Max Verstappen just before FP2 at the Mexico City Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

F1 Today | Hamilton warns McLaren and Verstappen feels he lacks pace

02:36, 25 Oct

byLuke-John Buckle

Lewis Hamilton has warned McLaren that they need to be uncompromising in the battle against Max Verstappen. The Dutchman topped FP2 but felt Red Bull have plenty of room for improvement in Mexico City. Let's take a look at two of the top stories from today.

Hamilton warns McLaren about Verstappen

Hamilton has experienced firsthand the dedication needed to battle with Verstappen for a world championship in a one-on-one scenario

The pair duelled for the world title during the 2021 season, a battle that culminated in a showdown at Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton was asked to give advice to the McLaren drivers as the championship draws to a close.

He explained that McLaren need to block out any external noise and be incredibly consistent to deliver the title.

Hamilton said: "They have won other championships in other categories. I'm not one to really want to give advice to them, but in that scenario, it's challenging when you're in the team. The pressure is high.

"It's definitely a time where you really have to put your blinkers up, you have to block absolutely everything from the outside, all this because there's so much coming in, positive and negative.

"Also you really have to be cut-throat. That's what Max is, he's going to take this from them if they don't do the same."They've got to be pushing and you have got to dig deep to, firstly, be able to hold off someone like Max and in the car that he's in at the moment.

"But, also, for either of them to come out ahead you know consistency is key and you've seen that from Max in the last few races."

Lewis Hamilton at COTA - Photo: Race Pictures

Verstappen adamant there's work to do in Mexico

Verstappen sat out first practice in Mexico City as rookie Arvid Lindblad had the opportunity to drive on a Formula 1 race weekend.

The four-time world champion then hit the ground running in FP2 as Verstappen topped the timesheets.

Despite setting a time that no one could match, Verstappen felt Red Bull need to step up to be competitive during Sunday's Grand Prix.

He told F1 TV: "The balance wasn't even off. It was just no grip. That is the bigger concern. As soon as you go into a sustainable run, tyres are going hot.

"We were nowhere. That's a tough one, I think, to sort out as well, but we'll see. The short run, I think on the soft, we managed to do a good lap.

"The rest, everything else was pretty bad. "So on the medium short run was not great. And the big problem is the long runs where we seem to struggle a lot."

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