Does Marko expect pole for Verstappen? 'Will be exciting from P2 to P5'

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5 November 2021 at 22:50
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  • GPblog.com

Where Mercedes was the fastest in the first free practice (according to Christian Horner due to a more aggressive engine setting), Red Bull took control in FP2. Max Verstappen was over four-tenths faster than Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton and Perez is not far behind. Helmut Marko is content.

According to the Red Bull Racing advisor, Perez can still be a lot faster, as his fastest lap of the day was not entirely flawless. "Checo is close, he didn't have a clean lap in traffic. It will be exciting from second to fifth place."

AlphaTauri not far away

With that said, Marko suggested to Motorsport-Magazin.com that a pole position for Verstappen must surely be possible based on Friday's practice. Who joins the trio of Hamilton, Bottas and Perez in the battle for a spot in the top-five? "I think Gasly is in the mix, he didn't have an optimal lap either"

AlphaTauri, like Red Bull, had a good day in Mexico. The Faenza-based formation are engaged in a battle with Alpine for fifth position in the constructors' championship. The difference is ten points in favour of the French, but Sunday's race could significantly reduce that gap.