Max Verstappen is hoping Red Bull can return to stronger form at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix after a difficult race in Austin, although the Dutchman faces an additional challenge this weekend. Ayumu Iwasa will replace him during the first free practice session, leaving Max Verstappen with less track time to find the right setup at a circuit where altitude and cooling management could prove particularly demanding.
After securing two consecutive victories, Red Bull took a small step backwards at the United States Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen finished third despite a promising qualifying performance. The four-time world champion attempted to keep pace with Andrea Kimi Antonelli but was never able to seriously threaten the Mercedes driver and eventually lost second place to Charles Leclerc.
Max Verstappen also came close to losing the final podium position to Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages, before a fortunate Virtual Safety Car helped him retain third place. The result left Red Bull with several areas to examine, particularly after a race that also featured disagreements between Max Verstappen and the team.
Max Verstappen hopes Red Bull will be more competitive in Mexico
Max Verstappen is determined to put his difficult Sunday in Austin behind him, but the Mexico City Grand Prix presents a different set of challenges. With Ayumu Iwasa taking over his car in FP1, the Dutchman will need to find a competitive setup more quickly once he returns to the cockpit.
Reflecting on the United States Grand Prix and looking ahead to Mexico, Max Verstappen acknowledged that Red Bull still has important questions to answer about the car’s performance.
“Austin was a more difficult race than expected, but we have to look at the positives, given that we still managed to secure a podium. Mexico presents very different conditions compared to Austin, and it is difficult to predict how we will perform. There are some aspects of the car that we first need to fully understand, and the team is working hard on precisely that.”
“Hopefully we can be a little more competitive: racing here can be quite complicated because of the altitude and overheating. We need to make sure the cooling system works properly and that the car is in the right condition.”
Ayumu Iwasa replaces Max Verstappen in Mexico GP first practice
Red Bull’s preparation for the Mexican Grand Prix will also be affected by a change in its Friday practice line-up. Ayumu Iwasa will drive Max Verstappen’s car during the opening session, meaning the Dutchman will miss the first hour of running at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
The reduced preparation time adds another complication at a venue where managing temperatures and ensuring the car operates within the correct performance window are especially important. Max Verstappen will therefore need to make the most of the remaining practice sessions to establish a suitable setup for qualifying and the race.
Red Bull’s concerns follow a United States Grand Prix in which Max Verstappen also highlighted engine-related difficulties. The team will now be hoping to address its outstanding problems as it prepares for the different demands of Mexico City.
Isack Hadjar targets another strong Red Bull performance
Isack Hadjar also arrives in Mexico looking to build on Red Bull’s progress during the season. Despite the difficulties encountered in Austin, the French driver believes the team’s disappointment at not achieving more demonstrates how much its expectations have increased.
“We left Austin knowing that we could have achieved more, and that is a great sign of how much we have grown this season,” Isack Hadjar explained. “We head to Mexico aiming to build on what we did last weekend, fully focused on fighting at the front.”
The Mexico City circuit also holds special significance for Isack Hadjar, as it was the venue where he first drove a Formula 1 car. The Red Bull driver is particularly enthusiastic about returning to an event known for the passion of its supporters.
“Mexico was the circuit where I drove an F1 car for the first time, so it is always nice to come back. The passion of the fans is something you can feel throughout the city and at the track. It gives you energy as a driver.”
Isack Hadjar looks to recover after costly Austin engine mode mistake
Like Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar endured a complicated race at the Circuit of The Americas. The Frenchman made an error that left him running with the wrong engine mode for more than half the Grand Prix, costing him approximately one second per lap.
The mistake contributed to a frustrating afternoon for the Red Bull driver, although his comments suggest the team remains encouraged by its overall improvement throughout the 2026 season. Both drivers will now be aiming to turn that progress into a stronger result in Mexico.
For Max Verstappen, the immediate priority is understanding the car’s remaining weaknesses and ensuring that the cooling system can cope with the conditions. With Ayumu Iwasa taking over during FP1, Red Bull’s ability to make efficient use of its remaining practice time could be particularly important.
The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix weekend schedule provides the full timetable for practice, qualifying and Sunday’s race.
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