Formula 1 2023: All the news and race reports from the Mexican Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo turned back the clock with a stunning practice performance and he’s ready to challenge for points at the Mexican Grand Prix.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 27: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Scuderia AlphaTauri talks with Jonathan Eddolls, Head of Trackside Engineering for Scuderia AlphaTauri in the Paddock after practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 27, 2023 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Daniel Ricciardo finally has his swagger back and he is ready to “kick some ass”.

The Australian F1 ace turned back the clock with a stunning Mexican practice performance to put his AlphaTauri in a position to be fighting for points.

While practice times can often be taken with a grain of salt, Ricciardo knows his sixth place on the timesheets for FP2 has set him up nicely for a weekend of racing less than a week after he struggled to be last car across the line in Texas.

What’s most impressive isn’t just the placing, but the fact he was only a mere three tenths of a second behind world champion Max Verstappen in his Red Bull.

Given Ricciardo has almost exclusively tracked around a full second behind the runaway champ’s lap times, is this a sign the returning F1 star is mounting a late season challenge for points and the real start of his career second coming?

“I’m definitely confident,” Ricciardo told reporters afterwards.

Daniel Ricciardo is feeling confident ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix. Picture: Getty Images

“I can’t stand here and predict where I will be because who knows in quali and what other teams might do with fuel or engines.

“But I know what I felt in the car was good, and I believe that is a top-10 car tomorrow. A top-six car would be nice. I will try to keep that going.

“We’re probably still not a top-10 car in the high speed but I do feel like it’s a bit more connected under the rear and that felt nice.

“To have a good feeling with the car around here is nearly impossible because of the altitude, and even the fast cars don’t always feel that good here.

“So considering some strengths that I felt on a grip level like this, I think it’s positive.

“Obviously, I’m very complimentary and positive — that’s a fact, but we will still stay level-headed (for qualifying). But it’s nice to be driving and just ready to kick some ass.

“I’m definitely more comfortable with this car and feel like I can attack it the way I like.”

Daniel Ricciardo turned back the clock with a stunning Mexican practice performance. Picture: Getty Images

Ricciardo was happy to quickly dismiss and move on from last week’s sluggish effort in Austin.

It was his first race back after several weeks out with a broken wrist and the compact nature of sprint weekends meant there was little time for fine-tuning before qualifying.

The team identified almost immediately what went wrong in Austin, so the turnaround in Mexico was swift and successful.

“There were also some things we discovered after the race that made me want to get back on track and prove we do obviously have some pace,” he said.

“We made good progress with a few little things with set up, which if it hadn’t been for the sprint weekend in Austin we would have tried there.

“From the get-go, we were certainly comfortable, and then we just chipped away at it. So that’s positive. And I was just ready to go. It’s good to drive.

“I’m very, very hungry and motivated, which feels good, and it looks like we’re in a good place, but it is very close.

“We were P6, which is great, so not too big a gap to the front, but also behind its close. So now it’s about putting it together (for qualifying).”

BOOS, BODYGUARDS: PEREZ CALLS FOR RED BULL RESPECT AT HOME GP

By Rebecca Williams

Sergio Perez moved to ease tensions surrounding his “rivalry” with Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen ahead of his home Grand Prix in Mexico as fears the world champion could face an unwelcome reception mounted.

As Verstappen called for more respect from Formula 1 fans, Red Bull is reported to have hired bodyguards for the Dutch star, team boss Christian Horner and motorsport adviser Helmut Marko for the race due to concerns about their safety.

Verstappen was booed on the podium after his win at last week’s United States Grand Prix in Austin as sections of the crowd chanted Perez’s nickname “Checo” during the presentation.

The response sparked concerns that Verstappen could face more hostility from the Mexican fans during Perez’s home race this weekend.

While Verstappen has stormed to a third consecutive drivers’ championship this year, Perez has been left behind fighting for second place in the standings amid speculation.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez ahead of this weekend’s Formula One Mexico Grand Prix. Picture: CLAUDIO CRUZ / AFP

But Perez played down talk of his rivalry with Verstappen, urging his Mexican fans to follow the example that any competitiveness should “stay on track”.

Asked if he felt the rivalry between himself and Verstappen could spill over into something “more unsavoury” at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, Perez said “no, not at all”.

“I think it’s important we give this message, because I think media likes to create this sort of rivalry outside the track and I think we are a great sport,” Perez said.

“We are a great example for a lot of young generations and we should be focused on the sport side.

“And whatever happens on track should always stay there and that’s the best message we, as a country, want to give the rest of the world.

“And, yeah, there is nothing else going on. The most important thing is that everything stays on track.”

Verstappen said he had been given an “amazing” welcome since he landed in Mexico, but stressed it was important for fans to be respectful.

“I hope it does not only here, but in general in sport, not just our sport,” Verstappen said.

“We have gained a lot of new fans in the last few years and maybe they don’t respond and react the same way, but a bit differently.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez gesture during an interview as part of the activities ahead the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico. Picture: Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images

“I think it’s good to show support for your favourite driver but you should always show respect for the others and especially on the podium and during the anthems because then it is very disrespectful in those moments.

“In general, I think we need to raise awareness not just here but in other sport too.”

Admit ongoing speculation about Perez’s future, Horner has dismissed suggestions the 33-year-old needed to finish P2 in the championship to save his seat at Red Bull for next year.

“There’s no pre-mandate like that,” Horner said.

“We’ve never finished first and second in a championship. We’ve finished third a few times with Mark (Webber) and Sebastian (Vettel) and we did it last year with Max and Checo.

“With this car, it’ll be fantastic for in such a season that we’ve had, to finish it first and second.

“But there’s no pre-mandate on Checo that says ‘You have to finish first or second or you won’t be driving the car next year’. That’s never been discussed.”