Leclerc Leads the Pack in Mexico City’s First Practice of 2026

In the first practice session of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari set the fastest lap, clocking a 1:12.345 on the newly upgraded 4.304‑km circuit. The session, held on Thursday morning, saw the Ferrari driver comfortably outpace his rivals, with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen trailing in second and third places respectively. The times were posted by Motorsport Week and confirmed by GPblog, both reporting Leclerc’s lead with a clear margin over the Mercedes and Red Bull teams.

Leclerc’s performance is a promising sign for Ferrari as they look to re‑establish themselves at the top of the grid in 2026. The 2024‑25 season saw the Scuderia struggling for pace, but the new power unit and chassis updates appear to have paid dividends in Mexico City. Hamilton’s second‑place lap, while slower than Leclerc’s, was still competitive, suggesting that Mercedes remains a strong contender for the upcoming races. Verstappen’s third‑place time, meanwhile, indicates that Red Bull’s pace is steady, though the margin to Leclerc remains significant.

For Indian fans, the Mexico City GP will be broadcast live on FanCode at 6:30 PM IST, with commentary in Hindi and English. The race is scheduled for Sunday, 14 October, and will be the first of the 2026 season to be held in Mexico. Fans can also follow live updates and driver commentary on the official F1 app, which offers real‑time telemetry and pit‑lane insights.

With the race weekend approaching, teams will use the remaining practice sessions to fine‑tune their setups for the high‑altitude track, where the thinner air can affect engine performance and tire degradation. The Mexican circuit’s long straights and tight corners will test the balance of the cars, and Leclerc’s strong start may set the tone for the rest of the weekend.

Source: Motorsport Week & GPblog