The Mexico City Grand Prix practice session on Friday witnessed a dramatic turn of events, with Mercedes' George Russell emerging as the fastest driver, while a heavy collision between Williams' Alex Albon and Ferrari's Oliver Bearman brought the session to a halt.

Adrenaline-Fueled Clash and Aftermath

Collision Chaos

The practice session was marred by a high-speed collision between Williams driver Alex Albon and Ferrari reserve Oliver Bearman. Albon, who was driving at a rapid pace, found the slower Ferrari of Bearman on the right side of the track as he came around the corner at turn 10. In a desperate attempt to avoid the collision, Albon lost control of his car, which then skewed sideways into the Ferrari, causing significant damage to the suspension. The incident prompted a red flag, halting the session for 13 minutes as the track was cleared.

Aftermath and Investigations

Albon was taken to the circuit medical center as a precaution and was later declared fit to continue. However, the Thai driver was visibly frustrated, calling Bearman an "idiot" over the team radio. The stewards have announced an investigation into the incident, with Williams team boss James Vowles stating that the chassis appeared to be intact, and the team was confident of being ready for the second practice session.

Russell Tops the Timesheets

Despite the dramatic collision, the practice session saw some impressive performances. Mercedes' George Russell set the fastest time of the day, clocking in at 1 minute 17.998 seconds. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was 0.317 seconds slower, while Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top three.

Verstappen's Engine Woes

Red Bull's championship leader Max Verstappen was fourth fastest, but the Dutchman missed the last five minutes of the session due to an engine problem. Verstappen reported over the radio that there was "something wrong with the engine" and that he had "no power."

Absences and Substitutions

The session also saw some notable absences, with McLaren's Lando Norris sitting out the practice, while Mexican IndyCar regular Pato O'Ward took a turn in the McLaren, finishing 13th. Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was also absent, with Italian Kimi Antonelli, who will replace Ferrari-bound Hamilton next season, taking his place and finishing 12th.

Struggling Drivers and Upcoming Developments

The practice session also highlighted the struggles of some drivers, with Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who is racing in front of his home fans, finishing only 10th, behind his teammate Liam Lawson. Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto was 11th for Williams, while Brazilian Felipe Drugovich was 18th in Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin.The second practice session is set to be an exciting one, as it will last for an hour and a half, allowing teams to test Pirelli's 2025 development tires. With the championship battle heating up and the drama of the collision still fresh in everyone's minds, the Mexico City Grand Prix is shaping up to be a thrilling event.