Piastri Says McLaren’s Mexico City Prospects Remain Uncertain After Friday Practice

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has been candid about the uncertainty surrounding the team’s prospects at the Mexican Grand Prix, after a difficult first day of practice in the high‑altitude city of Mexico City. Per Formula1.com, Piastri explained that the team’s performance in Friday’s sessions was “very difficult to know” and that the car’s behaviour on the demanding street circuit was still a work in progress.

During the 20‑minute Friday session, Piastri struggled to extract consistent pace, with the car showing a tendency to lose grip on the long, high‑speed corners that dominate the 20‑lap layout. He noted that the team has yet to fully understand how the car reacts to the combination of heat, humidity and the thin air that characterise the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. “We’re still learning how to get the best out of the car under these conditions,” he said, echoing comments from McLaren’s technical team.

McLaren’s strategy for the weekend is to focus on fine‑tuning the aerodynamics and power unit to adapt to the unique demands of the circuit. The team has been working on a range of setups, but Piastri highlighted that the lack of a clear benchmark from Friday’s laps means the drivers and engineers are still evaluating the car’s potential. “It’s hard to say whether we’re ahead or behind the competition,” he added, pointing out that the team’s rivals have shown more consistent performance during the practice sessions.

For Indian fans, the Mexican Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode at 3:30 PM IST, with commentary in Hindi and English. McLaren’s performance in Mexico could have implications for the championship standings, especially as the team seeks to close the gap to the front‑running Mercedes and Red Bull outfits. Keep an eye on the Friday practice results for a clearer picture of McLaren’s chances as the race approaches.

Source: Formula1.com