Norris, Verstappen Among 10 F1 Drivers to Sit Out Mexico City GP First Practice

Formula 1's Mexico City Grand Prix weekend will open without several headline names, as Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are among 10 drivers set to skip Friday's first practice session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The move is part of a planned rotation, with teams using the session to give rookie drivers mandatory mileage in contemporary machinery. Under F1's sporting regulations, each team must run a young driver in two Friday practice sessions during the season, and Mexico is a popular choice given the high-altitude demands and limited testing opportunities. While Norris and Verstappen will return for the second practice and the remainder of the weekend, their absence from FP1 means less data gathering before qualifying and the race. The session will still offer valuable insights for teams on tire behavior and engine performance at 2,200 meters above sea level. With the championship battle intensifying, every lap matters, but the rookie outings are a necessary trade-off for long-term driver development.