F1 Mexico GP: Winners and Losers from Friday Practice

Friday practice in Mexico saw Charles Leclerc set the pace for Ferrari, while Max Verstappen clashed with Liam Lawson and several drivers faced setbacks. With limited running due to rookie drivers, the day offered clues but no clear picture.

Why it matters:

Mexico's altitude and low-downforce demands make it a unique test. Ferrari's strong start suggests it could challenge for pole, while others struggled with balance and reliability. The session also highlighted the importance of adaptability, with drivers forced to maximize limited track time.

The details:

• Leclerc dominates: Fastest in both sessions and with the best long-run pace, the Ferrari driver looks like a genuine contender.
• Verstappen-Lawson clash: Contact in FP2 led Verstappen to criticize Lawson's aggression, saying it wasn't "very smart behaviour" given Lawson's precarious seat.
• Hamilton positive despite power loss: The seven-time champion missed FP1 running and stopped in FP2, but felt the car was "behaving really well" and predicted Ferrari could be "close to competing up front."
• Norris close: Second for McLaren, just a tenth off Leclerc, with encouraging straight-line speed.
• Alonso impresses: 12th for Aston Martin, potentially in the hunt for Q3.
• Russell solid: Third and ahead of Antonelli, though he expects Ferrari to be the favourite.
• Herta's superlicence blow: A points error left him one short, and his FP1 was scrappy.
• Bottas struggles: 21st and off the pace amid seat speculation.

What's next:

Qualifying will reveal the true order. Ferrari seeks its first pole of 2026, while Hamilton and others aim to bounce back. The margins are tight.