Max Verstappen: Ferrari miles ahead of Red Bull in Mexico

Max Verstappen

Pessimistic Verstappen: Ferrari miles ahead

Max doesn't fancy his chances of the hat-trick.

Matthew Scott

Saturday 26 October 2019 13:00

Max Verstappen says Ferrari are "miles ahead" as he continues to play down his chances of securing a third Mexican Grand Prix victory in succession this weekend.

Ferrari looked on the pace right from the off at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Friday practice, although Verstappen managed to split Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc in one-lap pace in FP2.

The Dutchman was just a tenth adrift of Vettel's headline time, but the Scuderia will be expected to turn their mighty engines all the way up for qualifying, having taken pole position in each of the five races since racing resumed after the summer break.

Article continues under video

Verstappen and then-Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo locked out the front row in Mexico a year ago, but the Dutchman expects it to be filled with red this time.

"I don't think in qualifying we can fight with them – they're just too quick," Verstappen said of the Ferrari pair.

"The rest are pretty much in the same speed range, but [Ferrari are] just miles ahead. But that's how it is at the moment, we just can't gain the time back in the corners, unfortunately.

"But I guess for us we just have to focus a bit more on the race, see that we can keep the tyres under control and then I think it will still be a good race."

Tyre life seemed precious on the soft tyres, and Verstappen confirmed they were not easy to handle, adding: "Initially it felt good, but you can see everyone is having trouble with them."

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 Penalty Points 2026: Which stars risk race ban after Japanese Grand Prix?

4 minutes ago

Toto Wolff reacts to Mercedes F1 reshuffle: 'You realise someone is more clever than you'

23 minutes ago

Max Verstappen knew these new F1 regulations would be bad, he told everybody three years ago

1 hour ago

$Rattled George Russell is being schooled by rivals and his F1 title dream is already fracturing$

Rattled George Russell is being schooled by rivals and his F1 title dream is already fracturing

2 hours ago

Ferrari F1 suspect Mercedes skullduggery with new engine trick

3 hours ago

Lewis Hamilton's F1 boss confident of FIA Ferrari decision: 'A new championship will begin'