Max Verstappen will approach the Mexican Grand Prix weekend with a fresh engine, following Red Bull Racing’s decision to replace his power unit after technical issues emerged during Friday’s practice sessions. The unique conditions of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, set at high altitude in Mexico City, place added strain on engines, intensifying the challenge for Red Bull as they work to ensure reliability for Verstappen.
During FP1, Verstappen reported unusual sounds and a concerning power drop from his Honda power unit. Red Bull initially suspected an air leak and attempted to fix the issue before FP2, but despite these efforts, Verstappen completed only a few laps in the second practice session, limiting his valuable track time for testing new 2025 Pirelli tire compounds. Concerned about the ongoing issues, the team decided to swap engines before FP3, drawing from Verstappen’s current engine pool to avoid any penalties.
This season, Verstappen already faced a grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix due to exceeding his engine allocation, making Red Bull cautious about further penalties that could jeopardize his significant lead. Verstappen’s championship lead stands at 57 points over McLaren’s Lando Norris, a margin they’d prefer to protect as the title race reaches its final stages. If another engine replacement becomes necessary, Interlagos in Brazil may be considered the most strategic race for it, with the circuit offering overtaking opportunities that could minimize the impact of a grid penalty.
Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, has yet to confirm the likelihood of another power unit change but acknowledged that managing Verstappen’s engine usage will be essential as the season progresses. The team aims to balance aggressive competition with careful management, especially given the pressures of the championship.
The practice sessions in Mexico saw additional drama with Williams’ Alex Albon colliding with Ferrari’s Oliver Bearman, leading to considerable damage, and Mercedes’ George Russell’s crash in FP2 triggering a red flag. Mercedes now faces concerns over the incident’s effect on their cost cap compliance. With Red Bull focused on Verstappen’s reliability and rivals encountering their own struggles, the Mexican GP promises heightened anticipation as the season’s closing races approach.
