Maranello, Italy — Ferrari World Endurance Championship (WEC) driver Antonio Fuoco is scheduled to participate in the first practice session (FP1) for the Mexican Grand Prix, held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, on Friday. The outing marks a significant opportunity for the 29-year-old Italian, who also serves as a crucial development driver for Scuderia Ferrari’s Formula 1 team.

Fuoco’s appearance in Mexico City underscores Ferrari’s commitment to driver development and adherence to the FIA’s regulations regarding rookie participation in Grand Prix weekends. While his primary racing focus lies in the WEC’s Hypercar category, his longstanding association with Ferrari’s F1 programme has positioned him as a valuable asset for the Italian marque. Ferrari is yet to confirm whether regular drivers Charles Leclerc or Carlos Sainz Jr. will vacate their seat for Fuoco during the session. The original source material for this report indicated "Lewis Hamilton" as a potential driver to be replaced; however, given that Lewis Hamilton is contracted to Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team for the 2024 season and is slated to join Ferrari in 2025, it is understood that Carlos Sainz Jr. would be the current Ferrari driver in question alongside Charles Leclerc.

Fuoco’s Journey: From F1 Aspirant to WEC Champion

Antonio Fuoco’s journey with Ferrari began well over a decade ago. A product of the prestigious Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA), he has been deeply embedded in the Maranello structure for years. His first taste of F1 machinery came in 2015, participating in a two-day test at the Red Bull Ring following the Austrian Grand Prix. This initial test provided him with invaluable experience in a contemporary F1 car, laying the groundwork for his subsequent development roles. He further expanded his F1 testing mileage in the 2020 Young Driver Test and the post-season tests at the Yas Marina Circuit in both 2021 and 2024. These opportunities are critical for both the driver, allowing them to acclimate to the ever-evolving F1 cars, and for the team, which uses these sessions to evaluate talent and gather crucial data for future car development.

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In 2019, following the announcement of Mick Schumacher joining the Ferrari Driver Academy, Fuoco transitioned into a pivotal role within Ferrari’s F1 simulator team. This position is highly specialized, requiring an intricate understanding of vehicle dynamics and setup to provide real-time feedback and support to the race drivers and engineers during Grand Prix weekends. The simulator work is increasingly vital in modern F1, allowing teams to test configurations and track conditions without incurring the costs and logistical challenges of on-track running. Fuoco’s extensive experience in this role means he possesses a deep, technical understanding of Ferrari’s F1 challenger, the SF-24, and its predecessors.

Beyond his F1 development duties, Fuoco has carved out a highly successful career in endurance racing. In 2023, he joined Ferrari AF Corse for their much-anticipated return to the top tier of the World Endurance Championship, the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) category. Partnering with Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen in the #50 Ferrari 499P, Fuoco quickly made an impact. He secured Ferrari’s first pole position in the championship’s top class in 2023, signaling the team’s immediate competitiveness. The pinnacle of his endurance racing achievements came in 2024, when he, alongside Nielsen and Molina, secured a historic victory for Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This triumph marked Ferrari’s second consecutive overall win at the iconic endurance race since their return to the Hypercar class, solidifying Fuoco’s status as a top-tier international racing driver. His success in the demanding environment of endurance racing, which requires not only raw speed but also consistency, strategic thinking, and effective teamwork, demonstrates a well-rounded skillset that is highly valued in motorsport.

The FIA Rookie Rule: A Gateway to F1 for Aspiring Talents

Fuoco’s FP1 outing is mandated by a specific regulation introduced by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) to promote driver development and provide opportunities for emerging talents. Since the 2022 Formula 1 season, every team has been required to run a "rookie driver" in at least one Free Practice 1 session per car, totaling two sessions per season. A rookie driver, under this regulation, is defined as a driver who has not started more than two Formula 1 Grand Prix races in their career.

This rule serves multiple purposes. For aspiring drivers, it offers invaluable experience in a Grand Prix weekend environment, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the car, the circuit, and the team’s operational procedures under competitive conditions. For the teams, it provides an opportunity to evaluate potential future talent, gather fresh perspectives on car setup, and fulfill their regulatory obligations. The data collected from these sessions is crucial for assessing a driver’s raw pace, technical feedback, and ability to integrate into the high-pressure F1 ecosystem.

Looking ahead, a rule change introduced for the 2025 season will further increase this mandate, requiring teams to run rookie drivers in two FP1 sessions per car per season, bringing the total to four sessions per team annually. This adjustment reflects the FIA’s ongoing commitment to fostering a pathway for young drivers into Formula 1 and ensuring a continuous pipeline of talent.

Ferrari has already utilized this rule earlier in the 2024 season, having run Formula 2 driver Dino Beganovic in an FP1 session in Bahrain, where he replaced Charles Leclerc. These opportunities are critical for drivers like Beganovic and Fuoco, providing them with crucial mileage and exposure on the world stage.

The Mexican Grand Prix: A Unique Challenge

The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez presents a distinctive challenge for Formula 1 teams and drivers, primarily due to its high altitude. Situated over 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level, the thin air significantly impacts engine performance, aerodynamic downforce, and cooling efficiency. Turbocharged engines work harder to compensate for the lack of oxygen, while the reduced air density means cars generate less aerodynamic grip, despite running maximum downforce settings. This often leads to unique car setups and can make the track particularly slippery, demanding precision and adaptability from drivers. The circuit itself features a mix of high-speed straights, notably the long run down to Turn 1, and a technical, twisty stadium section, providing a comprehensive test of a car’s overall performance.

For Antonio Fuoco, navigating this challenging environment in a contemporary F1 car will be a rigorous test. His experience as a development driver and his success in WEC’s demanding races, which often involve managing complex hybrid powertrains and tire degradation over long stints, should prepare him for the technical demands of an F1 FP1 session.

A Field of Fresh Faces: Other Rookies in Mexico FP1

Fuoco will not be the only fresh face making an FP1 appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix. Several other teams have also designated their rookie drivers for the session, highlighting the widespread implementation of the FIA rule. These include:

• Pato O’Ward for McLaren: The highly-rated IndyCar star, a McLaren protégé, will get another opportunity to showcase his F1 potential. O’Ward has previously participated in FP1 sessions for McLaren, demonstrating consistent speed and valuable feedback.
• Arvid Lindblad for Red Bull: A rising star in the Red Bull Junior Team, Lindblad is currently competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. His FP1 outing signifies Red Bull’s continued commitment to nurturing young talent through its extensive driver programme.
• Jak Crawford for Aston Martin: Another American talent, Crawford is part of the Aston Martin Young Driver Development Programme and races in Formula 2. His session with Aston Martin will provide crucial experience and evaluation for the Silverstone-based team.
• Luke Browning for Williams: Browning, who has competed in Formula 3, will take the wheel for Williams. The Grove-based outfit has a long history of promoting young drivers, and Browning’s FP1 session aligns with their development philosophy.

These simultaneous rookie appearances across multiple teams at a single Grand Prix underscore the strategic importance of these sessions for both driver development and team assessment. For Antonio Fuoco, his FP1 outing in Mexico City is more than just a regulatory obligation; it is a testament to his continued value to Ferrari’s comprehensive motorsport operations and a significant opportunity to once again demonstrate his capabilities in the pinnacle of motorsport.

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Jonas Leo

Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.

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