Charles Leclerc set the pace in Free Practice 1 at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, posting the fastest lap time on a dusty track that challenged many drivers throughout the session. The Ferrari driver clocked a 1:18.128 on soft tyres, finishing ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli by 0.659 seconds. Frederik Vesti, standing in for George Russell, completed the top three for Mercedes.
The session, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on October 30, 2026, saw a notable influx of young talent making their first appearances in Formula 1®. While Ferrari ran its regular driver lineup, ten of the eleven teams opted to give track time to reserve or junior drivers. This included debuts for Nikola Tsolov with Racing Bulls and Freddie Slater with Audi, marking a significant moment for these newcomers in the sport.
Mexico City's high altitude, over 2000 meters above sea level, added an extra layer of complexity by affecting car performance due to thinner air. The track surface was dusty, which led to grip issues and several drivers sliding off, including Antonelli and Aston Martin’s Sergio Perez. Early in the session, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar faced a power unit problem, while Freddie Slater’s debut was disrupted by an unsafe release that left a sidepod fan attached to his car, causing power unit damage and a lengthy pit stop. The stewards have launched an investigation into this incident. Later, a Virtual Safety Car was deployed after Jak Crawford stopped on track with a mechanical issue.
Among the drivers who took part in FP1 were several substitutes and debutants. Frederik Vesti replaced George Russell for Mercedes, while Ayumu Iwasa drove for Red Bull in place of Max Verstappen. McLaren fielded Leonardo Fornaroli, who replaced Lando Norris for the session, alongside Oscar Piastri. Aston Martin’s Jak Crawford stepped in for Lance Stroll, and Colton Herta took over from Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac. The session’s top 10 featured drivers from a broad range of teams, including Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, Alpine, Aston Martin, Haas, and Racing Bulls.
The session highlighted the challenges of adapting to the Mexico City circuit’s unique conditions, especially for less experienced drivers. The dusty surface and altitude demanded careful management of grip and car balance, with several drivers experiencing off-track moments. Despite these difficulties, Leclerc’s pace stood out as he led the timesheets comfortably, while the presence of numerous young drivers underscored the ongoing integration of fresh talent into the sport.
This Free Practice 1 session provided valuable running for teams and drivers ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend. It also offered a glimpse of emerging drivers stepping up to Formula 1® competition, alongside established names preparing for the challenges of the circuit’s demanding environment.