Leclerc Tops Opening Practice in Mexico City
Charles Leclerc was fastest in the first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by 0.659 seconds, according to BBC Sport. The session took place on Friday 30 October 2026, and it was the first on-track running of the weekend.
Free practice is the unofficial warm-up. The times set do not decide the starting grid, but they show which cars are working well on the track. Teams use the hour to test set-ups, try tyres and collect data before qualifying.
Antonelli was second, with Frederik Vesti third in George Russell's Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, and Ayumu Iwasa was fifth. Iwasa was driving in place of Max Verstappen for Red Bull, so the Red Bull seat was filled by a substitute for this session.
Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso, Oscar Piastri, Oliver Bearman and Arvid Lindblad completed the top ten. Ferrari was the only team to run both of its race drivers, which meant Leclerc and Hamilton were both out on track in the same colours.
Freddie Slater completed 14 laps and set the 19th-fastest time. Colton Herta also featured in the paddock news. The FIA says he has completed enough mileage to secure the 40 points needed for an F1 superlicence, the licence required to race in the championship.
The Mexico City circuit presents its own challenge. At 2,285 metres above sea level, it is the highest track on the Formula One calendar. The thinner air at that height reduces engine power and cooling, and it changes how much grip the cars' wings generate, so teams have to set up their cars differently from usual.
The lap measures 4.304 kilometres. The race runs 71 laps, a total distance of 305.584 kilometres. Free Practice 2 follows later on Friday, with Free Practice 3 and qualifying on Saturday 31 October. The race starts at 2000 GMT, which is 1400 local time, on Sunday.
Opening times can shift quickly once the track rubber builds up and the fuel loads change. For now, Leclerc and Ferrari have the fastest reference point, and the rest of the grid has a day and a half to answer.
