The three-time champion has led the first two free practice sessions of the Mexican Grand Prix
Sainz (11th) and Alonso (20th) have raised doubts in their first contact with the Autódromo de los Hermanos Rodríguez
The second free practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix, the nineteenth round of the season, had two clear protagonists: Max Verstappen, who closed Friday as the fastest at the Autódromo de los Hermanos Rodríguez (1.18.686 in the afternoon rehearsal), and the intermittent rain that has caused some ‘scares’, including that of Fernando Alonso at the wheel of the Aston Martin.
¡@alo_oficial The AMR23 has been TAMED! 🎩
Those hands are MAGICAL ✨ Even when he has scares, Fernando Alonso shows his mastery to control the Aston Martin 🪄#MexicoDAZNF1 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/Jg3m68ENSa
— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) October 27, 2023
After the three-time champion decisively led the first free session, the weather conditions have changed in the second round, with rain in several sectors of the circuit, while hardly any water has fallen in the main straight area. Max has been the fastest in all conditions and with all the compounds, including the Test ones provided by Pirelli for this session.
Without being able to get close to the pace of his partner, Sergio Perez, local idol in Mexico, has placed third by two tenths in the morning and He finished fifth in the afternoon, three tenths behind, although in both sessions he was able to feel the warmth of his fans, who have turned the circuit into a ‘national’ party, cheering every lap of the Mexican driver.
Fernando Alonso, who is still immersed in his work to try to optimize the improvements introduced by Aston Martin in Austin, did not have a very outstanding day and in fact concluded the day in 20th and last position. The Spaniard has anticipated the end of the afternoon session after going off the track that may have damaged the car.
Carlos Sainz, recovered from his physical problems on Thursday upon his arrival in Mexico, he was also unable to stand out during the day and ended up relegated to eleventh position, far from the performance of his teammate Leclercwho was third with the Ferrari after Verstappen and Lando Norris.