P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen handed championship blow as driver replacement confirmed
Max Verstappen will have his F1 preparations reduced for the Mexican Grand Prix due to a driver replacement being confirmed before the race weekend. Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad will take Verstappen’s place in FP1, following his F1 debut in Yuki Tsunoda’s car at the British GP. This change is part of F1’s rookie rule mandating teams to run a rookie driver in a session twice per car during the year. Lindblad could also be a contender for a Racing Bulls seat in 2026, with uncertainty surrounding the driver lineups for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Verstappen will miss crucial FP1 sessions in Mexico, affecting his preparation as he trails Piastri by 40 points in the standings after a strong showing at COTA. The high altitude at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez presents unique challenges for F1 cars, impacting aerodynamics, power units, and cooling systems. The reduced oxygen levels affect performance, making it crucial for teams to adapt their setups for optimal performance on the high-speed circuit.
