F1 LIVE | Follow the second free practice session of the Mexico City GP

After 10 rookies took part in FP1 earlier today, almost half of the grid will get behind the wheel for the first time this weekend. Every team except Ferrari fielded a rookie during the first practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and George Russell are among those who will make their first appearance on track this weekend.

In FP1, Charles Leclerc set the pace. The Ferrari driver's lap time was around two tenths of a second quicker than the best lap recorded in the same session in Mexico a year ago. Kimi Antonelli finished second, with the young Italian's best lap around six tenths of a second slower than Leclerc's.

In terms of the championship battle, Antonelli could be crowned world champion in Mexico City on Sunday. The young Italian driver needs just two points to secure the title. He could also be crowned champion without scoring any points if neither George Russell nor Lewis Hamilton wins the race and claims all 25 points. Moreover, Mercedes could also secure the constructors' title at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The German outfit needs to outscore Ferrari by at least 39 points.

Things are also interesting in terms of the battle for second place in the standings. At the moment, only nine points separate Russell, Hamilton, Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc.

The Red Bull Racing driver, however, is not too bothered about the aforementioned battle. He explained: "I don't really care, because it's only about first. So for me, I don't care if I'm second or fifth."

There is another goal on the Dutchman's mind: helping Red Bull Racing defeat McLaren in the constructors' standings.

"The only thing that we want to try and achieve is to be P3 in the constructors'. That's what I think the team wants, so that's what we'll try to do," he added.