Russell heads unrepresentative Mexico FP2, Leclerc crashes

George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13. Mexican Grand Prix, Friday 28th October 2022. Mexico City, Mexico.

Mercedes’ George Russell set the pace during an unrepresentative second practice session for Formula 1’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

The session was extended to cover 90 minutes in order for teams to continue trialling Pirelli’s prototype tyres, as in Austin, with Mexico City drafted in after the planned session at Suzuka was interrupted by wet weather.

Under the regulations the drivers who did not participate in the opening session – in which they were replaced by rookies – were allowed up to 45 minutes of freer running in the first half of proceedings.

F1 2022 Mexico City GP – FP2 Results

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How it happened: F1 2022 Mexico City GP – FP2

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This included the use of 2022-spec dry weather tyres, DRS and set-up changes.

Three of the five drivers who sat out FP1 – Russell, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon – wound up leading the way on 2022-spec Soft tyres.

Russell’s time of 1:19.970s, set during the early stages of the session, left him 0.828s clear of Tsunoda, with Ocon just over a second back in third spot.

The session was red-flagged after half an hour when Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc crashed.

Leclerc lost the rear of the F1-75 as he rounded Turn 7 and backed the car into the barriers, causing sizeable damage to the rear.

Leclerc was able to walk away from the wreckage but he took no further part in the session.

Lewis Hamilton was fourth-quickest overall, ahead of Red Bull duo Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen, with Leclerc seventh despite his earlier shunt.

Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz was eighth as Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas and AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.

The session came to a premature conclusion when Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu stopped his C42 at Foro Sol.

Elsewhere Haas driver Kevin Magnussen is set to drop five place on the grid from wherever he qualifies owing to taking on a fresh ICE.

Final practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix is scheduled for 12:00 local time