Ferrari ended the opening day of practice for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix with encouraging signs of performance, but also a technical problem to resolve before the weekend reaches its decisive stages. Charles Leclerc topped both FP1 and FP2 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, demonstrating the competitive potential of the SF-26, while Lewis Hamilton endured a more difficult Friday after a problem forced him to stop his car during the second session.
The Scuderia completed 102 laps across the two sessions, splitting its programme between qualifying simulations and race-pace evaluations. Although Lewis Hamilton was unable to complete all his planned running, particularly in FP2, Ferrari still collected a significant amount of data. However, the timing sheets require some caution: Charles Leclerc was fastest in both sessions, but the gaps between the teams remain small and track conditions are expected to evolve considerably throughout the weekend.
The asphalt at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez proved particularly slippery, making it difficult for the drivers to find the right balance. As more rubber is laid down on the racing line, improving grip levels could change the competitive order ahead of qualifying. Ferrari’s early pace is therefore a promising indication rather than a guarantee that the SF-26 will maintain its advantage.
Ferrari Mexico GP practice analysis: Charles Leclerc fastest in FP1 and FP2
Both Ferrari drivers began FP1 on Hard tyres before switching to the Soft compound for their qualifying simulations. Charles Leclerc recorded a 1:18.128 to finish at the top of the timesheets, while Lewis Hamilton secured fourth place with a 1:18.866.
During the closing stages of the first session, Ferrari focused on longer sequences of consecutive laps to assess the SF-26 with a heavier fuel load. Charles Leclerc completed 29 laps and Lewis Hamilton managed 25, giving the Italian team a combined total of 54. It was a positive first indication, although Hamilton’s programme had already experienced some delays compared with the original plan.
FP2 was considerably more disrupted. Both drivers started on the Medium C4 compound, with Pirelli selecting the three softest tyres in its 2026 range for the Mexico City weekend: C3, C4 and C5. Running was then interrupted by a red flag after contact between two cars left debris on the racing line.
Once the circuit had been cleared, the Ferrari drivers returned to the track on Soft tyres for further qualifying simulations. Charles Leclerc gradually improved his lap time from 1:17.966 to 1:17.827, securing first place for the second consecutive session.
Lewis Hamilton’s afternoon, however, ended prematurely. After recording a 1:18.512, the seven-time world champion experienced a technical problem with his SF-26 and was instructed by the Ferrari pit wall to stop at the side of the circuit as a precaution. He completed just 13 laps in FP2.
Charles Leclerc was able to continue his programme, returning to the yellow-marked Medium tyres he had used earlier in the session for a sequence of consecutive laps. He finished FP2 with 35 laps, bringing Ferrari’s combined second-session total to 48.
Across the two sessions, Ferrari used all three available Pirelli compounds, alternating between single-lap performance and race-configuration evaluations. Nevertheless, an important part of the programme remains unfinished, particularly on Lewis Hamilton’s side of the garage, where the planned long run could not be completed.
The different workloads and available running can also be examined through the F1 practice and long-run analysis, which allows comparisons of practice performance, lap times and stint consistency.
Charles Leclerc pleased with Ferrari’s SF-26 pace but identifies remaining weaknesses
Charles Leclerc emerged from Friday’s running with reasons to feel encouraged about Ferrari’s performance in Mexico. The Monegasque driver acknowledged the potential demonstrated by the SF-26 but also emphasised the difficulties encountered on the slippery circuit and the need to improve certain aspects of the car’s behaviour.
“Overall, our performance looks quite good, but we still need to work on some of our limitations. It was quite difficult out on track today because the asphalt was very slippery. We will work tonight to try to improve ahead of tomorrow.”
His assessment reflects the balance Ferrari must strike after an encouraging opening day. The SF-26 has demonstrated strong single-lap speed, as confirmed by the fastest times in both sessions, but the process of refining the car’s balance is far from complete.
Mexico City also presents an unusual technical challenge. The circuit’s high altitude affects aerodynamic performance and cooling requirements, while the limited grip available from the asphalt can make tyre management more complicated. These are precisely the conditions that had prompted Fred Vasseur’s warnings about Ferrari’s cooling and grip challenges before the Grand Prix.
Ferrari must now establish how much of Charles Leclerc’s apparent advantage reflects the SF-26’s underlying competitiveness and how much can be attributed to the particular conditions encountered during Friday practice. The qualifying picture could look significantly different if track evolution changes the balance between the leading teams.
Saturday’s third practice session, scheduled to begin at 18:30 CET, should provide further indications before qualifying. The remaining running will be particularly important for assessing whether Ferrari can translate its early speed into a competitive grid position.
