Max Verstappen started from the front First free practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix, The nineteenth test of the 2023 Formula 1 calendar Red Bull’s speed at high altitude and in hot conditions (41st on the track) proved to be as superior as it had been in Austin a week earlier, and the Dutch three-time world champion maintained his lead into the 2023 race. With a time of 1.19.718, he was followed by Alex Albon (Williams) and his teammate in 95 thousand. Sergio Perez up to two tenths.

In line with the FIA’s rule of fielding a young driver in at least one free session, we saw up to five new faces in the first round at the Autódromo de los Hermanos Rodríguez this Friday: Bearman (Haas), Hadjar (AlphaTauri), Doohan (Alpine), Pourchaire (Alfa Romeo) and Vesti (Mercedes).

Carlos Sainz, who could not attend the official FIA press conference yesterday because he was not feeling well, appeared in the Ferrari penalty area fully recovered and got into the car without any physical problems at the technical level. Sainz’s SF-23 suffered a hydraulic problem as soon as it hit the track, sending him back to the garage for a few minutes.

none Fernando Alonso He had a good start. After just two laps around the track, he had to return to the Aston Martin garage due to a rear wing fault which had to be removed. Without wasting too much time Sainz, Alonso He managed to rejoin the session without further incident and finished 16th on a day that the Aston Martin team devoted to testing to optimize the refinement package they had included in the United States.

none Verstappen He avoided trouble as he led the session by more than two tenths of a point Sergio PerezHe alerted the Red Bull wall that he had noticed some loose parts inside the car.

Enthusiastic Mexican fans enjoyed watching Checknational idol, The Guadalajara driver can’t stop his ambitious teammate but still leads the timetable at times Max VerstappenDespite being handed a championship suspension in Qatar, he is giving up nothing and has no intention of helping his teammate in his fight for second place. Hamilton, At 39 points.

Ferrari managed to solve the malfunction in the vehicle sainz Thus, the Madrid pilot, who reached the podium in Austin after Hamilton’s disqualification, was able to get a reference for the first time on the Mexican track. Carlos was seventh at the end of the session, seven tenths of a second behind Verstappen.

among rookies Theo Pourchaire He was the worst stopped, as a fault in the Alfa Romeo left him in the pits for the entire session and the Frenchman finished the race without completing a single lap. 15° +4O. Oliver Bearman (Haas) And Isack Hadjar took over the steering wheel from Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri. broke the best records among juniors.

Mexican GP. Free 1:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1’19″718

2. Alexander Albon (Williams), at 0″095

3. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) at 0″297

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) at 0″519

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), at 0″579

6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) at 0″750

7. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) at 0″761

8. Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri) at 0″850

9. Esteban Ocon (Alp), at 0″959

10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) at 0″969

11. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in 1″006

12. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) at 1″250

13. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo), at 1″411

14. Logan Sargeant (Williams), at 1″439

15. Oliver Bearman (Haas) at 1,595

16. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 1’21″347

17. Isack Hadjar (AlphaTauri), at 2″223

18. Jack Doohan (Alp), at 2″391

19. Frederik Vesti (Mercedes), in 3″219

20. Theo Pourchaire (Alfa Romeo) ST