Max Verstappen is heading into the Mexican Grand Prix with a replaced engine, a decision made by Red Bull following mechanical issues during FP1 and FP2. The Mexican Grand Prix, held at Mexico City's Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, presents unique challenges due to its high altitude.
While driving in FP1, the Dutch champion told his engineer that he could hear abnormal noises from his Honda engine and reported a concerning loss of power towards the end of the session. Despite efforts to rectify what was a suspected air leak in the power unit before FP2, the problem persisted. Verstappen managed only a few laps in FP2, raising concerns for the weekend head.
This practice session was primarily dedicated to assessing new Pirelli tire compounds for the 2025 season, limiting his time in the right conditions anyway. But this issue compounded the problem.
The decision to replace Verstappen's engine was made before the FP3, pulling from his existing engine pool to avoid incurring any grid penalties. Previously, Verstappen had faced a grid penalty during the Belgian Grand Prix after exceeding his internal combustion engine allocation for the 2024 season. The current engine replacement allows the driver to stay within regulation limits.
Despite the immediate solution of changing the engine, there remains uncertainty regarding the longevity and reliability of Verstappen's remaining power units for the season's remaining five races. The speculation is rife that an additional engine change might become necessary. Should this situation arise, introducing a new engine at the Brazilian Grand Prix might be the best idea. Interlagos, known for its overtaking opportunities, may present a less severe impact should a grid penalty be incurred.
The championship complicates the technical challenges faced by Red Bull. With Verstappen holding a 57-point lead over McLaren's Lando Norris in the championship standings, decisions concerning engine management could be crucial as further penalties could tighten the championship race significantly—a scenario both Verstappen and Red Bull would prefer to avoid as they contend for yet another title.
Red Bull Racing's team principal, Christian Horner, has yet to confirm whether another engine will have to be used on Verstappen's RB20.
The three-time Formula 1 World Champion, plays a fundamental role in Red Bull's pursuit of this championship, with him far exceeding teammate Sergio Perez's points so far this season.
FP1 had its fair share of drama, with Alex Albon of Williams colliding with Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman, resulting in a large amount of car damage. Additionally, Mercedes' driver George Russell's crash in FP2 brought out a red flag, with the Brackley team now worried about its effect on the cost cap.
As we head towards the end of the season, we'll see how these plots pan out.
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