Pirelli Tire Tests Spark Drama in Mexico’s Second F1 Practice Session

The second practice in Mexico was special. The teams had to devote it to tests for Pirelli.

It was a 90 minute ride. Riders were given two sets of tires. One for this year and the other for 2025. C4, C5 mixtures were used, as well as the new C6, which could appear next year, for example, on city tracks.

Each driver had to complete two stints. Performance (basically simulating qualifying) with 20kg fuel and 5 laps and racing with 100kg fuel and 12 laps.

But she took the ideal form of the test after 13 minutes. George Russell lost control of the car on the curb and crashed hard in turn eight. He also had to visit the medical center because of the 30 G overload.

In addition to clearing the car, the barriers needed to be repaired, which took over 20 minutes.

It was only after the restart that Charles Leclerc took to the track for the first time, in whose car was Bearman, who crashed with Albon in the first practice. The Williams driver had significantly more damage to his car and did not drive in practice.

Max Verstappen’s technical problems continued in the second practice session. In the first practice, he was stopped at the end by a problem with the intake pipe of the turbo. In the second practice, Verstappen went out, but after a total of 4 laps he had to pit and the practice was over for him.

The drivers who skipped the first practice and let the youngster in the car should have been able to work on the preparation for the weekend in the last 30 minutes. But that only happened in the last six minutes due to red flags.

Sainz set the fastest time ahead of Piastri and Cunoda.

The results

P. Rider Team Time Loss of Bike

1 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:17.699 34

2 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:17.877 0.178 30

3 
Júki Cunoda
RB
1:17.878
0.179
30

4 
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
1:17.887
0.188
31

5 Lando Norris McLaren 1:17.948 0.249 36

6 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:18.239 0.540 34

7 
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
1:18.279
0.580
36

8 
Valtteri Bottas
Kick Sauber
1:18.351
0.652
32

9 Sergio Pérez Red Bull 1:18.392 0.693 32

10 
Liam Lawson
RB
1:18.560
0.861
29

11 
Fernando Alonso
Aston Martin
1:18.579
0.880
35

12 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:18.621 0.922 34

13 
Esteban Ocon
Alpine
1:18.656
0.957
30

14 
Lance Stroll
Aston Martin
1:18.890
1.191
34

15 Franco Colapinto Williams 1:18.908 1.209 30

16 
Pierre Gasly
Alpine
1:18.942
1.243
30

17 Kuan-yu Chou Kick Sauber 1:18.980 1.281 37

18 
George Russell
Mercedes
1:19.041
1.342
4

19 
Max Verstappen
Red Bull
–
–
4

Progress

1:30: Second training ends…

1:29: So he’ll make it… Leclerc also in the intermediate stages, but that will only be one lap.

1:29: Hamilton also in secondary. But Leclerc probably won’t make it.

1:26: And more are being added… Norris and Alonso.

1:24: So now Chou has graduated high school – he can devote himself to his own program.

1:05: So far, it looks like the red flags will mean that the drivers who didn’t complete FP1 won’t get a chance to pursue their own program.

1:00: Chou complains about the brakes and the engine.

0:57: Russell was released from the medical center. It’s ok…

0:56: Verstappen will not start again

0:50:

1. Sai
2. Pia
3. Con
4. Lec
5. Mag
6. Ham
7. Bot
8. Per
9. Nor
10. Law
11. They
12. Oco
13. Str
14. Col
15. Alo
16. Gas
17. Chow
18. Rus

0:44: And Verstappen heads to the pits again…

0:43: Vowles confirmed to Sky Sports that Albon had to change the engine, gearbox, both wings, the floor, a lot of mechanical parts. “I could go on and on, but it’s going to be a struggle,” said the Williams boss.

0:41: Verstappen also returns.

0:40: Leclerc is also on the track.

0:38: we continue

00:13: Russell crashes… a bit earlier than Albon in the first practice.

00:13: Red flags…

00:11: This table should show the program for each rider. C6 tires for Aston Martin, Williams, RB drivers.

00:10: Verstappen complains about a strange noise. Heading to the pits…

00:08: Gasly went off the track.

00:08: So far Sainz is in the lead ahead of Piastre and Pérez. We are waiting for Leclerc and Albon.

