Younger drivers get opportunities to drive in another Pirelli tyre test.
MEXICO CITY, Mexico—George Russell led his Mercedes to take the day’s quickest time, recording a 1:19:970 ahead of a surprising Yuki Tsunoda of Alpha Tauri and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon in preparation for Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix. Because all three top finishers gave their seats to younger drivers in the first session, they were allowed to give half of their time in the afternoon session for set-ups and tyre evaluation.
The afternoon session ended with two red flags, and the session ended with 42 seconds left when Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu stopped inside the old baseball stadium with a hydraulic failure. The second red flag happened earlier when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc lost control and smashed into the PROTECH barriers at turn seven, and that incident stopped practice for 20 minutes.
Lewis Hamilton was the fourth fastest of the day in his Mercedes, with fifth going to home-standing Sergio Perez in the Red Bull. Sixth went to the second Red Bull of Max Verstappen, who is looking to break the seasonal win record this weekend.
Mick Schumacher in the Haas and Williams’ Alex Albon also gave their seats to younger testers in the morning session. But both finished near the bottom of the grid.
ESPNN will televise Saturday’s qualifying session at 4p Eastern time, and all eyes will be on Max Verstappen.
