Source: Official Team Post via X
Leclerc Tops FP1 at Mexican GP as Rookies Shine
Charles Leclerc led Free Practice 1 at the Mexican Grand Prix, setting the fastest time at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The session featured 10 rookie drivers, including Colton Herta, who completed enough laps to secure his F1 super licence.
The Mexican Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez kicked off with an intriguing Free Practice 1 session, where Charles Leclerc set the pace for Ferrari. Leclerc's time of 1:18.128 put him comfortably ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes teammate Fred Vesti. Notably, this session was a showcase for rookie drivers, with ten newcomers taking to the track.
Among the highlights, Colton Herta from Cadillac completed 30 laps, surpassing the requirement to secure his F1 super licence, potentially setting up a future in Formula 1. Meanwhile, Freddie Slater faced a hiccup when an Audi cooling fan was mistakenly left on, and Jak Crawford's Aston Martin required an impromptu halt on track.
Leonardo Fornaroli had his share of drama at McLaren with a slippery moment and brake issues, while Nikola Tsolov, representing Racing Bulls as the first Bulgarian in F1, dealt with a numb leg during his run.
The full results saw Leclerc at the top, followed by Antonelli and Vesti. Lewis Hamilton, also in a Ferrari, was hot on their heels, while Ayumu Iwasa rounded out the top five for Red Bull. The session was not without its challenges, but it offered a glimpse into the future, with rookies making their mark alongside seasoned pros.
As the weekend progresses, all eyes will be on whether these budding talents can translate their practice performances into race-day results.