Nine rookies set for FP1 at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix

All nine rookies set to drive in Mexico City Grand Prix FP1

Nine rookie drivers are expected to take part in opening practice at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, with Freddie Slater and Gabriele Minì preparing for their first official Formula 1 weekend appearances.

The pair join a group of experienced reserve and development drivers scheduled to take over race cars at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Friday 30 October. Several established names will consequently begin their own on-track preparations in FP2.

Mexico City GP FP1 rookie line-up

• Leonardo Fornaroli — McLaren: replaces Lando Norris.
• Frederik Vesti — Mercedes: replaces George Russell.
• Ayumu Iwasa — Red Bull: replaces Max Verstappen.
• Gabriele Minì — Alpine: replaces Franco Colapinto.
• Luke Browning — Williams: replaces Alex Albon.
• Jak Crawford — Aston Martin: replaces Lance Stroll.
• Ryō Hirakawa — Haas: replaces Esteban Ocon.
• Freddie Slater — Audi: replaces Gabriel Bortoleto.
• Colton Herta — Cadillac: replaces Valtteri Bottas.

These are practice substitutions, with the regular drivers scheduled to return for the remainder of the weekend.

Slater and Minì prepare for weekend debuts

Freddie Slater will drive Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi R26, beginning a two-event programme that also includes opening practice in São Paulo.

The 18-year-old finished runner-up in the 2026 Formula 3 championship with Trident and will move to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing next season. His two Audi practice outings give him an opportunity to contribute to the team’s weekend programme before that next step.

Gabriele Minì will take over Franco Colapinto’s Alpine A526. The Alpine Academy driver arrives with previous F1 testing experience, having driven the team’s 2025 A525 through its Testing of Previous Cars programme.

An official practice session brings a different setting, with live traffic and the team’s race-weekend procedures to manage alongside his driving. Minì has prepared through simulator work and engineering briefings at Enstone, with useful data and feedback among his stated priorities.

Fornaroli, Vesti and Iwasa return to familiar roles

Leonardo Fornaroli will replace Lando Norris at McLaren before taking Oscar Piastri’s car in São Paulo. The two appearances follow his earlier FP1 sessions in Barcelona-Catalunya and Hungary.

The reigning Formula 2 champion has supplemented his simulator preparation with testing at Paul Ricard in McLaren’s MCL39. Mexico City presents a new circuit and a different challenge through its altitude and reduced grip.

Frederik Vesti will drive George Russell’s Mercedes W17 for his third FP1 appearance of the season, having previously taken Kimi Antonelli’s car in Barcelona and Hungary.

The Dane made his F1 weekend debut in Mexico in 2023 and returned for another practice outing in 2025. His latest session also provides fresh experience to support his simulator work for Mercedes.

Ayumu Iwasa will replace Max Verstappen in Mexico City FP1, making his fourth practice appearance of 2026. He previously drove for Red Bull in Barcelona and Monza and for Racing Bulls in Austria.

Browning and Crawford support their teams’ development

Luke Browning will drive Alex Albon’s Williams FW48 in Mexico before replacing Carlos Sainz in Brazil.

Williams says the outings will give its reserve driver his first experience of the lightweight chassis package introduced in Baku. That should provide a more current reference for his simulator work as well as further mileage in the car.

Jak Crawford will take Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin AMR26 for his fourth FP1 session of the season, following Japan, Austria and Belgium.

Mexico City is where Crawford made his FP1 debut in 2025. His return will complete Aston Martin’s mandatory rookie practice programme for 2026.

Hirakawa and Herta add experience to the rookie field

Ryō Hirakawa will replace Esteban Ocon at Haas, making his third FP1 appearance of the season after earlier outings in Austria and Hungary.

The Japanese reserve driver’s assignment is another reminder that “rookie” in this context concerns Formula 1 race experience. It does not mean every participant is beginning their professional career or driving an F1 car for the first time.

Colton Herta is set to take Valtteri Bottas’s Cadillac for his fifth FP1 appearance of 2026.

The American’s programme has already included Barcelona-Catalunya, Hungary, Monza and Austin. Mexico provides further experience with the team as he continues his effort to obtain the Super Licence needed to race in Formula 1.

When will the rookies drive?

FP1 runs from 12:30 to 13:30 local time on Friday 30 October, equivalent to 18:30–19:30 GMT and 19:30–20:30 CET.

Mexico’s conventional weekend format leaves FP2 and FP3 for the returning race drivers before qualifying. The full timings are available in our Mexico City Grand Prix weekend schedule.

At more than 2,200 metres above sea level, the circuit gives the practice drivers a demanding assignment. Reduced air density affects downforce and cooling, making accurate feedback and a completed programme valuable contributions before the regular drivers return.