F1 Mexico City GP live updates – media day

Mexico City GP times

We'll have FP1 tomorrow at 12:30pm local time, and FP2 at 16:00 local - nine rookie drivers take the stage in the first session.

That's all from us tonight, thanks for joining - and we'll see you again tomorrow!

Leclerc on Austin soft strategy: "I didn't expect to be the only one in the top 15"

Charles Leclerc made a big dent in the United States GP by starting on softs, in which he defended strongly from Lando Norris across both stints. Leclerc said after the race that he thought Norris would try a similar plan - and has since elaborated that he was amazed nobody else had tried it.

"I expected that that not many people would take my strategy, but I did not expect to be the only one taking that strategy in in the top 15 starting the race.

"It was a bit of a surprise and that obviously once you are in the car, it sparks a little bit of question whether you made the right choice, but, at the end of the day it ended up being the right choice and and I'm happy that we that we saw and anticipated something that the others probably didn't at that time."

Leclerc on Ferrari's Austin turnaround: "I mean, obviously after the qualifying we all were trying to find what made us do that big step because as I was mentioning after qualifying, it's not like I turned the car upside down in order to find all this performance.

"It was all about fine tunings and changes also on the way we prepare the tyres that we know this year is very sensitive. There are many things we've learned from that weekend; I hope that we can bring it here."

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Norris on 'tape-gate': Red Bull's "amusing sidequest" backfired

Last weekend, Red Bull was fined because a mechanic didn't leave the grid in time, having attempted to take tape off a wall which Lando Norris had as a reference for his grid box.

Norris said that Red Bull's commitment to the "sidequest" to throw the McLaren driver off was of amusement to him, as he didn't need it and the team got a €50k fine - €25k suspended.

"It didn't matter; I didn't use the tape, so it was extra amusing because I didn't need it. We just put it there in case, so it made it extra funny because they got a penalty for it and I didn't even need it.

"They also tried to remove it and failed because we made it specially so they couldn't take it off. Just amusing little side quests, I guess for the teams to entertain themselves. But we were the ones laughing about it, I guess."

Norris on removal of repercussions after Austin: "Pretty easy talks, it's good from now on, just looking ahead for the rest of the season. It's what this was before, but it's all always forward. I focus on myself do what I've got to do, of course it's better when there's nothing in the way or nothing, That might be a slight disadvantage, which it was before."

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Hamilton needs to get up to speed quickly after missing FP1

Ferrari WEC driver Antonio Fuoco will take over Lewis Hamilton's car this weekend, so the Briton will miss out on the session.

Hamilton reckons Ferrari made up good ground during the US Grand Prix, as Ferrari finished third and fourth - but hopes to find more in Mexico.

"I think we're still trying to extract more from this car. Last race I think we've got a lot out of the car. But there's a little bit more performance in this car and from track to track it's a little bit different again you don't know how strong everyone's gonna be.

"Ferrari were very strong here last year, so I'm hoping that we can take the learnings that they had last year and find them this weekend. I anticipate the car's gonna feel quite a lot different to what I experienced last year here and the previous years that I've been here.

"I'm missing FP1, so this weekend I need to run, learn to run straight away pretty much."

Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari

Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images

Verstappen: Enjoying "positive pressure" of 2025 title fight

Max Verstappen typically played down any sense of disappointment if he doesn't win the title but, having won the last four, he knows how to do it.

He says that it's surprising that he's worked his way into the race for the title, and is relishing the situation with competitive machinery.

"I mean, worse case, I finish P3 so nothing really changes. I just want to try and win races till the end of the season. I hope it's possible every weekend, but it's impossible to know it at the moment. We're on a good run and, we also know as a team that, it needs to be perfect till the end to have a chance. If it works, yeah, great, unbelievable comeback.

"If it doesn't work, you know, you just continue. We can be proud of, I think the end of the season that we've had and the upswing in in performance, but we'll worry about that in Abu Dhabi."

Verstappen on the pressure: "Naturally you want to win, you want to win the championship, and of course I've won championships, very late, very early. This one of course is very different because I think for most of the season it was a lot harder for us and to be honest with you, to still be in this fight is very surprising, but I take it.

