Freddie Slater will make his Formula 1 race-weekend debut with Audi in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, followed by another FP1 appearance in Sao Paulo.
The two sessions give the 18-year-old development driver experience inside a Grand Prix weekend before his move to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2027. He finished runner-up in this year’s Formula 3 championship with Trident.
Slater became the first driver signed to Audi’s development program earlier this year. The practice assignments are another step in that program, not an announcement of a Formula 1 race seat.
Speaking in the FIA’s Friday press conference at Austin, Audi racing director Allan McNish said the opportunity reflected more than results alone.
It’s pretty clear he’s got talent. It’s pretty clear that he’s got the attitude and the work ethic to do it, he said.
McNish also emphasized a measured approach: Slater must learn the car while doing useful work for the team, rather than treating an hour of practice as a qualifying audition.
Mexico City and Sao Paulo bring different demands, but the immediate objective is the same. Complete the program, provide clear feedback and leave the engineers with data they can use.
For a young driver, getting the call is the milestone. Making the next call an easy one is the job.