The 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix has officially begun, featuring key appearances by Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz, and rookie Luke Browning. This weekend marks the first of four mandatory rookie practice sessions for various teams. Notably, nine teams chose to utilize this opportunity during the practice sessions.
Luke Browning and Rookie Experience
Luke Browning stepped in for Carlos Sainz during the opening Free Practice 1 (FP1). This was Browning’s third outing in the FW47, where he took to the track alongside Alex Albon. The practice unfolded smoothly, allowing both drivers to complete numerous laps on one of the shortest circuits in Formula 1.
- Luke Browning’s FP1 time: 1:20.310 (P18)
- Alex Albon’s FP1 time: 1:19.384 (P10)
Neither driver opted for the red-walled soft tyres during the first session. In the second session, Carlos Sainz returned to the car, quickly regaining momentum.
Performance Insights
- Carlos Sainz’s FP2 time: 1:17.939 (P9)
- Alex Albon’s FP2 time: 1:18.855 (P19)
Sainz, last year’s race winner in Mexico, expressed satisfaction with his session. He noted, “There’s some setup work that needs to be done going into FP3 tomorrow but overall, it was a positive session.” He aims for a top-10 qualifying spot, contingent on a flawless performance during qualification.
Albon reflected on the challenges faced during Friday’s practices. “A tricky Friday where we struggled a bit with the setup,” he stated. He emphasized the need for team analysis and adjustments to enhance their standing for qualifying.
Luke Browning’s Progress in FP1
For Browning, FP1 was an opportunity to familiarize himself with the track. He described it as an enjoyable experience, noting his learning process lap by lap. Browning showcased strong pace on hard tyres, outperforming fellow rookies, while pointing out that medium tyres did not yield the same results.
Looking ahead, he expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Formula 2 rounds, where securing a championship title in Abu Dhabi is his primary focus.
The teams now look forward to adjustments and further improvements as they prepare for the next sessions of the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.
