Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc leads Lando Norris in Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix ahead of Kimi Antonelli.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc set the pace during Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, heading McLaren driver Lando Norris by a narrow margin. The opening day of track action at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez delivered intense competition across both sessions on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The weekend's running carries massive championship implications as Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli prepares to potentially clinch his first world title on Sunday. Leclerc topped both practice sessions to establish early dominance at the high altitude venue, according to information published by BBC.
Technical hurdles and rookie outings shaped the remainder of the Friday schedule, with multiple teams evaluating young talent and dealing with on track incidents. The practice sessions provided crucial data for teams ahead of Saturday qualifying and Sunday's championship showdown.
Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris Top Practice Times
Charles Leclerc proved the driver to beat on Friday, finishing just 0.103 seconds quicker than McLaren rival Lando Norris. Mercedes driver George Russell showed strong pace as well, ending up a mere 0.003 seconds further behind Norris in a tightly contested field.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli finished fourth fastest, sitting 0.217 seconds off the overall pace set by Leclerc. Antonelli currently leads the drivers standings and stands on the verge of securing his maiden world championship during Sunday's main race.
Championship Picture for Kimi Antonelli
Only a race victory by George Russell or Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton can theoretically stop Kimi Antonelli from becoming champion on Sunday. Even if Russell takes the race win, Antonelli only requires a ninth place finish to secure the prestigious world title.
If Hamilton manages to claim victory on Sunday, Antonelli will only need to finish in 10th place to seal the championship crown. Meanwhile, Hamilton endured a difficult Friday session, finishing 11th overall after stopping on track with a technical problem.
Rookie Drivers and Cadillac Superlicence Drama
The first practice session featured 10 of the 11 Formula 1 teams running rookie drivers in their cars. Among them was Cadillac driver Colton Herta, whom the team is considering promoting to a race seat in place of Valtteri Bottas next season.
Cadillac initially believed Herta had earned enough points under the F1 system to secure a superlicence, but FIA investigation revealed he is one point short. The American nine time Indycar race winner must complete one further practice session this year to secure his official licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who topped Friday practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix?
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc topped both practice sessions on Friday at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris.
How can Kimi Antonelli win the Formula 1 world title on Sunday?
Kimi Antonelli can clinch his first world title unless George Russell or Lewis Hamilton wins the race, and even then, Antonelli only needs a ninth or 10th place finish respectively.
Why does Colton Herta need another practice session for his superlicence?
Cadillac driver Colton Herta is one point short of the required total for an F1 superlicence after a governing body review, meaning he must complete one more practice session this year.
What happened to Lewis Hamilton during Friday practice in Mexico?
Lewis Hamilton finished 11th overall after his Ferrari stopped on track with a technical problem before he could complete his qualifying simulation runs on the soft tyre.
