Ferrari’s SF-26 appears to have found a competitive balance at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc setting the pace in both Friday practice sessions while Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull continue working to optimise their cars. The Italian team’s encouraging performance suggests that its aerodynamic package is functioning effectively, although the circuit’s altitude, cooling demands and evolving track conditions could still influence the competitive order.
The second free practice session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the 19th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, again ended with Charles Leclerc at the front. Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull followed in the competitive picture, with each team adopting specific configurations to adapt to Mexico City’s unusual environmental conditions and extract the maximum performance from its car.
Ferrari SF-26 shows strong balance despite Mexico power unit challenges
Ferrari’s weekend began positively, with encouraging indications from both cars, particularly Charles Leclerc’s number 16 SF-26. Lewis Hamilton’s number 44 car, however, was forced to stop during the second session because of a power unit problem, interrupting an otherwise promising Friday for the Scuderia.
The results are particularly encouraging considering that Mexico City’s environmental conditions are not especially favourable to Ferrari’s power unit, partly because of its smaller turbocharger. At the circuit’s high altitude, the reduced air density places additional demands on turbochargers.
Ferrari’s power unit could therefore require higher turbocharger rotational speeds to compensate for the thinner air, potentially approaching its operating limits sooner and making careful energy management even more important.
Despite these difficulties, Ferrari has reason to be satisfied with the updates introduced at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. These changes have improved the effectiveness of the floor and sidepods in managing airflow and generating aerodynamic downforce.
It is still too early to determine whether the SF-26 has achieved a significant overall performance improvement, as each circuit presents different characteristics. Nevertheless, the updates have worked well, particularly with Charles Leclerc, providing encouraging indications for next year’s development.
Ferrari adopts more open cooling configuration for Mexico GP
One of the most noticeable features of Ferrari’s Mexico-specific bodywork is its extensive cooling openings. The engine cover incorporates prominent louvres, while the area around the gearbox appears almost completely open.
This configuration could be temporary. The team appears to have initially favoured a particularly conservative cooling approach, with the intention of finding a more balanced compromise as the weekend progresses.
The choice reflects the importance of thermal management at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where the reduced air density makes cooling a particular challenge. Ferrari had already been aware of these demands, with Fred Vasseur highlighting the importance of cooling and grip before the weekend began.
Overall, the SF-26 appears well balanced and equipped with a competitive baseline setup. Further refinements will be necessary, particularly in conjunction with Ferrari’s energy management strategies.
Mercedes adopts more closed bodywork while preparing further adjustments
Mercedes has taken a different approach, opting for a more conservative bodywork configuration with an engine cover that is considerably more closed than Ferrari’s.
As with the Italian team’s car, the Mercedes setup is not yet final. Engineers will continue refining the configuration throughout the weekend in search of the ideal compromise between aerodynamic performance, cooling requirements and overall balance.
The Brackley-based team has also permanently introduced a front wing configuration that allows both flaps to open in Straight Mode, building on the updates first introduced at Sepang.
Another important consideration is Mercedes’ potential power unit performance. As is often the case, Mercedes-powered cars tend to extract greater power unit performance from the third practice session onwards, potentially creating difficulties for Ferrari on the straights.
The gains could reportedly reach as much as half a second, although the precise advantage will depend on the conditions and configurations used. Previous comparisons have already highlighted Ferrari’s straight-line speed deficit relative to Mercedes at Austin.
The evolution of maximum speeds throughout the weekend can also be followed using the F1 Top Speed Comparison, which allows recorded straight-line speeds to be compared across drivers and sessions.
McLaren continues aerodynamic development as Mexico straight-line speed raises questions
McLaren has also shown encouraging signs, apparently confirming the progress first seen at Austin, where the team appeared to find a promising direction with its revised aerodynamic package.
As with Mercedes, the updates produced the desired effects immediately, although they also changed the car’s balance and introduced a need for further understanding and refinement.
The Woking team has adopted an engine cover configuration similar to Mercedes, keeping the bodywork relatively closed compared with Ferrari’s more open arrangement.
McLaren’s car also possesses characteristics that could theoretically prove beneficial in Mexico, including high drag and downforce levels. These traits were further refined by the updates introduced in the United States, including modifications to the diffuser.
However, the team must still establish how significantly its straight-line speed deficit on the main straight could affect its overall competitiveness.
Red Bull still searching for its full potential after Mexico FP2
Red Bull, meanwhile, appears to be relying primarily on Max Verstappen in the fight at the front, although the team’s potential was already evident in FP1 when Ayumu Iwasa produced an excellent lap time.
Despite the technical problems encountered by Isack Hadjar, the Milton Keynes-based team does not appear to have revealed its full potential.
Further progress could emerge during the next practice session or qualifying, when Red Bull will have another opportunity to refine its configuration and assess its position relative to Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren.
For now, Ferrari can take encouragement from the SF-26’s balance and Charles Leclerc’s strong Friday performance. However, with rival teams still adjusting their setups and the circuit continuing to evolve, the true competitive order remains to be established.
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