"And now, like I said before, we need to be perfect, but for me it's just positive pressure. I'm loving what I'm doing. If the car is competitive, much better to be racing in it then when it's not."

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

Russell on his 2025 progress: Confidence the key

George Russell explained why he's been able to step up his game in 2025, having won two races and performed consistency despite scrutiny over his future.

The Briton says that although there's not one thing that has been responsible, it's been a collection of 'small margins' that have yielded confidence.

"You're just looking for those smallest of margins to take your level to the next step and I think there isn't one particular thing that has been the difference I think is a contribution of confidence, with my own ability, confidence with the car beneath me, confidence with my group of engineers who are the ones who just say directly impact my own performance.

"I guess psychologically as well I guess I've got a very good group of people around me away from the track that held me to be in the right place when when I come to the circuit. None of this external noise, to be honest, is only noise on a Thursday and it's kind of for me it was in one ear, out the other and moving forward."

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Alonso: One point in Austin not worth celebrating

In Austin, Fernando Alonso called his season "not one to be remembered" - and this view has persisted into Mexico having been unhappy with Aston Martin's overall performance.

He added that the team had "underperformed" all season long, and added that he was slightly concerned by the performance predictions for Mexico and Las Vegas among the final five races.

"I mean, we are very critical with ourselves. We have been underperforming for basically the whole 2025. I think if we set a bar in February or March in the first race of the year and we think that it's going to be the season we had and some low points as a team we will think that that was a bad season.

"So we don't hide from that fact that we are not quick enough. But at the same time we try every weekend to do our best with the things we have available here on trackside. 

"We try to deliver. Austin was 10th and we take that point. Sometimes it's a couple of points but I don't think it's nothing to celebrate. It has been a difficult season and it's going to be always like that."

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Stefan Johansson's paintings on display in Mexico

Former F1 driver Stefan Johansson is a man of many talents: he raced for the likes of Ferrari and McLaren, then moved to Indycar racing, and then onto sportscars where he won Le Mans in 1997. These days, he's a bonafide artist.

Our man Fil Cleeren found the Swede's artwork on display at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez:

Photo by: Filip Cleeren

Photo by: Filip Cleeren

Sainz, Antonelli on Austin clash: "Five-place grid penalty disproportionate"

Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli had a moment to discuss their Turn 15 clash during last weekend's US Grand Prix, which led to Sainz's retirement.

Sainz disagrees with the penalty - while Antonelli felt that he didn't necessarily agree, he said that Sainz 'had his view' and that qualifying was more of an issue.

Sainz: "What happened on track stays on track. The five-place penalty the stewards gave me I felt was disproportionate and it exposes weaknesses in the rules. It is my responsibility and I wish we both could have continued the race, but after looking at the data it feels unfair. I still need to qualify as far ahead as possible, and give myself the best chance to get back to the points. I feel everything has finally clicked for me, and I hope I can have a clean weekend."

Antonelli: "Despite being a difficult track we got up to speed fairly quickly. Q3 was a bit disappointing as I didn't put everything together - lap 1 with the DRS, the bump triggered the button so there was a couple of places in that. The pace was looking okay, after the contact the laps in free air looked very good. We didn't come out with the result we wanted but we have another chance this weekend."

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Carlos Sainz, Williams

Photo by: Clive Mason / Getty Images

Hulkenberg on Austin points: "Car in a happy place from lap 1"

Nico Hulkenberg qualified fourth for the Austin sprint race, although was unable to get anything more out of it after being wiped out in the opening corner. He qualified 11th for the grand prix, and snowballed that into a points finish.

He says it gives Sauber a bit of a lift for Mexico - although the closeness of the midfield makes it difficult to predict if that form will carry over.

"It was just one of those scenarios where from the first lap, the car seemed to be in a happy place. Sometimes that happens, it's nice when it does, and I'm happy and pleased it was good and we managed to get something out of the weekend.

"The Saturday was a tough one to swallow with the chain incident, but I'm happy to score points again. I think it obviously gives us a good feeling [for Mexico] after last weekend, but it doesn't get you anything for free this weekend. We'll see when we hit the track tomorrow.

