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Report: Verstappen's FP2 curtailed and Russell has a major accident
Carlos Sainz topped the timesheets in the Pirelli test (Mexican GP FP2), but attention was placed on Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The team experienced engine issues during the session, which raised concerns going forward.
What happened during FP2 in Mexico?
Pirelli devised the run plan for the teams and drivers during the first 60 minutes. It meant the practice session wasn't relative for the rest of the weekend, but small snippets of details related to the weekend did come through. Verstappen experienced engine problems in FP1, and Red Bull told GPblog that they didn't feel the need to change the engine between the sessions. However, the Dutchman experienced strange noises with the engines again just minutes into the session. The team asked Verstappen to pit.
Pirelli's test was put on hold after Russell crashed heavily into the barriers. Russell lost control of the car over the kerb and spun at high speed. He went sideways into the barrier and stopped with a large impact. Russell climbed out of the car unassisted but seemed to be holding his ribs as he walked away. He has gone to the medical centre. The session resumed after a fairly lengthy delay.
The second free practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez had only just resumed after the red flag when Red Bull Racing called Max Verstappen to pit again. Red Bull soon confirmed that Verstappen would not be back in action during this session, and the Dutchman walked out of the garage. Alex Albon also had limited running because Williams had to spend a long time repairing the car from the crash during FP1.
As they missed out on FP1, Alonso, Zhou, Norris, and Hamilton completed laps on the tyres, which will be used this weekend. They used the medium tyres.