Leclerc Fastest in Rookie-Filled Mexico GP FP1

Charles Leclerc topped the charts in a unique Mexico City FP1 session, where nine out of ten teams fielded rookie drivers as part of F1's mandated young driver rules. The Ferrari driver's 1m18.380s lap edged out Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by 0.107s, setting an early pace in a session that saw minimal incidents despite the influx of new talent.

Why it matters:

This session offered a rare glimpse into the future of F1, with many established stars sitting out to give young drivers crucial track time. For teams, it's an opportunity to evaluate potential talent for future seasons, particularly for 2026 seats. For the rookies, it's a high-stakes audition, with strong performances potentially paving the way to a full-time F1 career. It also highlights the strategic importance of nurturing young talent within the F1 ecosystem.

The details:

• Leclerc's Dominance: Charles Leclerc secured the top spot with a 1m18.380s lap, showcasing Ferrari's potential even with a disrupted grid. His performance was particularly notable as many top contenders were absent.
• Rookies on Track: Nine of the ten teams utilized rookie drivers, as mandated by F1 rules. This meant championship contenders like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris sat out, with Oscar Piastri being the only frontrunner participating.
• Notable Rookie Performances:
  • Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): Finished an impressive second, just over a tenth behind Leclerc, demonstrating strong potential.
  • Arvid Lindblad (Red Bull Racing): Stood out by finishing sixth, only six-tenths off Leclerc's pace, and seven positions ahead of the next-best rookie, Pat O'Ward. Lindblad's performance has strengthened his case for a 2026 Racing Bulls seat.
  • Franco Colapinto (Alpine): Finished ninth, outperforming fellow Alpine hopeful Paul Aron in their on-track battle for a potential 2026 seat.
• Incidents and Clean Session: Despite the high number of inexperienced drivers, the session ran cleanly with only minor offs from Piastri, Isack Hadjar, and Franco Colapinto, all of whom recovered without significant incident.
• Bottom of the Timesheets: The rookies predominantly occupied the lower positions, with Arvid Lindblad being the notable exception. Antonio Fuoco (Ferrari) rounded out the timesheets in 20th, bookending the session with two Ferrari cars.

The big picture:

These mandated rookie sessions are more than just formalities; they are critical testbeds for the next generation of F1 drivers. Teams use this data to make informed decisions about their driver lineups, especially with the significant regulation changes anticipated for 2026. The strong showing by drivers like Antonelli and Lindblad underscores the depth of talent emerging through the junior categories, promising exciting battles for future F1 seats. It also allows teams to gather early feedback on car setups and performance in varying conditions.

What's next:

Teams will now analyze the data gathered from this session, particularly the performance metrics of their young drivers. For the rookies who impressed, such as Lindblad and Antonelli, their strong showings will undoubtedly bolster their profiles as they continue to vie for future F1 opportunities. The regular drivers will return for FP2, continuing their preparations for the Mexican Grand Prix, but the discussions around the emerging talent will likely continue long after the weekend.