The Mexican Grand Prix weekend always promises drama and excitement, but for those meticulously following every session, the opening Friday of practice will present an extra layer of intrigue. As part of Formula 1's ever-growing initiative to give young drivers a taste of F1 machinery, several teams are required by regulations to field rookie or less experienced drivers during at least two FP1 sessions each season. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will witness three of the sport’s biggest stars being temporarily replaced during the first free practice – and the names stepping into those world-class cockpits are sure to spark interest among dedicated fans.
Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen, three titans of today’s grid, will give way to fresh faces as the next generation is afforded a rare opportunity to showcase their skill on racing’s grandest stage. This rule not only demonstrates Formula 1’s commitment to developing upcoming talent, but also offers teams a closer look at their proteges’ progress and adaptability under real race weekend conditions.
Let’s break down exactly who’s taking to the track in Mexico for FP1, and what it might mean for both the teams and the drivers entering the fray. For Mercedes, Miami-born Frederik Vesti, who has starred in Formula 2, will inherit Hamilton’s seat for the session. Vesti has impressed throughout 2023 with Prema in F2 and represents Mercedes’ future hopes in single-seaters. At McLaren, the talented Mexican driver Pato O’Ward, currently a frontrunner in IndyCar and highly regarded by the McLaren camp, will delight home fans as he steps into Lando Norris’s car. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s own junior driver, Isack Hadjar, will be living out the dream of many aspiring racers as he samples Verstappen’s championship-winning machinery.
For the young drivers, these moments are not only the culmination of years of hard work, but also serve as critical auditions for a potential future seat on the F1 grid. Vesti, with the support of Mercedes, will be aiming to showcase his technical feedback, calmness behind the wheel, and consistency—attributes that teams value highly in potential race drivers. His FP1 mileage helps fulfil Mercedes' obligation towards rookie running, while offering valuable set-up data for the engineers as the team hunts every advantage possible in a closely contested midfield.
Pato O’Ward’s inclusion is especially poignant. Returning to the passionate crowd in Mexico City, he represents the rare breed of drivers thriving outside Formula 1 who still dream of crossing over. O’Ward’s blend of fearlessness, proven IndyCar racecraft, and marketability make him a fan favorite and McLaren’s decision further underlines their trust in his ability. His feedback, shaped by years of racing diverse machinery in America, could shed new light for McLaren’s engineering team as they continue their upward trajectory.
For Red Bull, Isack Hadjar’s appearance is a testament to the energy drink giant’s continued faith in their driver scouting apparatus. Hadjar, currently active in Formula 2 and a product of the ruthlessly competitive Red Bull Junior Team, will seize this opportunity to build rapport with senior management and engineers, as well as demonstrate his raw speed. Given Red Bull’s history of fast-tracking talent, a strong showing could propel Hadjar toward future super-sub opportunities or even longer-term consideration.
Formula 1 fans should pay close attention to the evolution of these rookies throughout FP1. Rookie sessions tend to run a little differently, with teams focusing on procedural work, data collection, and driver adaptation rather than on headline lap times. Nevertheless, lap analysis, inboard footage, and post-session feedback will reveal a great deal about who is truly ready for the pinnacle of motorsport.
Beyond the individual stories, the Mexico GP Friday will serve as a reminder of F1’s perpetual generational shift. Whether established stars are making way for future talents or teams are evaluating how new blood matches up to elite benchmarks, these sessions inject excitement and fresh talking points into the season. Keep a close eye on Vesti, O’Ward, and Hadjar. The F1 grid of tomorrow might just be revealing itself before our eyes in Mexico.
