Teenager Freddie Slater will step into an Audi on Friday morning at the Mexico City and Sao Paulo Grands Prix, getting his first taste of Formula 1 machinery.
Audi is handing 18-year-old British driver Freddie Slater his first run in a Formula 1 car. He will take part in opening practice at both the Mexico City and Sao Paulo Grands Prix.
It is a big step for a teenager who is still early in his career. FP1 sessions are the only point in a race weekend where young talents can get real track time in a current F1 car. They are also a chance to prove they can handle the pace, the pressure and the technical feedback that comes with it.
Both venues are demanding tests. Mexico City's high altitude thins the air and changes how a car behaves, while Interlagos in Sao Paulo is a fast, bumpy, old-school circuit that rewards confidence and precision. Slater will have limited running at each, so every lap will count.
For Audi, the sessions offer a chance to give a young driver F1 experience while the regular race drivers focus on the rest of the weekend. Slater's two outings will show how quickly he can adapt and how well he communicates with the engineers.
