Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen topped the timing sheets at the end of the first free practice session for the Mexican grand prix.

The talented teenager set the fastest time according to the timing screens but in reality the laptime was achieved by cutting one of the corners on the Autrodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

The session started in slightly damp conditions which forced all drivers onto the green side-walled intermediate tyres for the initial installation laps. The circuit appeared to dry relatively quickly as the intermediate tyre became obsolete and eventually replaced but the white-walled medium compound tyre.

Whilst conditions proved slippery with several drivers having off track excursion no major incidents were noted during the one and a half hour session. However, the Mercedes team were the first to encounter brake temperature issues. Shortly after overtaking Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel both the rear brakes on Nico Rosberg’s Mercedes caught fire. The sister car of Lewis Hamilton was also warned on escalating brake temperatures. It wasn’t only confined to Mercedes as Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen was also told to cool his brakes.

In the most peculiar fashion McLaren’s Fernando Alonso later toured around the completely dry circuit on the intermediate tyre. As it turns out the team had noticed a cut on the set of slicks the Spaniard had run earlier in the session and didn’t want to risk the same occurrence on a second set of tyres.

Final Free Practice 1 Standings: