Aston Martin Red Bull Racing‘s Max Verstappen is looking positive ahead of qualifying in Mexico after good results in both Friday practice sessions.
Verstappen finished at the top of the tabes in both sessions, running a total of nineteen laps and setting a 1:16.656 in the first session, which was his best of the day.
Similarly, his team-mate, the Australian Daniel Ricciardo also ran well: he finished second on the grid in both sessions, his best being a 1:16.873, set in the first session, having ran a total of thirty-two laps.
“Today has been really good, better than expected. Not just for me but for Daniel [Ricciardo] also, it’s nice to have us both at the top,” said Verstappen.
He said that their car is suited to this track, but their performance had already become apparent earlier in the season at Monaco.
“We have a very good car at this circuit, good downforce and good mechanical grip. This was already clear from Monaco earlier in the year and you can see again it is working really well here.”
He added: “If you have good grip you can make quite a big gap quickly because the surface is quite slippery out there. As always there are areas to improve but for now it’s looking good.”
The Dutchman feels that the tables have turned since his misfortunes in Japan.
“I said in Japan that it was one of my worst Friday’s in F1, this has been one of the best. The car was quick here last year but after today I think we are more competitive that 2017.”
