F1 Mexican Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and FP2 results in Mexico City
Sergio Perez will be eyeing a dream victory on home soil at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend.
The Red Bull driver has endured a difficult few months and has not won since Azerbaijan in April. His team-mate Max Verstappen, however, has won 15 races this season and has already sealed his third world title.
Verstappen was triumphant last week at the US Grand Prix in Austin where Lewis Hamilton - who finished second - was disqualified alongside Charles Leclerc for an illegal floor.
Lando Norris came home third, but was promoted to second after Hamilton’s DSQ, for his 12th podium in F1 but the McLaren driver is still chasing his first win. Verstappen won last year’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Follow updates from the Mexican Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 MEXICAN GRAND PRIX - PRACTICE
Max Verstappen fastest in both practice sessions in Mexico City
Second practice in Mexico City started at 11pm (BST)
BREAKING: Yuki Tsunoda handed grid penalty for Sunday’s race
Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix
Max Verstappen quickest in FP2!
00:02 , Kieran Jackson
Some unusual rain on Mexico City GP weekend but nothing unusual about whose top of the timesheet - Max Verstappen quickest with a 1:18:686.
Lando Norris is second for McLaren, 0.119 secs back, with Charles Leclerc third. Home favourite Sergio Perez is fifth.
4-10: Bottas, Perez, Ricciardo, Hamilton, Ocon, Piastri, Russell
Bad, disrupted session for Aston Martin, with Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso 18th and 20th respectively!
Max Verstappen goes fastest
23:40 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen up top with a 1:18:686 on his quickest soft tyre run.
Lando Norris - 0.119 secs down - in second, with Charles Leclerc third, two-tenths behind Verstappen. That McLaren there or thereabouts once again!
4-10: Bottas, Perez, Ricciardo, Hamilton, Ocon, Piastri, Russell
Closing 20 minutes of Friday practice now...
Fernando Alonso has a spin!
23:27 , Kieran Jackson
The two-time world champion goes for a bit of a spin in sector two but manages to keep his Aston Martin out of the wall!
Oscar Piastri now top of the leaderboard, as the times start to tumble with the pack switching to soft tyres.
It’s raining in Mexico City!
23:10 , Kieran Jackson
Who saw this coming?! It’s 39C but it has started spitting in Mexico City!
Very light so far, but Max Verstappen confirms it on team radio.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman is top of the timesheets with a 1:20:085 in the first 10 minutes, with Lando Norris 0.024 secs off in second. Alex Albon is third, 0.273 secs off P1.
4-10: Leclerc, Ricciardo, Sainz, Zhou, Perez, Sargeant, Piastri
FP2 underway in Mexico City!
23:00 , Kieran Jackson
Time for second practice to get underway in Mexico City!
It’s also the first running of the day for George Russell, Pierre Gasly, Kevin Magnussen, Yuki Tsunoda and Valtteri Bottas after they were absent from FP1 due to their cars being taken by rookies.
Can anyone topple Max Verstappen? Alex Albon’s Williams was the closest man earlier!
There is also a threat of rain in this session...
F1 icon Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’
22:44 , Kieran Jackson
Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson
As often was the case amid an American society embedded in racism in the 1980s, Muhammad Ali put it best. Advising black racing driver Willy T Ribbs, the people’s champion made his point in no uncertain terms: “There are Blacks in my sport. But there are no Blacks in your sport. They’re going to want to kill you.”
Yet for all the death threats, discrimination and abuse, Ribbs had long decided that the only option was to meet the uphill battle head-on. He made history in 1986 when he became the first Black driver to test an F1 car. Five years later, he was the first to race in the Indy 500, one of the world’s most famous events.
But on the course of that journey, Ribbs faced it all. Don’t let me tell you though; let the man himself.
Full interview below:
Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’
Constructors’ Championship ahead of the Mexican GP
22:30 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 706 points (champions)
2) Mercedes - 344 points
3) Ferrari - 322 points
4) McLaren - 242 points
5) Aston Martin - 236 points
6) Alpine - 100 points
7) Williams - 26 points
8) Alfa Romeo - 16 points
9) Haas - 12 points
10) AlphaTauri - 10 points
Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix
22:16 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen has told the boo brigade to show him some respect as the triple world champion prepares to enter the lion’s den at Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix.
