Max Verstappen showcased his commanding form by topping the second practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The reigning world champion finished ahead of Charles Leclerc from Ferrari, clocking a best time that was 0.153 seconds faster. Meanwhile, championship leader Oscar Piastri struggled to find his rhythm, ending the session in twelfth place, a disappointing result for the driver who currently leads the title chase.
Verstappen, who skipped the first practice session alongside eight other drivers, quickly established his pace upon returning to the track. Despite his absence in the earlier session, he impressed with a strong performance, outpacing his competitors early in the session. Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes was third, overcoming early issues to secure a competitive position, while Lando Norris finished fourth, just 0.251 seconds behind the session leader.
Piastri was the only title contender to participate in the first practice, yet his extra track time did not translate into speed as he concluded the session 0.840 seconds behind Verstappen. The results reflect a continuation of the recent trend in the championship race, where Verstappen has made significant gains, trailing Piastri by 40 points with five races remaining.
Red Bull’s Performance Upgrade and Session Highlights
Red Bull Racing was the only team to introduce a performance upgrade this weekend, featuring a revised version of their Monza floor that has previously propelled Verstappen’s championship charge. This strategic move appears to have enhanced their performance, which was further evidenced by Yuki Tsunoda‘s seventh-place finish, a notable improvement as he has often struggled to break into the top ten during Friday sessions this season.
In other highlights, Lewis Hamilton set his best lap using soft tires, finishing just three-tenths behind Verstappen. Hamilton’s performance on a track where Ferrari secured victory a year ago adds to the competitive atmosphere. George Russell managed a sixth-place finish, while Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin placed eighth. His teammate Lance Stroll rounded out the top ten, demonstrating the competitive nature of the field.
Additionally, Carlos Sainz maintained his strong form by finishing ninth. However, Alex Albon faced challenges, becoming the only driver to make contact with the barriers, lightly brushing the outside wall at the final corner.
As the excitement builds for the Mexico City Grand Prix, fans can look forward to the remaining practice sessions and qualifying rounds scheduled for October 26, 2023. The qualifying session is set to take place at 22:00 local time, followed by the race on October 29. The ongoing title battle remains a focal point of the weekend, with Verstappen and Piastri vying for crucial points in their quest for the championship.
