Verstappen tops FP1 despite corner cut

Max Verstappen was fastest in the first practice session on Formula One’s return to Mexico City, making him the youngest driver to top a timed session in the sport’s history. On his lap, he cut turn 10 which gave him a time advantage. However, the stewards didn’t look into the matter because it is only a practice session. Rest assured, they will not feel the same way in qualifying.

The start of the session saw driver’s on intermediates as the track was still a bit damp following last night’s rain. Even when the drivers were on slicks, the track yielded little grip as the fresh surface had no rubber laid into it, as well as the oil seeping to the surface as a result of the weather.

This meant the cars spinning became a familiar sight, with many incident occurring because of turn-in oversteer.

Daniil Kvyat was second, three tenths off the pace, ahead of the two Ferraris of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel and team mate Daniel Ricciardo in 5th.

Nico Rosberg was 6th, but the German lost track time when his rear brakes caught fire an hour into the session. The thin air at the circuit due to the circuit’s high altitude means that cooling the car is a challenge. The teams have had to open up more cooling ducts around the car to work around the issue.

Valtteri Bottas was 7th ahead of Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez, with Felipe Massa completing the top 10. Lewis Hamilton was 11th and was the fastest man in the speed trap at 362.3kph/225.1mph. Again the altitude is the cause. Despite the wing levels the cars will be running, the thin air means that downforce levels are equivalent to that of Monza.

Jolyon Palmer was 15th, deputising for Romain Grosjean which he will be doing for the rest of the season. The team confirmed this as part of his preparation for his race seat promotion for 2016.

McLaren already enter this weekend with penalties; Jenson Button 50 places for two new engines and Fernando Alonso 15 places in gearbox and engine penalties. However, Button had an issue with one of his new units, so lost the final 30 minutes of the session to give the team enough time to change the engine before the start of FP2.

Alonso was also compromised. His set of prime tyres was deemed unsafe to run, as a cut in the tyre was found. He was seen out on the intermediate tyres later in the session to put mileage on the engine.

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