Hamilton explains half-a-second chasm to Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton has explained why he faces a yawning deficit of half-a-second to title rival Max Verstappen heading into qualifying at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

After securing a one-two spearheaded by team-mate Valtteri Bottas in FP1, but with Verstappen in close attendance, Mercedes was blown away by the Dutchman's pace in the second session, with the Finn over four-tenths down and the seven-time F1 champion half-a-second back.

Verstappen was expected to be strong at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez yet the speed difference during the qualifying simulations was alarming, whilst on high-fuel runs both Verstappen and Sergio Perez were comfortably the quickest.

Dispelling balance issues despite a number of lock-ups throughout, Hamilton insisted: "The car has been feeling okay, I have not had any major issues.

"I think we were giving it absolutely everything we have got and they are just quicker than us at the moment.

"I have got no concerns, just chipping away at our set-up and trying to improve it."

As to the gap between himself and Verstappen, Hamilton added: "We are lacking downforce which is definitely why we have the half a second between us.

"It is looking good for us to try and battle these guys but they are definitely too quick for us at the moment."

Mercedes "not far off" how car should feel despite dust - Bottas

The day started with dusty conditions leading to numerous errors from drivers up and down the grid as they battled for grip on harder tyres.

Bottas, who true to form excelled on a 'green' track surface, explained: "Starting the day, it was quite tricky with the low grip.

"It was a really dusty track and it was quite difficult to get a proper read on how the car actually is.

"But I felt it was not far off how it should be and we could actually fine-tune for free practice two and actually it didn't feel too bad.

"There is still definitely time we need to find because Red Bull seems a bit quick."

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