Ferrari’s impressive single-lap performance at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix has been overshadowed by concerns over its race pace, with Charles Leclerc suffering noticeable tyre degradation during the second practice session. While the SF-26 demonstrated encouraging speed over one lap, the longer runs suggested that McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull could have an advantage heading into Sunday’s race.
The most concerning detail for Ferrari was not simply Leclerc’s declining lap times, but the compound on which his difficulties emerged. The Monegasque experienced degradation on the C4 Medium tyre earlier than several rivals encountered similar problems on the softer C5 compound. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was unable to provide a meaningful long-run comparison after an engine-related technical issue interrupted his FP2 programme.
Ferrari’s Mexico GP race pace exposes tyre degradation concerns
Charles Leclerc initially produced competitive lap times during his race simulation on the C4 Medium compound, suggesting that Ferrari possessed enough underlying performance to remain involved in the leading group. However, the encouraging beginning was followed by a gradual deterioration in pace as the stint progressed.
Around the tenth lap, tyre degradation became increasingly apparent. His lap times began to rise, affecting the average pace of the run and making the overall picture considerably less favourable than the opening laps had suggested.
That deterioration is particularly significant because other leading drivers demonstrated greater consistency on softer rubber. Lando Norris, running the C5 Soft compound, maintained a more stable pace despite using a tyre theoretically less suited to sustained running.
The comparison highlights the main question Ferrari must address before the race: whether its promising initial speed can be maintained over longer stints without suffering the same decline in tyre performance. It also adds another dimension to the SF-26’s challenge at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The different long-run patterns can also be explored through the F1 practice and long-run analysis tool, which allows comparisons of lap times, tyre compounds and practice-session performance.
McLaren and Mercedes emerge among the strongest on long runs
Lando Norris produced the most convincing race simulation among the leading contenders, combining outright speed with consistent lap times. His performance placed McLaren in a strong position in the FP2 race-pace comparison, particularly when measured against Ferrari’s increasing degradation.
Mercedes also looked highly competitive. Both George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli demonstrated the speed required to challenge Norris, with Russell’s performance standing out as particularly impressive.
The leading group therefore appears to consist of Norris, Russell, Antonelli and Max Verstappen, whose Red Bull remained competitive despite a disrupted session. Their performances suggest that the fight at the front could be extremely close, even if the individual teams reached their respective lap times in different circumstances.
Max Verstappen remains a contender despite Red Bull floor damage
Max Verstappen’s Friday programme was complicated by contact with a Racing Bulls car early in the session. The incident caused substantial damage to the floor of his Red Bull, compromising an important part of the car’s aerodynamic performance.
Despite that setback, the four-time world champion managed to remain close to the fastest drivers in the race-pace comparison. His ability to maintain competitive lap times under those circumstances makes Red Bull an important contender for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
However, the incident also meant Verstappen lost valuable running time on Friday. Avoiding further interruptions will be important if he is to maximise his preparations and remain firmly involved in the battle at the front.
Isack Hadjar also showed encouraging speed during portions of his programme. Nevertheless, his lap times following a tyre change were considerably less convincing, making it difficult to place him alongside the strongest race-pace contenders on the overall evidence from FP2.
Why Mexico GP qualifying times could approach the 2025 benchmark
Beyond the race simulations, the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix presents an unusual opportunity for the current generation of Formula 1 cars. Although this season’s machinery has generally been slower than its 2025 predecessors, the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez could become the first circuit this year where the new cars challenge the previous season’s qualifying benchmark.
Lando Norris recorded a lap of 1:15.586 in 2025, establishing a reference that could come within reach during this year’s qualifying session. Matching or improving upon that time is not guaranteed, but several characteristics of the circuit and its recent changes make it a realistic possibility.
Mexico City’s high altitude creates particularly thin air, reducing the effectiveness of aerodynamic downforce. The 2025 generation of cars relied heavily on aerodynamics, making that environment especially challenging for their performance.
Another significant factor is the substantial resurfacing work completed ahead of the 2026 event. The new asphalt has contributed to Pirelli selecting its three softest available compounds, C3, C4 and C5, offering additional potential for faster qualifying laps.
These circumstances could allow the 2026 cars to approach the previous year’s benchmark despite their generally slower performance elsewhere on the calendar. They also underline why adapting to the circuit’s unusual characteristics remains so important, particularly given Fred Vasseur’s concerns about cooling and grip in Mexico.
Ferrari faces a crucial difference between qualifying and race performance
For Ferrari, the contrast between single-lap competitiveness and long-run tyre management is emerging as the central theme of the weekend. Leclerc’s early pace indicates that the SF-26 has the speed to challenge, but its apparent difficulty maintaining performance on the Medium compound could prove costly over a race distance.
Hamilton’s interrupted session also leaves the team without a second complete reference from which to assess its race performance. That limitation makes Leclerc’s long-run data particularly important as Ferrari evaluates its prospects against McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull.
With Norris showing strong consistency, Mercedes demonstrating competitive speed and Verstappen remaining close despite floor damage, Ferrari’s challenge will be to turn its encouraging single-lap form into a more sustainable race pace. The remaining question is whether the Scuderia can improve its tyre management sufficiently to compete with the leading group on Sunday.
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