2026 Mexico City GP: Leclerc tops rookie-heavy FP1

Charles Leclerc led FP1 for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli as teams handed rookie drivers 10 Friday outings.

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in first practice for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, according to Formula1.com, BBC Sport, Autosport, Motorsport.com and RaceFans. Formula1.com reported that Andrea Kimi Antonelli was second and Fred Vesti third. Leclerc arrived in Mexico fifth in the drivers' championship on 233 points, while Antonelli led the standings on 365.

The opening session featured extensive rookie running. Formula1.com reported that 10 full-time drivers gave up their cars for FP1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, while Motorsport.com reported that Max Verstappen sat out the session for Red Bull as teams continued to meet the rookie-run requirement. Formula1.com also reported that Nikola Tsolov and Freddie Slater made their FP1 debuts in Mexico, and BBC Sport said Slater, 18, was scheduled to drive for Audi in both Mexico City and Sao Paulo.

Track action continued later on Friday, with Formula1.com carrying live coverage of second practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend.