George Russell was fastest in first practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix after championship leader Max Verstappen suffered engine woes.
Alex Albon had a huge crash in his Williams after tangling with Oliver Bearman, which interrupted the session, but Russell made the perfect start for Mercedes by going 0.317s quicker than Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
There was concern at Red Bull at the end of practice when Verstappen reported he had “no power” on the team radio, so he limped back to the pit lane and missed the last five minutes but finished the session in fourth behind RB’s Yuki Tsunoda.
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Red Bull’s Max Verstappen had to come into the pitlane after suffering an issue with his engine during first practice in Mexico.
Verstappen, who would take a grid penalty if his car was fitted with a new engine, also lost time earlier in the session when he ran over some debris that caused a brief red flag.
The Dutchman is 57 points ahead of Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship with five rounds remaining but McLaren have made a bid to overturn the penalty Norris received at last Sunday’s dramatic United States Grand Prix, when he was given a five-second time penalty, which dropped him behind Verstappen.
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Sky F1’s Karun Chandhok was at the SkyPad to assess whether Lando Norris should have been penalised for overtaking title rival Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix
Norris didn’t take part in first practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as McLaren, and four other teams, elected to run a rookie driver in one of their cars as part of the mandatory requirement to use a rookie in at least two practice sessions over a season.
IndyCar star Pato O’Ward drove Norris’ car in front of his home fans, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli took over Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes before he replaces the seven-time world champion next year.
Antonelli had a clean session and finished in 12th ahead of O’Ward, with the other rookies Felipe Drugovich, Robert Shwartzman and Bearman bringing up the rear.
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Kimi Antonelli, who was filling in for Lewis Hamilton during opening practice, hit some debris in his Mercedes as the red flag was brought out
Dramatic crash for Albon after Bearman tangle
Bearman, who filled in for Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, was involved in a dramatic crash with Albon halfway through first practice in Mexico City.
Albon was on a flying lap but lost control of his car through the high-speed middle sector at Turn Nine and collected Bearman on the exit of the corner.
The Williams driver’s rear left tyre flew in the air, but stayed attached to the car with the tether as Albon went spinning into the barrier at Turn 10 and called Bearman an “idiot” immediately on the radio.
Williams team principal James Vowles told Sky Sports F1: “Frustrated. We need to see what the reasoning was behind it. Alex had to back out of it and lost the car on the apex.
“The car doesn’t really step out there. He lifted off because he saw the other car [Bearman].
“As long as the chassis is OK, we will be fine for FP2. If the chassis is damaged, it’s a bit more significant in terms of time [to repair].”
Williams face a race to get their car ready for second practice at 11pm in the UK later on Friday, where the session has been extended to 90 minutes so Pirelli can test tyres for next year.
Sky Sports F1’s live Mexico City GP schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Mexico City Grand Prix
Friday October 25
9pm: The F1 Show
10.45pm: Mexico City GP Practice Two (session starts at 11pm)*
Saturday October 26
6.15pm: Mexico City GP Practice Three (session starts at 6.30pm)
9pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying build-up*
10pm: Mexico City GP Qualifying*
Sunday October 27
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico City GP build-up*
8pm: THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico City GP reaction
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event (Race build-up on Sunday from 7.30pm)
Formula 1’s Americas triple header continues this weekend with the Mexico City Grand Prix, with every session live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime