Leclerc fastest in Mexico City Grand Prix first practice

In the opening practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc emerged as the fastest driver, leading Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by 0.659 seconds. For Antonelli, a ninth-place finish would secure the championship, regardless of other results. However, only a win by his teammate, George Russell, or Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, could theoretically prevent Antonelli from clinching the title on Sunday.

In third place was Mercedes reserve Frederik Vesti, ahead of Hamilton in fourth. Only Ferrari sent both race drivers to the session, with both cars being quickest. Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa, replacing Max Verstappen at Red Bull, was fifth fastest. Additionally, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Haas' Oliver Bearman, Racing Bull's Arvid Lindblad, and rookie Freddie Slater of Audi all secured places in the top 10.

Slater's first grand prix experience did not go as planned, due to reliability issues limiting his running to 14 laps. Nonetheless, he managed to set the 19th fastest time.