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Mexico GP: Verstappen fastest in FP3 but only 0.070s from Albon

F1, Mexico GP

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 28: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 28, 2023 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202310280573 // Usage for editorial use only //

Max Verstappen remained on top in F3 of F1 Mexico GP but by just from Alexander Albon, with Sergio Perez in third.

It was mostly smooth running in FP3 of F1 Mexico GP but the sliding continued for majority of the drivers. It was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen making it three in a row to top the session with a 1m17.887s lap but he was just ahead by 0.070s over a Williams.

Like FP1 where he was just 0.095s ahead, Alexander Albon was closer this time in second, with a repeat of the results where Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was third. Mercedes’ George Russell was fourth in a better run despite a moment he had in the session.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was fifth on his second quick lap after his first lap was slightly hampered due to a moment at Turn 12, with Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas continuing his fine show in sixth from AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda after his late improvement.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was down in eighth from the other AlphaTauri of Daniel Ricciardo, with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in 10th who also had a moment at Turn 12 on his fast lap. The other Williams of Logan Sargeant did well in 11th despite the gap to Albon.

Even Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu did well in 12th from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who went around the second time after his final run was disrupted by Haas’ Kevin Magnussen. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was 14th from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

The Canadian had his own moment on his quick lap as he was noted for impeding Sainz but cleared. The Spaniard had a spin behind him on his fast lap which left him only 15th ahead of Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and the other Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard too had a low-key run amid a difficult time, with Alpine going downwards where Pierre Gasly was 18th and Esteban Ocon 20th. Both had moments with the former doing so early in the session and the latter having late in the session.

Haas’ Kevin Magnussen was 19th after his run was hampered due to rear-left wheel damage on his first stint. Considering he only had one set left, the team could only do one stint to undertake on the soft compound.

Here’s what was said after Friday in F1 Mexico GP