Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc continued his strong run of form by topping the timesheets in both practice sessions on Friday ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver set the benchmark with a lap time of 1:17.827 in the second practice session, outpacing his nearest rival by just over a tenth of a second at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The performance highlights Ferrari’s competitive speed on the low-grip circuit as teams gather crucial data ahead of the weekend races.
McLaren world champion Lando Norris finished second fastest, pushing hard on soft tyres before teams transitioned into heavier fuel loads and longer race simulations. George Russell placed third for Mercedes, keeping himself in a strong position ahead of teammate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen encountered early trouble when a collision with Liam Lawson damaged his Red Bull car, resulting in a red flag and a temporary halt to the afternoon session. Lewis Hamilton also faced a frustrating afternoon, managing only eleventh place after a power failure cut his running short.
Practice Session Highlights
- Charles Leclerc clocked a session-leading lap of 1:17.827 during Friday practice.
- Lando Norris finished second fastest for McLaren, 0.103 seconds behind the leader.
- Max Verstappen suffered car damage following an early on-track incident with Liam Lawson.
- Lewis Hamilton managed only eleventh overall after an unexpected power failure curtailed his run.
Championship Implications in Mexico
The weekend carries immense significance for young Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who can secure the world championship on Sunday if results align in his favor. The twenty-year-old Italian needs to finish inside the top nine to clinch the historic milestone, or rely on rivals such as Russell and Hamilton failing to claim victory. With practice sessions providing unpredictable twists, including technical setbacks and red flags, teams face an intense battle to optimize setups before qualifying commences.
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