Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

“It’s fair to say that the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez will provide a unique challenge for the Formula 1 teams and drivers this weekend. As Fernando Alonso put it: ‘Very different part of the circuit with a very long straight and then the second sector with medium speed corners and the third sector with very low speed corners.’ 

“Mercedes F1 executive director (technical) Paddy Lowe said that because of all those slow- and medium-speed corners, the cars will be running in maximum downforce specification, in terms of wing profiles and angles. However, the altitude - the track is at nearly 8,000 feet - means the wings are less effective and will generate only the sort of download seen at Monza, where the teams use skinny wings.

"As drag is reduced as well, the cars will be travelling faster in a straight line and with less drag when the driver lifts off the throttle, the brakes will have to work harder, and have less effective cooling at the same time. So it all adds up to quite a challenge on the engineering side. The turbo will compensate for the loss of air pressure in the engine, but will generate more heat in doing so, which is also harder to dissipate, so all in all there could be some interesting situations in the race.”  

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Hello! Welcome to our coverage of second practice for theMexican Grand Prix.

F1 drivers took a step into the unknown earlier today, getting their first taste of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit.

As a result, there were a few eyebrow-raising moments in first practice as Max Verstappen finished fastest with newly crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton down in 11th.

Nico Rosberg, meanwhile, was on fire. Well, his brakes were as Mercedes had a little trouble adapting to the high altitude and thin air...

Image source, Ferrari

The last time a race was held in Mexico, Boyz II Men were riding high in the music charts, Quentin Tarantino brought us Reservoir Dogs and Max Verstappen was not even a twinkle in Jos' eye.

Yet the 18-year-old, in F1's first appearance in Mexico in 23 years, has already made history on the circuit - becoming the youngest-ever driver to top a timed practice session.

Not a bad start to the weekend by the youngster...

Image source, Getty Images

At around 2,200m above sea level, the challenge of racing at altitude was evident in that session. The thinner the air, the harder it is to cool the engine and the brakes. Expect more flaming wheels like we saw with Nico Rosberg's 

We're going to take a brief break, with second practice getting under way at 20:00 GMT. We'll reboot our coverage half-an-hour before. I hope to see you then.

Tom Clarkson
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter

"Teams haven't been able to prepare for this like they have other races and look what has happened. It will be fascinating to see how they come to terms with it all in FP2."

So a Renault-powered one-two at the top of the timesheet in first practice, with Lewis Hamilton down in 11th. Nico Rosberg improved in his late reappearance, but only enough to finish P6. Early days, but some work to do for Mercedes after issues with overheating brakes.

There's no improvement from Nico Rosberg in his first lap on his return to the circuit, but he's got time to have another go. Lewis Hamilton is also back out.

...and Verstappen goes fastest of all with 1:25.990. Five minutes left. Any late improvements from elsewhere?

Max Verstappen is up into P2 after a 1:26.495, but he is on a good lap again, fastest of all through the middle sector...

Scratch what I said earlier, Nico Rosberg IS getting back out for the final few minutes. 

Ten minutes to go and there are 14 cars out on the circuit as Kimi Raikkonen clocks the second fastest time with 1:26.877, half a second down on Daniil Kvyat's leading effort. 

Valtteri Bottas, currently fourth fastest, spins in the Williams at Turn 6, prompting a brief wave of the yellow flags. No drama as he quickly gets himself back on his way.

Nico Rosberg is not getting back out in this session after his brakes overheated earlier, but Lewis Hamilton is. The three-time world champion currently has the ninth fastest time with 12 minutes remaining.