This weekend, at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, nearly half the Formula 1 grid will feel a different kind of buzz ahead of the race: nine rookie drivers will be at the wheel for Free Practice 1 (FP1). That’s because under the 2025 regulations, each full-time driver must stand aside for two FP1 sessions during the season, giving newcomers a chance to gain track time.
Here’s who they are, how they landed the opportunity, and what it means for their careers.
The Rookies and their Teams
Pato O’Ward (McLaren) – The Mexican reserve driver will take Lando Norris’s car in FP1. A hometown outing, and with O’Ward coming off a strong IndyCar campaign, it’s a chance to impress McLaren’s F1 team at his home track.
Arvid Lindblad (Red Bull) – Replacing world champion Max Verstappen in practice, Lindblad is Red Bull’s rising junior with an eye on a potential 2026 seat. Experience in F2 and now FP1 is part of his fast-track development.
Antonio Fuoco (Ferrari) – Stepping in for Lewis Hamilton, Fuoco is a sports-car and endurance racer who now gets an F1 outing for Ferrari in FP1. The session will be his first Grand Prix weekend appearance in this role.
Frederik Vesti (Mercedes) – The Dane will replace George Russell for FP1. Vesti has already done a number of FP1 outings and continues to develop under Mercedes’ programme, including this high-altitude test.
Paul Aron (Alpine) – Filling in for Pierre Gasly, this Estonian driver has already had multiple FP1 stints this season and now takes the Alpine into Mexico for another run.
Luke Browning (Williams) – The Williams junior will drive the FW47 in place of Carlos Sainz. Browning is gaining his first season-of-experience in the F1 environment and this FP1 outing adds to his resume.
Jak Crawford (Aston Martin) – Replacing Lance Stroll in FP1, Crawford is another young driver who benefits from this mandated rookie outing, giving him experience in one of the world’s top-teams during a live weekend.
Ryo Hirakawa (Haas) – A less-frequent FP1 entrant, Hirakawa gets behind the wheel of the Haas for this practice session, replacing Oliver Bearman. Still a rookie-run, but meaningful for his exposure.
Ayumu Iwasa (Racing Bulls) – The Japanese driver steps into Liam Lawson’s seat for FP1 and gets exposure in the improved Racing Bulls package. Another strong junior pick benefitting from the rule change.
Why This Is Big for Them & Their Teams
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Track time matters: Mexico’s high altitude and unique characteristics present a complex setup challenge (cooling, aerodynamics, straight-line speed). Gaining FP1 experience here is particularly valuable.
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Team development: These rookie runs free up full-time drivers, and they allow the teams to collect additional data, give feedback to juniors, and evaluate future talent.
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Career springboard: For many of these drivers, FP1 runs are more than ceremonial — they’re part of long-term pipelines into full-time seats. Lindblad (Red Bull) and Crawford (Aston Martin) appear especially positioned for future roles.
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Motivational boost: For drivers like O’Ward, Browning, Iwasa and Hirakawa, driving at GP weekends gives real-world experience, exposure and pressure handling — key for their progression.
What to Watch in FP1
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Lap times vs full-timers: While their times won’t define the weekend, watching how the rookies manage tyres, braking zones and traffic is insightful.
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Feedback & reliability: Teams may run different setups or higher risk tests during FP1 with rookies — how the car behaves will influence the weekend’s strategy.
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Driver reaction post-session: Quotes from the youngsters will often reveal their comfort with the car, adjustment to altitude and whether they encounter major issues.
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Impact on full-timers: With established drivers missing FP1, watch how full-time drivers use their later sessions and whether the data from rookies influences race setup.
Final Thought
The Mexico City Grand Prix isn’t just about the headliners this year — it’s also a showcase of Formula 1’s next generation. With nine rookies making their FP1 entries, teams are doubling down on talent development while also fulfilling regulatory obligations. For the juniors, this weekend is a chance to shine, learn and stake a claim. For fans and pundits, it’s a reminder of how deep the talent pool in F1 is — and how the future is already accelerating into view.
