P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Several driver changes for first practice in Mexico this weekend
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will be absent from the first practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend as per F1 regulations mandating two missed sessions for non-rookie drivers.
Verstappen will be sitting out the initial practice session at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Friday, with Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad taking his place.
Lindblad, part of Red Bull’s development program, previously drove for Yuki Tsunoda at the British GP and has garnered enough super licence points for a potential F1 debut.
Hamilton will also miss FP1, ceding his SF-25 to Antonio Fuoco for Ferrari and providing an opportunity for younger drivers like Frederik Vesti at Mercedes.
The weekend will see Isack Hadjar take Tsunoda’s spot alongside Verstappen, with changes also anticipated at McLaren and Aston Martin for first practice.
Overall, these driver switches offer rising talents a platform to showcase their potential and gain valuable experience on the F1 stage.
