HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from the opening practice session in Mexico as Verstappen leads Albon

Max Verstappen set the pace at the opening hour of practice at this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, as the Dutch driver narrowly led the way ahead of the surprise package of Alex Albon.

Verstappen set a time of 1m 19.718s, on the soft tyre, to lead the impressive Williams of Albon by just 0.095s. Sergio Perez made a good start to his home race by rounding out the top three, albeit 0.297s off Verstappen’s pace-setting lap.

FP1: Verstappen leads first practice in Mexico City ahead of Albon and Perez

Then commenced a McLaren and Ferrari battle, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri fourth and sixth for the papaya team, while Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz finished fifth and seventh, respectively, for the Scuderia.

Lewis Hamilton was 11th for Mercedes, with his team mate in the session Frederik Vesti – one of five rookies taking part in FP1 – placing 19th, with Oliver Bearman – replacing Kevin Magnussen at Haas – proving to be the lead rookie, in 15th.

He was followed by Yuki Tsunoda’s replacement at AlphaTauri, Isaac Hadjar, in 17th with Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan – in Pierre Gasly’s car – 18th. Current F2 championship leader Theo Pourchaire failed to set a time in Valtteri Bottas’ Alfa Romeo after suffering from a brake by wire issue.

Click on the video player above to relive the action from the first practice session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.