McLaren sent out a statement about their pace ahead of Mexico City Grand Prix qualifying at 10pm as Oscar Piastri led title-contending team-mate Lando Norris in a one-two for the team in a Practice Three session which saw Max Verstappen finish half a second off their pace.
In the first true representative session of the weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez after disrupted and confusing practice running on Friday, McLaren hit the front on the low-fuel qualifying simulations late in P3 with Piastri setting the pace from Norris by a margin 0.059s thanks to a quickest lap of 1:16.492.
Ferrari had impressively led the way in the initial running, holding their own one-two, but could not respond to McLaren’s late step forward in pace on fresh soft tyres with Carlos Sainz third but 0.3s off the papaya pace.
Max Verstappen was fourth but a whopping 0.511s adrift of Red Bull’s main rivals as the world champion’s struggles so far in Mexico continued.
After power unit problems had heavily restricted his running on Friday, Verstappen returned to the track on Saturday armed with a different engine fitted in his RB20 after the team confirmed the previous unit had suffered from intake air circuit leakage problems.
The power unit being run from Saturday has already been used this season, rather than being a brand-new one, so no grid penalty was applied. But while the changed engine ran without problem, Verstappen’s issues with the RB20’s handling only continued.
“Ah this doesn’t ****** work,” he said in frustration towards the end of the session.
“There’s no grip front and rear.”
Lewis Hamilton was fifth quickest in the lead Mercedes as George Russell returned from his heavy P2 crash in eighth, with Charles Leclerc only sixth in the second Ferrari after his qualy sim didn’t quite appear to go to plan.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Mexico City GP schedule
Saturday October 26
9pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying build-up*
10pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying*
Sunday October 27
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP build-up*
8pm: THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico City GP reaction
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event (Race build-up on Sunday from 7.30pm)
Formula 1’s Americas triple header continues this weekend with the Mexico City Grand Prix, with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
