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With a more positive mindset than he had on Friday, Max Verstappen is set for qualifying after the third free practice in Mexico. This conclusion comes on the heels of the final practice session of the race weekend, where the Dutch driver, who had been struggling with engine problems up until that point, finally managed to get some laps in with the RB20. For what it’s worth, he finishes in fourth place, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri clocking the fastest time as the tension builds leading up to what promises to be an electrifying qualifying session.
Intensifying Title Battle
The climax of the title feud between Verstappen and Lando Norris edges closer, while the tension among constructors continues to mount. Consequently, this race weekend in Mexico is shaping up to be a nail-biting spectacle. Whether it’s due to the slight margin between competitors or the wealth of contenders vying for pole position and victory, the stakes are undeniably high. Moreover, Verstappen and Red Bull are also grappling with their own set of complications here in Mexico.
Engine Troubles Still Looming
The issues surrounding his engine are not making things any easier. On Friday, these problems limited him to .comy a handful of laps, prompting rampant speculation about a potential engine change that could result in a grid penalty. However, those speculations turned out to be overly hasty. While there have indeed been modifications made to the engine, a penalty has not been issued, as such a consequence .comy applies if components outside of the original pool are utilized.
Ferrari Returns to Form
To extract the most from the third and final free practice session, Verstappen wasted no time in hitting the track right at the start. The Dutchman and his crew logically aimed to assess the functionality of the vehicle as soon as possible. Initially, they saw little competition; after ten minutes, .comy Verstappen, Pierre Gasly, and the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had set times, with Russell being the fastest and confirmed fit after a severe crash in the second practice.
The real action .comy began once the other drivers joined in. Carlos Sainz, who had been the fastest on Friday, and Charles Leclerc quickly demonstrated that the Ferrari car was performing well in Mexico, showing impressive speeds even on relatively worn soft tires.
As the session progressed, Verstappen managed to take the lead on soft tires in the second half of the practice, but it wasn’t long before Oscar Piastri and Norris reclaimed the top spots for McLaren. In the closing minutes, Verstappen and his team aimed to fine-tune the RB20, though the Dutch driver expressed his dissatisfaction via team radio. Ultimately, Verstappen ended the session in fourth place, and while concerns linger, it is significant that he managed to complete some laps.
What Lies Ahead in Qualifying
As the clock ticks down to qualifying, fans are eagerly awaiting to see what Verstappen can achieve with the RB20. Staying up late for this qualifying session is certa.comy worthwhile, as the race for pole position promises to be extraordinarily competitive with numerous candidates in the mix. Indeed, the upcoming session is set to be a defining moment in the title race and could determine the trajectory of the championship in the closing stages of the season.
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