FP3: Oscar Piastri leads McLaren one-two in Mexico City Grand Prix final practice
Oscar Piastri topped final practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix, leading teammate Lando Norris in a McLaren one-two.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri showcased his potential by leading a McLaren 1-2 during Saturday’s third free practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Lando Norris and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.
The final practice session provided a serene atmosphere compared to the chaos of the opening day at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, which saw several red flags and a Pirelli tyre test. This hour-long session was crucial for drivers to refine their setups ahead of the qualifying rounds.
Multiple drivers returned with repaired cars. Notably, Mercedes worked overtime to rebuild George Russell's car after his dramatic crash in FP2. Despite a new chassis, Russell avoided penalties for power unit or gearbox changes. Similarly, Alex Albon's Williams received a new power unit after a collision in FP1, but since it came from his existing pool, he escaped any penalties.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen faced persistent engine issues in both FP1 and FP2, linked to the air intake on his Red Bull. His mechanics opted for an older power unit to avoid further disruptions. Despite challenges, Verstappen swiftly took to the track, initially trading fastest lap times with Russell, although he noted over the radio a lack of rear grip in the low-speed corners.
As the session unfolded, Sainz initially placed Ferrari in the lead with a lap time of 1m 17.447s, ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc, Norris, and local favorite Sergio Perez. Both Mercedes drivers, Russell and Lewis Hamilton, followed closely behind.
Subsequently, drivers on soft-shod tires further lowered their times. Leclerc, Sainz, and Verstappen took turns at the top before McLaren asserted their dominance. Piastri posted a leading time of 1m 16.492s, with Norris close on his heels.
Despite late attempts to improve, Piastri and Norris maintained their top positions. Sainz and Verstappen continued to struggle with grip, while Hamilton rounded out the top five, expressing surprise at the gap to the McLarens.
Leclerc fell behind, unable to match the improvements of his teammate, finishing sixth. Yuki Tsunoda in the Red Bull, Russell, and Haas driver Kevin Magnussen completed the top nine, with the latter two engaging in a late squabble for track position.
Liam Lawson closed the top 10 after a spin in the stadium section. Albon, Valtteri Bottas in the lead Kick Sauber, stand-in Franco Colapinto for Williams, and Perez, facing another challenging session, followed suit.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll managed only 15th and 17th, split by Nico Hulkenberg of Haas. Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly found themselves at the rear in 18th and 20th positions, behind Zhou Guanyu’s Kick Sauber.
Teams and drivers now turn their focus to analyzing the data and making final adjustments before the critical qualifying session, set to commence at 1500 local time.
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