Charles Leclerc continued his strong form at the 2026 Formula 1® Mexico Grand Prix by setting the fastest time in the second practice session (FP2) at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The Ferrari driver improved on his FP1 pace, clocking a best lap of 1m17.827s, narrowly edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes’ George Russell.
Leclerc’s performance marked a consistent showing across Friday’s sessions, having already topped FP1 with a 1m18.128s lap. In FP2, Norris was just 0.103 seconds behind the Monegasque, while Russell completed the top three, only 0.003 seconds slower than Norris. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli was fourth fastest, followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in fifth.
The session was not without incident. Lewis Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, retired after 28 minutes due to a power loss issue, which briefly brought out a virtual safety car. Additionally, a collision between Verstappen and Liam Lawson in the stadium sector caused a red flag, interrupting the running and adding to the challenges teams faced during the session.
Throughout FP2, drivers tested all three tyre compounds, including late high-fuel runs on medium tyres. This approach provided teams with valuable data on tyre behaviour under different conditions. Rookie drivers had taken part in FP1, but FP2 saw the regular driver lineup return to the track. Esteban Ocon, driving for Haas, expressed some dissatisfaction with the switch to medium tyres during high-fuel runs, highlighting the ongoing challenges teams face in optimising tyre strategy.
Leclerc’s ability to improve his lap time from FP1 to FP2 demonstrated Ferrari’s pace on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit, while McLaren and Mercedes showed competitive performance close behind. The incidents involving Hamilton and the collision between Verstappen and Lawson added an unpredictable element to the session, reminding teams of the fine margins in practice as they prepare for qualifying and the race.
Friday’s practice sessions at the Mexico Grand Prix offered a clear snapshot of the competitive order on track, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes all showing strong pace. The session’s interruptions and tyre tests will likely influence team preparations moving forward, as they continue to refine their setups and strategies for the weekend.
Overall, Leclerc’s performance underlined his consistency and speed during the practice sessions, while the challenges faced by other drivers highlighted the technical and operational complexities present at this stage of the weekend.