Verstappen has beefed up his security for Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez’s home race at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez venue in Mexico City.
Verstappen, who was jeered by Perez’s supporters a week ago in Austin, Texas, is prepared for another hostile reception this weekend – and he will be flanked by multiple security guards in the paddock.
Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix
21:57 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has claimed there were multiple drivers who should have been disqualified from last weekend’s United States Grand Prix for running an illegal car.
Hamilton was stripped of his second place after the floor on his upgraded Mercedes failed a post-race scrutineering check.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished sixth, was also kicked out of the classification for an identical breach.
But Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who claimed his 15th win of the season, and the McLaren of Lando Norris, elevated to second following Hamilton’s penalty, were both cleared of any wrongdoing.
However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s race in Mexico City, Hamilton said: “I heard from several sources that there were a lot of other cars that were illegal and they were not tested so they got away with it.”
Full quotes below:
Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix
Driver Standings ahead of the Mexican GP
21:45 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 466 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 240 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 201 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 171 points
6) Lando Norris - 159 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 151 points
8) George Russell - 143 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 83 points
10) Pierre Gasly - 56 points
11) Lance Stroll - 53 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 44 points
13) Alex Albon - 25 points
14) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
15) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
16) Yuki Tsunoda - 8 points
17) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 1 point
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
British teen makes F1 history as Max Verstappen goes fastest in Mexico practice
21:27 , Kieran Jackson
FP1 REPORT:
Max Verstappen set the fastest time in practice for the Mexican Grand Prix as teenager Oliver Bearman made history by becoming the youngest British driver to take part in a Formula 1 weekend.
Verstappen denied Williams’ Alex Albon top spot by just 0.095 seconds at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City as home favourite Sergio Perez finished third, three tenths back.
Lando Norris was fourth for McLaren – half a second behind Verstappen – with Lewis Hamilton only 11th, one second off the pace in his Mercedes.
Full report below:
British teen makes F1 history as Max Verstappen goes fastest in Mexico practice
F1 icon Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’
21:15 , Kieran Jackson
Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson
As often was the case amid an American society embedded in racism in the 1980s, Muhammad Ali put it best. Advising black racing driver Willy T Ribbs, the people’s champion made his point in no uncertain terms: “There are Blacks in my sport. But there are no Blacks in your sport. They’re going to want to kill you.”
Yet for all the death threats, discrimination and abuse, Ribbs had long decided that the only option was to meet the uphill battle head-on. He made history in 1986 when he became the first Black driver to test an F1 car. Five years later, he was the first to race in the Indy 500, one of the world’s most famous events.
But on the course of that journey, Ribbs faced it all. Don’t let me tell you though; let the man himself.
Full interview below:
Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’
What is the weekend schedule?
21:03 , Kieran Jackson
(All times BST/GMT)
Friday 27 October
Free practice 2: 11pm
Saturday 28 October
Free practice 3: 6:30pm
Qualifying: 10pm
Sunday 29 October
Race: 8pm
FP1 RESULTS IN FULL
20:53 , Kieran Jackson
🏁 CLASSIFICATION (END OF FP1) 🏁
That's a wrap for our first session of the weekend! Verstappen goes quickest, but Albon keeps him honest 👀#MexicoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Eek2VEanm6— Formula 1 (@F1) October 27, 2023
BREAKING: Yuki Tsunoda handed grid penalty for Sunday’s race
20:45 , Kieran Jackson
The AlphaTauri man handed a grid drop for Sunday’s race because AlphaTauri have changed his power unit.
Back of the grid on Sunday for the Japanese driver.
AlphaTauri rookie Isack Hadjur:
20:38 , Kieran Jackson
“Best day of my life mate, that was incredible!”
Heartwarming stuff!
Max Verstappen quickest in first practice!
20:33 , Kieran Jackson
No surprise up top in FP1 - Max Verstappen fastest with a 1:19:718. Interestingly, he’s done that without secting a quickest sector.
