Leclerc Leads FP2 in Mexico, Outpacing McLaren and Mercedes Despite Hamilton Retirement
Charles Leclerc topped FP2 at the Mexico City GP, leading McLaren and Mercedes.
- Leclerc was fastest by seven tenths in FP2 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
- Three different teams filled the top three positions in the session.
- This performance follows Leclerc's strong showing in FP1, indicating competitive pace.
In the second practice session for the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc emerged as the fastest driver, clocking a time that was seven tenths quicker than his nearest competitors. The session showcased a diverse top three, with representatives from Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes, highlighting a competitive atmosphere among the teams. Leclerc's strong performance builds on his earlier success in FP1, suggesting that he and Ferrari may be in contention for a strong result in the race.
Charles Leclerc set the pace in the second practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix, posting the fastest time of the day with a 1m17.827s lap at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The Ferrari driver improved on his FP1 benchmark and edged out McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished second, while Mercedes’ Oscar Piastri claimed third place. The session was marked by Lewis Hamilton’s retirement due to power loss, which briefly brought out a virtual safety car.
Leclerc’s afternoon performance confirmed his strong Friday form after topping FP1 with a 1m18.128s. He quickly lowered the benchmark in FP2, initially setting a 1m18.257s on medium tyres before switching to softs to post his best lap. Despite a couple of aborted attempts caused by locking up and running wide in the stadium section, Leclerc managed to regain the lead and finish comfortably ahead. Norris, also on soft tyres, pushed hard and briefly took the top spot with a 1m18.161s before settling for second.
The session saw a red flag around the 15-minute mark after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen collided with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson in the stadium sector, scattering debris across the track. The incident halted running for five minutes before the session resumed. Verstappen had been sixth fastest early on, setting a 1m19.312s on soft tyres before the crash. Kimi Antonelli, running medium tyres, split the Ferrari pair with a 1m18.559s, slotting in between Leclerc and his teammate.
Hamilton’s day ended prematurely when he suffered a power loss on the main straight, forcing him to stop at Turn 3 after 28 minutes. The seven-time world champion’s retirement triggered a brief virtual safety car period. Prior to his exit, Hamilton had set a competitive 1m18.741s on medium tyres, which was initially the fastest time of the session.
The track conditions evolved significantly during the hour-long session, with lap times dropping steadily as more drivers switched to soft tyres. Piastri managed to split the Ferraris with a 1m18.896s on softs, while Norris and Leclerc continued to improve their times in the latter stages. Leclerc’s final lap shaved nearly two-tenths off his previous best, cementing his top spot.
With three different teams represented in the top three, the session highlighted the competitive balance at the front heading into qualifying. Leclerc’s pace underlines Ferrari’s strong weekend start, while McLaren and Mercedes remain in contention. The focus now shifts to Saturday’s qualifying, where track evolution and tyre strategy will be crucial at the high-altitude Mexican circuit.
Further reading
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