Formula 1: Russell sets FP1 pace in Mexico City

George Russell ended his first session on track in Mexico quickest of all as he led Carlos Sainz and the RB of Yuki Tsunoda in a disrupted, yet productive practice for Mercedes. Stripped of the upgrades the team brought to Austin, Russell was able to maintain the previously strong pace seen by the team before coming back to North America, but it was too early to say if the reversion back to previous spec was the key or Russell was simply driving that well.

FP1 Highlights: 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix

With teammate Hamilton out in favor of the mandatory rookie session with 2025 driver Kimi Antonelli, we’ll need to wait for free practice two before any real conclusions can be made.

Joining Antonelli on track would be future Haas-rookie Oliver Bearman, sitting in for Charles LeClerc, Former GP2 Champion Felipe Drugovich in the Aston Martin, Robert Shwartzman in the Kick Sauber replacing Zhou Guanyu, and the hometown son, IndyCar Star and McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward replacing Lando Norris.

Antonelli nearly ended his session early, as he did in Monza, when the Mercedes was shown running over a piece of debris on track. Race Control threw the red flag for the session as marshals ran out to gather the obstruction and the session resumed once again at the 10-minute mark.

The red flags once again made their appearance in dramatic fashion just after Carlos Sainz took the top spot as Alex Albon, on a quick lap in his Williams, lost control through the esses and made contact with the slowed Oliver Bearman, sending the Williams back across the track and into the barriers. Both drivers emerged unharmed but it was session over for both as marshals were forced to retrieve the destroyed Williams and damaged Ferrari.

WATCH: Albon and Bearman collide to bring out the red flags during FP1 in Mexico City

With just under 25 minutes remaining, drivers once again dove back on track to finish their final runs as Russell returned back to the top of the time sheets ahead of Sainz and Tsunoda. Meanwhile, in forth, all was not well for the Red Bull of Max Verstappen as he radioed back that his motor was having power issues in the closing stages of practice, bringing his car into the garages before time expired.

Nico Hulkenberg kept his Haas in the top 5 ahead of the McLaren of Oscar Piastri and Alpine of Esteban Ocon as Valtteri Bottas, Liam Lawson, and Sergio Perez rounded out the top ten.

Teams have their work cut out in preparation of this evenings FP2 session, tune in at 16:00 local time for the continuation of practice on your local streaming networks.

FORMULA 1 GRAN PREMIO DE LA CIUDAD DE MÉXICO 2024 Schedule

Free Practice 1 Results: