Charles Leclerc set the pace during Friday’s practice sessions for the Mexico City Grand Prix, showcasing strong Ferrari performance at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The Monegasque driver navigated the challenging circuit with precision, ultimately securing the fastest lap time of the day as he “Leclerc sets pace in Friday practice at Mexico City Grand Prix” for his team.
His teammate, Carlos Sainz, followed closely behind to secure the second position, confirming a dominant showing for the Italian manufacturer during the opening day of track action. The Ferrari duo managed to outperform their rivals despite the thin air at the venue, which significantly impacts engine performance and aerodynamic downforce for all participating teams.
Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen faced a more difficult session, struggling with balance issues throughout the afternoon. The championship leader reported technical concerns that hampered his ability to challenge the leaders, leaving his team with significant data to analyze before the final qualifying session on Saturday. Mercedes also experienced a mixed day, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton working through setup adjustments to optimize their cars for the unique conditions of the Mexico City track.
The practice sessions were interrupted by a red flag after Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes in the first session, experienced a heavy crash that damaged his vehicle. While no injuries were reported, the incident necessitated a temporary halt to proceedings while marshals cleared the track. This disruption limited the amount of long-run data teams could collect, further complicating the strategic planning for the remainder of the race weekend.
As teams transition into Saturday, the focus shifts toward qualifying performance and tire degradation management. The high elevation of the circuit remains a primary factor, as cooling requirements and engine power output differ drastically from other tracks on the Formula One calendar. With Ferrari showing unexpected speed, the field remains tightly packed, setting the stage for a highly competitive qualifying session to determine the starting grid for Sunday’s main event.