Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar
© XPB Images

F1 Mexico Grand Prix qualifying as it happened

Live updates from FP3 and qualifying from the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix

KEY MOMENTS

  • Qualifying in Mexico begins at 20:00 GMT
  • Lando Norris was fastest in FP3
  • Max Verstappen has a grid penalty 

The 2026 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix continues on Saturday 31 October with final practice and qualifying ahead of Sunday's race. 

The Mexico City Grand Prix could see Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli crowned world champion for the first time, if he finishes ninth or higher on Sunday. 

Antonelli was fourth-fastest on Friday afternoon at the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit in Mexico City, though he trailed Mercedes team-mate George Russell on the timesheets.

Ferrari once again, as it did at COTA, made a good start to the weekend, with Charles Leclerc fastest in both sessions in his upgraded SF-26. 

But team-mate Lewis Hamilton was only 11th after suffering with mechanical issues in FP2. 

Max Verstappen was fifth after FP2, but the Red Bull driver has a one-place grid penalty following a collision with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson on Friday. 

The Kiwi has also netted himself a one-place grid drop for his part in the incident. 

Isack Hadjar is also under scrutiny for an incident involving a fan while walking through the paddock on Friday. 

McLaren had mixed fortunes on Friday afternoon, with Lando Norris up in second, while team-mate Oscar Piastri was 10th. 

2026 Mexico City Grand Prix Saturday schedule

FP3 - 17:30 GMT - 18:30 GMT

Qualifying - 21:00 GMT - 22:00 GMT

31 Oct 2026
18:15

George Russell is at the top of the timesheets, as he set a 1m18.107, and is 0.045 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc

18:15
15 Minutes Remaining

With 15 minutes left of Free Practice 3, here is the top 10:

  1. George Russell
  2. Charles Leclerc
  3. Lewis Hamilton
  4. Kimi Antonelli
  5. Isack Hadjar
  6. Lando Norris
  7. Oscar Piastri
  8. Max Verstappen
  9. Liam Lawson
  10. Franco Colapinto
18:11

George Russell is out of the pits and is on fresh Soft tyres, as he finds himself in eighth place after Verstappen improved to seventh

18:08

Max Verstappen is now back on track on used Medium tyres, and he currently sits in eighth place 

18:07

Seven of the top ten are currently inside the pits with 23 minutes remaining in Free Practice 3 

18:05

Isack Hadjar has jumped into fourth place after making changes to the front of his Red Bull

18:04

There has been a precautionary Power Unit change made to Sergio Perez's Cadillac, but he will not return for the remainder of FP3

18:02

Charles Leclerc has taken back the top spot as he set a 1m18.152

18:02

Ryo Hirakawa has jumped up to 14th place on the timesheets, and is 0.100 seconds behind Arvid Lindblad's time

18:00
Halfway through FP3

Here are the top 10 at the halfway mark of Free Practice 3:

  1. Lewis Hamilton
  2. Charles Leclerc
  3. Kimi Antonelli
  4. Oscar Piastri
  5. George Russell
  6. Max Verstappen
  7. Lando Norris
  8. Isack Hadjar
  9. Liam Lawson
  10. Pierre Gasly
17:56

After 13 laps, Ryo Hirakawa is now 17th in the timesheets for Haas, and is ahead of Ollie Bearman, who is in 20th after completing 4 laps 

17:54

Lewis Hamilton has taken over at the top with Oscar Piastri in second, and Kimi Antonelli in third 

17:52

Charles Leclerc is at the top of the timesheets, as he attempts to top all three Free Practice sessions this weekend

17:52

Carlos Sainz is now out on track, and all drivers have now completed a lap of the circuit in Free Practice 3

17:51

It is believed that Gabriel Bortoleto has suffered another leak on his Audi, which is a repeat of Friday

17:50

Max Verstappen is now out on track, leaving Carlos Sainz as the last driver remaining in the pits

17:49

Mercedes are now first and second with Kimi Antonelli in first and George Russell, 0.228 seconds behind him

17:48

The Ferrari drivers are now both on track, and Isack Hadjar is out for Red Bull, but Max Verstappen remains in the pits

17:47

Kimi Antonelli has jumped to the top of the standings and has a half-second advantage over the field 

17:46

Pierre Gasly has now gone to the top of the timesheets, Arvid Lindblad in second place, and Lance Stroll in fourth place

17:45
45 Minutes Remaining

15 Minutes into the session, and here are the top five:

  1. Nico Hulkenberg
  2. Pierre Gasly
  3. Franco Colapinto
  4. Ryo Hirakawa
  5. Valtteri Bottas
17:43

Liam Lawson, Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Antonelli, and Arvid Lindblad are now out of the pits for the first time today

17:41

Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll are the latest drivers on track

17:37

Pierre Gasly has jumped to second place after setting a 1m20.820, and is now above his teammate 

17:35

Nico Hulkenberg is now at the top of the timesheets after setting a 1m20.572