The second, unusual practice of the 2024 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix began in clear, mild weather similar to that experienced in the first training session (23 degrees Celsius air, 42 degrees asphalt temperature).
The training lasted 90 minutes instead of the usual 60 minutes, as the team drivers tested Pirelli’s 2025 C4, C5 and C6 prototypes based on the wishes and instructions of the tire manufacturer – with specific fuel quantities and stage lengths (2- 2 shorter and 2-2 longer runs, with 20-20 and 100-100 kg of fuel).
The drivers who missed the first training session due to the youngsters – Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Chou Kuan-yü – could use a set of 2024 medium compound Pirelli tires in addition to the specified test program.
Alexander Albon’s Williams, which collided with Ferrari driver Oliver Bearman in the previous practice session, needed serious repairs, and the participation of the Thai driver seemed uncertain. Leclerc’s Ferrari also required repairs, the Monaco driver only started the lap later.
In the first laps, the Red Bull drivers received not very encouraging messages: Sergio Perez complained about the brake pedal, while Max Verstappen, who finished the first session with an engine problem, reported strange noises and was called to the pits.
Verstappen’s still not happy in the Red Bull and pits.#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/0vDYvgMsvX
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2024
12 minutes had passed when Friday’s third red flag came out after George Russell badly put Mercedes into the TecPro barrier. The replays showed that the car came to rest on the wheel well of turn 8, and Russell was the only passenger from there. The right side of the W15 was properly crushed, the pilot walked to the medical car on his own feet, but perhaps with a hurt hand.
GEORGE RUSSELL IN THE WALL!
The Mercedes drops it on the kerb and spins into the barriers at high-speed. Russell is out of the car.
Red flag #F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/laAujs98wc
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2024
The repair of the wall took a good 20 minutes, with 54 minutes left in practice when the light turned green again at the end of the pit lane. The forced break was not good for Pirelli, but at the same time it was very good for Verstappen and Red Bull, they got time to inspect and repair the car. Unfortunately, they did not manage to fix the problem, the Dutchman was quickly called back to the pits, so that they could tear the RB20 to pieces.
Is that session over for Verstappen?
The World Champion is out of the car, with no time on the board.
Clearly, all is still not well with the #1 car… #F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/4vzR9ljIsm
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 25, 2024
Meanwhile, the others continued their Pirelli work – the tire manufacturer informed the teams in connection with the red flag interruption that they would accept one measured lap from the fast stages. From half-time, the drivers switched to the longer, competitive simulation runs.
In the last minutes, the drivers who did not lead in the first practice put on this year’s medium compound (yellow) Pirellis, but did not run special times, while Charles Leclerc already ran into the checkered flag before the start of his fast lap.
Although the results are comparable from an engineering point of view due to the known mixture allocations and fuel quantities, the final result of the second practice session is not relevant for the continuation of the weekend – Carlos Sainz, for example, is the hardest of the three, C4, Oscar Piastri is C5, Cunoda Juki ran his fastest lap on the softest C6 prototype – the order of strength will only become clearer in the third free practice.
The last practice will start at 19:30 Hungarian time, and the qualification for the Mexico City Grand Prix will start at 23:00.
Image: Formula 1
Source: www.vezess.hu
