Charles Leclerc delivered a commanding performance in the second practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix, setting a lap time of 1:17.827 seconds to claim the fastest mark, narrowly ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris (+0.103) and Mercedes’ George Russell (+0.106). The Ferrari driver’s strong showing was slightly overshadowed by a technical issue that forced Lewis Hamilton to retire from his session early.
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli matched his teammate Russell in fourth place, finishing +0.217 seconds off the pace. Antonelli’s mathematical scenario to become Formula 1’s youngest world champion remains intact, as he needs only to finish ninth or higher in Sunday’s race.
Hamilton, who was on track to claim the fastest time midway through his flying lap, encountered an apparent engine problem in the final sector before being instructed to pit. The early termination denied Hamilton crucial data his rivals gathered during race simulations.
Max Verstappen completed the top five in his Red Bull RB19, +0.311 seconds adrift, while his Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar rounded out the top six.
A separate incident marred the session when Verstappen collided with former Red Bull teammate Liam Lawson early in the lap. The contact scattered debris across the track, prompting red flag conditions to clear the obstruction. Both drivers will face inquiries from their teams and stewards regarding the incident.
Sky Sports F1 Mexico City GP Practice Two Timesheet
Driver | Team | Time
1) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:17.827
2) Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.103
3) George Russell | Mercedes | +0.106
4) Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.217
5) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.311
6) Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | +0.410
7) Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | +0.562
8) Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +0.580
9) Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | +0.628
10) Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.642
11) Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.685
12) Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.769
13) Esteban Ocon | Haas | +0.947
14) Oliver Bearman | Haas | +1.022
15) Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | +1.196
16) Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +1.305
17) Carlos Sainz | Williams | +1.421
18) Sergio Perez | Cadillac | +1.579
19) Alex Albon | Williams | +1.751
20) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.804
21) Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | +2.338
22) Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | +2.347
Saturday October 31
5.15pm: Mexico City Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 6.30pm)
8pm: Mexico City Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
9pm: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday November 1
5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP build-up
8pm: THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico City GP reaction
11pm: Ted’s Notebook
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