Lewis Hamilton frustrated by technical setback despite strong Ferrari pace
Lewis Hamilton’s Friday was compromised by two separate factors. In FP1, the British driver lost valuable running time while Ferrari conducted aerodynamic measurements using sensor rakes. During FP2, the technical problem that forced him to stop prevented him from completing his programme.
Despite those interruptions, Lewis Hamilton remained positive about the feeling of the SF-26 and its potential. However, the reduced mileage means he will approach qualifying with less information than his Ferrari teammate.
“It wasn’t the smoothest of days for me, as I lost some time in the first session and then had to stop early in the second. Despite that, the car felt quick, and it was a shame not to be able to complete the long run. In terms of the setup, I don’t think we need to make any major changes because the feeling in the cockpit was good. Tonight, we’ll analyse the problem that occurred with the car and do our best to be ready for tomorrow.”
The seven-time world champion subsequently explained that he had been particularly satisfied with the work completed on the car before his forced stoppage. The interruption was frustrating precisely because Ferrari appeared to have found a promising setup direction.
“I felt really good in the car. It was just bad luck. I think we did a great job of improving the setup and moving it in the right direction, so it was a real shame. As a team, we’ve been very competitive this weekend. I couldn’t complete the race-pace runs, so I have no idea how they would have gone, but I know it’s really difficult to overtake here, as you could see with some of the cars out on track.”
Lewis Hamilton’s reference to overtaking difficulties is especially relevant at the Mexico City circuit. Despite its long main straight, the layout and the challenges of following another car closely can make it difficult to prepare and complete an overtaking move.
Grid position therefore carries particular importance, especially at a stage of the season when every point can influence the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari will want to avoid a situation in which its apparent race potential is compromised by an unfavourable starting position.
Ferrari investigating Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26 problem before qualifying
Lewis Hamilton confirmed that Ferrari was still working to establish precisely what had caused his premature stoppage in FP2. The priority is to identify the issue and ensure the car is ready for Saturday’s running.
“They’re still carrying out checks to understand what didn’t work. I really hope everything is all right.”
The British driver also explained why his running in FP1 had been more limited than Charles Leclerc’s, describing a decision connected to Ferrari’s practice programme and its allocation of opportunities to young drivers.
“I lost a bit of time in FP1 because we were doing the aerodynamic rake tests. Normally, at a circuit like this, as many others did, I would have given the first session to one of the young drivers, but I chose to do that at another Grand Prix. As a result, I effectively had just one session available, because I lost at least half of the first one.”
This left Lewis Hamilton with an unusually restricted opportunity to evaluate his car over the opening day. The aerodynamic work had already reduced his effective running in FP1, while the FP2 stoppage removed the chance to complete the longer runs needed to assess sustained performance.
Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton reiterated that he did not expect Ferrari to make extensive setup changes. His comments suggested that the car was already moving in the right direction, even if the technical interruption left important questions unanswered.
“I don’t think I need to make many setup changes. It will probably be very similar tomorrow because we were really quick. I had already lost power in the first part of the lap and, even so, the car was still fast. I’ll give everything tomorrow and simply try to do the best I can with what I have available.”
The reference to losing power adds another important element to Ferrari’s investigation, although the precise cause of the problem has yet to be established. Before the weekend, Ferrari’s performance in Mexico following its Austin upgrades was already attracting attention because of the circuit’s demanding characteristics.
With the team now facing an additional technical concern, ensuring that the number 44 car can complete the remaining sessions without further interruption has become an immediate priority.
Ferrari faces crucial Saturday test after promising Mexico GP Friday
As work continues overnight in Mexico, Ferrari’s engineers are analysing the data collected during Friday’s sessions, with particular attention focused on Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26. The team must determine the nature of the anomaly and make sure it has no further consequences during the remainder of the weekend.
The performance indications remain encouraging. Charles Leclerc’s two fastest laps demonstrate that the Ferrari has the potential to compete at the front, while Lewis Hamilton’s comments suggest that he, too, was satisfied with the car’s handling before his session ended early.
However, the work completed by Charles Leclerc cannot entirely compensate for the missing information on the other side of the garage. The absence of a completed long run for Lewis Hamilton leaves Ferrari with a less complete understanding of how both cars will perform under race conditions.
Saturday should provide a clearer picture of Ferrari’s genuine ambitions at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Leading both Friday sessions is an excellent starting point, but the changing grip levels at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez could quickly alter the competitive order.
Ferrari must now turn its promising speed into a convincing qualifying performance while ensuring that Lewis Hamilton has a fully functioning car. Getting both drivers into the best possible position for qualifying remains the immediate objective for the Maranello team.
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