Mexican Grand Prix: Friday Practice Result

Paul Jeffrey · Oct 28, 2016

Less than one week after the United States Grand Prix, the Formula One circus lays down its equipment at the mighty Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit for the second running of the newly revived Mexican Grand Prix.

In less than pleasant weather conditions, Mercedes duo Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton picked up the duel for the 2016 Drivers World Championship in Mexico, with Hamilton once again taking the initiative as he looks to claw back the 26 point deficit to his German rival and team mate Rosberg.

With only 75 points on offer before a new champion is crowned, Hamilton has a tough task ahead of him in the quest to win his third straight title for his Mercedes AMG team. Leading off proceedings in Mexico by less than one tenth from a rejuvenated Ferrari team, albeit running softer tyres, it was down to Rosberg to make up for lost time in FP2, which the German failed to respond as again he was pipped in the timesheets by Hamilton and former World Champion Sebastian Vettel with the weekends fastest time in the number five Ferrari.

FP1 saw Sauber take the trophy of cars shedding parts dominated recently by the Haas team, as Felipe Nasr’s Sauber front wing made a bid for freedom following a heavy clouting of kerb on one of his laps. The resulting debris led to a short 10 minute stoppage as the circuit was cleared for resumption of action on a track lacking in grip. throughout the session.

Practice two began later in the day with little better track conditions, and it was left to a somewhat rejuvenated Ferrari to head the timesheets at the end of the first day of running, with Sebastian Vettel stopping the clocks with an impressive 1m 19.790, a mere 4 thousands up on Hamilton and a further four tenths over Rosberg.

Practice Two showed more promise for the still struggling McLaren Honda team, as Fernando Alonso again displayed his obvious class by dragging the reluctant MP4/31 into a top ten position, trailed closely by his soon to step down Jenson Button in P12.

Practice and qualifying for the Formula One Gran Premio de Mexico continues tomorrow.

Friday Practice One Results:

1. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 20.914s
2. Sebastian Vettel GER Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 20.993s
3. Kimi Raikkonen FIN Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 21.072s
4. Sergio Perez MEX Force India-Mercedes 1m 21.200s
5. Nico Hulkenberg GER Force India-Mercedes 1m 21.409s
6. Valtteri Bottas FIN Williams-Mercedes 1m 21.447s
7. Nico Rosberg GER Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 21.673s
8. Daniel Ricciardo AUS Red Bull-TAG 1m 21.727s
9. Felipe Massa BRZ Williams-Mercedes 1m 21.836s
10. Daniil Kvyat RUS Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m 22.215s
11. Romain Grosjean FRA Haas-Ferrari 1m 22.500s
12. Carlos Sainz Jr ESP Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m 22.563s
13. Marcus Ericsson SWE Sauber-Ferrari 1m 22.723s
14. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull-TAG 1m 22.877s
15. Esteban Gutierrez MEX Haas-Ferrari 1m 22.910s
16. Fernando Alonso ESP McLaren-Honda 1m 23.089s
17. Jenson Button GBR McLaren-Honda 1m 23.089s
18. Kevin Magnussen DEN Renault-Renault 1m 23.342s
19. Felipe Nasr BRA Sauber-Ferrari 1m 23.556s
20. Esteban Ocon FRA Manor-Mercedes 1m 24.083s
21. Jolyon Palmer GBR Renault-Renault 1m 24.097s
22. Pascal Wehrlein GER Manor-Mercedes 1m 24.350s

Friday Practice Two Results:

