VT2 GP Mexico: Verstappen Faces More Challenges as Russell Again Incurs Major Damage

Second Free Practice in Mexico: A Disastrous Session for Verstappen

The second practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix was unusually extended by thirty minutes at the request of Pirelli, who aimed to test tire compounds for the 2025 season. Unfortunately for Max Verstappen, this session ended up being far from successful. The motor issues plaguing his RB20 turned out to be more persistent than anticipated. Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz clocked the fastest lap, while George Russell once again incurred substantial damage to his car.

Unique Goals for Drivers Amid Tire Testing

This particular practice session featured drivers participating under a unique set of circumstances. Due to Pirelli’s request to test unmarked and unknown tire types, all drivers were required to follow a specific program. .comike the majority, the five drivers who missed the first free practice—Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Zhou Guanyu, and Lando Norris—were granted an additional half hour to tailor their practice according to their preferences in tire selection.

Incident Strikes Early: Russell’s Heavy Crash

The session had barely begun when it was interrupted due to George Russell crashing out. His incident echoed that of his friend and fellow driver Alex Albon earlier in the day. A spokesperson for Mercedes confirmed that Russell emerged physically fine, but the crash resulted in significant damage to the F1 W15 at Turn 8, leading to a hefty repair bill. As was the case the previous week in Austin, Russell’s team faced another long evening of fixing and rebuilding after the crash.

Verstappen Struggles with Persistent Engine Issues

Back in the garage, Red Bull’s team tirelessly worked on Verstappen’s RB20, as the reigning world champion expressed concerns about a strange sound coming from the engine during his first lap. “This is unusual,” he remarked, prompting his team to call him in for further inspection. Verstappen wasn’t the .comy driver struggling on this challenging day; Charles Leclerc and Albon also found themselves anxiously waiting in the garage for repairs on their vehicles. Albon’s FW46 had sustained considerable damage in the first session, impacting Oliver Bearman’s Ferrari during the crash.

After a twenty-minute cleanup operation, both Leclerc and Verstappen were finally able to start their respective practice runs. While Leclerc appeared to have a stress-free experience, Verstappen quickly returned to the pits as the severity of his engine troubles became clear. Continuing was deemed unsafe, forcing him to conclude the session with just four unproductive laps to his name. After ninety minutes of testing, Sainz set the fastest time, though it was uncertain how relevant these results would prove with the unknown tire compounds. Oscar Piastri and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top three, illustrating a day filled with unexpected turns and tribulations.