Verstappen Tops FP2 but Qualifies Fifth

Charles Leclerc topped the rookie-heavy FP1 in Mexico City, with several teams running junior drivers and Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad drawing praise. Max Verstappen led FP2 after Red Bull introduced a new floor and cooling package, but after qualifying he warned he expects a difficult Grand Prix after qualifying fifth, nearly half a second behind polesitter Lando Norris. Verstappen said the RB21 had decent short‑run speed but lacked grip and struggled on high‑fuel long runs, limiting his prospects to fight the cars ahead. The weekend also tightened the title fight: Verstappen has closed to within 40 points of leader Oscar Piastri, while Piastri remains 14 points clear of Norris with five races left. McLaren and Piastri were off the pace in practice and teams faced hot, low‑grip conditions that increase tyre degradation on a circuit that is hard to overtake on.