Max Verstappen established a clear lead by setting the fastest time in the second practice session for the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, highlighting Red Bull’s strong pace as McLaren struggles to keep up. Verstappen, chasing a fifth consecutive world title, finished Friday’s session 0.153 seconds faster than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, while McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri lagged behind, raising concerns within the team about their pace and title challenge.

The practice took place on October 24 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico City. Verstappen’s performance underlined his return to form after winning three of the last four races, reinforcing his status as the driver to beat with five rounds remaining in the championship. McLaren’s Norris was fourth fastest, 0.251 seconds behind Verstappen, but Piastri, the championship leader and Verstappen’s closest competitor, ended the session in 12th place, trailing the Dutchman by 0.840 seconds.

The Australian driver Piastri has seen his lead trimmed significantly since his win in Zandvoort at the end of August, with Verstappen’s late-season surge shrinking the points gap to 40. Norris sits 14 points behind his teammate, heightening pressure on McLaren as they aim to fend off Verstappen’s charge.

Verstappen himself noted challenges beyond his single-lap pace. Speaking post-practice, he expressed concern about his race pace, saying, “The long runs, where we seem to struggle a lot… that is, of course, a big concern for the race.” He cited issues with grip on the tyres during extended runs, despite Red Bull introducing upgraded components, including a new cooling system to mitigate similar problems experienced earlier in the season.

McLaren’s difficulties were palpable. Piastri endured a difficult day, with struggles to find balance and traction, while Norris had some early errors including running off track. The team faces the challenge of closing the gap to Red Bull and Ferrari, with Leclerc’s recent strong showings adding to the pressure.

Experts and insiders say McLaren’s current position signals that Verstappen and Red Bull have gained a foothold in the championship fight, especially given the pace advantages revealed in Mexico. The next steps for McLaren involve urgent technical adjustments and strategic improvements to halt Verstappen’s momentum heading into the weekend’s qualifying and the race itself.