Nine rookies will participate in Free Practice 1 of the Mexican GP, scheduled for 3:30 pm this Friday (23), Brasília time.
As a result, McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Williams, Haas, Alpine and Aston Martin will have one of their starting drivers out of this session.
According to current Formula 1 regulations, each starter must be replaced by a rookie who is not on the grid in two practice sessions during the season — an increase compared to 2024, which required just one.
Any driver who does not have more than two starts in Grand Prix in the category is considered a rookie, regardless of age.
Teams can place the same person in the four mandatory free training sessions, if they wish.
Among the main attractions of TL1 in Mexico are Arvid Lindblad, next year, and Paul Aron, who would be in contention with Franco Colapinto for a place at Alpine in 2026.
Who are the confirmed rookies in TL1 in Mexico:
Pato O’Ward – McLaren
McLaren reserve driver, takes the wheel “at home” for the second year in a row, replacing Lando Norris.
In 2025, he was runner-up in IndyCar for Arrow McLaren.
Frederik Vesti – Mercedes
Fred Vesti will replace George Russell in this FP1, which marks his fourth participation in official training sessions for Mercedes.
In 2023, he did the sessions in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, not returning to the track in 2024, when the team decided to give the chances to Kimi Antonelli.
This year, the 23-year-old Dane has already taken to the track in Bahrain.
In addition to his duties in the Mercedes simulator, in 2025, he competes in the IMSA Sportscar Series, and recently achieved two consecutive victories in the category.
Antonio Fuoco – Ferrari
At 29 years old, Antonio Fuoco will make his debut in a TL in Mexico City, replacing Lewis Hamilton.
In addition to acting as a development driver for the Maranello team, Fuoco competes in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) for Ferrari AF Corse and was part of the team that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.
He has participated in Formula 1 events for Ferrari at other times, including the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi in 2024.
Arvid Lindblad – Red Bull
The Formula 2 driver, just 18 years old, will participate in his second Free Practice 1 for Red Bull. He had already driven the RB21 at Silverstone in July.
On that occasion, Lindblad replaced Yuki Tsunoda. This time, the Briton will take over Max Verstappen’s car.
With two stages remaining in this Formula 2 season, Lindblad occupies seventh place in the championship, with two victories.
Throughout the year, the name of the prodigy — part of the Red Bull academy — frequently appeared on the list of candidates for a place on the grid in 2026.
Luke Browning – Williams
Browning, 23, is part of the Williams driver academy and is also currently competing in Formula 2, occupying third place.
He takes over Carlos Sainz’s car in his third participation in a FP1, after having driven in Bahrain, earlier this year, and in the 2024 Abu Dhabi GP.
Jak Crawford – Aston Martin
Jak Crawford will make his Formula 1 weekend debut during Free Practice 1 in Mexico.
The 20-year-old American will take over Lance Stroll’s car.
Another of the rookies still in Formula 2, he has four victories in the current season and is in 2nd place in the championship.
Ryo Hirakawa – Haas
The oldest of the group, at 31 years old, Hirakawa will make his fourth appearance in free practice this season, replacing Ollie Bearman.
At the beginning of the year, as part of Alpine, he raced in FP1 at the Japanese GP. In April, the Japanese joined Haas and has already done training in Bahrain and Barcelona.
If plans go ahead, he will also be in action in the North American team’s fourth and final mandatory training session, at the Abu Dhabi GP.
Ayu – Racing Bills
Iwasa, 24, will take over from Liam Lawson.
This will be his fourth participation in a free training session. He has already driven for Red Bull in Bahrain at the start of 2025 and twice for Racing Bulls last season.
Currently, the Japanese driver is in Super Formula and occupies 3rd position in the championship.
Paul Aron – Alpine
Paul Aron, 21, will take over Pierre Gasly’s car in FP1 in Mexico.
This will be the Estonian’s fourth appearance this season alone. He had already driven for Sauber at Silverstone and the Hungaroring, as well as taking part in training at Monza for Alpine.
Aron was 3rd in Formula 2 in 2024 and, according to Alpine boss Flavio Briatore, he is tipped to take the second starting spot, alongside Gasly, next season.
