F1 | FP1 | Mexico City GP | Leclerc fastest, Lindblad leads the rookies - Motorsport

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A whopping nine rookie drivers took to the track in FP1 at the F1 Mexico City GP. The only team not to field a rookie driver was Sauber. Due to the low grip nature of the track each year, teams usually take the opportunity to field a rookie in Mexico as part of mandated running throughout the season.

With huge amounts of dust early doors, Isack Hadjar logged a 1:22.001 in the opening 5 minutes to lead Tsunoda, Piastri, O’Ward and Colapinto. Leclerc did a 1:21.939 seconds later to go P1.

At the 10-minute mark, Racing Bulls Hadjar was back on top with a 1:21.091, 0.479s ahead of Piastri. Tsunoda, Ocon and Lindblad completed the top 5. 0.820s covered all of them.

The Frenchman continued to pace the field, pumping in a 1:20.128 to go even faster. Tsunoda, Ocon, Hülkenberg, Antonelli, Albon, Lindblad, Leclerc, Colapinto and Piastri rounded out the top 10 as the 20-minute mark approached.

After Kimi Antonelli did a 1:20.035 to go P1, Hadjar responded again to go P1 on a 1:20.005 with 35 minutes to go. Tsunoda, Ocon, Bortoleto and Hülkenberg completed the top 6. Oscar Piastri sat in 7th place.

The softer tyres appear

On the softs, the championship leader logged a 1:19.035 to go P1 in the McLaren. Everyone had been using hards until that point.

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli clocked a 1:18.497 to go fastest, followed by Hülkenberg who was 0.273s away. Piastri was 3rd, with Leclerc P4. 0.408s covered them with 25 minutes remaining. The Monegasque put himself into 1st a couple of minutes later on a 1:18.380, 0.107s quicker than the Italian. Hülkenberg (0.380s), Piastri (0.404s), Bortoleto, Lindblad, Ocon, Tsunoda, Colapinto and Albon completed the top 10.

Oscar Piastri and Franco Colapinto had slides into the run-off at turn 7 during the session. However the session was very clean overall.