P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen was fastest on Mexican GP Friday but very pessimistic about Red Bull’s race pace
Max Verstappen expressed concern about Red Bull’s long run pace being subpar at the Mexican Grand Prix, despite his strong performance in practice sessions.
While he was fastest in short runs, the team struggled significantly during medium and long runs, with a lack of grip and tyre overheating being major issues.
Verstappen emphasized the importance of improving long run performance for the race, as being fast in qualifying won’t ensure success on Sunday.
Red Bull’s head of racing, Gianpiero Lambiase, attributed the struggles to challenges in managing tyre temperatures effectively for both single lap pace and long runs.
Although Verstappen remains in contention for the championship, he faces a 40-point deficit to championship leader Oscar Piastri, highlighting the importance of maximizing performance in the upcoming race.
