Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are amongst 10 System 1 drivers who will miss first observe for the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix this Friday.
In the course of the season, every System 1 staff should run a rookie in no less than two observe periods for each of their vehicles and the relative simplicity of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez – which isn’t a avenue circuit, neither is the race a Dash occasion – means most groups are taking the chance to fulfil the necessities.
Solely Ferrari will run each full-time drivers for the opening session of the weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1 at 6.30pm on Friday.
Verstappen might be changed by Ayumu Iwasa, who drove for Purple Bull in first observe in Barcelona and Monza earlier this yr.
Reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris will hand his McLaren to System 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and George Russell might be on the sidelines for Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti.
System 2 title contender Nikola Tsolov will make his F1 observe debut rather than Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, who’re the one staff to not announce any of their 2027 drivers.
Lawson’s spectacular season and Arvid Lindblad’s stable rookie marketing campaign means many individuals predict Racing Bulls to retain the identical line-up, however that would depart up and coming star Tsolov with out a seat.
Former IndyCar star Colton Herta wlll have a fifth observe outing of the season at Cadillac, Jak Crawford will full his fourth Aston Martin look of 2026 and Britain’s Luke Browning might be in Alex Albon’s Williams.
System 2 driver Gabriele Mini will make his F1 observe debut and Haas’ Ryo Hirakawa returns rather than Esteban Ocon.
British teenager Slater to make F1 observe debut in Mexico
British teenager Freddie Slater will make his System 1 observe debut for Audi in Mexico on Friday in Gabriel Bortoleto’s automotive.
Slater, who grew to become the primary signee to the Audi Driver Growth Programme, will even function in observe on the Sao Paolo Grand Prix subsequent week.
The 18-year-old completed as runner-up within the 2026 System 3 championship, along with his sturdy marketing campaign that includes a streak of eight podiums in eight weekends.
“We now have seen Freddie making nice progress all through latest years, each on and off the observe; it’s the proper time for Freddie to step up,” mentioned Audi racing director Allan McNish.
“These appearances in Mexico and Brazil will give him precious expertise of a System 1 race weekend, and one other likelihood to proceed his growth earlier than he steps as much as System 2 subsequent season. We’re trying ahead to seeing him within the R26 and supporting him by way of these two vital FP1 periods.”
Audi junior Freddie Slater will make his first F1 observe outing in Mexico (Credit score: Audi Revolut F1 Workforce)
Slater added: “Getting behind the wheel of a System 1 automotive at a Grand Prix weekend is a giant second for me and one thing I have been dreaming of since I used to be a child.
“I’ve realized so much this yr, and these Free Observe outings with Audi Revolut F1 Workforce might be one other alternative to maintain gaining on-track expertise.
“I am actually trying ahead to getting out on observe: my focus might be on doing the very best job I can, serving to the staff with its programme and taking as many learnings as potential from each periods.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Mexico Metropolis GP schedule
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Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix
Thursday October 29
8pm: Drivers’ Press Convention
11pm: Paddock Uncut
Friday October 30
6pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix Observe One (session begins at 6.30pm)*
8pm: The F1 Present
9pm: Workforce Bosses’ Press Convention
9.30pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix Observe Two (session begins at 10pm)*
Saturday October 31
5.15pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix Observe Three (session begins at 6.30pm)
8pm: Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix Qualifying build-up
9pm: MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday November 1
5pm: F1 Academy Race 3
6.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Mexico Metropolis GP build-up
8pm: THE MEXICO CITY GRAND PRIX*
10pm: Chequered Flag: Mexico Metropolis GP response
11pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Important Occasion
System 1 subsequent heads south for the second leg of The Americas triple-header with the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix this weekend, reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
