Verstappen handed major BLOW as rivals collide at Mexican…read more
Max Verstappen faces a major setback in his Mexican Grand Prix weekend after power issues forced him to return to the garage early during Friday’s first practice session (FP1). The Red Bull driver could only manage the fourth-fastest time, trailing behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and VCARB as his car experienced engine troubles. Verstappen’s frustration was evident as he communicated over team radio, saying, “There’s something wrong with the engine, mate. I don’t know… it’s not behaving nice!” The issue raises concerns for the Red Bull team, especially with other teams positioned to capitalize on any weakness.
George Russell of Mercedes set the pace, clocking the fastest lap of 1:17.998, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz came in second, trailing by 0.317 seconds. Russell’s strong start suggests that Mercedes could pose a significant threat this weekend. VCARB driver Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top three, with a time that was 0.701 seconds behind Russell but notably faster than Verstappen’s. Tsunoda’s impressive performance, including setting a time half a second quicker than Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, may be viewed as an attempt to secure a spot in Red Bull’s main lineup, possibly challenging Perez’s position in the future.
The session was eventful from the start, marked by two red-flag incidents that disrupted drivers’ progress. Just moments after FP1 began, a piece of debris on the track forced the race officials to wave the red flag, affecting rookie driver Kimi Antonelli, who was standing in for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. The second red flag came midway through the session when Williams’ Alex Albon collided with Ferrari’s Oliver Bearman at Turn 10. Albon, driving at high speed, approached Bearman’s Ferrari, which had slowed down significantly, leading to a loss of control. Albon’s Williams swiped Bearman’s car, causing damage to both vehicles and forcing both drivers to end their session prematurely. This incident also highlighted the increased presence of rookies, as Bearman was filling in for Charles Leclerc, who sat out FP1.
With Ferrari sitting just eight points behind Red Bull in the constructors’ standings, the performance of both teams at the Mexican Grand Prix is crucial to the 2024 championship fight. The unexpected mechanical problems for Red Bull could tilt the balance in Ferrari’s favor, especially if Red Bull fails to address the issues before qualifying. For Ferrari, the weekend offers a critical opportunity to gain on their primary rivals, and Sainz’s strong start shows they are well-positioned to take advantage.
The FP1 session in Mexico saw five rookies in action, part of an initiative allowing young drivers to gain experience. In addition to Antonelli and Bearman, Pato O’Ward took the wheel for McLaren in place of Lando Norris, Felipe Drugovich drove for Aston Martin instead of Fernando Alonso, and Robert Shwartzman represented Kick Sauber, substituting Zhou Guanyu. This roster of newcomers not only added excitement but also gave teams valuable insights into potential future talents.
Complete results from the session are as follows: Russell led with a time of 1:17.998, followed by Sainz (+0.317sec), Tsunoda (+0.701sec), and Verstappen (+0.841sec). Nico Hulkenberg for Haas came fifth, with Oscar Piastri of McLaren close behind. Esteban Ocon of Alpine and Valtteri Bottas of Kick Sauber placed seventh and eighth respectively, while Liam Lawson of VCARB and Sergio Perez of Red Bull rounded out the top ten.
As the weekend continues, all eyes will be on Red Bull’s efforts to resolve their power issues and Verstappen’s attempt to reclaim his competitive edge. With Ferrari, Mercedes, and emerging contenders poised to capitalize, the Mexican GP promises to deliver another thrilling installment in the 2024 Formula 1 season.
