Leclerc tops Mexico City GP practice as Antonelli closes in on title

Summary

In the first practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari clocked the fastest time, showcasing strong performance ahead of the race. Kimi Antonelli, the current championship leader, finished in second place, suggesting a tight competition as the weekend progresses. Additionally, American drivers Jan Crawford and Colton Herta were notable participants in this session, adding local interest to the event.

The Full Story

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the opening practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix, putting Ferrari on top ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli. Leclerc’s best lap was 0.659 seconds quicker than Antonelli, who leads the championship and is on the verge of securing his first world title this weekend.

Antonelli can clinch the championship with a ninth-place finish in the race, regardless of other results. Only a win by his teammate George Russell or Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton can prevent Antonelli from sealing the crown on Sunday. Even then, Antonelli’s finishing position requirements remain modest: ninth if Russell wins, or tenth if Hamilton takes victory.

Mercedes reserve Frederik Vesti, driving in place of Russell, was third fastest, narrowly behind Antonelli. Hamilton was fourth, marking a strong showing for Mercedes despite the team running several junior drivers in this session. Ten teams chose to run rookie drivers, as is customary in Mexico City’s first practice due to the track’s typically dirty surface. Ferrari was the only team to field both race drivers.

Among the rookies, Red Bull’s Ayumu Iwasa impressed by setting the quickest time on harder tires, placing fifth overall ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was eighth, with Haas’s Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad completing the top ten. Nikola Tsolov made history as the first Bulgarian to participate in an official F1 practice session, narrowly missing the regular driver’s pace.

American drivers Jan Crawford and Colton Herta were also part of the rookie contingent. Herta, who is being considered by Cadillac for a potential F1 seat next year, finished 22nd but achieved a key milestone by completing 30 laps, securing the 40 superlicence points required to race in Formula 1. Crawford faced technical issues during his run, limiting his track time.

Audi’s Freddie Slater endured a problematic session after being released onto the track with a cooling fan still blocking his car’s right-hand sidepod. The team had to call him back for repairs, and the stewards are now investigating the unsafe release. Slater managed to return for the final 20 minutes but completed only 14 laps, finishing 19th.

The session highlighted the gap between the top teams and the rookies, but also showcased promising performances from young drivers stepping up to the sport’s highest level. With Antonelli poised to secure the championship and Leclerc demonstrating strong pace, the Mexican Grand Prix weekend promises intense competition as the title fight nears its conclusion.