Max Verstappen of Red Bull dominated the second free practice of the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix with a time of 1:17.392 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari finished second, followed by Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, as 101,327 fans attended the first day of activities. Mexican driver Pato O’Ward participated in FP1 with McLaren, ending in 13th place.
The first day of the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix, held on Friday, October 24, at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, drew 101,327 spectators, a figure below the 2023 record of 109,245 and the 107,865 of 2024, amid the absence of former local driver Sergio 'Checo' Pérez.
In Free Practice 1 (FP1), from 12:30 to 13:30, teams used reserve drivers. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari led with 1:18.380, followed by Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes (1:18.487) and Nico Hülkenberg of Kick Sauber (1:18.760). Mexican IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward ran Lando Norris's McLaren and completed 29 laps to finish 13th with 1:19.680. Frederik Vesti of Mercedes ended 14th. George Russell of Mercedes, instead of driving, sneaked into the stands at Estadio GNP Seguros disguised with a luchador mask, revealing on social media: “Hacía años que no veía coches de Fórmula 1 en la pista, así que encontré una forma de colarme en las gradas mientras Fred conducía mi coche”.
FP2, from 16:00 to 17:00, featured the titular drivers. Verstappen set a superior pace on soft tires, overtaking Leclerc's initial lead (1:17.545) to post 1:17.392. Leclerc finished second, Antonelli third (1:17.566). Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was fifth, Russell sixth, Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull seventh, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin eighth and ninth, and Lando Norris of McLaren tenth. Oscar Piastri, the championship leader with a 40-point advantage over Verstappen, finished 12th due to traction issues in McLaren.
Verstappen, with five prior wins in Mexico, arrives in form after securing three of the last four races. The altitude in Mexico City impacts grip, making these sessions crucial before Saturday's qualifying and Sunday's race at 14:00.
