Leclerc Tops Mexican GP FP1 as Rookies Shine in Mass Outing

Charles Leclerc led the first practice session for the Mexican Grand Prix, but the spotlight was largely on a record number of rookie drivers. Nine of the ten F1 teams utilized the low-grip, 'green' track conditions to fulfill their mandatory rookie practice outings, setting the stage for a unique session where fresh talent could showcase their skills.

Why it matters:

This session was a rare opportunity to see numerous emerging talents in F1 machinery, offering a glimpse into the sport's future and critical data for teams evaluating their 2026 driver lineups. For many, it was a chance to prove themselves against established F1 drivers and contenders for future seats, especially in a competitive environment where every tenth of a second counts.

The Details:

• Leclerc's Pace: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the fastest time with a 1m18.380s, demonstrating strong form early in the weekend.
• Rookie Showcase: Nine teams fielded FP1-only rookie drivers, taking advantage of the specific track conditions in Mexico City.
• Lindblad Leads Rookies: F2 race winner Arvid Lindblad was the quickest of the rookies, securing the sixth-fastest time, just 0.617s off Leclerc. Notably, he was 0.093s faster than regular Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda, intensifying the battle for a 2026 Racing Bulls seat.
• Key Contenders: Lindblad, Liam Lawson, and Isack Hadjar are all in contention for a Red Bull-affiliated seat, with Hadjar currently seen as a strong candidate for Tsunoda's 2026 spot.
• Home Hero: IndyCar race winner Pato O'Ward impressed his home crowd, finishing as the second-fastest rookie in 13th for McLaren.
• Mercedes Talent: Fred Vesti, in his second FP1 outing, was just 0.009s slower than O'Ward, although he was 1.2s behind Mercedes' regular driver Kimi Antonelli, who was P2 overall.
• Sauber's Absence: Sauber was the only team not to feature a rookie, having already met its mandatory quota for the season.
• Alpine's Evaluation: Alpine conducted a head-to-head comparison between Paul Aron and Franco Colapinto, both vying to be Pierre Gasly's 2026 teammate. Aron was 0.531s slower than Colapinto.
• Other Notables: Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) was third, and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) fourth, with Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) in fifth.

Rookie Performance Gaps to Teammate:

• Lindblad: -0.093s (faster than Tsunoda)
• Aron: +0.531s (slower than Colapinto)
• Iwasa: +0.744s
• Crawford: +0.899s
• Browning: +0.926s
• O'Ward: +0.929s
• Hirakawa: +1.035s
• Vesti: +1.202s
• Fuoco: +2.474s

The Big Picture:

This mass rookie appearance highlights the increasing importance of young driver development programs and the strategic use of practice sessions. Teams are clearly using these opportunities not only for statutory requirements but also to rigorously evaluate talent under competitive pressure, influencing critical decisions for their future driver lineups and car development.

What's next:

With FP1 serving as a major proving ground for young talent, attention will now shift to the main drivers as they tackle the unique challenges of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The performance data gathered from these rookies will be crucial for team strategists and could impact driver market dynamics for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, particularly for teams like Red Bull and Alpine.