Key Highlights:
- Oscar Piastri described McLaren’s outlook for the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend as
difficult to know
following an eventful Friday practice. - Lando Norris secured P2 behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in Free Practice 2, while Piastri concluded the session in 10th after surviving a close brush with the barriers.
- McLaren reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli took part in FP1, running extensive setup experiments to help the team navigate the high-altitude challenges of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Oscar Piastri has admitted that McLaren’s overall competitive standing heading into the remainder of the Mexico City Grand Prix remains difficult to know
after Friday’s practice sessions at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The opening day in Mexico presented a shifting operational picture across the grid, with several teams running young drivers in the opening hour followed by high-fuel testing and setup adjustments in the afternoon.
Friday Practice Running at Mexico City
The weekend began with a modified driver lineup for McLaren in Free Practice 1, where Piastri was joined by reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli. Piastri concluded the opening session eighth on the timing sheets, while rookie Fornaroli logged laps in 17th position as the team worked through an extensive testing programme tailored to the specific atmospheric demands of the venue.
Regular driver Lando Norris resumed driving duties for Free Practice 2 and showed immediate front-running speed, placing second overall as the nearest challenger to session leader Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. Piastri ended FP2 in 10th position following an incident-packed hour that included a close encounter with the trackside barriers.
Reflecting on the afternoon run, Piastri felt McLaren made acceptable progress despite the challenges. I think we looked okay, to be honest,
he explained after the second session. Ferrari have looked very strong, I would say, but I think we look all right. My lap on the soft in FP2 was pretty scruffy at the end, but I think it’s going reasonably well.
The Australian driver highlighted the evolving surface conditions as a major factor across the day. It’s always very tricky here in Mexico with the conditions, and I feel like the track’s improving quite quickly. But it felt like it was an okay day.
Assessing the Hierarchy Ahead of Qualifying
Due to the number of reserve and junior drivers filling seats across multiple teams in FP1, direct comparisons between team pace were difficult to solidify. When looking ahead to Saturday’s critical qualifying session, Piastri remained cautious about making definitive predictions regarding McLaren’s exact competitive level.
It’s very difficult to know,
the nine-time race winner said. I think especially on a day like today, where so many people missed FP1, it’s always a little bit tricky. But I feel like there’s plenty to learn and try to improve for tomorrow.
McLaren Senior Racing Director Randy Singh provided an encouraging view of the day’s engineering workflow, praising Fornaroli’s contribution to the team’s testing baseline. The day was really good,
he summarised. I want to thank Leo, he drove in FP1, we had a lot of tests, a lot of experiments on his car, to help put the car in the right spot for this event. Which is tricky with the high altitude.
Singh detailed the operational transition between the two Friday hours, adding: He did a really good job. We spent most of FP1 doing that, getting the car in a good spot, then in FP2, trying to dial the performance in a little bit more.
Looking at the overall field, Singh noted that margins remain razor-thin. Today was reasonable for us, but the top teams are the same and it’s very tight at the front for the top four. I’d say the midfield looks a lot closer than it has been at recent races so Qualifying will be tight.
Why This Matters
The Mexico City Grand Prix presents one of the most mechanically demanding environments on the Formula 1 calendar due to its extreme elevation. The thin air reduces aerodynamic downforce and impairs cooling efficiency for brakes, power units, and tyres, causing frequent brake lock-ups and unpredictable balance shifts.
Singh noted that managing these harsh conditions will be crucial when points are awarded on Sunday. This is a circuit where people are going to have issues managing temperatures on Sunday, so there’s going to be some challenges that carry forward to Sunday,
he noted. You saw a lot of lock-ups today and I think it will be the same on Sunday as well.
With Ferrari showing impressive pace and the midfield closing the gap, finding an optimal setup without sacrificing thermal reliability will be decisive for McLaren’s qualifying and race strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Leonardo Fornaroli drive for McLaren in Free Practice 1?
Reserve driver Leonardo Fornaroli took part in the opening practice session to carry out extensive setup experiments and component tests designed to help McLaren adapt its car to Mexico City’s high-altitude conditions.
Where did McLaren drivers finish on the timing sheets in FP2?
Lando Norris set the second-fastest time in Free Practice 2, finishing just behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, while Oscar Piastri ended the session in 10th place.
What specific challenges are teams facing at the Mexico City Grand Prix?
High elevation creates thin air that impacts downforce, makes cooling difficult for engines and brakes, and leads to frequent wheel lock-ups and rapid track evolution throughout the race weekend.
