Mercedes’ George Russell set the pace in a first practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix punctuated by a heavy crash for Williams’ Alex Albon.
Russell was 0.317 seconds quicker than Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, with RB’s Yuki Tsunoda third from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, whose session ended early with an engine problem.
Albon tangled with Ferrari young driver Oliver Bearman, driving Charles Leclerc’s car for the session, and spun into the barriers at the Esses.
Albon called Bearman an “idiot” over the team radio after the Williams, on a flying lap, came across the Ferrari on a slow lap on the racing line.
The Ferrari engineers told Bearman over the radio that it was their fault, presumably for not warning him early enough of Albon’s presence. The incident, which forced a 13-minute red flag, will be investigated after the session.
A number of race drivers did not take part in the session - Lewis Hamilton’s car was driven by his 2025 replacement Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was 12th fastest.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, Verstappen’s title rival, also did not take part, handing his car to IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, who trialled a new floor the team have brought for this race after months of development.
O’Ward did not start the session with the new floor, but it was fitted for the final part of the hour.
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