The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix will see a notable lineup change during the first practice session (FP1), as several rookie and reserve drivers take to the track in place of full-time Formula 1® drivers. This follows regulations requiring teams to run rookie drivers in two FP1 sessions per season, providing valuable experience and development opportunities for emerging talents.
For the Mexico City event on October 29, 2026, ten teams will field rookies or reserve drivers in FP1, with Ferrari standing out as the only team maintaining its regular driver lineup. Among those making appearances are Fred Vesti for Mercedes, Ayumu Iwasa for Red Bull Racing, and Leonardo Fornaroli for McLaren. Other rookies include Nikola Tsolov with Racing Bulls, Gabriele Mini for Alpine, and Freddie Slater making his first Formula 1® outing for Audi.
The rookies replacing their full-time counterparts include established names such as George Russell, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Valtteri Bottas. For example, Fred Vesti will take over from George Russell at Mercedes, bringing prior FP1 experience, while Ayumu Iwasa, the 2025 Super Formula champion and Red Bull junior, will replace Max Verstappen in the Red Bull car. Similarly, Leonardo Fornaroli, a McLaren junior with multiple Formula 1® tests, will drive in place of Lando Norris. This session also marks a potential debut for Nikola Tsolov at Racing Bulls, replacing Liam Lawson.
Other rookie drivers participating include Gabriele Mini, an Alpine Academy member and Formula 2 driver, who will replace Franco Colapinto. Ryo Hirakawa, Haas reserve driver with World Endurance Championship experience, will take Esteban Ocon’s seat. Audi’s Freddie Slater, the first member of their Driver Development Programme, will make his FP1 debut replacing Gabriel Bortoleto. Williams will run Luke Browning, their reserve and a Super Formula competitor, in place of Alex Albon. Jak Crawford will have his final FP1 outing of the season for Aston Martin, replacing Lance Stroll, while Colton Herta will drive Cadillac’s car, aiming to complete 100 kilometers to secure his Super Licence.
These FP1 outings are part of ongoing efforts to develop young drivers and assess their readiness for future race seats. The sessions offer rookies valuable track time in Formula 1® cars under race weekend conditions, helping teams evaluate their potential. While these appearances are mandated by regulations, they also serve as important steps in the drivers’ progression within the sport.
With the Mexico City Grand Prix providing a challenging circuit and unique conditions, the FP1 sessions will offer rookies a chance to gain experience on a demanding track. Teams will observe their performance closely, though these sessions primarily focus on driver development rather than immediate race results.
The 2026 Mexico City FP1 lineup highlights the depth of emerging talent across the grid and the structured approach teams take to nurture future Formula 1® drivers. The rookies’ participation reflects the sport’s commitment to providing opportunities for young drivers to gain experience in competitive environments while maintaining the integrity of the race weekend programme.