Lewis Hamilton’s preparations for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix suffered an unexpected setback when his Ferrari SF-26 suddenly lost power during the second free practice session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion was instructed to stop on track near the start-finish straight after reporting unusual behaviour from his car.
The incident interrupted Hamilton’s running midway through FP2, leaving Ferrari with a technical problem to investigate ahead of Saturday’s final practice and qualifying sessions. Although a Power Unit issue remains one possible explanation, the precise cause of the loss of power has yet to be established.
Lewis Hamilton forced to stop Ferrari during Mexico GP FP2
The problem developed as Hamilton approached the final section of the Mexican circuit. The British driver informed Ferrari that the SF-26 had begun behaving abnormally from Turn 13 onwards, with the car subsequently suffering a noticeable reduction in power as he headed towards the main straight.
Ferrari’s pit wall responded by instructing Hamilton to bring the car to a halt rather than attempt to complete the lap and return to the garage. The decision ended his run near the starting grid and allowed the team to avoid taking unnecessary risks with a potentially compromised car.
Stopping immediately may have been intended to prevent further damage to a mechanical component or the Power Unit. However, the nature of the failure remains unclear, and Ferrari must examine the available data before identifying the underlying problem.
The timing was particularly inconvenient because FP2 provides an important opportunity to assess both single-lap performance and longer runs in preparation for the Grand Prix. Losing track time at this stage could complicate Hamilton’s programme, especially with the team still working to understand the demands of the Mexican circuit.
Could Mexico’s extreme altitude be connected to Ferrari’s power loss?
One area Ferrari will examine is the Power Unit, although there is currently no confirmation that Hamilton’s stoppage originated from its components. The unusual operating conditions in Mexico make thermal management an important consideration for every team throughout the weekend.
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is located approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, where the reduced air density makes it more difficult for Formula 1 cars to dissipate heat efficiently. Engines and other components therefore require careful temperature management, with high ambient temperatures potentially increasing the thermal load.
These challenges had already formed part of the wider discussion surrounding Ferrari’s preparations, with Fred Vasseur highlighting the cooling and grip difficulties awaiting Ferrari in Mexico.
Nevertheless, a cooling-related failure cannot yet be identified as the cause of Hamilton’s incident. The power loss could involve a Power Unit component or another technical system, and the team’s investigation will need to establish what actually happened.
Ferrari faces important checks before final Mexico GP practice
The interruption comes at a delicate moment for the Maranello team, which arrived in Mexico seeking to extend its recent improvement in competitiveness. At the previous race in Austin, Charles Leclerc secured second place while Hamilton finished fourth, reinforcing the encouraging signs shown by the SF-26.
Leclerc’s result had strengthened his confidence in Ferrari’s ability to challenge for another victory in 2026. The team had also made progress through its recent development work, although Mexico presented a different set of challenges for the upgraded SF-26.
Ferrari’s engineers will now analyse the information recorded before Hamilton stopped, paying particular attention to the Power Unit, cooling systems and any other components that could explain the sudden reduction in performance. The checks will also establish whether the incident caused damage requiring additional repairs.
The immediate priority is to determine whether Hamilton’s car can return to normal running during Saturday’s FP3 session or whether more substantial work will be necessary. Any further interruption would place additional pressure on Ferrari’s preparations for qualifying, making the outcome of the technical investigation particularly important.
Leave a Reply