Audi junior Freddie Slater will make his Formula 1 debut behind the wheel of a car with two Free Practice 1 outings, in Mexico City and Sao Paulo. Audi took over the Sauber team ahead of 2026 for the German brand's maiden F1 season, and launched a new driver academy that has largely rested on Slater's shoulders.
Previously an Italian F4 and Formula Regional European champion, Slater lived up to expectations by taking second place in Formula 3 behind Ugo Ugochukwu. The 18-year-old Briton was the highest-placed rookie in the standings. Ahead of his step up to Formula 2 with Invicta, he will help Audi fulfil the rules' young-driver requirements. Slater is taking the team's last two mandatory rookie outings, replacing Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto once each.
"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. Audi racing director Allan Mc Nish added: "We have seen Freddie making great progress throughout recent years, both on and off the track; it is the right time for Freddie to step up."
Separately, Cadillac test and development driver Colton Herta will drive Sergio Perez's car in FP1 at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, marking his fourth FP1 session of the year. Herta, who won his first IndyCar race at the circuit in 2019, said stepping into an F1 car on this layout "feels like coming full circle." Currently 19th in the F2 standings, he told Autosport he still aims for F1 by 2028.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing