Max Verstappen topped the timesheets on the opening day of the 2025 F1 Mexican Grand Prix, but his mood was far from relaxed. Behind the fastest lap, Red Bull is facing serious issues that could threaten their race pace at the Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit.
“The short runs on the soft tyres were not bad, but everything else was a disaster.”
No Grip, No Rhythm – The Trouble Behind the Speed
The Mexican circuit, situated over 2,200 metres above sea level, is notorious for its thin air and low downforce levels. While Verstappen set the fastest time in FP2, beating Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) by 0.153 seconds, he made it clear that all was not well under the surface.
“Even on the mediums, the short runs didn’t feel good, but the biggest problem was the long runs. I was really struggling and that’s a big concern going into the race, but I don’t know what the cause is yet.”
Verstappen elaborated further, pointing out that balance wasn’t the issue—it was grip, or rather, the lack of it.
“It’s not that the balance is bad, it’s just that there’s no grip. That’s the biggest concern. As soon as you get into the long runs, the tyres overheat and you’re stuck. It’s a very tricky problem to solve.”
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High Altitude and New Package – The Double Challenge
At Mexico’s extreme altitude, both aerodynamic downforce and cooling efficiency take a hit. With thinner air, tyres slide more and overheat faster. Verstappen’s complaint about grip aligns with what’s expected at this venue.
Adding to the challenge, Red Bull introduced a new floor and edge wing setup, along with revised brake ducts and engine covers for improved cooling. However, with limited running time, the team has not yet fully understood the new package.
“We’re still collecting data with the new floor. It’s not fully optimised yet.”
During FP2, Verstappen’s RB21 was seen coated with Flowvis paint, capturing airflow data. But the early signs suggest Red Bull might be on the back foot in understanding how the new updates behave in high-altitude conditions.
Verstappen Prioritises Race Pace Over One-Lap Glory
Despite setting the pace, Verstappen isn’t fooled by the timesheets. His focus remains on Sunday’s long runs, where consistency will matter more than outright qualifying speed.
“You can’t win a race just by being fast on one lap. Even if you’re fast on one lap, it’s really tough if you can’t demonstrate your pace in the race. So I would choose good race pace over fast on one lap.”
With just 40 points separating Verstappen and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) in the Drivers’ Championship, the Mexican Grand Prix is critical for Red Bull’s comeback hopes. But before dreaming of victory, they’ll need to tame the overheating tyres and unpredictable balance that plagued their long runs on Friday.
If Red Bull can optimise their new aerodynamic package and regain tyre stability under Mexico’s thin air, Verstappen could yet convert his Friday frustration into Sunday redemption.
