2025 Race 20 - Mexico

**F1nKS** · 19th October 2025, 23:45

5 Races to go.

Quick turnaround. Ferrari did well in Mexico last year with Sainz winning and Leclerc finishing 3rd. Norris was a respectable 2nd. Sainz probably won't be repeating as he already has a 5-spot grid penalty.

Verstappen and Piastri struggled and finished 6th and 8th, respectively. Norris would not mind similar results.

It will be interesting to hear how the chatter evolves over the week.

**F1nKS** · 22nd October 2025, 00:20

Just to show the psychological warfare that is going on...The FIA has fined Red Bull for:

“failing "to follow the instructions of relevant officials”

The story is that Norris relies on the team to put tape on the pit wall so he can properly put his car on the grid. Red Bull had somebody go back on the grid and try to remove the tape during the formation lap, but they got caught. There are no rules for or against this "tape", so they fined RB on a technicality (not a sporting violation).

It sounds like this war has been going on for a while, as I heard that McLaren has been perfecting how they install it so it cannot be removed without difficulty.

**airshifter** · 24th October 2025, 14:48

The tape on the wall thing seems strange, but they must have it figured out so that it works well. And it's the FIA, so yeah, they fine everything they can when it falls in these grey areas!

Only a few hours until the practice sessions start.

**Matthew** · 24th October 2025, 19:35

9 out of 20 are all rookies in this FP1. I wonder what's the highest number of rookies in a session in F1.

**F1nKS** · 24th October 2025, 21:59

Originally Posted by Matthew

9 out of 20 are all rookies in this FP1. I wonder what's the highest number of rookies in a session in F1.

Lindblad, sitting in for Verstappen, was faster than Tsunoda in FP1.

**F1nKS** · Yesterday, 03:48

Aston Martin has admitted it breached the cost cap on a technicality. They will not receive a penalty.

Another team is rumored to have a major violation of the cost cap. Nobody has admitted who it was yet. FIA says they will report who it was when all submissions have been received.

**airshifter** · Yesterday, 15:20

Originally Posted by F1nKS

Aston Martin has admitted it breached the cost cap on a technicality. They will not receive a penalty.

Another team is rumored to have a major violation of the cost cap. Nobody has admitted who it was yet. FIA says they will report who it was when all submissions have been received.

If there is a major breach, the FIA will have to decide on how much they can extort from the team. I think RB paid something like 3x the cost breach in fines, plus a loss of wind tunnel time. But really since we know in most cases the teams have money to pay fines, if anything the punishments should be more against points or development.

Only a few hours until FP3.

**F1nKS** · Today, 03:40

Piastri looks to have been beaten down by McLaren. Huge gap between Norris and Piastri.

Ferrari had a good day of qualifying. They have a good shot at getting their first win of the season.

**F1nKS** · Today, 03:42

Piastri looks to have been beaten down by McLaren. Huge gap between Norris and Piastri.

Ferrari had a good day of qualifying. They have a good shot at getting their first win of the season.

**airshifter** · Today, 14:11

Yep, Oscar on the back foot and Lando making it happen in Mexico City. That was a fantastic lap for pole by Lando, and he seems confident in his race pace. With the Ferrari drivers and George in front of Max, and even more drivers in front of Oscar, this is the type of weekend Lando needs to get back on top of the championship fight.

It will be interesting to see who gets to the first corner first, with that long start straight it can be dicey.

Hoping the mixed up grid provides us with some good racing.