Leclerc sets the pace in rookie-filled Mexico practice
Charles Leclerc set the benchmark in the opening practice session for the Mexico Grand Prix, leading a surprising top three. The Ferrari driver was comfortably quickest, with young talents Kimi Antonelli and Fred Vesti rounding out the top positions.
The session was notable for its significant rookie presence, as ten regular drivers stepped aside for their junior counterparts. Among them was Max Verstappen, who watched from the Red Bull garage as Ayumu Iwasa took the wheel of his car.
Track evolution and early troubles
Isack Hadjar, another rookie driver for Red Bull, reported early issues that saw his car confined to the garage for fifteen minutes. As track evolution played a major role, the fastest times were all set on the soft compound tyre in the final stages, with Lewis Hamilton and Iwasa completing the top five.
Session highlights
- Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets with a lap of 1:18.123 in his Ferrari car.
- A remarkable ten rookie drivers participated in the opening session of the weekend.
- Young drivers Kimi Antonelli and Fred Vesti impressed by securing second and third place respectively.
Full Results Free Practice 1 Mexico GP 2026
| POS | DRIVER | TEAM | TIME / GAP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Charles Leclerc |
Scuderia Ferrari | 1:18.128 |
| 2 |  Kimi Antonelli |
Mercedes AMG F1 | 1:18.787 |
| 3 |  Fred Vesti |
Mercedes AMG F1 | 1:18.861 |
| 4 |  Lewis Hamilton |
Scuderia Ferrari | 1:18.866 |
| 5 |  Ayumu Iwasa |
Red Bull Racing | 1:19.113 |
| 6 |  Pierre Gasly |
Alpine F1 | 1:19.210 |
| 7 |  Fernando Alonso |
Aston Martin F1 Team | 1:19.357 |
| 8 |  Oscar Piastri |
McLaren F1 team | 1:19.376 |
| 9 | Oliver Bearman |
Haas F1 | 1:19.412 |
| 10 | Arvid Lindblad |
Racing Bulls | 1:19.478 |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar |
Red Bull Racing | 1:19.545 |
| 12 |  Nikola Tsolov |
Racing Bulls | 1:19.604 |
| 13 |  Nico Hulkenberg |
Audi F1 Team | 1:19.608 |
| 14 | Gabriele Mini |
Alpine F1 | 1:19.946 |
| 15 | Ryo Hirakawa |
Haas F1 | 1:19.982 |
| 16 | Carlos Sainz |
Williams Racing | 1:20.006 |
| 17 | Leonardo Fornaroli |
McLaren F1 team | 1:20.235 |
| 18 |  Sergio Pérez |
Cadillac F1 Team | 1:20.395 |
| 19 |  Jak Crawford |
Aston Martin F1 Team | 1:20.803 |
| 20 | Luke Browning |
Williams Racing | 1:20.869 |
| 21 | Freddie Slater |
Audi F1 Team | 1:20.945 |
| 22 | Colton Herta |
Cadillac F1 Team | 1:21.365 |
