Mexico City Grand Prix · News
Mini to make F1 debut as Colapinto gives up Alpine seat in Mexico
Gabriele Mini will make his Formula 1 debut in Mexico City FP1, taking over Franco Colapinto’s Alpine as the team completes its rookie-session requirements.
Franco Colapinto will sit out first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, handing his Alpine to junior driver Gabriele Mini for the Italian’s first official Formula 1 session.
Mini, currently fourth in the Formula 2 standings, will drive the A526 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. He is just behind fellow Alpine academy member Alex Dunne in the championship order.
Mini’s first F1 session comes after extensive preparation
Mini said he had been preparing at Alpine’s Enstone base, using the simulator and working with the engineers ahead of the opportunity. He described the FP1 appearance as a significant step after several years in the academy and progressing through the junior categories.
The 20-year-old’s focus, he said, will be to perform well on track and provide useful data and feedback to the team. Alpine will be looking to use the session to help prepare for the weekend, with both Pierre Gasly and Colapinto aiming to score points by the end of the event.
Mini thanked Flavio, Steve and the team for giving him the opportunity. His academy connection also places the outing in the context of Alpine’s wider junior programme, which includes Alex Dunne’s role in the team’s academy.
Colapinto completes his required rookie-session absences
The Mexico City outing will be the second time in 2026 that Colapinto has stepped aside for a free practice session. It completes his required rookie-driver sessions under the FIA rules. Gasly, in the other A526, still has one session to surrender.
The change gives Mini a chance to make his debut while allowing Alpine to meet its obligations for rookie running. Colapinto’s step aside is another chapter in the Argentine’s Alpine campaign, alongside the team’s decision to retain him for 2027.
Mini will be one of six rookies taking part in FP1 in Mexico City. Freddie Slater, Jak Crawford, Luke Browning, Fred Vesti and Ayumu Iwasa are also due to drive, with the venue described as a popular place for rookies to deputise.