Sweeping driver changes confirmed as nine teams opt for Mexico FP1 switch

A ninth team has added itself to the list of constructors opting to utilise one of their mandatory rookie sessions in FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Racing Bulls confirmed on Wednesday that reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa will take Liam Lawson’s place in first practice, with Sauber the only team to not confirm a driver change at this stage – its young driver requirements have already been fulfilled, in part by fielding a rookie in Gabriel Bortoleto.

Nine teams to use mandatory rookie slot in Mexico City FP1

Formula 1 teams have seen an increase in the number of mandatory rookie sessions this season, rising from one driver swap per car to two across the campaign, with drivers who have started no more than two grands prix being eligible.

For the majority of the teams, this will be the third driver switch they have made this season, with one more to come later on – the season finale in Abu Dhabi has often been a preferred venue for this requirement, given the post-season young driver test that follows days later.

In the here and now, however, FP1 will have a different look about it as drivers inexperienced at Formula 1 level get a chance to impress.

While Sergio Perez is absent from the grid this year, returning next season with Cadillac, Mexican fans will have at least one home driver to support at the start of the weekend, as IndyCar star Patricio O’Ward fills in for Lando Norris at McLaren.

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Max Verstappen will also be watching on in first practice as Arvid Lindblad, widely believed to be in the running to join Formula 1 with Racing Bulls next season, steps in for his second session of the season, having also appeared at Silverstone.

Two practice debutants will head onto the track on Friday, with Ferrari development driver, and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Antonio Fuoco, set to step in for Lewis Hamilton, with Charles Leclerc having already sat out his mandatory two sessions this season. At Aston Martin, American driver Jak Crawford will step up to drive Lance Stroll’s car in Mexico City.

Williams junior Luke Browning comes in for his second FP1 outing of the season, taking the wheel of Carlos Sainz’s chassis, while Mercedes junior Frederik Vesti steps in at Mercedes.

It is still the team’s third rookie driver run of the season, however, as two slots were filled by Kimi Antonelli at the start of the campaign, while at Haas, Ryo Hirakawa comes in for Oliver Bearman in his fourth practice outing of the season (having made an appearance with Alpine in Japan).

Finally, Alpine reserve Paul Aron takes in his fourth practice session of the year out of a planned five, the Estonian filling in for Pierre Gasly this time around.

Aron has already driven for Alpine in FP1 this year, alongside two extra outings offered to him by Sauber in the middle of the season. He is also believed to be in contention for a full-time drive in 2026 with Franco Colapinto’s future uncertain, so Aron will have the Argentine as a barometer in real time while on track on Friday.

Confirmed FP1 driver changes at the Mexico City Grand Prix

Alpine: Paul Aron replaces Pierre Gasly
Aston Martin: Jak Crawford replaces Lance Stroll
Ferrari: Antonio Fuoco replaces Lewis Hamilton [expected, unconfirmed at time of writing]
Haas: Ryo Hirakawa replaces Oliver Bearman
McLaren: Patricio O’Ward replaces Lando Norris
Mercedes: Frederik Vesti replaces George Russell
Racing Bulls: Ayumu Iwasa replaces Liam Lawson
Red Bull: Arvid Lindblad replaces Max Verstappen
Williams: Luke Browning replaces Carlos Sainz

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