Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater his F1 debut at Mexico and Brazil

Freddie Slater will make his Formula 1 debut across two Free Practice 1 sessions at the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix, Audi confirmed, with the 18-year-old Briton set to replace Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto once each in the R26.

Slater is the centrepiece of Audi’s newly launched driver academy, which the German manufacturer established as it took over the Sauber operation ahead of its maiden F1 season in 2026. The teenager has justified that faith by finishing second in Formula 3 this year behind Ugo Ugochukwu, ending the campaign as the highest-placed rookie in the standings — a result that follows earlier titles in Italian F4 and Formula Regional Europe.

The Mexico City and São Paulo outings fulfil Audi’s mandatory young-driver FP1 requirements for the season. Alpine junior Paul Aron had covered the team’s first two such sessions on loan earlier in the year, leaving Slater to take the final pair before he steps up to Formula 2 with Invicta next season — following a path already trodden by former Trident F3 teammates Bortoleto, Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Camara.

“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. “I’ve learned a lot this year, and these free practice outings with Audi will be another opportunity to keep gaining on-track experience. My focus will be on doing the best job I can, helping the team with its programme and taking as many learnings as possible from both sessions.”

Audi racing director Allan McNish said the timing was right for Slater to take the step. “We have seen Freddie making great progress throughout recent years, both on and off the track,” McNish said. “These appearances in Mexico and Brazil will give him valuable experience of a Formula 1 race weekend, and another chance to continue his development before he steps up to Formula 2 next season.”

Elsewhere, Cadillac test and development driver Colton Herta will drive Sergio Perez’s car in Free Practice 1 at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix in Austin — his fourth FP1 appearance of the season, after his most recent session at Monza was cut short by a suspected hydraulic issue. “Driving the MAC-26 in front of the American fans at COTA is going to be special,” Herta said, noting that Austin was the venue for his first IndyCar victory back in 2019.