Leclerc tops rookie-heavy Mexico GP opening practice

Charles Leclerc put Ferrari at the top of the timesheets in opening practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix, setting a 1m18.128s lap on soft tyres. He finished 0.659 seconds ahead of Kimi Antonelli.

Mercedes reserve Frederik Vesti was third, 0.733 seconds behind Leclerc after replacing George Russell; Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, 0.738 seconds off his team-mate.

Antonelli moved ahead in the early runs as lap times fell on the evolving track. Leclerc retook the lead with a 1m19.197s, then went quicker again on soft tyres in the second half of the hour.

Ten rookies took part, with every team except Ferrari fielding a young driver; Vesti was among them. F1 rules require each team to provide two FP1 sessions per car during the season to drivers who have competed in no more than two Grands Prix. With many regular race drivers absent and several teams focused on evaluation programmes, the FIA described the hour as only an initial indication of the weekend’s competitive picture.