Bearman says Haas reverted to earlier engine after Mexico FP1 issue

Bearman said Haas lost its latest-spec engine in FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix and had to revert to the previous version for the afternoon. The team said a power-unit replacement was needed between sessions. Bearman said the loss was a shame because the newer specification offered some performance; he still described Friday as positive overall, although he found the car trickier in FP2.

Bearman finished ninth in FP1 and 14th in FP2. Esteban Ocon sat out the opening session while reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa completed a planned outing and finished 15th; Ocon returned in FP2 and placed 13th. Team principal Ayao Komatsu said the car was competitive from the start and remained reasonably competitive, although Bearman was less happy with it in the afternoon.

Ocon said a small issue at the start of FP2 was quickly fixed, but that he was not yet fully comfortable in the car. He expected adjustments and more work overnight ahead of Saturday's FP3 and qualifying.