{
  "id": 17302026,
  "title": "Leclerc shows practice pace as Antonelli prowls in Mexico",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/leclerc-shows-practice-pace-as-antonelli-prowls-in-mexico",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T22:40:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/10/1567254/leclerc-shows-practice-pace-antonelli-prowls-mexico"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MEXICO CITY: Charles Leclerc led the times for Ferrari during Friday's opening free practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, ahead of championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes by 0.659 seconds in a session that included rookie drivers and a brief Virtual Safety Car intervention. Antonelli, who had missed Thursday's session due to illness, could become the sport's youngest world champion and Italy's first since 1953 if he finishes in the top nine. He could also win the title if his remaining rivals – Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari's seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton – fail to win. Rookie Ayumi Iwasa of Red Bull was fifth, behind Pierre Gasly of Alpine and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin. Pierre Gasly was sixth for Alpine, followed by Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Oscar Piastri of McLaren, Oliver Bearman of Haas, and Arvid Lindblad of Red Bull. Isack Hadjar of Red Bull was 11th due to power unit issues. Lewis Hamilton was first out, testing his Ferrari with aero rakes for data collection, and later stated his intention to continue racing for the foreseeable future if he remains competitive, aiming to participate in the planned African Grand Prix in Rwanda.",
  "summary": "MEXICO CITY: Charles Leclerc topped the times for Ferrari ahead of runaway championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes in Friday’s opening free practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix.",
  "key_points": [
    "Charles Leclerc fastest in Ferrari's opening Mexico City practice",
    "Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes leads by 0.659 seconds",
    "Antonelli could become youngest world champion if top nine"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Leclerc fastest in Mexico practice, Antonelli returns from sickness",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/leclerc-fastest-in-mexico-practice-antonelli-returns-from-sickness",
        "published": "2026-10-30T20:28:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Leclerc shows practice pace as Antonelli prowls in Mexico",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/leclerc-shows-practice-pace-as-antonelli-prowls-in-mexico-17302346",
        "published": "2026-10-30T22:12:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}