FP2 Highlights | 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix

Second practice in Mexico City and again we had a car in the barriers. George Russell, who topped the timing tables in FP1, went bouncing over the kerbs at Turn 8 whilst navigating the S's. He's out of control Mercedes, spinning across the track and colliding with a tech pro at Turn 9. The Briton was taken to the medical centre to be checked for possible injuries and, thankfully, released soon after. It was an extended 90-minute FP2, the extra time added so that Ferrari could test some new tyre compounds for 2025. Pierre Gasly on the experimental rubber did his best not to lock up when he went deep at Turn 1, the Frenchman taking his Alpine over the grass. Having had some issues at the end of first practice, Max Verstappen was still unhappy with his ride this time out. What the hell, the brakes didn't work at all. Problems dogged the defending champion throughout the session. He's RB20, spending a lot of time up on the blocks, the Dutchman consequently unable to set a competitive time. There were two drivers who couldn't get out onto the track at the green light. Alex Albon, who crashed his Williams in first practice, and Charles Leclerc, who'd actually missed FP1 but had loaned his Ferrari to reserve driver Ollie Behrman, with whom Albon had collided. Both cars were severely damaged. Williams were unable to repair Albon's challenger but Leclerc did manage to get out at the halfway stage, the US Grand Prix winner keen to keep his momentum going and get up to speed at this high altitude track. There were four others who had sat out first practice, Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Joe Guagnino, and Fernando Alonso, who's competing in his 400th Formula 1 race weekend. The two-time world champion was enjoying this session, going wheel to wheel with Norris at one point, the Spaniard refusing to give an inch to his British rival. The Cubs' Liam Lawson had a nasty snap at Turn 3, which sent the New Zealander off-piste, and both McLaren drivers had hairy moments too. Norris bumping over the kerbs through the stadium section, and Oscar Piastri fighting for control at Turn 9. Twelve months ago, home hero Sergio Perez had crashed out at the first corner. Checo will be looking for some redemption this weekend, but he was off the pace in both Friday sessions, P9 the reward for his best effort. With most times being set on the test tyres and so much running lost to red flags, the leaderboard isn't really a true reflection of the car's relative differences, but the fastest man on track was one of the form drivers. Carlos Sainz, second in Austin last week with the best lap of the day, a one minute 17.699. Piastri was next, but almost two tenths further back, then came Tsunoda and McLaren. Norris bagged P5 on the mediums, and he was ahead of Magnussen, Hamilson, Bottas, Perez, and Lawson. P11 for Alonso, also on the mediums, followed by Hülkenberg, Ocon, Stroll, Colopinto, Gasly, Joe, and Russell. Verstappen didn't set a competitive time, and Alex Albon was unable to enter the frame.