Max Verstappen claims Mexican GP Friday went ‘better than expected’ for Red Bull

The 2023 world champion aims to continue his winning-streak even at the Mexican GP weekend.

Max Verstappen claims Mexican GP Friday went ‘better than expected’ for Red Bull

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Red Bulls are the hot topic at the Mexican GP this week. The team was involved in a ‘security issue’ for the reigning world champion Max Verstappen, while Sergio Perez promised better results at the Mexican GP. Following the initial two practice sessions, Max Verstappen seemed to once again dominate the grid by finishing in the first position for both sessions. Meanwhile, Perez finished P3 and P5 for FP1 and FP2 respectively.

After the Friday sessions, Max Verstappen was questioned about his thoughts after the race. The three-time world champion claimed that the practice sessions revealed a few points where the team could improve, but overall, the race sessions went better than the team had anticipated.

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There are a few things that can be improved, but it is a positive weekend start. In fact it is better than we expected, so it’s not bad.

Verstappen told soymotor.com

Following a difficult sprint weekend at the US GP, the teams and drivers are relieved to race in a normal race format. After collecting the data from the two practice sessions, Verstappen talked about the difficult parts of the track. Verstappen pointed out a lack of grip on the track. Additionally, he said that the pace was difficult at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit.

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The track is very slippery, as always, and the tires are difficult to handle in the long term. During qualifying, you will be very equal to one lap, but the race pace is a different story.

How did Sergio Perez fare as compared to Max Verstappen

There is a lot of buzz around the Red Bull paddock due to increased security for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s new helmet design reveal kart. Sergio Perez had previously promised better results at the Mexican GP. The Mexican racer is in desperate need of a win on his home soil.

Sergio Perez inside his Mexican helmet kart at Mexican GP
Sergio Perez inside his Mexican Helmet Kart (via @redbullracing on Instagram)

The 33-year-old Mexican has since fared very well in the subsequent practice sessions at the Mexican circuit. Perez finished P3 and P5 in the two practice sessions. Checo has shown commendable improvements in terms of pace when compared to his previous practice sessions at the US GP. In FP1, Perez finished just three-tenths behind his dominant teammate Max Verstappen.

The Mexican racer must now put his foot out and deliver better results in the remaining sessions. Perez’s win at the Mexican GP could potentially help him ease out of the massive performance slump that he’s been facing. Additionally, Checo’s victory at the Mexican GP will increase his lead over Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings and help him cling to the runner-up spot comfortably.

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