British driver Freddie Slater will make his Formula 1 weekend debut driving for Audi in Free Practice 1 sessions at the Mexico City and Sao Paulo Grands Prix. The 18-year-old Audi development driver will use the outings to gain on-track experience before moving up to Formula 2 for the next season.
Slater is scheduled to take the wheel for the first time in Mexico City on 30 October, followed by a second appearance a week later at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. He will drive the R26, replacing Nico Hulkenberg and Bortoleto once each.
Audi Evaluates Academy Driver to Fulfill Regulatory Obligations
The appearances are part of young driver requirements. While the sessions fulfill a regulatory obligation, Audi is using them to evaluate its academy driver. Earlier this season, the team met similar obligations by borrowing Alpine junior Paul Aron on two occasions for free practice sessions.
Audi has announced that its development driver Freddie Slater will make his FP1 debut with the team in Mexico. He will follow that up with a run in Brazil the following weekend. #F1
Allan McNish, Audi’s Racing Director and head of the Driver Development Programme, stated that the timing is appropriate for the teenager’s progression.
We have seen Freddie making great progress throughout recent years, both on and off the track; it is the right time for Freddie to step up. These appearances in Mexico and Brazil will give him valuable experience of a Formula 1 race weekend, and another chance to continue his development before he steps up to Formula 2 next season.
Allan McNish, Audi Racing Director
McNish added that the team is looking forward to seeing him in the R26 and supporting him through these two important FP1 sessions.
Slater’s Path from F3 to Invicta Racing
Slater enters the F1 cockpit following a strong rookie campaign in Formula 3 with Trident Motorsport, where he finished as runner-up. He remained in title contention until the season finale in Madrid in September, eventually finishing behind Ugo Ugochukwu. During this season, he secured eight podiums across eight consecutive race weekends, three pole positions, and one Feature Race victory.
He was the highest-placed first-year driver in the standings, a performance that led to his inclusion in the Audi Driver Development Programme. Having previously won championships in Italian F4 and Formula Regional European, Slater met high expectations by finishing second in Formula 3. This momentum leads to a move to Formula 2 in 2027 with the front-running Invicta team. Rafael Camara, who drives for Invicta, currently leads the F2 championship and will join the US-based Haas team in F1 next season.
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Getting behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car at a Grand Prix weekend is a big moment for me and something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid. I’ve learned a lot this year, and these Free Practice outings with Audi Revolut F1 Team will be another opportunity to keep gaining on-track experience.
Freddie Slater, Audi Development Driver
Slater expressed gratitude for the trust and support of the Audi Driver Development Programme, which he said has already provided incredible opportunities.
He noted that his primary focus for the upcoming sessions will be to help the team with its programme, do the best job possible, and take as many learnings as possible from both sessions.
Audi’s Long-term Driver Strategy
In preparation for the German brand’s debut F1 season, Audi acquired the Sauber team before the 2026 season and established a new driver academy that has primarily focused on Slater.
While Slater focuses on his development, other drivers are also cycling through practice sessions. Colton Herta, a Cadillac test and development driver, will be in action at the United States Grand Prix, driving Sergio Perez’s car. The Californian’s fourth FP1 session of the year will take place in Austin, although a suspected hydraulic problem cut short his most recent outing in Monza. Herta informed Motorsport.com that he is still targeting an F1 seat by 2028, though his arrangements for the coming year are not yet certain.
Worth a look