Alex Albon second for Williams - an impressive showing - 0.095 secs back, with Sergio Perez third in front of his home fans.
4-10: Norris, Leclerc, Piastri, Sainz, Ricciardo, Ocon, Stroll
Lewis Hamilton only P11. The best performer out of all the rookies was British teenager Oliver Bearman in P15, ahead of Fernando Alonso too!
Sergio Perez goes P3
20:26 , Kieran Jackson
Last few runs now, with Sergio Perez up to third - 0.297 secs off Max Verstappen’s leading time of 1:19:718.
Alex Albon still second, with Lando Norris now up to fourth.
Meanwhile, it’s looking to be a nightmare hour for Theo Pouchaire - he’s still in the garage and doesn’t look likely to set a lap.
Max Verstappen quickest halfway through
20:03 , Kieran Jackson
Alex Albon, to be fair, is stil high up the order in P2 - and is only 0.004secs behind Max Verstappen, who leds the way.
Charles Leclerc is third, with Sergio Perez in fourth - four-tenths behind Verstappen.
5-10: Ricciardo, Piastri, Sargeant, Ocon,Zhou, Norris
Oliver Bearman the best of the rookie drivers, in 13th.
Lewis Hamilton is 12th and Fernando Alonso is yet to set a time, with his Aston Martin under scrutiny from his mechanics. A slow start to the weekend for many...
Tough session so far for Theo Pouchaire
19:55 , Kieran Jackson
His Alfa Romeo is running into problems and the Frenchman - who is the current leader in F2 - is yet to set a timed lap in the opening 35 minutes or so...
Carlos Sainz has an issue
19:44 , Kieran Jackson
Hydraulics problem for Carlos Sainz already!
He manages to steer his car back to the pits, in fourth gear, but not ideal for Ferrari from the off!
"I lost the car, hydraulics" 📻
Not the start to the weekend Carlos Sainz and Ferrari wanted 😩 pic.twitter.com/HJ8CXTXjop— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 27, 2023
Alex Albon quickest early on...
19:42 , Kieran Jackson
Early issues for Isack Hadjur in the AlphaTauri - he’s gone into anti-stall and has come into the pits.
Oliver Bearman looking strong, with the teenage Brit taking part in his first F1 session today!
First 10 minutes and it’s Alex Albon fastest, two-tenths quicker than Max Verstappen.
A few drivers complaining of something metal on the start-finish straight too...
FP1 rookie drivers in this session:
19:33 , Kieran Jackson
Frederik Vesti (replacing George Russell) - Mercedes
Jack Doohan (replacing Pierre Gasly) - Alpine
Theo Pourchaire (replacing Valtteri Bottas) - Alfa Romeo
Oliver Bearman (replacing Kevin Magnussen) - Haas
Isack Hadjar (replacing Yuki Tsunoda) - AlphaTauri
FP1 at the Mexican Grand Prix!
19:30 , Kieran Jackson
So we’re underway with first practice at the Mexican Grand Prix!
The first of three hours of practice for the drivers to get up to speed with this 4.304km circuit, with 17 turns.
F1 practice at the Mexican Grand Prix!
19:27 , Kieran Jackson
We’re just minutes away from action on track at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez!
Who can set the early benchmark this weekend in Mexico City?
There’s also a host of rookie drivers taking part in this FP1 session - full list to come!
F1 icon Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’
19:22 , Kieran Jackson
Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson
As often was the case amid an American society embedded in racism in the 1980s, Muhammad Ali put it best. Advising black racing driver Willy T Ribbs, the people’s champion made his point in no uncertain terms: “There are Blacks in my sport. But there are no Blacks in your sport. They’re going to want to kill you.”
Yet for all the death threats, discrimination and abuse, Ribbs had long decided that the only option was to meet the uphill battle head-on. He made history in 1986 when he became the first Black driver to test an F1 car. Five years later, he was the first to race in the Indy 500, one of the world’s most famous events.
But on the course of that journey, Ribbs faced it all. Don’t let me tell you though; let the man himself.
