Leclerc Fastest in Mexico City Grand Prix Practice as Verstappen and Lawson Handed Penalties

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc set the pace during practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix, outpacing McLaren's Lando Norris, while Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson received grid penalties following an on-track collision.

Practice sessions at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez highlighted competitive margins among the top teams, alongside technical issues and administrative updates regarding driver superlicences. Fans can verify official announcements and session results directly through the official Formula 1 website or governing body portals.

Practice Times and Team Performance

• Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets, finishing 0.103 seconds ahead of Lando Norris.
• George Russell and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli followed closely, with Antonelli positioned ahead of the Red Bull cars.
• Lewis Hamilton finished 11th overall after stopping on track due to a technical problem during his soft-tyre runs.

Verstappen and Lawson Collision

Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson were both issued one-place grid penalties by race stewards following an incident during Friday practice. The drivers clashed in the stadium section while running side-by-side through multiple corners. Stewards noted that both drivers admitted the moves were unnecessary and clumsy, resulting in the unusual application of a sporting penalty for a practice infringement.

Superlicence Update for Colton Herta

Cadillac rookie Colton Herta participated in the opening practice session as the team evaluates options for next season. Initial team assessments suggested Herta had secured enough points for an F1 superlicence, but subsequent FIA reviews indicated he remains one point short, requiring an additional practice appearance later in the season.