Alex Albon collided with Oliver Bearman during the first practice session at the Mexico Grand Prix, resulting in a dramatic incident at turn 10. The crash occurred as Bearman slowed on the outside to give way to Albon, who lost control of his car and understeered into the front wheel of Bearman’s Ferrari before spinning into the barriers.
Albon, driving for Williams, was quick to blame Bearman for the collision, referring to the 19-year-old as an “idiot” over the team radio. Bearman, who has competed in races for Ferrari and Haas this season, had to retire from the session following the incident, while Albon was taken back to the pits by the medical car.
The first practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez also saw five rookies participating, with Lando Norris handing over his McLaren to Mexican driver Pato O’Ward. Norris, currently trailing championship leader Max Verstappen by 57 points, observed from the McLaren garage as O’Ward set the 13th fastest time, with team-mate Oscar Piastri finishing in sixth place.
Verstappen encountered issues towards the end of the session, reporting a potential engine problem over the radio. Red Bull confirmed they were investigating a “power unit issue,” which could result in a penalty for Verstappen if a replacement is required. Despite the setback, Verstappen posted the fourth fastest time, lagging behind Mercedes’ George Russell in first place, followed by Carlos Sainz of Ferrari and Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull.
Local favourite Sergio Perez, who expressed frustration with his performance this season, finished in 10th place for Red Bull. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli, set to join Mercedes next year, endured a challenging start as he crashed during his Formula One debut in practice at the Italian Grand Prix. Although Antonelli had a better outing in Mexico, completing 18 laps and finishing 12th overall.
The second practice session, scheduled for 1600 local time (2300 BST), will see Norris back in his McLaren, aiming to make further progress on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit.
Insights and Summary:
The Mexico Grand Prix’s first practice session was marred by a collision between Albon and Bearman, causing a stir among drivers and teams. With Verstappen facing engine issues and Russell leading the pack, the stage is set for an intense and competitive weekend of racing. As young talents like Bearman and Antonelli make their mark, seasoned drivers like Perez and Norris strive to make an impact in front of their home crowd. The unpredictable nature of Formula One promises excitement and drama as the championship battle intensifies.