FP2: Verstappen Dominates as Leclerc and Antonelli Trail

By Harshit - Oct 25, 2025 03:03 PM
Last updated on Oct 25, 2025 03:03 PM

Max Verstappen concluded Friday's running at the Mexico City Grand Prix with a commanding performance in Free Practice 2 (FP2). The Red Bull Racing driver, who had missed FP1 due to rotational team regulations, quickly adapted to the high-altitude challenges of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and showcased his dominance by setting the fastest lap time of 1:17.392. His performance immediately positioned him as the driver to beat heading into Saturday's sessions. Verstappen's pace throughout FP2 was not just about raw speed; it was a calculated approach to balance tire degradation and optimize race setup for the Mexican Grand Prix, a track known for its thin air and unique elevation changes.

Charles Leclerc of Ferrari followed closely behind, recording a time of 1:17.545, just 0.153 seconds off Verstappen’s pace. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli secured third position with a lap of 1:17.566, 0.174 seconds slower than Verstappen. The session demonstrated the intensity of competition in the top three teams, with Ferrari and Mercedes still showing strong pace despite Red Bull's clear advantage. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the McLaren cars also showed promising signs, finishing fourth and twelfth, respectively, highlighting the midfield battles that are expected to be a key feature of the race weekend.

Friday's practice sessions provided a comprehensive test for all 20 cars, as teams sought to adjust setups for the high-altitude conditions that reduce engine power and downforce efficiency. The thin air in Mexico City challenges aerodynamic stability, braking balance, and tire performance, particularly during long runs. Drivers had to carefully manage energy deployment and brake cooling, while teams worked on fine-tuning suspension and differential settings to handle the bumps and high-speed corners of the track.

FP1 Recap and Rookie Drivers

Earlier in the day, FP1 was dedicated primarily to rookie drivers and those on limited mileage, with Charles Leclerc topping the session on a 1:18.353 lap. Nine rookies were given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the track and collect initial telemetry data. During FP1, the conditions were slightly cooler than FP2, allowing drivers to explore tire behavior with minimal thermal degradation. Leclerc’s pace in FP1 was a warning shot to Verstappen, showing that Ferrari was capable of matching the Red Bull in clean air.

Several drivers faced early challenges during FP1. Mercedes' George Russell experienced a wide moment off-track, while Williams' Alex Albon tapped the wall at Turn 16, highlighting the technical difficulty of the circuit and the need for precise car placement. Teams used FP1 to test tire compounds, gather setup feedback, and evaluate engine performance under reduced power caused by the altitude. These insights would later inform their FP2 strategies, particularly for long-run simulations and qualifying setups.

FP2 Session Overview

FP2 started under warm and dry conditions at 16:00 local time, with all 20 drivers taking to the track within minutes of the session starting. Verstappen immediately demonstrated his ability to adapt, setting competitive sector times and quickly establishing himself at the top. Charles Leclerc continued his consistent pace from FP1, while Kimi Antonelli faced early challenges when his Mercedes W16 experienced mechanical issues. Initially instructed to "limp home," Antonelli returned to the pits, allowing his team to diagnose and fix the problem. He eventually resumed running and recovered to third place, proving the resilience of both the driver and the team.

The session also saw Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda requesting a floor inspection after encountering kerb damage, reflecting the importance of vehicle integrity on Mexico City's unforgiving surface. While Verstappen switched between soft and medium tire compounds to simulate qualifying and race conditions, other drivers, including Leclerc and Antonelli, carefully managed their tires to extract maximum performance without risking excessive wear.

Driver Performances and Key Moments

Verstappen's flying lap of 1:17.392 ultimately set him ahead of Leclerc and Antonelli, but the session was filled with critical moments for several drivers. Lando Norris, despite early sector losses, managed to secure fourth place, while Lewis Hamilton finished fifth after initially matching Verstappen’s first sectors but losing time in the final segments. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri struggled to find balance on both tire compounds and ended FP2 in twelfth, a position reflecting potential setup challenges that could affect Saturday’s qualifying.

Verstappen expressed minor concerns over grip, noting in team radio, "I have no grip, it is like driving on ice," during a slide on medium tires. Russell also reported rear-end struggles in his Mercedes, illustrating the demanding nature of the track and the need for careful tire and throttle management. Kimi Antonelli voiced frustration over locking up behind slower cars, highlighting traffic issues that many drivers faced during their flying laps.

Team Strategies and Tire Management

Teams approached FP2 with a dual focus: one-lap pace for qualifying simulations and longer runs to assess tire degradation under race-like conditions. Verstappen switched from soft to medium tires to gauge race pace, while Leclerc and Antonelli followed similar strategies. Other drivers, including Piastri, Norris, and Albon, completed longer stints on the soft compound to evaluate tire wear and balance. Red Bull’s strategy to prioritize early fast laps allowed Verstappen to secure provisional top times while still conducting longer runs for race simulation.

The session also highlighted differences in tire management among teams. Red Bull’s approach emphasized extracting peak performance while protecting tires for longer runs. Ferrari focused on steady progression and balancing tire wear across sessions. Mercedes faced challenges in adapting to track-specific nuances, particularly with Antonelli’s early mechanical setback, which required rapid adjustments from the pit wall. Midfield teams like McLaren and Alpine concentrated on evaluating setups and simulating race conditions, while drivers in the lower midfield used FP2 to gather critical data for the weekend.

Top Ten FP2 Results

1 Max Verstappen 1:17.392 2 Charles Leclerc +0.153s 3 Kimi Antonelli +0.174s 4 Lando Norris +0.251s 5 Lewis Hamilton +0.300s 6 George Russell +0.420s 7 Yuki Tsunoda +0.500s 8 Fernando Alonso +0.530s 9 Carlos Sainz +0.580s 10 Lance Stroll +0.610s

Looking Ahead to FP3 and Qualifying

Teams will now analyze FP2 telemetry to refine setups for FP3 at 11:30 local time on Saturday, with qualifying scheduled for 15:00. Verstappen’s strong showing makes him the favorite for pole position, but Leclerc and Antonelli have shown they can match his pace in clean air. Other top-ten drivers are expected to challenge for grid positions, creating an unpredictable and exciting qualifying session. Strategy will play a key role, as teams balance tire selection, engine modes, and fuel loads to optimize performance for both Saturday and the race on Sunday.

Fans can expect a thrilling weekend in Mexico City, with the high-altitude track placing unique demands on engines, brakes, and aerodynamics. Verstappen’s FP2 dominance sets the stage for intense competition, while teams and drivers continue to adapt and push the limits in preparation for qualifying and the Mexican Grand Prix race.

Also Read: Messi’s Argentina, Australia confirm Kerala not in plans

« Previous Messi’s Argentina, Australia confirm Kerala not in plans

Next » England vs New Zealand 1st ODI Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today match?