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Charles Leclerc leads Kimi Antonelli in Mexico GP first practice

5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Oct 30, 2026, 8:06 PM

Last updated Oct 30, 2026

Charles Leclerc leads Kimi Antonelli in Mexico GP first practice

Summary

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the first practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix on October 30, 2026. The Ferrari driver clocked a lap of 1m18.128s, finishing 0.659 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who is on the verge of clinching the world title. In a session that featured 10 rookie drivers, Frederik Vesti took third, driving for Mercedes in place of George Russell. The practice took place on a traditionally unrepresentative track surface, making it a popular choice for teams to run rookie drivers. Following this session, attention shifts to qualifying and the race, where Antonelli needs only a ninth-place finish to secure the championship regardless of other results.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Leclerc finishes first in FP1 for Mexico City GP.
•Antonelli needs ninth place to secure the championship.
•Frederik Vesti finishes third in the session.
•Ten rookie drivers participated in the practice.
•Track surface typically affects practice times.

Latest Updates

8:37 PMESPN F1 — Leclerc tops times in Mexico City first practice
8:01 PMYahoo Sports — Leclerc fastest in Mexico City Grand Prix first practice
7:43 PMBBC Sport — Leclerc fastest in Mexico City Grand Prix first practice
7:39 PMAutosport — F1 Mexico GP: Leclerc beats Antonelli to top FP1
7:38 PMMotorsport.com — F1 Mexico GP: Charles Leclerc beats Kimi Antonelli to top FP1

What they're saying

"
Charles Leclerc was comfortably fastest in opening practice for the Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix, beating runner-up Kimi Antonelli in a session 10 rookies took part in. The Ferrari driver set a 1m18.128s that was six tenths faster than Formula 1’s champion-elect, whose Mercedes stablemate Frederik Vesti completed the top three with a 1m18.861s. Vesti – in for George Russell – was one of ...Keep reading
— Autosport

"
Charles Leclerc was comfortably fastest in opening practice for the Formula 1 Mexico Grand Prix, beating runner-up Kimi Antonelli in a session 10 rookies took part in. The Ferrari driver set a 1m18.128s that was six tenths faster than Formula 1’s champion-elect, whose Mercedes stablemate Frederik Vesti completed the top three with a 1m18.861s. Vesti – in for George Russell – was one of ...Keep reading
— Motorsport.com