Lewis Hamilton faced an unexpected setback during the second practice session (FP2) at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix when a power-related issue forced him to stop his car, limiting his running time. This technical problem affected his ability to gather data and impacted his position on the timesheets, dropping him to 11th after initially finishing fourth in the first hour of practice.
The issue occurred while Hamilton was driving the Ferrari SF-26, a car that had already seen some aero rake testing during the first practice session (FP1), which had restricted his running time earlier in the weekend. Despite these challenges, Hamilton expressed that he felt competitive in the car and believed the team had made progress with the setup. Ferrari’s Team Principal, Fred Vasseur, confirmed that the team was still investigating the cause of the power issue and planned to decide overnight on whether repairs would be necessary before FP3 and qualifying.
Mexico City’s high altitude presents a unique challenge for teams, affecting engine performance and car balance. Vasseur acknowledged this difficulty while noting that Ferrari showed promising pace, although further setup work remained to be done. Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, led both practice sessions, with the gap to rivals narrowing in FP2, indicating a competitive environment for the weekend.
Hamilton described the stoppage as “really unfortunate” and expressed hope that everything was okay with the car. While the exact technical details of the power issue have not been disclosed, the incident limited his track time during a crucial phase of the weekend. The team’s focus remained on resolving the problem efficiently to maintain their competitive position.
Ferrari’s approach to the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend highlights the ongoing challenges teams face in adapting to varying circuit conditions and technical demands. The altitude affects not only engine power but also aerodynamic performance, making setup work critical. Hamilton’s feedback on the improved setup suggests that the team is making strides despite the setback in FP2.
With qualifying and the race still ahead, the situation underlines the importance of reliability and adaptability in Formula 1®. Hamilton’s experience during FP2 serves as a reminder of how technical issues can influence a driver’s preparation and the team’s strategy. Ferrari’s response and decisions overnight will be key to how they manage the remainder of the weekend.
The comments from Hamilton and Vasseur provide insight into the team’s mindset as they navigate the complexities of the Mexico City Grand Prix. The focus remains on ensuring the car is in optimal condition for qualifying, while continuing to refine the setup to handle the unique challenges posed by the circuit’s altitude and competition level.