Max Verstappen endured a tough day in Mexico as engine problems on his Red Bull RB20 curtailed his run.

Verstappen’s FP1 run was cut to just 14 laps as the Dutch driver encountered an engine problem on his Red Bull, a problem that recurred in the second practice session.

Max Verstappen: Friday was a ‘pretty useless day’

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Blackstock

The championship leader is aiming to extend his points advantage over Lando Norris this weekend, but the Mexico City Grand Prix started with difficulties for the Dutch driver side in the Red Bull garage.

While on track in FP1, Verstappen slowed down when he took to the team radio to complain about the lack of power from his Honda engine. On his return to the pits, Verstappen was sent out again and while his car seemed quite healthy, he called in to say the problem had not been fixed and came back in.

He sat out the final minutes of FP1 and ended the early session in fourth place with Red Bull sure that the problem had been repaired as Christian Horner told the media tThe problem with the engine was “fortunately a nuisance and has hopefully been fixed for the next session.”

But, almost immediately in FP2, Verstappen called in to complain about strange noises from his engine and returned to the pits again. This time there was no turning back, and Verstappen duly failed to set a lap time with just four laps completed.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Verstappen said: “From the engine side we’re checking, I don’t know exactly what it is, but yeah, from my side, pretty worthless day.

“I liked four or five laps, and there’s not much to read at the moment.”

Asked if he thinks an engine penalty could be on the cards if he needs a new one, Verstappen said: “That will be fine.”

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Helmut Marko: I’m sure Red Bull can solve it

This was backed up by team advisor Helmut Marko, who told PlanetF1.com what had happened: “The same, as in the first session, we have a leak somewhere in the turbo system.”

Asked the same question about whether a penalty could be on the horizon, Marko said: “No, there won’t be any penalties. I’m sure we can work it out.”

Whether or not a grid penalty looms for Verstappen, and the lack of driving time somewhat offset by the prescribed run on the Pirelli prototype tires in FP2, the Dutch driver admitted he ends the day with no real idea of ​​where his Red Bull RB20’s performance stands .

“I can’t tell you,” he said.

“I mean, I never really had a good run, only four or five laps total, and that’s with some long laps in there too. So yeah, day to forget.”

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