1. Sebastian Vettel GER Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 19.790s
2. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 19.794s
3. Nico Rosberg GER Mercedes-Mercedes 1m 20.225s
4. Kimi Raikkonen FIN Ferrari-Ferrari 1m 20.259s
5. Daniel Ricciardo AUS Red Bull-TAG 1m 20.448s
6. Nico Hulkenberg GER Force India-Mercedes 1m 20.574s
7. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull-TAG 1m 20.619s
8. Valtteri Bottas FIN Williams-Mercedes 1m 20.629s
9. Carlos Sainz Jr ESP Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m 20.974s
10. Fernando Alonso ESP McLaren-Honda 1m 21.003s
11. Daniil Kvyat RUS Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m 21.193s
12. Jenson Button GBR McLaren-Honda 1m 21.198s
13. Felipe Massa BRZ Williams-Mercedes 1m 21.326s
14. Kevin Magnussen DEN Renault-Renault 1m 21.442s
15. Sergio Perez MEX Force India-Mercedes 1m 21.579s
16. Jolyon Palmer GBR Renault-Renault 1m 21.785s
17. Pascal Wehrlein GER Manor-Mercedes 1m 21.980s
18. Marcus Ericsson SWE Sauber-Ferrari 1m 22.997s
19. Felipe Nasr BRA Sauber-Ferrari 1m 22.037s
20. Romain Grosjean FRA Haas-Ferrari 1m 22.105s
21. Esteban Ocon FRA Manor-Mercedes 1m 22.298s
22. Esteban Gutierrez MEX Haas-Ferrari 1m 22.408s

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Three to go and advantage Rosberg. Who do you think looks strong this week in Mexico? Can Rosberg keep a charging Hamilton at bay? Will Red Bull make up for last weeks disappointment? Let us know in the comments section below!

TobiasR · Oct 28, 2016

Now I didn't watch it but where does Ferrari's pace come from all of a sudden?

CptEinsicht · Oct 28, 2016

It comes from mercedes trolling the other teams once again.
Ferrari after Qualfiying: P5+6

M D Gourley · Oct 29, 2016

Paul Jeffrey said:
Let us know in the comments section below!

Appreciate all the work you and the staff put into your Site...it is indeed a great community and a fantastic site....but with all the time spent writing up / researching this information Mr Jeffery, one question...'Do you have a Life '...

yusupov · Oct 29, 2016

Tobias Röhner said:
Now I didn't watch it but where does Ferrari's pace come from all of a sudden?

i dont think mercedes got a clean hotlap in P2. but w/r/t red bull, i wasnt paying as much attention. theyre still down on power tho so its going to hinder them here.

Nick Gregory · Oct 29, 2016

Mathmatically, Rosberg could clinch the championship, but realistically, it'll be more likely to happen in Brazil if everything goes to Rosberg's favor. Personally, I want to see it finish in Abu Dhabi.

Chris · Oct 29, 2016

The fans really do make this race. I know that's a cliché but in this case it's absolutely true. The track is so astonishingly boring (it's up there with Valencia) that the fans are the most entertaining part. Tilke butchered this one.

joe pineapples · Oct 29, 2016

And ironically its the fans much hyped stadium section which is the biggest white elephant. They may as well ruled it the cars have to pull up for a few seconds for photo opportunities, then carry on.

racelover · Oct 29, 2016

Where's the typo for Marcus Ericsson, his placement or best time?

kmanitou81 · Oct 29, 2016

Chris Stacey said:
The fans really do make this race. I know that's a cliché but in this case it's absolutely true. The track is so astonishingly boring (it's up there with Valencia) that the fans are the most entertaining part. Tilke butchered this one.

Was it ever exciting? I always hated that one in the old TOCA games.

Blimey · Oct 29, 2016

can they just finish this season already and start early with 2017? thanks.

Deleted member 130869 · Oct 29, 2016

kmanitou81 said:
Was it ever exciting? I always hated that one in the old TOCA games.

Much like Imola had Tamburello destroyed, Mexico had the Peraltada obliterated to bits, when the rest of the track itself was already uninspired.

Stefan Woudenberg · Oct 30, 2016

Will Vettel get a penalty too for moving under breaking when Ricardo tried to pass him?

Probably not as he drives for Ferrari....

Samuel Fuller · Oct 30, 2016

Vettel moving under braking was far more deserving of a penalty than verstapan. However if max has a penalty then Lewis should of had one from the first lap.

Grand Tourist · Oct 30, 2016

Lewis

samcar304 · Oct 30, 2016

He did not move across Ricciardo, he moved just to squeeze him... Similar to what was happening at the first corner between some drivers. If Vettel had blocked him, then it would have been a penalty.

ENDR · Oct 30, 2016

Damn, VES is SO full of ****...
Go ahead, tell a four time world champion to learn to drive.
He said HE knows how to move under braking and Vettel doesn't. Maybe because Vettel ALWAYS knew you don't do that. Especially at 340+ km/h on Kemmel at Spa.