Nine of F1’s 10 teams will run new drivers during FP1 of the Mexico City Grand Prix as part of mandatory rules to give them more track time opportunities.
Each team must run a rookie (defined as a driver who has never competed in two or more Grands Prix) four times during the season, and each full-time driver changes twice. The majority of teams tend to push back their schedules, with three of the final six races being sprint weekends, plus Las Vegas being a street track, making Mexico City and Abu Dhabi the most used venues.
McLaren presents home favorite Pato O’Ward (Photo above) He replaced Lando Norris as an IndyCar star and was given the chance to drive the title-winning MCL39. At Mercedes, Fred Vesti will get the chance to drive a Formula 1 car again, replacing George Russell, just two weeks after winning Petit Le Mans with Cadillac.
Antonio Fuoco will replace Lewis Hamilton for Ferrari, marking the Italian’s first FP1 of the year and his first in Mexico City, while Red Bull have renewed their focus on F2 rookie Arvid Lindblad, who also drove at Silverstone. For Red Bull, Max Verstappen will be supporting him as a driver.
Williams will give F2 title contender Luke Browning his third FP1 run in Carlos Sainz’s car and second of the year, while title rival Jack Crawford will make his FP1 debut in an Aston Martin in place of Lance Stroll.
Ryo Hirakawa, a familiar Haas rider, will be participating in his third FP1 for Haas, and his fourth overall after competing for Alpine at Suzuka earlier this year. Hirakawa will replace Oliver Bearman, with further outings in Abu Dhabi also planned.
Lindblad’s participation in Red Bull will give Racing Bulls his second appearance as a team this year for Ayumu Iwasa, and his third time driving for Red Bull in Bahrain. The Japanese driver who will replace Liam Lawson is currently tied for second in the Super Formula standings on points with one round remaining, next month’s Suzuka race.
Another regular at this year’s Friday practice sessions is Paul Aron, who will take over Pierre Gasly’s car at Alpine. Aaron previously drove for Alpine at Monza, but also raced at Silverstone and the Hungaroring for Sauber. Sauber are the only team to complete their mandatory assignment by designating Gabriel Bortleto as a rookie for the first two races of the season and then giving Aaron two races in Europe.