Charles Leclerc led both free practice sessions at the Mexico City Grand Prix, posting a fastest time of 1’17”827, ANSA reported. The Ferrari driver finished ahead of Lando Norris (+0”103) and George Russell (+0”106), establishing Ferrari as the fastest team during Friday’s activity at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Leclerc tops Friday times while Hamilton faces power unit issues
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc maintained the top spot across both FP1 and FP2, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. While Leclerc maximized his Friday, Lewis Hamilton’s session ended prematurely. Hamilton was forced to stop his car between turns 3 and 4 with 30 minutes remaining in the second session due to a power loss, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
The Ferrari pit wall halted the car based on sensor data. La Gazzetta dello Sport noted that if the issue is confirmed as a major power unit failure, Hamilton could face a grid penalty for Sunday’s race.
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Kimi Antonelli returns to track after viral illness
Antonelli placed fourth overall in the second practice session (+0”217), ANSA reported.
Antonelli shared the track with fellow Italians Leonardo Fornaroli, who finished 17th for McLaren, and Gabriele Minì, who finished 14th in his official Formula 1 debut for Alpine, according to ANSA. This marks the first time since the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix that three Italians have competed in the same session.
| Driver | Team | Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1’17”827 |
| Lando Norris | McLaren | +0”103 |
| George Russell | Mercedes | +0”106 |
| Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0”217 |
| Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0”311 |
Russell Praises Antonelli While Hamilton Focuses on Ferrari Development
George Russell praised Antonelli’s performance, stating that the Italian driver has maintained a level superior to his own this year, which has prevented direct on-track clashes, ANSA reported.
At Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton described the final five races of the season as tests for the 2027 car. He stated the team must ensure chassis elements that work on the SF-26 are carried over to next year’s vehicle, expressing confidence that Ferrari will eventually have a power unit capable of competing with Mercedes and Red Bull, ANSA reported.
Leclerc declined to call Ferrari the favorite for the weekend. While he noted a positive trend and strong pace in Singapore and Austin, he stated that Mercedes remains the favorite regardless of the venue and that Red Bull has been very strong recently, ANSA reported.
Track Debris and Traffic Hinder Practice Session Performance
The second practice session included a brief red flag caused by debris from the cars of Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported. Several top-team drivers expressed frustration over track traffic, which hindered their ability to complete clean laps on soft tires.
Motorsport.it characterized the first session as less significant due to the absence of 10 regular starters, including Norris, Russell, and Verstappen. The outlet noted that while Ferrari showed strong race pace, the Mercedes W17 appeared to struggle with engine power. The Silver Arrows trailed the Scuderia by several tenths in race pace, though the fifth-place finish of Iwasa on medium tires was seen as a positive sign for Verstappen. Regarding McLaren, Motorsport.it suggested the MCL39’s performance often improves as the weekend progresses.
Pro Tip: Track evolution at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez can shift the competitive balance rapidly between Friday’s tests and Saturday’s qualifying.
Common Questions About the Mexico City GP Practice
What is the championship situation for Kimi Antonelli?
Antonelli currently leads the World Championship. According to ANSA, a ninth-place finish earning two points on Sunday would be sufficient to secure the drivers’ title for Italy.
Why did Lewis Hamilton stop during FP2?
Hamilton experienced a power drop that triggered sensors in the car. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported the Ferrari team stopped the car as a precaution between turns 3 and 4.
Who are the other Italian drivers in the session?
Alongside Antonelli, Leonardo Fornaroli (McLaren) and Gabriele Minì (Alpine) participated in the sessions, ANSA reported.
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“It is very difficult to get everything right at the right moment for qualifying,” Leclerc said, “but if we manage to do it, I think we will have a chance here.”
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