Mexico City GP 2026: FP1 rookies confirmed

Mexico City GP 2026 will feature rookie FP1 outings for Freddie Slater and Nikola Tsolov, with 10 full-time drivers making way on Friday.

Formula1.com confirmed that Nikola Tsolov and Freddie Slater will make their Formula 1 FP1 debuts at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The same report said 10 full-time drivers will hand over their cars for the opening session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with teams using junior, test and reserve drivers across the field.

BBC Sport reported that 18-year-old Slater will drive for Audi in first practice in both Mexico City and Sao Paulo. Autosport also reported that Slater is part of Audi’s junior programme and noted that Audi took over the Sauber team ahead of the 2026 season. Formula1.com also framed the session against earlier FP1 debuts by future F1 race drivers; among the current 2026 rookies already on the grid, Arvid Lindblad sat 11th in the drivers' championship on 38 points after nine races for RB F1 Team, with a best finish of seventh.