Toro Rosso’s Max Verstappen topped opening practice Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for the return of the Mexican Grand Prix.
Opening practice at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was damp meaning times improved throughout the session. This was the first time Formula One cars took to the famous Mexican circuit since 1992.
Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat led the session late on but Verstappen improved and topped practice for the first time in his Formula One career. The young Dutchman cut turn 11 on his fastest lap which ultimately gained him time – if this was to happen in qualifying, it is likely his time would have been deleted.
After securing his third world championship last weekend in Austin, Hamilton was only 11th fastest while teammate Rosberg ended up in sixth. The German suffered a brake problem mid-way through practice which forced him to sit in the garage for the majority of the session.
Kimi Raikkonen was third fastest ahead of Ferrari teammate Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo. Nico Rosberg, Valtteri Bottas, Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez and Felipe Massa rounded out the top ten.
Jolyon Palmer replaced Romain Grosjean at Lotus and finished opening practice 15th fastest while 2016 teammate at Lotus, Pastor Maldonado, finished in 13th.
Will Stevens was slowest out of the 20 runners, 6.1 seconds off the pace set by Verstappen.
Grip levels were very low in opening practice meaning times were significantly slower than the projected times expected at the circuit.
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