The First Practice session of the 2024 Mexican GP belonged to Mercedes’ George Russell who was the only driver to break the 1:18 mark. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and RB’s Yuki Tsunoda rounded the top 3.
The start of the 20th Grand Prix weekend of a season will be remembered by the rare crash between two drivers (Albon and Bearman) causing a red flag for a good amount of the time.
Since the reintroduction of mandatory ‘Free Practice test drives’ in 2022, the Mexican GP has become a traditional venue for teams to give young drivers an opportunity.
2025 rookies Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli jumped into Ferrari’s and Mercedes’ seats respectively.
They were joined by the local hero Patricio O’Ward (McLaren), inaugural F3 champion Robert Shwartzman (Sauber), and the 2022 F2 champion Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin).
Out of these drivers, Andrea Kimi Antonelli was fastest in 12th place.
In the early stages of the Mexican GP’s first practice session, debris on the back straight triggered a red flag.
Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli was (un)fortunate to run over the debris, raising concerns of potential floor damage.
Once the session resumed, teams returned to the track on the hardest tire compound.
Carlos Sainz led the field until a second red flag halted the session under bizarre circumstances.
Heavy crash neutralizes Mexican GP F1; session restart
Exiting the triple-section chicane at Turn 10, Williams’ Alexander Albon suffered a significant oversteer, which shifted his FW46 into Bearman’s Ferrari.
This contact led to another spin for the Thai driver, sending him into the gravel-filled barriers.
The British driver was off the racing line, as he was not on a flying lap.
Albon’s machinery suffered multiple damages to the rear wing, rear suspensions, and front right tire.
Longer break let teams preserve the softest tires for the final 20 minutes of the session filled with the rookie and test drivers.
George Russell and Carlos Sainz once again showed signs of an early pace during the late stage of the Mexican GP FP1.
Red Bull could not replicate his previous domination on this track with Verstappen and Perez struggling to delve into the top 3.
Ultimately, Verstappen admitted to the team radio that the engine did not have power.