Charles Leclerc was once again the fastest of all in both Friday sessions of the Mexico Grand Prix 2026. In the first practice session the Monegasque set 1:18.128, beating Andrea Kimi Antonelli by 0,659 seconds; in the second — 1:17.827, leaving Lando Norris behind by just 0,103 seconds. At a circuit where altitude and thin air traditionally make life hard for engines, Ferrari has looked confident for the second week in a row.
Behind these results lies not only a fortunate car balance but also the team's consistent work on setup. After dominating in Austin, Leclerc and his engineers appear to have found the key to performing effectively at high altitude. Friday leaders often do not win races, but here it is a different matter: for the first time in a long while, Ferrari looks like a team capable of imposing its pace in conditions where rivals lose grip and power.
The championship intrigue remains sharp, meanwhile. Antonelli, who leads the overall standings, finished only fourth in FP2, but a ninth place on Sunday is enough for him to secure the title early. For Ferrari, Leclerc's success is a chance to remind everyone of itself at a moment when public attention is fixed on the young Italian and his Mercedes.
It is especially telling that in the first session many teams entrusted their cars to young drivers, while Ferrari fielded both of its main racers. Leclerc used this advantage to gather data and immediately set a benchmark. In the second practice session, when the main line-ups returned to the track, the advantage shrank to tenths of a second — Norris and Russell came very close but still fell short.
Imagine a driver who, on the eve of a decisive weekend, finds the perfect line through an unfamiliar corner while the others are still settling in to the asphalt. That is exactly what Leclerc's current form looks like: he is not merely fast on Friday, he is turning free practice into a platform for the team's confidence for the second time in a row.
If Ferrari can maintain its pace in qualifying and the race, this could shift the balance of power not only in Mexico but also in the remaining rounds of the season. For Leclerc, every such Friday is another step toward having his name once again associated not only with potential but with real victories.
