Freddie Slater: Audi's 18-Year-Old Set for F1 Debut in Mexico

Freddie Slater is about to fulfill a dream he has pursued since he was a child. The 18-year-old British driver, first signing of Audi's development program, will debut in a Grand Prix weekend behind the wheel of the R26 in the first free practice sessions of Mexico and São Paulo, an opportunity that comes after a season in which he has combined his duties with Audi with a campaign in Formula 3, where he finished runner-up with Trident Motorsport. In 2027 he will make the jump to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing and these two appearances in the top category will be a key step in his training.

"Getting behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car on a Grand Prix weekend is a huge moment for me and something I have dreamed of since I was a child. I have learned a lot this year and these outings in the free practice sessions with the Audi Revolut F1 Team will be another opportunity to continue acquiring experience on track" Slater declared upon learning of the news. The young driver also wanted to thank the support received: "Being part of the Audi Driver Development Program has already given me some incredible opportunities and I am grateful for their trust and support. I am really looking forward to going out on track: my objective will be to do the best possible job, help the team with its program and get the maximum learning from both sessions" he added.

Allan McNish, Audi competition director and of the development program, explained the reasons for this decision: "We have seen Freddie progress enormously in recent years, both on and off track; it is the right moment for him to take a step forward. These appearances in Mexico and Brazil will give him valuable experience of a Formula 1 weekend and another opportunity to continue his development before he moves up to Formula 2 next season. We are looking forward to seeing him in the R26 and supporting him in these two important FP1 sessions" McNish noted.

Slater's path to here has been meteoric: at 18 years old he has already proven to be one of the most promising talents of his generation, his runner-up title in Formula 3, competing against drivers with more experience has caught the attention of Audi's executives who have not hesitated to give him the opportunity to test the German brand's car. The FP1 sessions in Mexico and São Paulo will not only allow him to accumulate kilometers in a Formula 1 car but also to familiarize himself with the functioning of a top-level team and with the pressure of a Grand Prix weekend.

For Audi the bet on Slater is part of a long-term strategy. The German team, which debuted in Formula 1 this season, is building a solid structure for the future and having young talents like Slater is a key piece in that plan. The Briton will have the opportunity to demonstrate his worth on two very different circuits and his performance will be closely evaluated by the team's executives, his dream of reaching Formula 1 is increasingly closer and these two free practice sessions will be the first step of a path that promises to be exciting.