Max Verstappen blows up at Sebastian Vettel during Mexican Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel set the pace with the fastest lap in Friday's second practice at the Mexican grand prix as Ferrari showed the power that has made them favourites for pole position for Sunday's race.

Two-time defending race champion Max Verstappen was 0.115 seconds back in his Red Bull. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was third.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton led the morning practice but was fifth in the afternoon.

Verstappen also blew up at Vettel during practice.

"What a mess. Sebastian is... what the f--- is he doing?" the Dutchman was heard saying over the radio as his car and the Ferrari were caught in some traffic at a turn.

"Everybody is waiting and he wants to go by. Unbelievable."

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton led the morning practice but was fifth in the afternoon.

Hamilton can clinch the season championship on Sunday if he finishes 14 points ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas, the only driver still mathematically alive in the title chase. Bottas, who won two weeks ago in Japan, edged Hamilton for fourth in the afternoon practice

Lance Stroll found the wall in the final turn, for the first red flag of FP1.

Alex Albon also crashed his Red Bull in Turn 7 with the front-right and right-rear of his car making contact with the wall.

The second practice session was stopped for 18 minutes while Albon's car was cleared from the track.

A sixth career championship would put Hamilton just one behind the record seven won by Michael Schumacher.

Hamilton has just one win in four races in Mexico City and hasn't finished on the podium there since 2016.

Daniel Ricciardo was 13th fastest in second practice, while Renault teammate Nico Hulkenberg was ninth quickest.