2025 Mexico City GP FP2: Verstappen Tops Friday

Max Verstappen sent a statement of intent under the high-altitude haze of Mexico City, ending Friday fastest in Free Practice 2 for the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix. The reigning World Champion clocked a 1:17.392, edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 0.153s, with Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli impressing once again to finish third — just 0.174s off the pace. It marked a strong response from Red Bull after Leclerc topped the earlier rookie-filled FP1 session, restoring balance in the fight at the sharp end of the 2025 F1 World Championship.

After nine junior drivers took the wheel in FP1, all 20 regulars returned for the afternoon session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where warm, dry conditions greeted the field at 4 p.m. local time. Verstappen wasted little time finding rhythm in his updated RB21, while Leclerc initially led proceedings with a 1:18.353, three-tenths ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton. But as the track evolved and the Soft tyres came out, Verstappen unleashed his best effort — a lap that no one would beat despite late attempts from Leclerc and Antonelli. Hamilton had looked poised to challenge for top spot, matching Verstappen in the first two sectors before losing time in the final stadium section to end the day fifth, behind Norris.

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Antonelli’s run to third came despite early drama: a power issue on his Mercedes W16 forced him to “limp home” to the garage just minutes into the session. The Italian regrouped after repairs, running a slightly offset programme to his teammate George Russell, who went seventh. The young Mercedes talent’s recovery drive continued to underline his growing maturity in just his second race weekend at the top level.

Elsewhere, the McLarens of Norris and Drivers’ Championship leader Oscar Piastri were outpaced, finishing fourth and twelfth respectively, with the Australian running longer stints on the C5 Soft compound as part of McLaren’s tyre data gathering. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda placed eighth after a lively session that included heavy kerb strikes and floor checks, while Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz, and Lance Stroll rounded out the top ten.

The hour wasn’t without incidents. Alex Albon brushed the wall exiting Turn 16 in his Williams, Antonelli locked up behind Liam Lawson during a long-run phase, and both Verstappen and Russell complained of limited grip on the Medium tyres. “It’s like driving on ice,” Verstappen radioed, before switching back to Softs late in the session to refine his race trim.

Behind the leading pack, Lawson finished 11th, ahead of Piastri in 12th. Esteban Ocon led the midfield fight for Haas in 13th, with Isack Hadjar 14th for Racing Bulls. The Kick Saubers of Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg followed in 15th and 16th, ahead of Ollie Bearman’s Haas. Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly brought up the rear for Alpine, split only by Albon’s Williams.

As the chequered flag fell, Verstappen’s benchmark stood firm — a reminder that despite the mounting pressure from McLaren and Ferrari, the Dutchman remains the driver to beat when it matters most. With Antonelli continuing to impress and Leclerc showing Ferrari’s pace over one lap, the stage is set for a fiercely competitive weekend. The teams now turn their focus to Saturday, where FP3 begins at 11:30 local time, followed by a crucial Qualifying session at 15:00 that will shape the grid for what’s already looking like one of the defining rounds of the Championship.

2025 Mexico City GP FP2 Results

2025 Mexico City Grand Prix FP2, 24 October 2025