P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Why you might not recognise almost half the grid at F1 Mexican GP
A new F1 driver lineup is to be expected for the first practice session at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix following a huge number of changes across the grid. Ahead of the opening round of the 2025 season back in March, the FIA confirmed a number of rule changes, including the removal of the fastest lap point and the addition of more mandatory rookie opportunities with F1 teams. This means each F1 outfit is now required to field a rookie driver in both of their cars at least twice, for a total minimum of four sessions throughout the season, double the previous requirement of one swap per car each year. With just five rounds left of the 2025 campaign, teams are running out of time to meet their quota, meaning a whopping nine swaps have been planned for this weekend’s FP1 session at the challenging Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. Nine rookie drivers will be replacing full-time F1 stars, with four-time champion Max Verstappen and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton both selected to take a backseat for FP1 on Friday. Following a stunning performance where he won both the sprint race and the main event at last weekend’s US Grand Prix, Verstappen will sit out of the first session of the weekend in Mexico. Instead, Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad will return to the cockpit of the RB21 having made his F1 session debut in FP1 at the British GP back in July where he replaced Yuki Tsunoda. The Dutchman and the energy drink giants are currently executing what could go down as a comeback for the ages after resurrecting their chances in the drivers’ championship, but Verstappen will be on the back foot after missing out on the first practice session this weekend. However, he isn’t the only title contender facing this challenge, as McLaren have announced that Mexican driver Pato O’Ward will be returning to his home track for the second year in a row, replacing Lando Norris for FP1. The 26-year-old has now wrapped up the 2025 IndyCar season where he finished P2 in the championship behind Alex Palou, meaning he is once again free to return to test and reserve duties for the papaya F1 outfit at the Mexican GP. As Ferrari and Mercedes continue to battle it out for P2 in the F1 constructors’ championship, both teams have selected star drivers Hamilton and George Russell to sacrifice a vital session at the wheel around the demanding track, which is over 2km above sea level. The Scuderia have opted to swap Hamilton out for WEC star Antonio Fuoco, who was part of the team that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024, whilst Mercedes have chosen to replace Russell with one of their reserve drivers, Frederik Vesti. Ferrari’s choice has proved popular with the Maranello team’s home fans given that Fuoco’s Friday outing will mark the first time an Italian driver has driven a Ferrari in an official F1 session in 16 years. Further down the grid, Williams have selected academy star and F2 driver Luke Browning to step in for Carlos Sainz again, and Racing Bulls have enlisted the help of Japanese Super Formula driver Ayumu Iwasa to replace Liam Lawson for FP1. Aston Martin have chosen to hand.
