Leclerc leads both Mexico City practice sessions as Hamilton stops on track

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in both Friday practice sessions at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with McLaren's Lando Norris his closest challenger in the second session. BBC Sport reported that the Ferrari driver led a tightly grouped top four, while team-mate Lewis Hamilton's running was interrupted by a technical problem.

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Leclerc finished 0.103 seconds ahead of Norris, with Mercedes driver George Russell another 0.003 seconds behind the McLaren. Kimi Antonelli placed fourth in the other Mercedes, 0.217 seconds slower than Leclerc. The gaps left Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes represented within just over two-tenths of a second at the front of the practice classification.

Hamilton was classified 11th after his Ferrari stopped on the circuit. According to BBC Sport, the problem prevented him from completing his qualifying simulation runs on the soft tyre. That left the two Ferrari drivers with different outcomes from the session: Leclerc at the head of the timesheets and Hamilton outside the top 10 without finishing that part of his programme.

Behind Antonelli, Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar took fifth and sixth for Red Bull. Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad was next, ahead of Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the second Racing Bulls car of Liam Lawson. Oscar Piastri completed the top 10 for McLaren, leaving him eight places lower than team-mate Norris in the session order.

Verstappen and Lawson also faced a stewards' visit after colliding in the stadium section early in the session. The BBC report did not give a decision on the incident, leaving its outcome unresolved at the time of reporting.

Antonelli entered the weekend close to securing his first world championship. BBC Sport reported that only a win by Russell or Hamilton could theoretically prevent him from taking the title on Sunday. Even if Russell wins, ninth place would be enough for Antonelli; if Hamilton wins, he would need only 10th.

Friday's opening session also featured rookie drivers at 10 of the 11 teams. Cadillac's Colton Herta took part, but an FIA review found he remained one point short of the superlicence required to race in Formula 1. Cadillac initially believed the Mexico running had completed his points requirement. The team plans another practice appearance before the season ends to secure the remaining point.