Verstappen FP2 shutdown explained by Red Bull

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirmed that a hydraulic issue was to blame as Max Verstappen ground to a halt in FP2 at the Mexican Grand Prix, tempering the team's excitement somewhat after the locked out first and second position in both Friday sessions.

Verstappen set the pace in both stints, with Red bull ending FP2 over a second clear of the next car – the Renault of Carlos Sainz.

With their engine supplier's works team also enjoying an impressive outing, Red Bull look set to make good on their promise to challenge for pole position and victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Although the sight of Verstappen crawling to a halt on the trackside evoked memories of Ricciardo's electrical failure in the United States GP five days prior, Horner is confident Friday's issue won't impact the Dutchman into the weekend.

Fastest in FP1 ????

Fastest in FP2 ????

But there was a slight sting in the tail for @Max33Verstappen late on in Mexico on Friday ????#MexicoGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/EWJrihEcqm — Formula 1 (@F1) October 26, 2018

"It's a hydraulic issue of some sorts," Horner told Sky Sports. "So we need to get the car back to understand what's caused it.

"And then if it is an engine change, he's still got one in his pool so he should be alright.

"We need to get the car back first of all to understand it.

"For him it was immediate because the steering went heavy. The hydraulics run everything on these cars: the power steering, throttle, etcetera, etcetera.

"So everything went heavy for him and he brought the car to a sensible halt, and we just need to get it back now, but he's very comfortable around here.

"Daniels had a great session as well. Long-run pace looked good, [it is the] first time we've been first and second in both sessions on a Friday for some time."

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