FP1: Hamilton leads Leclerc and Verstappen by 0.1s in Mexico

F1 Grand Prix, GP Mexico, Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez

Lewis Hamilton has edged another bit closer to securing his sixth Formula 1 title by topping the first practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend. The Mercedes driver was a tenth quicker than Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen.

Competition was close, and Hamilton managed to end up fastest with a best of 1:17.327, 20 minutes from the end of the session.

Before that, track conditions gradually improved from a damp start of the session. Overnight showers over Mexico City had made the track difficult to master, requiring drivers to take on intermediate tyres to start with, and resulting in numerous off-track moments.

It all passed without much trouble, partly thanks to the large grass run-off at Turn 1 through which many drivers waded after locking up under braking. Lance Stroll wasn't that lucky and ended up crashing out at Turn 16, bringing out a red flag that halted the session for 10 minutes for some clean-up.

Times tumbled in the last half hour, but with the track still not in optimal conditions, the time delta between the soft and the medium tyre was small.

Leclerc as such set his best time on the mediums with Verstappen only a whiff slower. The Dutchman's team mate at Red Bull, Alexander Albon was a solid fourth, faster than the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel for Ferrari.

Carlos Sainz was 7th fastest for McLaren, topping both Scuderia Toro Rosso drivers as they put all 4 Honda powered cars in the top 10.

Antonio Giovinazzi completed the top 10 for Alfa Romeo.