By Fatma Younis
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in first practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix, leading Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli by 0.659 seconds as the Italian closes in on his first world championship.
Antonelli on verge of championship
Antonelli needs only a ninth-place finish on Sunday to secure the title regardless of other results. Only a victory by his team-mate George Russell or Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton can mathematically prevent Antonelli from becoming champion, and even then he would need just ninth if Russell wins or tenth if Hamilton wins.
Rookie sessions dominate running
Mercedes were one of ten teams using the session for mandatory rookie running, with reserve Frederik Vesti driving Russell's car to third fastest. Only Ferrari fielded both race drivers. The opening session at Mexico City is traditionally unrepresentative due to a dirty track surface.
Other notable performances
Red Bull's Ayumu Iwasa was fifth, ahead of Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso. McLaren's Oscar Piastri, Haas driver Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad completed the top ten.
Slater and Herta gain mileage
Audi rookie Freddie Slater managed only 14 laps due to reliability issues but set the 19th fastest time late in the session. Cadillac prospect Colton Herta finished 22nd and believes he has now completed enough mileage to earn the 40 superlicence points required for a Formula 1 seat next year.
