering how much we compromised the car. We believe that we left a lot of performance in there, so hopefully we are able to prove that come Mexico.”

Racing on TV, October 27-29

All times Eastern; live broadcasts unless noted. Friday, October 27 Mexico City practice 1 2:25-3:30pm Mexico City practice 1 2:25-3:30pm Martinsville practice/ qualifying 5:00-6:30pm Mexico City practice 2 5:55-7:00pm Mexico City practice 2 …

All times Eastern; live broadcasts unless noted.

Friday, October 27

	Mexico City practice 1	2:25-3:30pm
	Mexico City practice 1	2:25-3:30pm
	Martinsville practice/ qualifying	5:00-6:30pm
	Mexico City practice 2	5:55-7:00pm
	Mexico City practice 2	5:55-7:00pm
	Las Vegas qualifying 1	7:00-8:00pm

Saturday, October 28

	Martinsville practice/ qualifying	12:30-2:30pm
	Mexico City practice 3	1:25-2:30pm
	Mexico City practice 3	1:25-2:30pm
	Martinsville	3:00-3:30pm pre-race 3:30-6:30pm race
	Mexico City qualifying	4:55-6:00pm
	Mexico City qualifying	4:55-6:00pm

Sunday, October 29

	Zandvoort	1:00-2:00pm (D)
	Thailand	1:00-2:30pm (SDD)
	Martinsville	2:00-2:30pm pre-race 2:30-6:00pm race
	Mexican GP	2:30-4:00pm pre-race 4:00-6:00pm race
	Mexican GP	2:30-4:00pm pre-race 4:00-6:30pm race
	Las Vegas qualifying 2	3:00-5:00pm (D)
	Las Vegas finals	5:00-8:00pm

Key: SDD: Same day delay; D = delayed; R = Repeat/Replay

A variety of motor racing is available for streaming on demand at the following sites:

MAVTV.com

MotorTrendOnDemand.com

SRO-america.com
SCCA.com
SpeedSport1.com
Ferrari Challenge
The Trans Am Series airs in 60-minute highlight shows in primetime on the MAVTV Network. For those wishing to tune in live, the entire lineup of SpeedTour events will stream for free on the SpeedTour TV YouTube page. SpeedTour TV will also air non-stop activity on Saturday and Sunday (SVRA, IGT and Trans Am). You can also watch all Trans Am event activity on the Trans Am YouTube page and Facebook page.
All NTT IndyCar Series stream live on Peacock Premium.

Vesti to make F1 practice debut with Mercedes in Mexico

Mercedes has announced that Formula 2 title contender Frederik Vesti will make his FP1 debut for the team at the Mexico City Grand Prix later this year. Teams are still mandated to run a rookie on two occasions in FP1s during the season, but only …

Mercedes has announced that Formula 2 title contender Frederik Vesti will make his FP1 debut for the team at the Mexico City Grand Prix later this year.

Teams are still mandated to run a rookie on two occasions in FP1s during the season, but only McLaren, Williams and AlphaTauri – through rookie race drivers Oscar Piastri, Logan Sargeant and Nyck de Vries – have so far completed one of the two sessions courtesy of the season opener in Bahrain. Mercedes has become the first team to announce a future run, with Vesti – who led the F2 championship until crashing on the way to the grid before the feature race in Spa – in the car in Mexico.

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“I’m incredibly proud to be doing the FP1 session in Mexico City with the team – it’s a dream come true,” Vesti said. “To think in less than three months that I’ll be doing my first official Formula 1 session with Mercedes, who have won eight consecutive constructors’ championships, is amazing.

“This has been my dream since I was very young and something I’ve been fighting for through my whole junior career. It’s taken a lot of hard work, and this is a very important step for me on my journey.

“To be able to develop myself in an F1 car alongside some of the best drivers in the world is something I’m looking forward to. I want to thank Mercedes for this incredible opportunity, as well as my sponsors and manager for always believing in me. I can’t wait to be driving W14 for the first time.”

Vesti is currently second in the F2 championship – 12 points behind Theo Pourchaire – and the Mercedes junior took part in the young driver test in Abu Dhabi last year, with team principal Toto Wolff saying an FP1 is a natural progression.

“Fred has executed an impressive Formula 2 campaign so far this season,” Wolff said. “Driving in an FP1 session is the next step in his development and we’re looking forward to giving him that opportunity. He is a talented young driver, not only quick but thoughtful, and he understands exactly what the team is looking for from him in the car. I am sure he will perform well and provide a solid starting point for our work over the weekend.”

Vesti has also worked with Mercedes at its factory as one of the team’s simulator drivers alongside Mick Schumacher, and trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin believes that role will be boosted by the experience of the current car.

“Fred acquitted himself faultlessly in the young driver test last year so we’re looking forward to having him in the car once again,” Shovlin said. “He’s shown what he is capable of in F2 this year, combining strong pace with consistency. Fred has been part of the team for several years now and has been a key part of our simulator development and set-up programme.

“We’re therefore looking forward to giving him his first running in an F1 session on a grand prix weekend; that will be another useful step in his development and prove useful in being able to correlate the real-world car with his work back in Brackley. I’m sure he will enjoy the experience.