Ferrari Takes Early Mexico GP Advantage as Leclerc Leads and Antonelli Nears Historic F1 Milestone
Quick Summary
Charles Leclerc delivered an impressive performance during Friday’s practice sessions at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, topping both sessions for Ferrari. The Monegasque driver recorded his fastest lap of 1:17.827 during afternoon practice, improving on his earlier benchmark of 1:18.128. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli finished second in the opening session and fourth in the second, despite recently recovering from a viral illness.
The 20-year-old currently leads teammate George Russell by 123 points and needs just two additional points to secure the championship. McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell followed Leclerc in the second session, while Lewis Hamilton experienced a sudden power failure. Additionally, a collision between Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson triggered red flags and added further drama to Friday’s running.
Introduction
Charles Leclerc delivered an impressive performance during Friday’s Mexico Grand Prix practice sessions. The Ferrari driver topped both sessions at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2026. His performance also followed a similarly successful Friday at last week’s United States Grand Prix.
However, championship leader Kimi Antonelli remained firmly focused on his historic title opportunity. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver could become Formula One’s youngest-ever world champion this Sunday.
Leclerc Maintains Ferrari’s Strong Practice Form
Leclerc established his pace during the opening session with a 1:18.128 lap. He finished 0.659 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Later, he improved his benchmark to 1:17.827 during the second practice session. McLaren’s Lando Norris secured second place, finishing just 0.103 seconds behind Leclerc.
George Russell completed the top three in the afternoon session. Leclerc acknowledged Ferrari’s promising performance but highlighted several areas requiring improvement. He also described the slippery track surface as particularly challenging. Despite his strong pace, the Ferrari driver believes the team must address its limitations before qualifying.
Antonelli Moves Closer to Historic Championship
Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive championship campaign despite recovering from a viral illness. He missed Thursday’s media commitments but returned for Friday’s practice sessions. The Italian secured second place initially before finishing fourth later. Antonelli currently leads teammate George Russell by 123 points. He needs just two additional points to guarantee the championship.
Alternatively, a ninth-place finish would secure the title on Sunday. Russell must win to preserve his mathematical championship chances. With four rounds remaining, Antonelli has a significant opportunity to achieve a historic milestone. His Mexico performance also demonstrated his ability to remain competitive despite recent health difficulties.
Hamilton Faces Technical Trouble During Practice
Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton encountered an unexpected technical problem during afternoon practice. His car suddenly lost power, forcing him to stop on track. The incident triggered a virtual safety car with approximately 30 minutes remaining. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has won twice in Mexico.
Ferrari will need to investigate the technical issue before Saturday’s qualifying session. The team will hope to resolve the problem and give Hamilton a stronger opportunity during the remaining weekend sessions.
Verstappen and Lawson Clash During Second Session
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson made contact with 47 minutes remaining. Their collision scattered debris across the circuit and triggered red flags. Lawson criticised Verstappen over team radio following the incident. Verstappen responded by questioning Lawson’s judgement during their on-track battle.
He also referenced the New Zealander’s uncertain position for next season. The exchange added another talking point to Friday’s eventful running. Both drivers attracted attention following the incident, which interrupted the session and required track officials to clear the debris.
Young Drivers Receive Valuable Formula One Experience
Ten regular drivers missed the opening session as teams introduced young talent. Mercedes reserve Fred Vesti replaced Russell and finished third. Ayumu Iwasa secured fifth place as Verstappen’s replacement. Other participants included Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri. Freddie Slater also made his Formula One practice debut with Audi. Despite a cooling fan remaining attached initially, he completed 14 laps.
Colton Herta completed 30 laps for Cadillac, earning another super licence point. Bulgarian Formula Two title contender Nikola Tsolov also participated. He finished 12th despite reporting discomfort caused by pressure from his seat. Team principal Alan Permane praised his performance and feedback. Aston Martin reserve Jak Crawford, however, stopped with a suspected power unit problem.
FAQs
1. Who topped both Mexico Grand Prix practice sessions in 2026?
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions at the Mexico City Grand Prix, recording 1:18.128 initially before improving to 1:17.827 during afternoon running.
2. How did Kimi Antonelli perform during Mexico Grand Prix practice?
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli finished second in the opening session and fourth in the second session, maintaining competitive pace despite recently recovering from a viral illness.
3. What does Antonelli need to win the 2026 Formula One championship?
Antonelli needs just two additional championship points or a ninth-place finish at Sunday’s Mexico Grand Prix to secure the title and become Formula One’s youngest-ever champion.
4. What happened between Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson during practice?
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson collided during the second practice session, scattering debris across the circuit and prompting red flags before both drivers exchanged criticism over the incident.
5. Why did Lewis Hamilton stop during Mexico Grand Prix practice?
Lewis Hamilton experienced a sudden power failure during the second practice session, forcing his Ferrari to stop on track and triggering a virtual safety car with approximately 30 minutes remaining.
Key Takeaways
- Charles Leclerc dominated both Friday practice sessions, giving Ferrari encouraging momentum ahead of Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Kimi Antonelli moved closer to securing the 2026 Formula One championship, needing only two additional points or a ninth-place finish.
- Lando Norris secured second place behind Leclerc during afternoon practice, while George Russell completed the top three.
- Lewis Hamilton encountered a sudden power failure during the second session, forcing Ferrari to investigate the technical problem before qualifying.
- Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson collided during afternoon practice, triggering red flags and creating further tension ahead of the remaining race weekend.
Conclusion
Leclerc’s double practice success gives Ferrari encouraging momentum ahead of Saturday’s qualifying. However, Antonelli remains the central figure heading into Sunday’s championship-deciding race. His substantial points advantage places him within reach of a historic achievement. Ferrari must also address Hamilton’s technical concerns before the next session. Fans will now watch qualifying and Sunday’s race with anticipation.
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