The first practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix is in the books, with Russell leading the way
A fragmented first practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix has just concluded. Little track activity due to two red flags, with George Russell taking the top position after stopping the clock at 1:17.998.

Times are rather indicative since the drivers had only a couple of attempts to simulate qualifying Surprisingly, despite everything, Mercedes with Russell clocked three tenths ahead of Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard was followed by Yuki Tsunoda and Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman finishing fourth, 871 thousandths off the top position. The two drivers from Ferrari and Red Bull also simulated a race situation, trying to overtake each other during the out lap.
Completing the top five of the first practice session was Nico Hulkenberg, with Oscar Piastri, Esteban Ocon, and Valtteri Bottas following closely behind. Local driver Sergio Perez finished only tenth,
Liam Lawson ahead of him, still at the center of market rumors suggesting he could join Red Bull next season. Franco Colapinto secured eleventh place.
There were many new faces in the Mexican morning, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli closing in twelfth place (one second and two tenths off), while Pato O’Ward placed Lando Norris’s McLaren in thirteenth. Following them was the second Haas of Kevin Magnussen. Also on track were Drugovich and Shwartzman, finishing eighteenth and twentieth respectively with Aston Martin and Stake F1 Team.
Alexander Albon and Oliver Bearman had a session to forget. The two drivers, from Williams and Ferrari respectively, ended their FP1 early due to an incredible collision in the second sector, thirty minutes before the conclusion. Thus, very little data was collected by the English Ferrari driver, who will make way for Charles Leclerc in the session starting at 00:00 Italian time.
As mentioned in previous articles, the second session will last 90 minutes, allowing teams to test Pirelli tires in preparation for 2025
Photo: X Ferrari and Mercedes