Max Verstappen has "large concern" for F1 Mexico GP regardless of topping FP2

Max Verstappen fears Crimson Bull is on the again foot following Friday observe at System 1’s Mexico Grand Prix.

After sitting out FP1 as Crimson Bull junior Arvid Lindblad obtained some regulations-induced observe time forward of his probably commencement to F1 in 2026, Verstappen topped the second session by 0.153s over Charles Leclerc, outpacing title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri by 0.251s and 0.840s respectively.

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This was right down to a fast lap when it got here to qualifying simulations, however lengthy runs paint a darker image for Crimson Bull, in keeping with Verstappen.

“The brief run on the comfortable, we managed to do a very good lap,” the Dutchman commented. “The remainder, every little thing else was fairly unhealthy. The medium brief run was not nice, and the massive drawback is the lengthy runs, the place we appear to battle rather a lot. So that’s, after all, a giant concern for the race.”

As he was nearing the tip of a 12-lap run stint on already 12-lap-old mediums, Verstappen was heard on the radio complaining about his automotive’s behaviour, lamenting: “It’s horrible, I’ve no grip, it’s like driving on ice.”

Subsequently requested what could be inflicting these points, a baffled Verstappen replied: “I do not know but. The steadiness wasn’t even off.

Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing

Photograph by: Steven Tee / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos

‘It was simply no grip – that’s the greater concern. As quickly as you go in a sustainable run, tyres are going scorching. We had been nowhere. In order that’s a tricky one to type out as effectively.”

Moreover, the Crimson Bull driver was adamant that his single-lap tempo wouldn’t suffice for him to clinch victory on Sunday.

Verstappen did snatch victories this yr earlier than his RB21’s resurgence, because of very marginal pole positions and impeccable Sunday drives on Suzuka and Imola tracks the place overtaking is difficult. Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez can’t be described as such.

“You are not going to win the race like that,” he insisted. “You might be quick over one lap, however in case you have completely zero tempo within the race, then it is going to be very powerful. So I desire to be quick within the race and never so quick over one lap.”

Crimson Bull advisor Helmut Marko shared Verstappen’s evaluation of the workforce’s state of affairs in Mexico: “We noticed this form of non-grip. As you stated, it was like ice. And also you noticed he was fairly a bit sideways as effectively.

“We now have to seek out one thing. In any other case, in opposition to Norris and in addition the Ferraris and Mercedes, it will likely be greater than tough.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing

Helmut Marko, Crimson Bull Racing

Photograph by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos

He added: “For the qualifying warmth, we had been aggressive. We had been additionally way more aggressive on the comfortable tyre – nonetheless not so good as Norris.

“On lengthy runs, the best way Norris was going, he’s simply pulling away. If it stays like that, he’ll be gone.”

Marko did discover solace in the truth that present championship runner-up Norris considerably outpaced his team-mate, championship chief Piastri, who was six tenths off the lead McLaren in FP2.

“The great factor is, Norris appears to be, once more, far more aggressive than Piastri,” the Austrian identified. “So, it is a lengthy race, let’s have a look at what occurs.”

Extra reporting by Ronald Vording

Images from Mexican GP – Apply

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari