[Official] Mexican Grand Prix 2024

[Born Racer]

Ferrari showed good pace at this very different circuit from Austin, Verstappen was afflicted by engine issues and Russell binned it on Friday. McLaren's appeal was rejected, which settles that one, but it may just have pushed the crowding drivers out ethic to what will literally be 'beyond the line'.

[S griffin]

Very interesting sessions. Ferrari continuing their recent form. Russell quick, but unfortunately had a crash in FP2. Verstappen’s engine problems seem to be a concern. Let’s see if Fred can recover for his landmark weekend

Didn’t see what happened with the Albon/Bearman incident, so can’t pass judgement

[bjohnsonsmith]

With the Norris/Verstappen incident still lingering, as McLaren's request to review the Norris penalty is rejected, this will be an interesting Grand Prix weekend.

Great to see Pato O'Ward given another go driving McLaren's F1 car during FP1, this time in front of his home crowd. He was 13th in the session.

[S griffin]

Yes I’m Pato Ward given the chance. He’s someone who already deserves a chance in F1

[bjohnsonsmith]

Oscar Piastri fails to get out of Q1 for the first time this season and is 17th. Sergio Perez fairs no better in his home GP and is 18th.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Tsunoda goes into the barrier and brings out the red flag. That's ruined a number of drivers' final runs in that session.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Super Max has his lap time deleted, with Sainz provisionally on pole, followed by Leclerc.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Sainz on pole, Super Max joins him on the front row, followed by Norris and Leclerc. Should be an interesting start tomorrow.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Born Racer

Ferrari showed good pace at this very different circuit from Austin, Verstappen was afflicted by engine issues and Russell binned it on Friday. McLaren's appeal was rejected, which settles that one, but it may just have pushed the crowding drivers out ethic to what will literally be 'beyond the line'.

Yes.
It hasn't settled any of the questions regarding racing rules, stewards' interpretations and reasoning processes, and the overall methodology of administering the judicial system.
And the 'crowding out ethic' obviously needs some more work, unless we accept that running a driver out of road or off the track is an acceptable defense to an overtaking maneuver.

Qualifying emphasized that the Ferrari running pace is good, and overall speed is not lacking. Norris held a dominant place in early qualifying but the final runs by Verstappen and the Ferrari's pushed him down.
But there is very little really in it.
Race pace will be slower and with strategy and tire degradation this could be either very boring or an outstanding race,
Perez and Piastri had bad runs in Q1 but that is not indicative of either drivers true pace so there will be some interesting strategies and recovery drives to watch.
Haas did well getting into Q3 so their form is best of the midfield runners but RB and Aston Martin are tight. The four cars crowded out 11th to 14th with Yuki fastest at 1.17.129 and Lance the slowest at 1.17.294. But that is only 0.165 across the four of them scrapping with Nico, Gasly, Albon and Mags over the final four points places.

Adding Perez and Piastri recovery drives into the mix means 10 drivers into 4 places will be interesting to follow.

[Lancsbreaker]

First corner should be interesting with Lando potentially slipstreaming in 3rd to challenge Max for second spot...... and of course neither of them having their wingman anywhere near........

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Lancsbreaker

First corner should be interesting with Lando potentially slipstreaming in 3rd to challenge Max for second spot...... and of course neither of them having their wingman anywhere near........

What would happen if Lando was unable to brake effectively at the end of the start straight (or on any lap) and he and Max both went of deep into the runoff area....
Then Max would be unable to rejoin before Lando unless he accepted a penalty for overtaking off the circuit...

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Super Max has his lap time deleted, with Sainz provisionally on pole, followed by Leclerc.

How can the stewards delete the lap that Max set by him only just going off circuit by a few centimetres, and totally ignore his blatant move on Lando at the US GP? Ridiculous.

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

How can the stewards delete the lap that Max set by him only just going off circuit by a few centimetres, and totally ignore his blatant move on Lando at the US GP? Ridiculous.

Because one incident was related to timing, the other was related to racing.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

How can the stewards delete the lap that Max set by him only just going off circuit by a few centimetres, and totally ignore his blatant move on Lando at the US GP? Ridiculous.

What was ''interesting'', if that's the right word, about the decision to delete Verstappen's lap time, was that it was announced some time after he had completed the lap. Usually the decision to delete a lap time is announced not long after the lap is completed.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

What was ''interesting'', if that's the right word, about the decision to delete Verstappen's lap time, was that it was announced some time after he had completed the lap. Usually the decision to delete a lap time is announced not long after the lap is completed.

I think that may be because the Race Director decided to request the Stewards to make the determination on whether lap times should be deleted for track limits being exceeded for 4 drivers, which included Verstappen. Weirdly, one other was Hamilton who was actually on an out-lap; really doesn't make much sense, except that they all, that is the Race director and the Stewards, appear to be reacting to the fall-out from last weekend's race.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

I think that may be because the Race Director decided to request the Stewards to make the determination on whether lap times should be deleted for track limits being exceeded for 4 drivers, which included Verstappen. Weirdly, one other was Hamilton who was actually on an out-lap; really doesn't make much sense, except that they all, that is the Race director and the Stewards, appear to be reacting to the fall-out from last weekend's race.

They were quick enough to announce the deletion of Piastri's lap in Q1 because he exceeded track limits.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

They were quick enough to announce the deletion of Piastri's lap in Q1 because he exceeded track limits.

It appears that was also referred to the Stewards, and all 4 drivers' times appear on the same document issued at 16:18 Local Time. So I cannot answer why he got his earlier, unless McLaren asked for it to be referred to the Stewards. See: https://www.fia.com/documents/champi...ason-2024-2043

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

How can the stewards delete the lap that Max set by him only just going off circuit by a few centimetres, and totally ignore his blatant move on Lando at the US GP? Ridiculous.

Without relitigating the Austin situation... Off circuit excursions are much more objective (photographic evidence). So therefore can be adjudicated quickly and accurately. The corner guidelines... much more subjective and open for inconsistent interpretation.

Richard

[Guthrie]

I sincerely hope Checo has a good race and does not let his local fans down again.

[Gerard C]

Early SC.

[bjohnsonsmith]

FCY, as Tsunoda loses it before Turn 1. Verstappen in the lead.

[Gerard C]

Pérez comments about his start being investigated are somewhat puzzling. 5" penalty.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Guthrie

I sincerely hope Checo has a good race and does not let his local fans down again.

He's got a penalty for not lining up correctly in the start box.

[Gerard C]

Brilliant Sainz on Max. Rather fair play.

[broadrun96]

Max is an ass but Lando is turning in to absolutely garbage garbage

Hope they both wreck and get the hell off the same track. Max can't tell what the passing rules are and Lando can't drive the car and shut his mouth. And he needs 10 for absolutely trash driving NOT giving the place back properly and instead channeling his Zak nonsense. Give it away and get the penalty but no, can't be an adult on either part

And RC needs to ALL be fired and restart