Team Bosses Share Honest Insights Ahead of Mexico City Grand Prix

Team Bosses Share Honest Insights Ahead of Mexico City Grand Prix

Team Bosses Share Honest Insights Ahead of Mexico City Grand Prix

The excitement in Mexico City is building as Formula 1 teams prepare for another crucial weekend in the 2025 season — and the FIA Team Principals’ press conference gave plenty for fans to chew on. From technical updates to young driver progress and even a few lighthearted moments about Mexican traffic, the session captured the intensity and unpredictability that defines this year’s championship.

Ayao Komatsu from Haas opened the discussion by reflecting on recent car upgrades. He said the improvements made in Austin performed as expected, though he admitted the differences were marginal. In such a tightly packed midfield, even a tenth of a second can decide whether a driver gets knocked out in Q1 or reaches Q3. Komatsu explained that the team focused on balancing the car’s stability at high speeds and improving grip in low-speed corners. According to him, those small adjustments have given drivers more confidence — a key factor in building consistent performances.

When asked about rookie driver Ollie Bearman, Komatsu’s praise was clear. He described Bearman as “naturally quick” but emphasized that mastering an F1 weekend is about precision and consistency. Small mistakes in qualifying or strategy can cost dearly, and for a young driver, learning how to piece together a complete race weekend is part of the journey. Komatsu added that Bearman has shown impressive maturity since his first test in Mexico two years ago, calling his growth both steady and inspiring.

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Jonathan Wheatley of Kick Sauber spoke next, and his tone was equally optimistic. He acknowledged how competitive the midfield has become, saying the Constructors’ Championship battle will likely be decided by which team makes the fewest mistakes. Sauber, now entering its most competitive season in the hybrid era, has shown strong improvements under both his leadership and the earlier groundwork laid by Mattia Binotto. Wheatley credited the team’s evolving communication and structure for their growing success.

Discussing Nico Hülkenberg’s strong form, Wheatley said it was never a question of talent — the German veteran just needed the right momentum. As for rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, he was praised for his maturity and discipline, traits that have impressed even the most experienced team members.

Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur, meanwhile, had his own reasons to smile. Italian driver Antonio Fuoco became the first to represent Ferrari in a Grand Prix session since 2009, an emotional milestone for both driver and team. Vasseur noted that despite the risks of FP1 sessions, Fuoco handled the pressure well, proving his worth as part of Ferrari’s extended racing family.

Vasseur also reflected on Ferrari’s return to the podium in Austin, saying the key lesson was the dramatic performance swings between sessions — often tied to tire management and preparation. He stressed that consistency and adaptability remain essential, especially on evolving tracks like Mexico City.

Despite some GPS and data issues during practice, all three team bosses agreed that the day ran smoothly. They each praised the next generation of drivers and expressed excitement for the coming 2026 regulation changes, even acknowledging the massive challenge ahead.

In the end, what stood out most was the shared sentiment among the leaders: F1 remains unpredictable, thrilling, and relentlessly demanding — and that’s exactly why everyone loves it.

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