Mini makes F1 debut as Colapinto and Russell sit out Mexico FP1

Alpine junior Gabriele Mini will make his Formula 1 race weekend debut in Free Practice 1 at the Mexico Grand Prix, taking the wheel of Franco Colapinto’s A526 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. George Russell will also sit out the opening session at Williams, with reserve driver Luke Browning stepping in.

Mini, 20, has been an Alpine Academy member since 2023, when he joined following a runner-up finish in the Formula Regional European Championship. He also finished second in Formula 3 and has been building F1 familiarity through Alpine’s Testing of Previous Cars programme — though that machinery differs significantly from the current-spec A526 he will drive in Mexico.

“Having been part of the Alpine Academy for several years and progressing through the junior ranks, competing in an official Formula 1 session is going to be a really special moment for me,” Mini said. He added that he has spent time on the simulator at Alpine’s Enstone base and worked closely with engineers to prepare, with a stated goal of delivering useful data to support a points-scoring weekend for Pierre Gasly and Colapinto.

Mini currently sits fourth in the Formula 2 standings, his title challenge having faded from an earlier lead, with only a slim mathematical chance remaining across the final two rounds.

The FP1 appearances are part of the FIA’s mandatory rookie running requirement, which obliges each team to field a young driver in at least four practice sessions across the season — two per car. For Alpine, Mini’s outing will be the third such entry of 2025, following reserve driver Paul Aron’s runs at the Hungaroring and Monza.

At Williams, Browning will take the car in both Mexico and Brazil, giving him his eighth and ninth career FP1 appearances. The British driver is currently competing in Super Formula, where he sits 13th in his debut campaign.

“It’s a great opportunity to get more laps in the car, while building my understanding of the new package and bringing useful data and feedback back to Grove,” Browning said.