Formula 1 is in Mexico City for Round 19 of the 2026 season. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez hosts a 71-lap Grand Prix on Sunday, November 1, with practice and qualifying sessions spread across the weekend.
The high-altitude circuit has already produced a clear early headline: Charles Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions for Ferrari. He set 1:18.128 in FP1 and improved to 1:17.827 in FP2, ahead of Lando Norris and George Russell. Lewis Hamilton’s second session ended early with a power-unit issue.
Friday practice: Leclerc completes a clean sweep
Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in both Friday sessions, giving Ferrari an encouraging start to the Mexico City weekend. In FP1, Leclerc clocked 1:18.128, with Kimi Antonelli second at 0.659 seconds and Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti third at 0.733 seconds. Lewis Hamilton was fourth, while Ayumu Iwasa completed the top five.
Leclerc lowered the benchmark to 1:17.827 in FP2. Lando Norris was second, 0.103 seconds behind, and George Russell third, just 0.106 seconds off the Ferrari. Antonelli was fourth and Max Verstappen fifth, 0.311 seconds adrift.
| FP2 position | Driver | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | 1:17.827 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | +0.103s |
| 3 | George Russell | +0.106s |
| 4 | Kimi Antonelli | +0.217s |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | +0.311s |
Hamilton’s FP2 running ended early because of a power-unit problem. Ferrari will need to assess the issue before the remaining practice and qualifying sessions.
FP1 also included rookie running across much of the grid, with reserve and junior drivers taking part under the rookie-session requirements. That limited the amount of representative running for several regular drivers, making the extra FP2 mileage particularly important.
Mexico City GP timetable
| Session | Mexico City time | India time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 · Fri Oct 30 | 12:30–13:30 | Sat Oct 31 · 00:00–01:00 |
| Practice 2 · Fri Oct 30 | 16:00–17:00 | Sat Oct 31 · 03:30–04:30 |
| Practice 3 · Sat Oct 31 | 11:30–12:30 | Sat Oct 31 · 23:00–Sun 00:00 |
| Qualifying · Sat Oct 31 | 15:00–16:00 | Sun Nov 1 · 02:30–03:30 |
| Grand Prix · Sun Nov 1 | 14:00 | Mon Nov 2 · 01:30 |
F1’s official Practice 1 and Practice 2 results are now available, with Leclerc fastest in both sessions. Session results will be added only after the official timing sheets are published.
Why the altitude changes the setup challenge
Mexico City sits at high elevation, where thinner air reduces aerodynamic downforce and makes cooling more difficult. Teams often need to run larger wings to recover grip, while still trying to protect top speed on the long main straight. The compromise affects braking stability, tyre temperatures and traction out of the slower corners.
Cooling can also become a major concern. With less dense air moving through the radiators, teams must monitor temperatures carefully and manage the car’s bodywork and airflow. The driver who can put together a clean lap while keeping the tyres in the right window may gain a valuable advantage.
The stadium section and the long straight
The circuit combines a long start-finish straight with slower technical corners and the famous stadium section. The straight provides an overtaking opportunity into the braking zone, while the slower parts reward traction and confidence on turn-in. The stadium section brings a unique atmosphere but also asks drivers to keep the car tidy through a sequence where following closely can be difficult.
What practice revealed for the rest of the weekend
- Cooling and reliability: Teams need to check that the power unit and brakes remain within operating limits at altitude.
- High-downforce balance: Drivers must find enough grip for the slow corners without giving away too much speed on the straight.
- Tyre preparation: The short lap and changing track conditions can make it difficult to find a consistent window for qualifying.
- Long-run pace: Race simulations will help teams understand degradation and the likely pit-stop windows.
Why qualifying matters
Starting near the front is valuable because traffic can make it harder to follow another car through the slower sections. A strong qualifying lap needs good braking confidence, traction and enough straight-line speed to avoid being vulnerable into the first corner. The tow can help, but a driver also needs clean air to complete the rest of the lap.
Sportimatic outlook
Mexico is a setup challenge as much as a driving challenge. The most competitive package will need cooling discipline, stable braking and enough traction to exit the slow corners cleanly. Leclerc’s Friday double gives Ferrari a strong platform, but the close gaps to Norris and Russell suggest qualifying could be tight. Teams will continue to compare long-run tyre behaviour and cooling performance in FP3 before the grid is set.
Official timing and results
Schedule updated October 30, 2026. Friday practice results are included above; the article remains a preview of qualifying and race day. Local time is Mexico City (UTC−6); India time is IST.