Mexico GP long-run analysis: Norris leads the field, Verstappen struggles

The Red Bull Racing star, like several other drivers, stepped aside for the rookies during the first practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. However, during the second practice session on Friday, the Dutch driver endured an outing that left him with mixed feelings after taking to the track.

Verstappen stormed to the top of the timing sheet in qualifying simulations before experiencing struggles on his long race simulations. Much of the grid experienced similar patterns, but how far was he behind the McLarens?

After clocking a staggering time of 1:17.392 in his qualifying simulations, he switched to the medium tyres for long runs. The Red Bull Racing driver completed a total of ten laps on the medium tyres, averaging a lap time of 1:22.734.

Verstappen’s times were matched and bettered by Lando Norris, who in his McLaren averaged a lap time of 1:21.806 – roughly a second faster than the Red Bull driver, albeit on soft tyres.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri also did his long run on the soft tyre, but was considerably slower than Norris. Over ten laps, he averaged a 1:22.402. A six-tenths difference from his teammate.

Verstappen's concerns extend beyond the McLaren duo, as Mercedes driver George Russell was also faster than the Dutchman in the long run on Friday. The Brit completed seven laps on the medium tyres, averaging a time of 1:22.402. Teammate, Kimi Antonelli, completed eleven laps on the medium tyres. On average, the Italian was also faster than Verstappen in his long run: a 1:22.647.

The Scuderia Ferrari pair of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc was slightly slower than Verstappen in the long runs. Hamilton averaged a 1:22.847 in six laps. Charles Leclerc stayed on the medium tyres for eleven laps, averaging a 1:22.879.

FP3 will offer teams more time for some final fine-tuning ahead of the first competitive session of the weekend: Qualifying.

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