P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The raw numbers from Mexico Friday suggest a big Lando Norris long-run advantage and Max Verstappen on top over a single lap. But this looks like a more volatile weekend than that
On the first day of practice at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, the track conditions were challenging with a mix of run programmes causing confusion. Max Verstappen’s Red Bull showed great pace in qualifying simulation but struggled in long runs, lagging behind Mercedes and Ferrari on medium C3 tires.
McLarens had mixed performances, with Lando Norris impressing in long runs and choosing the soft C4 for the race stint simulation, making comparisons difficult. Championship leader Oscar Piastri faced grip issues, similar to the previous race at COTA.
Piastri remained optimistic, focusing on adjusting for better consistency, while acknowledging the challenges faced on the low-grip track. Verstappen’s superior front end grip was evident in slow-speed sections, highlighting the strengths of the Red Bull car.
Overall, the first day of practice hinted at the potential influence of tire choice on performance, with McLaren’s advantage possibly overstated based on raw numbers. Both Verstappen and Norris acknowledged the need for improvements going into the next day of running.