00:01: Riders take to the track. The tires are unmarked, so we don’t know what compound it is.

00:00: The second practice begins.

23:57: Of course, work is also being done on Albon’s car, which he demolished. He probably won’t make it to the start of training…

23:51: According to AMuS, Verstappen had a problem with a leak in the turbo intake manifold. As for the damage to the floor in his and Antonelli’s (Hamilton’s) car, the debris most likely came from the bridge.

23:49: Drivers who missed the first practice session because they let a young driver in the car will only test for 60 minutes and the other 30 can be spent preparing for the weekend. To top it off, they get a set of medium tires. It is about Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris, Alonso and Chou

23:47: But to the second training. Next year’s tires will be tested, namely C4, C5 and C6 compounds. The latter is new – the softest compound that we could see, for example, on city tracks.

Each driver will be given two extra sets for the second practice – one will be identical to the one for the Mexican Grand Prix and will act as a benchmark. The second will be a prototype for 2025. These two sets will not have any color stripes on the sides.

Teams are not allowed to change settings and will run two stints on each compound: a performance (basically a qualifying simulation) with 20kg of fuel and 5 laps, and a race with 100kg of fuel and 12 laps. A total of 5 + 12 rounds on each mixture, and a total of 34 rounds.

23:46: Also working on Verstappen’s car, which had an engine problem.

23:45: According to Auto Motor und Sport, Antonelli damaged the floor when he hit a piece of debris in the first practice and lost an estimated 0.25s per lap. Mercedes repaired the floor, but they say it won’t be like new. Russell is running the old spec straight this weekend, the new floor is being repaired after the accident in Austin.

23:44: Welcome to the online broadcast of the second practice.

Formula 1 Mexican GP: The Wild Ride of Second Practice!

Ah, the thrill of motorsport! The second practice in Mexico was like an episode of “The Office” – lots of awkward moments and some cringe-worthy crashes. If you happen to have missed it – and let’s be honest, if you skipped it, were you even living? – you’re in for a treat.

Testing Times and Tire Shenanigans

This 90-minute session was dedicated to something equally riveting: tire testing for Pirelli. Now, I know what you’re thinking! Tire testing? Who orders that for breakfast? But it’s not just any tires; we’ve got the C4, C5, and a cheeky new C6 compound that’s got everyone talking. It’s like listening to a band that promises new material and then drops that mixtape next year on city tracks—who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

The drivers got their hands on two sets of tires. One for now, and the other—a sneak peek of the future—designed for 2025. It’s like seeing your future self in a fashion show, only with more horsepower and less fabric. Then there was the plan: do a bit of qualifying simulation with 20kg of fuel followed by an epic race simulation with a whopping 100kg. They must have thought they were training for a triathlon!

The Crash that Stole the Show

But what truly jazzed things up was George Russell—oh dear, bless him—losing control on the curves and going *bang!*. He was clocked at a staggering 30 G overload—now that’s not how you want to break your car or your back. The guy crashed harder than my hopes of becoming a rock star in my 40s! Unsurprisingly, he made a pitstop at the medical center, and the barriers? They needed an intervention too, taking over 20 minutes to recover. The engineering department must’ve felt like they were on a construction site, not a race track!

Let’s not forget Charles Leclerc, who finally graced us with his presence after the ruckus cleared. I mean, could he have shown up any later? Meanwhile, Verstappen had his own technological drama unfolding—his turbo intake pipe went kaput like a bad movie sequel, and he was left watching from the pits, contemplating life. Not even his lucky Red Bull could save him this time!

Sainz Takes the Lead

On to the actual melt-your-face-off results: Carlos Sainz zoomed to the top with a flashy 1:17.699, leaving everyone else scrambling like kids chasing after ice cream trucks. Oscar Piastri and Júki Cunoda were hot on his heels, showing it’s not just about the veterans holding the fort. They’re like the students who’ve woken up to the magic of coffee for finals week—stunning and relentless.

