A combination of factors means Formula 1's 2026 cars have been unusually close to the performance of their ground-effect predecessors in Mexico.
Charles Leclerc's FP1-topping time, a 1m18.128s, was 0.252s quicker than the lap he set to lead first practice in Mexico last year.
That's the first time the 2026 cars have outpaced the 2025 cars in an FP1 session, having usually been two or three seconds slower.
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