A record nine Formula 1 rookies to run FP1 in Mexico City

McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, Williams, Haas, Alpine and Aston Martin have all confirmed their FP1 substitutes for the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with an array of familiar names and promising new talents set for track time in Mexico.

McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward will again drive at his home race, stepping into one of the MCL39s for the second year in a row. The Mexican, who finished runner-up in the 2025 IndyCar Series with Arrow McLaren, will provide set-up feedback for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri while enjoying his fourth FP1 outing for the team.

Mercedes will hand Fred Vesti another opportunity, with the Dane taking over George Russell’s car. It will be his fourth FP1 appearance for the Silver Arrows and his second at this venue, having made his F1 weekend debut in Mexico back in 2023. The 23-year-old has combined simulator duties with a successful IMSA Sportscar campaign this season, including two recent race wins.

Ferrari will field Antonio Fuoco in place of Lewis Hamilton. The 29-year-old Italian, a key part of Ferrari’s World Endurance Championship programme and a 2024 Le Mans winner, will make his maiden Grand Prix weekend appearance. Fuoco previously tested the Scuderia’s F1 machinery in post-season sessions and continues to support their simulator development work.

Red Bull will again run Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad, who impressed during his debut FP1 at Silverstone. This time, the 18-year-old Briton will take over Max Verstappen’s RB21. Currently seventh in the F2 standings with three podiums and two victories, Lindblad remains one of the youngest drivers in the field.

Williams Academy driver Luke Browning will make his third FP1 appearance, taking over Carlos Sainz’s FW47. The 23-year-old Briton is in strong F2 form, sitting third in the championship standings. Browning previously drove for the team in Bahrain earlier this year and at the 2024 Abu Dhabi finale.

Aston Martin will give Jak Crawford his first taste of an official F1 weekend, with the American stepping into Lance Stroll’s AMR25. The 20-year-old, second in the F2 title fight, has logged over 2,000km of private testing with the team and now makes his FP1 debut on one of the most anticipated weekends of his young career.

Estonian Paul Aron will drive Pierre Gasly’s Alpine A525. After appearances with both Sauber and Alpine earlier this season, this marks Aron’s fourth FP1 of 2025. The 21-year-old remains in contention for a full-time seat alongside Gasly next season, according to team boss Flavio Briatore.

Haas will run Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa in place of Ollie Bearman. The 31-year-old, who joined Haas from Alpine earlier this year, has already taken part in FP1 sessions in Bahrain and Barcelona and will also feature again in Abu Dhabi. His outing in Mexico marks his fourth FP1 of the season.

Completing the rookie roster, Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa will take over Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls for FP1. Currently third in Japan’s Super Formula championship, Iwasa already has multiple FP1 sessions under his belt — one for Red Bull in Bahrain this year and two last season for the Faenza-based squad.

With nine rookies on track, FP1 in Mexico promises to be one of the busiest and most significant practice sessions of the year — a clear showcase of the next generation of Formula 1 hopefuls.