The Monegasque is the fastest with the Red ahead of Norris and Russell, then the future world champion who has recovered from the flu. Hamilton stops on the track but relaunches: “In 70 years of Formula 1 there’s no one like me”
Charles Leclerc confirms the excellent moment of the Ferrari SF-26 and delivers the best time in the double free practice session at the Hermanos Rodríguez circuit in Mexico City. But everyone’s eyes are for Andrea Kimi Antonellivery close to the world title given that he only needs two points to close the process and graduate with four races to spare. The Italian Mercedes driver he scored the fourth time and was preceded by Mc Laren by Lando Norris and his teammate George Russell, now resigned to seeing Kimi triumph in the championship in which he was indicated as the favorite on the eve. Antonelli lapped only 71 thousandths slower than his team mate and one can swear that in the official tests which will determine the starting grid for the grand prix he will want to put his car ahead of that of the Englishman. Antonelli did not participate in Thursday’s media day, but on Friday he returned to the track and reassured everyone: “I’m fine, I can’t wait to get in the car,” said the Italian upon entering the paddock, two hours before FP1 which saw him close the session in second place, then in FP2 he finished fourth instead.
Hamilton stops
A bittersweet day for Ferrari: on the one hand Charles Leclerc managed to maximize his Friday result, on the other side of the garage there is growing concern for the car Lewis Hamilton who, half an hour before the end of free practice, experienced a drop in power and was forced to stop his car between turns 3 and 4, putting an end to his session and his Friday’s work. Before Hamilton, answering a question about his presence in Rwanda in 2031 he replied as follows: “In 70 years there has never been someone like me in F1. I’m made differently than everyone else. Obviously there will be challenges related to this that I cannot predict, but there are also many preconceptions. Did you see my reaction times in the last race in Austin? They are faster than those of the young drivers”. In short, don’t tell him that he is old. But will his future still be in Ferrari? Lewis responded like this: “For now I’m here. Will I be able to compete at 44 with a 20 year old rider? Maybe. But at 41 I’m doing it. Whether I stay for 2030 remains to be seen. I still love F1, At my age I feel competitive“.