"I don't think anyone in the midfield has an advantage, we're all close together and it's all track dependent and on-the-day form. It's about having clean weekends and optimising the maximum potential."

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Tsunoda: More points will help Red Bull and Verstappen

Yuki Tsunoda says that his confidence has grown at Red Bull in recent rounds, but says he needs to keep improving to ensure he's able to help the team close in on second in the constructors' championship.

He says that, while he's made leaps forward in race pace, he's struggling to put the full weekend together.

"It's the same. I think Austin was a mixed race week, but there were good races, we scored points, and we've been improving. So I'm confident, we'll keep pushing to score points, as it'll be crucial to be P2 in the constructors' championship and to help Max win the championship.

"I'm confident with what I've done in the situation I'm in. Obviously I've tried to give my best as much as possible to improve myself and score points. I'll keep what I'm doing, but it's up to them what kind of team line-up they want. But I've proved some things, and improved myself. It's been a lot of things. I was struggling a lot in the long runs, and I've improved that, now I'm trying to put it all together over a weekend."

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Lawson feels he's done everything he can to stay in F1

Like Red Bull stablemate Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson's future is unknown going into 2026 - especially if Arvid Lindblad ends up in the Racing Bulls team next year. 

He says that his approach hasn't changed, and feels he's done enough to earn a reprisal next year.

"For sure, we know in the back of our minds is an important part of the year. But it's not really any different to the start so our approach doesn't change. Hindsight's amazing and you always go back and learn from things. I'm not perfect and there's things I'll look back on. But I feel I've done everything I can."

Lawson on a disappointing Austin: "I think we had a fast quali car. We struggled in the race, but it's getting closer. We're trying to extract everything but we didn't quite do that in Austin. Quite often we go on past races and past years and felt very good about Austin, but that's out of the window. We'll just try to have the fastest package we can."

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images

Piastri: No more repercussions at McLaren

Oscar Piastri says that McLaren has opted for a 'clean slate' after the US GP weekend, and accepts that there was a "degree of responsibility" in the contact between the two McLaren drivers in the sprint race.

This came amid the discussions about "repercussions" for Lando Norris after their Singapore contact, understood to be where Piastri got priority choice for when to do his qualifying runs. 

"We've gone through it again, as we go through the weekend regardless of what happened. There is a degree of responsibility from my side in the sprint, and we're starting from a clean slate this weekend."

Piastri on Verstappen's title surge: "It's not [changed my approach], to be honest. The big gap has shrunk a little bit, but for me the focus has been on going as fast as I can and getting the most out of it every weekend. Sometimes we have, sometimes we have not. Everyone likes a good underdog story and sometimes trying to come back is easier, but I prefer to be in the lead."

"It's difficult to know [where we stand in Mexico]. I think the form card and where we think we'll be strong and where others will be strong has not always lined up. Clearly over the last few race weekends, Red Bull and Max have found consistency. There were flashes of that, but this weekend we expect they'll be a threat."

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Press conference coming up

Oscar Piastri, Yuki Tsunoda, and Liam Lawson are first up on Tom Clarkson's sofa - we'll bring you some choice cuts of what they say in the presser.

Presumably, Piastri will have a few questions about Max Verstappen to answer - the other two will presumably have to discuss their futures.

Colapinto: Austin a "tricky situation", didn't think fighting for 2026 deal made difference

Franco Colapinto said his own piece on the team orders malarkey at Alpine, stating that it was a "different call" to what he was used to and denied that his own contractual situation had an impact.

The Argentine was asked if he'd have taken a different approach if he already had a deal - but he stated that he had no situations to compare it to.

"I think we managed very well so far the team calls and the team decisions, of course, it was a different call to the ones that we lately had and was another tricky situation. We understood it well after the race and we went through it together and I think it's all good.

"Of course that not having a contract, I mean I cannot compare because I never really had a contract at this this point of the season, but I don't know what my decision would have been or how I would have reacted with if I would have already a contract for 3 or 4 years or at least the next one.

"The situation the team is in, we of course we knew that 2025 was gonna be a transition year, but it's been a bit more tricky than than what we were expecting. The reality is that we are very close to each other all the time this last six races personally I've been, I've had fighting pace and I've been quite strong, but, it's also true that we cannot show any real personal pace sometimes because at the end of the day we are a bit too far away."

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Gasly: Aim of Austin team orders to "stick together"

Pierre Gasly - and the majority of the Alpine team - was upset by Franco Colapinto's decision to ignore team orders in Austin, despite the two cars only battling over 16th and 17th.

Gasly says that the team wanted to prioritise unity while it continues to struggle this season, but says his more immediate concern was in losing time during his pitstops - which put him behind Esteban Ocon during the US GP. 

"We talked about it," Gasly said. There's no point to talk about it here. What's had to be said has been said. Ultimately as a team we I'm not in an enjoyable situation, so I think we're just trying to stick together as a team, be united, and that's what we want.

"For me I'm more interested in making sure that we don't have three-second [longer] pit stops and 10 seconds of race time we've lost on that second stint because in the first place we should have never ended up with such a situation, so I think we reviewed everything it's all clear.

"It's unfortunate what happened during the pit stop and cost us quite a lot being on in the gearbox of Esteban at the opening that stint, 10-15 degrees of higher temperature and I think that's more what's important and and important to work on for the coming races."

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Bearman on missing FP1: Mexico is "least damaging" session to give away

Ryo Hirakawa will take over Ollie Bearman's car for FP1, joining eight other drivers to fulfil the FIA's regulations on rookie drivers in practice.

Bearman says this is because the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez evolves heavily through the weekend, and thus it's less 'damaging' to give up his seat for that session.

"It's good to get it out of the way," Bearman said. "It's a track that develops a lot during the weekend, you know, we have nine out of 10 possible people running in FP1 here. I think pretty much everyone who can is running a rookie in FP1.

"It's the obvious choice, and you know I've had the experience on the track, so it's obviously not beneficial to give away FP1 but I think it's the least damaging that that I could think of when I when I decided to give away my sessions."

Bearman had previously vacated his seat in FP1 at Bahrain to Hirakawa, but reckoned he'd shot himself in the foot a little bit with that particular choice.

"You get one lap on each tyre in Bahrain cause the deg is so high, so my thoughts to give away FP1 in Bahrain was because I did the test there. But when I came back and missed FP1, I was straight into FP2 and you get one push lap on on your medium or whatever tyre it was, then it's too hot and and the balance is not representative.

"Whereas if you give it away even in a track like Baku, where you can do as many laps as you want on on the tyres, it's much less, much less damaging."

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Ocon: Rovanpera switch to circuit racing "fantastic", but will be tough

Esteban Ocon was asked a bit about Kalle Rovanpera's switch from rallying to circuit racing next year; the Finn will race in Super Formula next year as he explores his options outside of the WRC.

Ocon, who has dabbled in rallying before when at Alpine, says that it's a sensible decision for Rovanpera to try something new given he has Toyota support - although adds that getting on level terms with the pro drivers in Japan will be a tough ask.

Ocon on Rovanpera: "It's awesome. It's going to be a story that I really follow closely, and I've been following him already when he was doing some Porsche Cup races and seeing how he goes. If I was him and already won two titles in WRC and being so young and having Toyota to support you, definitely you want to try something else.

"I definitely think that's that's a fantastic thing. It's gonna be quite interesting to see how they develop. I think Kalle has much more of a of a tough task to learn because it's a completely different sport, but he's done drift championships, he's done, you know, a lot of car racing as well.

"He's starting in one of the toughest championships, which is the Super Formula championship. Not saying F2 is easier, but you know you get there and all these guys have been racing for years, they are professionals, into the Japanese tracks as well and into a different philosophy of because I don't think all the engineers speak English. It's going to be quite interesting to follow that and see how it goes."

Kalle Rovanpera test in a Red Bull Formula 1 car at the Red Bull Ring 

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

Hadjar "less panicked" with F1 2026 future secure

Although the second Red Bull seat still yet to be firmed up for next year, Isack Hadjar is expected to be in the frame after an impressive debut year. He says that he'll definitely be in F1 next season, but didn't want to elaborate any further.

He'd previously suggested that time in the Red Bull before the end of the season might be a good idea, but says that this is not on the cards; he is committed to helping the Racing Bulls team secure sixth in the constructors' standings.

