Leclerc Dominates Mexico City Practice as Hamilton Faces Setbacks
Charles Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions in Mexico City, setting the pace for Ferrari. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton encountered technical difficulties, and Kimi Antonelli eyes a potential championship win.
In the vibrant setting of Mexico City, the 2026 Formula 1 season's 19th round saw Charles Leclerc assert his dominance. The Ferrari driver led both practice sessions on Friday, clocking the fastest times in the SF-26. Notably, he outpaced the competition by a narrow margin, finishing a mere 0.103 seconds ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris and just 0.003 seconds clear of Mercedes' George Russell.
Leclerc's performance, however, wasn't without its challenges. Like many drivers, he struggled initially, particularly locking up into Turn 1. Despite this, he managed to set a competitive time on the soft tires, although not without some hiccups along the way.
Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari, faced a frustrating session, having to park his car due to a power unit issue. This left him missing crucial track time and brought out the Virtual Safety Car temporarily. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli, also with Mercedes, sits on the brink of a championship win, needing only a top-nine finish to seal the deal this season.
Mercedes had a mixed day, with Russell showing promise by securing third place in FP2, despite missing FP1. Antonelli ended up fourth, showcasing that Mercedes remains in contention for strong grid positions, even if they don't have a clear advantage at this circuit.
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, had a challenging day as well. Despite floor damage, he managed to slot into fifth place, just three-tenths off the leading pace. His teammate, Liam Lawson, was involved in an incident that the stewards are investigating, potentially influencing their strategies going forward.
Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin showed flashes of his old self, finishing in the top 10 in the earlier session and maintaining a competitive pace, ending P12 in FP2. Aston Martin will be hoping for a continuation of this upward trend.
Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto had a less fortunate day, sitting out much of the session due to technical issues and a lack of running in FP1. His team faced challenges, including a late attempt to practice slipstreaming tactics with Nico Hulkenberg.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on Leclerc to see if he can maintain his form. Meanwhile, contenders like Norris, Russell, Antonelli, and Verstappen will be looking to disrupt Ferrari's momentum. The track conditions and strategic maneuvers will play pivotal roles in shaping the rest of the weekend's events.