Why Mercedes is pleased despite Verstappen starting well ahead in Mexico

Max Verstappen looks to have a considerable advantage over his Mercedes rivals judging by the best times set in Friday practice at Formula 1’s 2021 Mexican Grand Prix. But there are signs that suggest the Black Arrows squad could yet get closer than it did yesterday

There are clear reasons why certain venues on the Formula 1 calendar are labelled as ‘Red Bull’ or ‘Mercedes’ tracks.

It might be past form, such as Lewis Hamilton’s previous supremacy at Austin, which also counted for Mercedes being the pre-event favourite at Paul Ricard before Red Bull rumbled it there this year. Or it could be circuit characteristics – such as the sweeping, high-speed sequences at Zandvoort suiting Red Bull’s downforce strengths (with the additional benefit of a fervent home crowd boosting Max Verstappen – something Hamilton enjoys every year at Silverstone).

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.