Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of securing his first world championship. According to BBC Sport, the session featured an unusually high number of rookie drivers, with 10 teams deploying junior talent for their mandatory rookie outings.
Leclerc finished 0.659 seconds clear of Antonelli, who requires only a ninth-place finish to clinch the championship regardless of other results. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver's path to the title is remarkably straightforward: only a victory by his team-mate George Russell or Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton can theoretically prevent him from becoming champion on Sunday, and even then, Antonelli would need only ninth place if Russell wins and 10th if Hamilton does.
Mercedes reserve Frederik Vesti, driving Russell's car, claimed third place ahead of Hamilton in fourth. The session underscored Mexico City's appeal as a venue for rookie testing, as the first practice is traditionally unrepresentative due to the dirty track surface, making it an ideal opportunity for teams to run their mandatory junior driver sessions without compromising competitive data.
Who else featured in the top 10?
Red Bull's Ayumu Iwasa, substituting for Max Verstappen, finished fifth quickest, followed by Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso. McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Haas driver Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad rounded out the top 10.
How did the other rookie drivers perform?
Audi's Freddie Slater, a British driver making his grand prix weekend debut, encountered significant reliability issues that restricted his running to just 14 laps—approximately half the standard mileage. Despite the setback, he managed to complete a final 20-minute stint and recorded the 19th fastest time. Fellow Briton Luke Browning, running for Williams, finished 18th, while Colton Herta, whom Cadillac are considering promoting to the full grid next year in place of Valtteri Bottas, placed 22nd. Cadillac believe Herta has now accumulated sufficient mileage to secure the 40 superlicence points required for Formula One competition.
What is the championship situation heading into Sunday?
Antonelli's dominance this season has left him needing minimal points to secure the title. The Mexico City round is the 19th race of the 2026 season, following his victory at the United States Grand Prix on 25 October, where he finished ahead of Leclerc and Max Verstappen. His championship lead has become so commanding that a ninth-place finish on Sunday would be sufficient to clinch his maiden world title, barring an unlikely combination of results involving his closest rivals.
What happens next in the weekend schedule?
Second practice is scheduled for Friday, 30 October, from 16:00 to 17:00 local time. Final practice and qualifying take place on Saturday, 31 October, at 11:30 and 15:00 local time respectively. The Grand Prix itself is scheduled for Sunday, 1 November, at 14:00 local time, with the race covering 71 laps across a distance of 305.354 kilometres.
