Just In: Max Verstappen Faces Engine Woes While George Russell

Max Verstappen Faces Engine Woes While George Russell Crashes in Second Practice at Mexico City Grand Prix

Max Verstappen’s struggles with engine issues continued during the second practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, severely limiting his track time. Meanwhile, George Russell suffered a heavy crash in his Mercedes, bringing an early end to his session. The dramatic events unfolded during an extended 90-minute practice session, allowing teams to test next year’s tire compounds.

Verstappen, the world championship leader, managed just four laps during Practice Two and was unable to set a lap time due to persistent engine problems. Earlier, his participation in Practice One was also cut short by similar issues, which Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had downplayed, calling them “menial.” However, those problems resurfaced in the second session, forcing Verstappen to return to the pit lane once again.

As the championship leader, Verstappen’s limited running was a significant concern for Red Bull as they seek to secure yet another victory in a dominant season. The lack of track time on Friday will undoubtedly put the Dutchman on the back foot heading into Saturday’s final practice and qualifying sessions.

While Verstappen’s day was marred by engine problems, George Russell’s session was abruptly cut short by a major crash. The Mercedes driver had shown strong pace in the first practice session, where he topped the timesheets, but his fortunes quickly turned in Practice Two. Just 12 minutes into the session, Russell lost control of his Mercedes W15 at Turn 8, slamming into the barriers at high speed.

The crash was significant enough to bring out red flags and halt the session while track marshals cleared the debris. Russell, who appeared shaken after the impact, gingerly made his way from his car to the medical vehicle. He was later released from the medical center at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez without any serious injuries.

Speaking to reporters after the incident, Russell admitted that he was unsure what caused the crash. “I don’t really know what happened,” the Briton said. “The car just started bouncing on the ground, and before I even had a chance to catch it, it was already spinning.”

The crash is a major setback for Mercedes, as Russell’s car sustained significant damage. The team will now face a race against time to get the W15 repaired before Saturday’s sessions. Russell himself acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “There’s a lot of work for the guys tonight. It just seems like it’s one thing after another at the moment.”

Aside from the on-track drama, Friday’s events were accompanied by a notable off-track development involving McLaren’s challenge to overturn a penalty given to Lando Norris during the United States Grand Prix. McLaren had protested the five-second penalty Norris received for overtaking Verstappen last Sunday. The incident had significant implications for Norris’ race result, but the team’s appeal was ultimately rejected.

US GP stewards held a video conference between the two practice sessions in Mexico, where representatives from McLaren, Red Bull, and the FIA presented their arguments. Despite McLaren’s efforts, the penalty stood, leaving Norris to move forward without any changes to the United States Grand Prix result.

Russell’s crash and Verstappen’s engine issues dominated the headlines on Friday, setting the stage for an eventful weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix. With Verstappen facing a lack of running and Russell’s Mercedes in need of major repairs, both drivers have challenges to overcome before the next sessions.

As teams continue to prepare for Saturday’s qualifying, fans will be eager to see how both Red Bull and Mercedes bounce back from their respective setbacks in this crucial race weekend.