EL1 – México: Ferrari ahead of Red Bull, the top 6 in a handkerchief

Given the times of this first free practice session in Mexico, the qualifying session scheduled for this Saturday evening at 22 p.m. French time promises enormously. Carlos Sainz indeed led the pack this Friday, one breath ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc (+0 »046). The debates were particularly close since the top 6 are in fact held by less than 2/10ths, with Sergio Perez et Max Verstappen (3rd and 4th) authors of the same time (+0 »120), ahead Lewis Hamilton et Fernando Alonso which point to 0 »142 and 0 »192. 

In the first part of the session, however, it was Max Verstappen who led the way on the hard tires. Mounts that we are not ready to see again due to the poor grip of the track. By switching to the red tires first after experiencing a technical problem for twenty minutes, Charles Leclerc took the best time, before being beaten mid-session by Carlos Sainz, therefore. Max Verstappen gave himself two small scares. One in the esses where he lost control of his Red Bull, and the other the slow portion where he had difficulty keeping his car on the track. No damage though. 

On the French side, we note the 9th place of Pierre Gasly. His future teammate Esteban Ocon he was not driving since it was Jack Doohan who took the wheel in the EL1 reserved for rookies. Like other beginners at the same time as him, the Australian also experienced technical problems on his car. Alpine indeed shortened its run as a precaution upon discovering engine risks in the data. 

His two comrades Pietro Fittipaldi and Liam Lawson, who respectively drove for Haas et Alpha Tauri, each caused a red flag, victims of mechanical problems. The engine smoked on the straight for Fittipaldi, while for Lawson, it was the brakes of the car that went up in flames. Logan sargeant et Nyck de Vries They had no problems, but could not do better than 17th and 18th for not having worn soft shoes. Free Practice 2, dedicated to Pirelli, will be followed this Friday at 23 p.m.