F1 Mexican GP: All Reported FP1 Driver Replacements in 2026

We'll witness young, talented drivers take the wheel of Formula 1 cars during Free Practice 1 of the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix. As part of the mandatory rookie-running rules of four FP1 sessions, several teams on the grid will give their reserve or test drivers the opportunity to participate in FP1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. 

Teams typically do this during race weekends where there are three practice sessions. This way, the main driver still has two practice sessions (FP2 and FP3) to test the car's setup, even if he gives way to the reserve driver in FP1.

 The most recent reserve driver to participate in a Formula 1 practice session was Colton Herta, who subbed in for Sergio Perez's Cadillac during the United States Grand Prix. Herta completed 21 laps around the Circuit of The Americas, allowing him to earn one Super Licence point.

Interestingly, Herta is set for back-to-back FP1 appearances, along with other young drivers.

Herta just needs one more Super Licence point to total 40 points, which is the required number to be eligible for an F1 seat. If the American driver and former IndyCar star completes at least 100 kilometers of running on Friday, he puts himself in position to step up to F1 in 2027. 

Of course, if Cadillac decides to take him.

Vesti subs in for George Russell in Mexico. He's among the more experienced drivers in this group, having finished runner-up in the 2023 Formula 2 championship. Vesti has also appeared in a number of FP1 sessions and has been part of Mercedes' development program since 2021.

Fornaroli, the reigning F2 champion, will drive Lando Norris's McLaren this Friday. If everything goes according to plan, this will be Fornaroli's fourth FP1 appearance this year. Fornaroli also won the 2024 F3 championship, and yet remains without a permanent F1 seat.

Minì will take the wheel of Franco Colapinto's Alpine. This will be a first career FP1 session for Minì, who races for MP Motorsport in F2. Previously, Alpine handed an FP1 session to Paul Aron in Hungary and Monza. 

Slater joins Minì as an FP1 first-timer on Friday. The 18-year-old Slater will replace Gabriel Bortoleto at Audi. The British driver finished runner-up in this year's F3 championship and is stepping up to F2 with Invicta Racing in 2027.

Browning subs in for Alex Albon in the Williams car. This will be Browning's third FP1 session this year, with his last one scheduled next weekend in Brazil. The 24-year-old British driver is part of the Williams Driver Academy.

Crawford will drive Lance Stroll's Aston Martin car. This will be Crawford's fourth and final FP1 outing, having already driven the AMR-26 in Japan, Austria, and Belgium. Crawford is currently Aston Martin's reserve driver. 

We're still waiting for confirmation, but Ryo Hirakawa (to replace Haas' Esteban Ocon) and Ayumu Iwasa (to replace Red Bull's Max Verstappen) are rumored to participate in FP1 as well. Hirakawa is Haas' second reserve driver (alongside Jack Doohan), while Iwasa currently races for Team Mugen in the Super Formula Championship.