The opening free practice session for the Mexico City Grand Prix features an extensive influx of substitute drivers, with ten visiting competitors due on track when running commences on Friday evening at 19:30 Hungarian time. This arrangement means that ten out of the 11 teams across the Formula 1 grid are benching one of their permanent drivers for the initial track period. Scuderia Ferrari represents the sole team avoiding any roster adjustments, with the red cars retaining their established lineup of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for the opening session. Conversely, every other constructor is placing an alternate driver behind the wheel of one car, with three of those individuals appearing at a grand prix weekend for the very first time.
Among the collective group taking part, three drivers will experience their debuts on a Formula 1 race weekend: Gabriele Mini, Nikola Tsolov, and Freddie Slater. In contrast, several other contenders are logging repeat appearances in opening free practice over the course of the ongoing season. Colton Herta is participating in his fifth opening session of the year. Ayumu Iwasa, Jak Crawford, and Luke Browning are each slated for their fourth driving stint, although Browning was prevented from taking to the circuit during his scheduled outing in Barcelona. Meanwhile, Leonardo Fornaroli, Frederik Vesti, and Ryo Hirakawa are each preparing for their third substitute call-up of the current championship.
Friday's track activity could carry notable significance regarding the 2027 season for several participants, most notably Herta. The American competitor needs merely the single superlicence point awarded for running in a free practice session to reach the required qualifying threshold demanded for a Formula 1 debut. Attaining that credit requires completing a minimum distance of at least 100 kilometres during the session. Should he fail to achieve that target distance for whatever reason, Cadillac will clearly place him behind the steering wheel for at least one additional practice outing. The American team is running him presently solely for that purpose, having already satisfied the sporting regulations governing mandated substitute driver running. Securing the required score naturally does not mean he is certain to obtain a full-time race seat next year, but without reaching that threshold, his name could not even enter consideration for the cockpit occupied by Valtteri Bottas.
The session also represents an important opportunity for Tsolov's motorsport career. While it remains improbable that he will secure a race seat at Racing Bulls for the 2027 season, the young racer presently occupies the top spot in the rankings among Red Bull junior drivers. Producing an impressive debut display during the grand prix weekend would consequently boost his likelihood of earning a Formula 1 race debut in 2028.
Sources: A mezőny több mint fele lecserélődik az F1-es Mexikói Nagydíj nyitányán.
