Overview
- Max Verstappen set the Mexico City FP2 benchmark in 1:17.392 after Red Bull introduced an RB21 update, though Helmut Marko cautioned that long‑run pace still requires work.
- Oscar Piastri, who leads the F1 standings, managed only 12th in FP2 as Lando Norris finished fourth, with Charles Leclerc second and Kimi Antonelli third.
- An FP1 dominated by mandated rookie appearances skewed the early F1 picture: Leclerc led in 1:18.380, Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg was third, and Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad impressed with sixth in Verstappen’s car.
- At Sepang, Pedro Acosta topped MotoGP’s Friday times with a 1:57.559 as Honda and Yamaha filled out top‑five spots, only three Ducati riders reached Q2, and no Aprilia secured direct Q2 entry.
- Malaysian running swung with rain and incidents, including crashes for Alex Márquez, as MotoGP also implemented a rule barring remounting after late-session qualifying falls.