Results Rundown

Position	Rider	Team	Time	Loss
1	Carlos Sainz	Ferrari	1:17.699	—
2	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	1:17.877	0.178
3	Júki Cunoda	RB	1:17.878	0.179
4	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1:17.887	0.188
5	Lando Norris	McLaren	1:17.948	0.249
18	George Russell	Mercedes	1:19.041	1.342
19	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	–	–

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it—a practice session that was full of surprises, disappointments, and spectacular crashes. It’s like the organizers simply wanted to keep us all entertained, which, let’s be honest, worked a treat. Just another day in the life of Formula 1—engines roaring, tires squealing, and a touch of drama that could put the best soap operas to shame! Keep your eyes peeled; this weekend promises a lot more, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds. Until next time—may your Mondays be faster than a Ferrari!

The second practice session in Mexico stood out as teams dedicated this crucial time to testing Pirelli’s latest tire developments.

Spanning a full 90 minutes, drivers were equipped with two sets of tires designed for distinct purposes: one representing the specifications for the current season and the other anticipated for the 2025 season. The session utilized C4 and C5 tire mixtures alongside the debut of the new C6 compound, which may see action next year, particularly on urban circuits.

Assigned to complete two stints, each driver simulated qualifying performance with 20kg of fuel over five laps, followed by a realistic race simulation using 100kg of fuel for twelve laps. This structure was integral for preparing for the upcoming race weekend.

However, the session took a dramatic turn just 13 minutes in when George Russell lost control of his car on the curb and crashed violently into turn eight. The impact subjected him to a staggering 30 G overload, necessitating a trip to the medical center for evaluation.

The ensuing clean-up required the removal of Russell’s wrecked car and repairs to the damaged barriers, resulting in a delay that extended over 20 minutes, significantly impacting the practice session’s schedule.

Following the restart, Charles Leclerc finally took to the track, although his absence at the beginning was due to Bearman having crashed with Albon in the initial practice session. The damage sustained by the Williams driver was extensive, completely sidelining him for this practice.

Max Verstappen’s technical woes persisted throughout the second practice session. After being halted in the first session due to an issue with the turbo’s intake pipe, Verstappen managed to head out for a mere four laps in the second session before an unfortunate return to the pits signaled the end of his outing.

The drivers who had opted out of the first practice to allow younger drivers to gain experience were anticipated to utilize the last 30 minutes for intensive preparation. Unfortunately, interruptions from red flags limited their on-track time to merely the final six minutes of the session.

Despite the challenges faced during the practice, Carlos Sainz emerged as the fastest driver, recording a time of 1:17.699, closely followed by Oscar Piastri and Júki Cunoda.

The results

1 Carlos Sainz Ferrari 1:17.699 34

2 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:17.877 0.178 30

3 Júki Cunoda RB 1:17.878 0.179 30

4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:17.887 0.188 31

5 Lando Norris McLaren 1:17.948 0.249 36

6 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:18.239 0.540 34

7 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:18.279 0.580 36

8 Valtteri Bottas Kick Sauber 1:18.351 0.652 32

9 Sergio Pérez Red Bull 1:18.392 0.693 32

10 Liam Lawson RB 1:18.560 0.861 29

11 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:18.579 0.880 35

12 Nico Hülkenberg Haas 1:18.621 0.922 34

13 Esteban Ocon Alpine 1:18.656 0.957 30

14 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:18.890 1.191 34

15 Franco Colapinto Williams 1:18.908 1.209 30

16 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:18.942 1.243 30

17 Kuan-yu Chou Kick Sauber 1:18.980 1.281 37

18 George Russell Mercedes 1:19.041 1.342 4

19 Max Verstappen Red Bull – – 4

Progress

1:30: Second training ends…

1:26: And more are being added… Norris and Alonso.

1:05: So far, it looks like the red flags will mean that the drivers who didn’t complete FP1 won’t get a chance to pursue their own program.

0:57: Russell was released from the medical center. It’s ok…

0:56: Verstappen will not start again.

0:50:

0:44: And Verstappen heads to the pits again…

0:41:: Verstappen also returns.

0:40: Leclerc is also on the track.

00:13:: Russell crashes… a bit earlier than Albon in the first practice.

00:11:: This table should show the program for each rider. C6 tires for Aston Martin, Williams, RB drivers.

00:10:: Verstappen complains about a strange noise. Heading to the pits…

23:57: Of course, work is also being done on Albon’s car, which he demolished. He probably won’t make it to the start of training…

23:51: According to AMuS, Verstappen had a problem with a leak in the turbo intake manifold.