"12 months ago I was a bit unsure, that's true. I had an idea, but it's this year I'm in a better position. I know I'm in Formula 1 next year, you know, last year was a bit...I didn't know what I was doing, so yeah, I'm a lot less panicked."

On suggestions he may step up to Red Bull for the last three rounds: "That would mean I would have just about 2 more races with the team and that's not gonna happen. I'm so happy with the team I'm with right now and for them, I also need to bring the 6th place home."

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Photo by: James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images

Mexico's Foro Sol: F1's amphitheatre of atmosphere

Sure, there's no Sergio Perez this year - his presence is keenly anticipated next year as he returns to the F1 grid with Cadillac. Regardless, expect an incredible atmosphere at the Foro Sol as the cars pile through the tight and twisty low-speed section.

It's no longer called the Foro Sol, it's now officially the Estadio GNP Seguros - but we'll stick with the old name for posterity. First used as a concert venue for Paul McCartney, the area has since hosted baseball in addition to other huge musicians.

It also now has a roof, which the fans can metaphorically raise with their enthusiasm.

A general view inside the stadium section

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Albon expects good weekend for Williams

After making Q3 last season in Mexico, Alex Albon's race came to an early end after a tangle with Yuki Tsunoda on the run to the first corner. The Anglo-Thai driver joked that he'd had "too good a start", as Tsunoda tried to barge past on the outside.

He noted that the team's forecast of the weekend was slightly down on his own view, and stated that the team will have to work with balancing its high-downforce rear wing to try to deliver on his own predictions.

"I feel like, it's actually a good track for us normally Mexico, it seems to suit us - more stop and start corners which we like. Surprisingly, pace numbers I was expecting us to be a bit better than what the team was saying this weekend, so I was maybe a bit more optimistic than they were, which is not normal.

"But it is a good track for us, I think, What's important here is actually your run into Turn 1. A lot of work gets put into the starts this weekend because of the importance of track positioning for the start of the race. We had a good start I think last year, just too good of a start!"

Alexander Albon, Williams

Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

Bortoleto: Verstappen title comeback "incredible"

Gabriel Bortoleto has lauded Max Verstappen's late arrival into the title fight, stating that the Dutchman has made 'history' whether or not he wins the 2025 drivers' championship.

Bortoleto and Verstappen are known to be friends away from the track, and the Brazilian has first-hand experience of Verstappen's process as the two sim-race together.

Bortoleto on Verstappen's form: "Well, there is not really much secret, I think what he's doing is incredible. Let's say it's one of the best comebacks of a championship in my view ever done in history. Let's see what he can achieve. He's been winning recently quite a lot. I think McLaren have been strong, but not as strong as maybe the beginning of the year when they were 1-2 every round. And yeah, everything can happen. But I think definitely he's doing an amazing job.

"He didn't have the best car, or even the top three car for most of the parts of the year. And he has been able to be in the title fight for this long. And now that they found out some good stuff with the car, and he's been able to put in some good performances. It's already [making] history."

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Press conference sessions

We should hear from all 20 drivers today - starting with Gabriel Bortoleto's session which is coming up shortly.

In the FIA press conference sessions later on, we have Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda in the first session - then Nico Hulkenberg, Kimi Antonelli, and Carlos Sainz in the second.

The uniqueness of Mexico City

At around 2.2km above sea level, the air density in Mexico is much reduced versus the majority of other circuits on the F1 calendar - and this has, through the years, had various effects.

During the 1980s, when there was a mix of turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines, the turbo cars could contend with the high altitudes more as the compressors were able to increase the density of the air used for combustion - while the NA cars struggled for breath.

It also affects the aerodynamics. You'll see the cars run with full wing level, since the overall downforce output is reduced in 'thinner' air - and it's likely to reduce the effect of DRS, since drag is also reduced.

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15

Photo by: Dom Romney / Motorsport Images

This weekend: F1's Mexico City Grand Prix

Hello and welcome to our live feed of updates from the paddock as F1 prepares for its second race in a North American double-header. The circus has left Austin and touched down in Mexico City - and we'll be hearing from the teams and drivers soon.

Fans fly the Mexican flag

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images