F1-EL2: Rosberg ahead of Red Bull in Mexico

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) set the best time of the first day of testing for the Mexican GP by completing a lap in 1'21"531 on the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. The German was a little more than two tenths ahead of the Red Bull de Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo, before a light shower disrupted the end of the session.

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) ranks four tenths behind his teammate, preceding the Ferrari de Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) is the first driver more than a second behind. The Finn spun and made slight contact with the wall, locking his rear wheels. Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso) did not have time to set a time, the Dutchman in the lead in the first session having made a mistake in the last corner.

While he was replaced in the first session by Jolyon Palmer (Lotus), Romain Grosjean was not even able to take advantage of this hour and a half of testing, the Frenchman having encountered a mechanical problem blocking him half an hour from the finish. The former GP2 champion finished in 16th position, two seconds behind the benchmark.

The final practice session for the Mexican GP will be contested this Saturday, October 31 from 17 p.m. (French time) and will be followed live on Canal+ Décalé. Qualifying will follow from 20 p.m.