23:49: Drivers who missed the first practice session because they let a young driver in the car will only test for 60 minutes.

23:47: But to the second training. Next year’s tires will be tested, namely C4, C5 and C6 compounds.

23:46:: Also working on Verstappen’s car, which had an engine problem.

23:45:: According to Auto Motor und Sport, Antonelli damaged the floor when he hit a piece of debris in the first practice and lost an estimated 0.25s per lap.

23:44:: Welcome to the online broadcast of the second practice.

T’s​ been a session full of drama and unexpected twists, hasn’t it? After experiencing several technical issues and crashes, the vibe in the paddock might be a mix​ of excitement and concern ‍heading into ⁣the rest of the weekend.

The​ Aftermath of Dramatic ⁣Second Practice

In ‍this ⁤chaotic second​ practice​ session at the Mexican⁣ GP, the reality of Formula 1 came ⁤crashing down—sometimes‌ literally. ‌George‍ Russell’s unfortunate crash, which registered a hefty 30 ​G hit, turned‌ the session on its head and served ‌as a stark reminder⁤ of the sport’s unpredictability. His impact not only halted his day but also ⁤disrupted ⁢the flow for all drivers, ⁢transforming what should have been a crucial practice⁢ into ⁤a somewhat fragmented affair.

Insights from‍ the Teams

Williams’s woes continued as Alex Albon sat out due ⁤to extensive repairs from the earlier⁣ practice,​ leaving many to speculate how ‌his absence could affect their weekend strategy. The team’s ⁣principal expressed concerns about Albon’s heavy workload, suggesting a challenging path ahead in terms of performance and tuning the car effectively.

Similarly, Max Verstappen’s troubles with his ⁢turbo intake pipe and ongoing engine issues secured‍ a seat in⁤ the ‌”unfortunate turn of ⁤events” category—heightening⁣ the tension for Red Bull. It remains ⁣to be seen how ⁢these technical setbacks will play out​ in qualifying and the race.

The Tire Testing Element

But amidst‌ the chaos, ⁤we saw the⁤ wheels of⁣ progress spinning. Pirelli’s latest ⁣tire compounds—C4, C5, ‍and ⁢the debut C6—were put through their paces. With teams‌ looking toward the ⁤future of racing, this testing phase was⁤ instrumental, ⁤even if overshadowed by crashes and mechanical failures. The notion of preparing for 2025 was‌ tantalizing, and​ the ​competitive spirit among drivers like Carlos Sainz, Oscar Piastri, and Júki Cunoda showed promise.

Sainz’s blazing lap‌ time of 1:17.699 ‌put ‍him squarely at the top, but the gaps are closing as newer talents ⁤shine through. ⁣This session’s results hint that ⁢the competition is heating up, and with the right setups⁢ and strategy, we might⁤ see some surprises‍ in the race.

Summing It Up

This practice was a vivid tapestry woven with the threads of exhilaration, mishap, ⁤and resilience. As⁣ teams and drivers gear up for qualifying, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Can Sainz maintain his momentum? Will Verstappen ‌and Russell rebalance the scales⁣ after their ‌setbacks?‍ And how will the tire testing inform the strategies⁢ for race ⁣day?

The drama of Formula 1 never ceases to amaze. As we look⁣ ahead,‍ one thing is clear: ‍expect the unexpected!

Echnical difficulties will influence their race strategy as they head into the weekend. The team will need to address these problems quickly to regain their momentum and ensure they are competitive when it counts.

Looking Ahead

As we look forward to the remainder of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, it’s clear that the excitement is far from over. With Sainz setting the pace and young drivers like Piastri and Cunoda showing they can compete with the veterans, we could be in for an electric race. The unpredictable nature of this session highlighted just how important qualifying will be; any slip-ups could easily turn the tide.

Meanwhile, teams will be working overtime to rectify the issues encountered in this practice, particularly the reliability concerns that have plagued a few drivers. The unpredictability of the weather can also play a crucial role, adding another layer of strategy to the mix as teams scramble to balance tire choices and fuel loads.

As the tension builds, fans are left to wonder: can Sainz maintain his form, or will another driver emerge from behind to take the spotlight? Will Russell bounce back after his crash, and can Verstappen find a solution to his car troubles? The stage is set for a thrilling race—stay tuned, because the best is yet to come!