The United States GP kicked off the tour of the American continent which will see Formula 1 busy for the coming weeks. The next stop that the Circus will reach is Mexico City, for a weekend without Sprint but which will welcome the rookies who will take to the track during FP1.
FP1 Mexico: Perfect conditions to give space to the rookies
There are now only a few days left until the moment when the the roar of the engines will join the chorus of the spectators present at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez on the occasion of Mexican Grand Prix. It looks like it will be a weekend full of emotions, especially for Ferrari carried away by enthusiasm following the one-two finish in Austin.
Unlike the one in Texas, this one It won't be a Sprint weekend – which usually includes only one free practice session. It is also worth noting that the FP2 will have one duration of 90 minutes and not as usual one hour, an exception to the rule to allow teams to Testing Pirelli tyres ahead of next season.
The condition of the GP with a “traditional” format and the extension of Free Practice 2 allowed the teams to call up the rookies, who will therefore be able to take to the track during the FP1 in Mexico City. From reserve drivers to full-time employees from 2025 onwards: here are the recruits who will race in the first free practice session.
Bearman with Ferrari and Drugovich with Aston Martin
Ollie Bearman Returns driving the SF-24. For the young Briton, Mexico City is yet another appearance on the track in 2024. In Jeddah, Bearman had been called by the Maranello team to replace Sainz – absent after surgery to remove the appendix – thus obtaining his first stitches in F1. The Ferrari Driver Academy member had also been appointed as reserve driver for Haas team.
During FP1 of Imola and Budapest, Bearman had the opportunity to return back on track, but this time on board a Haas single-seater. From next year he will be an official driver for the American team, which has already put him to the test by having him compete in the Baku GP – following the disqualification of Kevin Magnussen – in which he once again reached the points zone.
At Aston Martin Felipe Drugovich to replace Fernando Alonso – who will reach 400 Grand Prix starts this weekend. For the reserve driver it will be yet another appearance, having already taken part in Free Practice 1 at Monza last year.
Tests of the future for Kimi Antonelli, but not only
Return to driving the single-seater Kick Sauber also Robert SchwartzmanThe Ferrari Hypercar driver had taken Valtteri Bottas' seat in the first test session in Holland. In Mexico Shwartzman will be behind the wheel of Zhou Guanyu's car – who will probably have to say goodbye to F1 at the end of the season.
Mercedes announced that his future driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli will drive Lewis Hamilton's car. A second chance for the Bolognese who will return to the asphalt for the second time in an official session after the FP1 in Monza.
The latest rookie to join the list is Pato O'WardThe IndyCar driver, currently racing with Arrow McLaren, will drive on his home track with McLaren. This is not the first time the Mexican has driven a Formula 1 car, as he has taken part in several Free Practice sessions over the years, including Abu Dhabi in 2022 and 2023.