Full interview below:
Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’
Constructors’ Championship ahead of the Mexican GP
19:13 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 706 points (champions)
2) Mercedes - 344 points
3) Ferrari - 322 points
4) McLaren - 242 points
5) Aston Martin - 236 points
6) Alpine - 100 points
7) Williams - 26 points
8) Alfa Romeo - 16 points
9) Haas - 12 points
10) AlphaTauri - 10 points
Seems Lando is in agreement with Lewis that more cars should have been checked!
19:07 , Kieran Jackson
"More cars should be checked"
Lando Norris reflects on the Austin disqualifications and admits he hopes more cars were checked 👇 pic.twitter.com/huMHZvSbfW— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) October 26, 2023
Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix
18:59 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton has claimed there were multiple drivers who should have been disqualified from last weekend’s United States Grand Prix for running an illegal car.
Hamilton was stripped of his second place after the floor on his upgraded Mercedes failed a post-race scrutineering check.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished sixth, was also kicked out of the classification for an identical breach.
But Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who claimed his 15th win of the season, and the McLaren of Lando Norris, elevated to second following Hamilton’s penalty, were both cleared of any wrongdoing.
However, speaking ahead of this weekend’s race in Mexico City, Hamilton said: “I heard from several sources that there were a lot of other cars that were illegal and they were not tested so they got away with it.”
Full quotes below:
Lewis Hamilton claims many more cars were illegal at United States Grand Prix
Driver Standings ahead of the Mexican GP
18:44 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 466 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 240 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 201 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 183 points
5) Carlos Sainz - 171 points
6) Lando Norris - 159 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 151 points
8) George Russell - 143 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 83 points
10) Pierre Gasly - 56 points
11) Lance Stroll - 53 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 44 points
13) Alex Albon - 25 points
14) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
15) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
16) Yuki Tsunoda - 8 points
17) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
18) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
19) Liam Lawson - 2 points
20) Logan Sargeant - 1 point
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
22) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix
18:39 , Kieran Jackson
Max Verstappen has told the boo brigade to show him some respect as the triple world champion prepares to enter the lion’s den at Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix.
Verstappen has beefed up his security for Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez’s home race at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez venue in Mexico City.
Verstappen, who was jeered by Perez’s supporters a week ago in Austin, Texas, is prepared for another hostile reception this weekend – and he will be flanked by multiple security guards in the paddock.
Max Verstappen urges fans to show him respect ahead of feisty Mexican Grand Prix
What is the weekend schedule?
18:36 , Kieran Jackson
(All times BST/GMT)
Friday 27 October
Free practice 1: 7:30pm
Free practice 2: 11pm
Saturday 28 October
Free practice 3: 6:30pm
Qualifying: 10pm
Sunday 29 October
Race: 8pm
F1 Mexican Grand Prix - practice!
18:35 , Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez will be eyeing a dream victory on home soil at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend.
The Red Bull driver has endured a difficult few months and has not won since Azerbaijan in April. His team-mate Max Verstappen, however, has won 15 races this season and has already sealed his third world title.
Verstappen was triumphant last week at the US Grand Prix in Austin where Lewis Hamilton - who finished second - was disqualified alongside Charles Leclerc for an illegal floor.
Lando Norris came home third, but was promoted to second after Hamilton’s DSQ, for his 12th podium in F1 but the McLaren driver is still chasing his first win. Verstappen won last year’s race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
First practice is at 7:30pm (BST); FP2 is at 11pm
F1 icon Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’
18:48 , Kieran Jackson
Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson
As often was the case amid an American society embedded in racism in the 1980s, Muhammad Ali put it best. Advising black racing driver Willy T Ribbs, the people’s champion made his point in no uncertain terms: “There are Blacks in my sport. But there are no Blacks in your sport. They’re going to want to kill you.”
Yet for all the death threats, discrimination and abuse, Ribbs had long decided that the only option was to meet the uphill battle head-on. He made history in 1986 when he became the first Black driver to test an F1 car. Five years later, he was the first to race in the Indy 500, one of the world’s most famous events.
But on the course of that journey, Ribbs faced it all. Don’t let me tell you though; let the man himself.
Full interview below:
Willy T Ribbs: ‘There were death threats – but I was never going to play the victim’
