News Summary
- Freddie Slater will contest FP1 in Mexico City and São Paulo, making his first official Formula 1 weekend appearances with Audi.
- The 2026 Formula 3 runner-up will replace Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for one session each, completing Audi’s rookie-practice obligations.
- Slater will graduate to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2027, continuing his development under the Audi Driver Development Programme.
Audi announced on Thursday (October 22) that Freddie Slater will make his Formula 1 practice debut at the Mexican and São Paulo Grands Prix, giving the British teenager his first competitive-weekend experience in the team’s R26 before he steps up to Formula 2 in 2027.
The 18-year-old finished runner-up in the 2026 Formula 3 championship with Trident Motorsport and was the highest-placed rookie in the standings. He will participate in the opening free practice session in Mexico City on October 30 before returning to the cockpit at Interlagos on November 6.
Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg will each surrender one FP1 session to Slater, allowing Audi to complete the four rookie-practice appearances required under the regulations.
The announcement comes less than a month after Audi chief Mattia Binotto publicly identified Slater as a potential future Formula 1 race driver, making clear that the manufacturer considers the Briton an important part of its long-term programme.
Slater welcomes first F1 practice outings with Audi
Slater joined Audi’s newly established Driver Development Programme in January, becoming its first officially announced member. His performances in the junior categories subsequently strengthened the manufacturer’s decision to accelerate his Formula 1 preparation.
The British driver described the opportunity to take part in a Grand Prix weekend as an important achievement and said his immediate objective is to gain experience while contributing to Audi’s development work.
“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,” Slater said.
The teenager acknowledged that the sessions will require him to adapt quickly to a car considerably more powerful and technically complex than the Formula 3 machinery he has driven throughout 2026.
His work will also be limited by the demands of a race weekend, with Audi needing to complete its regular preparation programme while giving Slater time to familiarise himself with the R26.
Slater said he is grateful for the manufacturer’s confidence and intends to make the most of both opportunities.
His objectives include working closely with the engineers, providing useful feedback and gaining experience in procedures that are difficult to replicate during private testing.
Audi completes rookie-practice programme with Bortoleto and Hülkenberg replacements
Formula 1 regulations require teams to provide opportunities for inexperienced drivers during designated free practice sessions. For 2026, teams without eligible full-time rookies must allocate four FP1 appearances to qualifying young drivers across the season.
Audi previously completed two of those sessions with Paul Aron, an Alpine development driver made available to the German manufacturer.
Slater will now complete the remaining two at the Mexican and São Paulo Grands Prix.
The arrangement means both regular Audi drivers will miss one opening practice session before returning for the rest of their respective weekends.
For Bortoleto, the programme also carries a familiar connection with the junior categories. The Brazilian won the Formula 3 championship with Trident in 2023 before moving to Formula 2 with Invicta, where he secured another title in 2024.
Slater will follow a similar route, having represented Trident in Formula 3 and secured an agreement to race for Invicta in Formula 2 next year.
Audi has not announced any change to its Formula 1 race-driver pairing as a consequence of the practice programme. Bortoleto and Hülkenberg remain responsible for the team’s championship campaign.
McNish explains why Audi selected Slater for Mexico and Brazil
Audi racing director Allan McNish, who has also played a central role in establishing the manufacturer’s junior programme, welcomed Slater’s progress and confirmed that the time was right to give him Formula 1 experience.
The former endurance driver has worked closely with the teenager since he joined Audi and has followed his development throughout the 2026 Formula 3 season.
“We have seen Freddie making great progress throughout recent years, both on and off the track,” McNish said.
The Briton highlighted Slater’s development and said the two sessions will prepare him for the demands of Formula 2, while allowing him to experience the working environment of an F1 team during official competition.
McNish also emphasised that the manufacturer wants to provide its young drivers with practical experience rather than limit their development to simulator work.
Slater’s progression forms part of Audi’s strategy to establish its own talent pipeline after taking over Sauber at the beginning of 2026.
The manufacturer intends to identify promising drivers in the junior categories, support their development and evaluate their potential for future opportunities in Formula 1.
Freddie Slater finished runner-up in Formula 3 before F2 move
Slater arrived in Formula 3 with a strong record in junior single-seater racing, having previously won both the Italian Formula 4 championship and the Formula Regional European Championship.
He joined Trident for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season and quickly established himself among the leading drivers.
Slater finished second in the championship behind Ugo Ugochukwu, recording eight podium finishes, three pole positions and one Feature Race victory.
The British driver remained in contention for the title until the final round, although the championship ultimately went to Ugochukwu.
His performance established him as the highest-placed rookie of the season and contributed to Audi’s decision to expand his development programme.
In September, Audi confirmed that Slater would graduate to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2027.
The British organisation has won consecutive Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships in Formula 2, including Bortoleto’s title-winning campaign in 2024 and Leonardo Fornaroli’s successful 2025 season.
Slater’s promotion will provide another opportunity to assess his progress against drivers closer to Formula 1, while maintaining his relationship with Audi.
Binotto already identified Slater as future Audi F1 candidate
Audi chief Mattia Binotto previously discussed Slater’s Formula 1 prospects during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend in September.
The Italian explained that the manufacturer did not establish its Driver Development Programme merely to support drivers in junior categories. Its objective is ultimately to identify candidates capable of progressing to Formula 1.
Binotto praised Slater’s development during the Formula 3 season, particularly his improved tyre management and more consistent approach during the second half of the championship.
He also acknowledged that the teenager had learned important lessons from narrowly missing out on the title.
The Audi chief indicated that Slater would receive Formula 1 responsibilities as part of his preparation, although any future race seat would depend on his continued progress.
Slater’s first two FP1 sessions now represent the next stage of that process.
His outings will take place on consecutive race weekends, beginning in Mexico City before moving to Interlagos.
When will Freddie Slater drive Audi’s F1 car?
Slater’s first official Formula 1 session will take place during FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Friday, October 30, followed by FP1 at the São Paulo Grand Prix on Friday, November 6.
| Event | Date | Session | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City GP | October 30 | Free Practice 1 | Audi |
| São Paulo GP | November 6 | Free Practice 1 | Audi |
The sessions will give Audi additional data while Slater familiarises himself with the demands of the R26, including energy deployment, braking, tyre management and communication with the engineering team.
His appearances will also coincide with the final stages of Audi’s first Formula 1 season as a works manufacturer.
The team enters the closing rounds of 2026 attempting to consolidate its position in the midfield, following points-scoring performances from Bortoleto and Hülkenberg during the year.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the United States Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
