Five talented rookies participated in the first free practice session ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix. Pato O'Ward stepped in for Lando Norris at McLaren, while Oliver Bearman took over Charles Leclerc's seat. Felipe Drugovich filled in for Fernando Alonso. Robert Shwartzman drove the Sauber, and Andrea Kimi Antonelli had a chance to get behind the Mercedes wheel again.

Only after 5 minutes, the first practice was interrupted by a red flag due to debris on track near the braking zone of Turn 1, and Antonelli ended up running over it. As that is a high-speed area, suffering a puncture would be very dangerous, prompting an early red flag.

The session resumed after 10 minutes, with Red Bull's mechanics still working on Verstappen's car, as a part from his vehicle was reportedly responsible for triggering the red flag.

With 18 minutes in, rookies Shwarzman and Drugovich, along with Lance Stroll, were still yet to set a time, while Alex Albon set the fastest time.

In the meantime, Pierre Gasly was reporting a burning smell in his Alpine but was reassured by his engineer that there was no need for concern.

However, close to half of the session, a second red flag was flown, due to a collision between Albon and rookie Oliver Bearman. 

Bearman was on a cool-down lap and moved aside to allow faster cars to pass. However, Albon, who was pushing hard on his lap, attempted to lift off but experienced a sudden snap of oversteer, which resulted in him colliding with the front left part of Bearman’s Ferrari.

The impact caused significant damage to Albon's Williams, but thankfully, both drivers were unharmed. Unfortunately, neither could continue, ending early one of not many F1 opportunities for Bearman before he jumps into a full-time seat next year.

Franco Colapinto in the second Williams car also had his moment but nothing like Albon, as he just needed to fight with the car a little bit.

With seven minutes remaining in free practice, Verstappen informed his team that he suspected an issue with his power unit and was experiencing a loss of power. He quickly made his way to the mechanics, bringing an early end to his session as well.

George Russell topped the session with a time of 1:17.998, followed by Carlos Sainz in second.

Yuki Tsunoda put his RB in amazing third place, with Max Verstappen in fourth despite the issues, while Nico Hulkenberg completed the top five.

The best of the rookies was Kimi Antonelli, who finished in twelfth place, closely followed by Pato O’Ward in thirteenth. Felipe Drugovich placed eighteenth, just ahead of Robert Shwartzman in nineteenth and Oliver Bearman, who finished last after his crash with Albon.