The Formula 1 weekend in Mexico City will open with a distinct Italian touch. During the first free practice session, Ferrari development driver Antonio Fuoco will take the wheel of Lewis Hamilton’s SF-25. For the 28-year-old from Cariati, Calabria, this marks a long-awaited and well-deserved debut, the result of years of dedication in Ferrari’s simulator and the endurance racing program with the Hypercar project.
“Making my debut during an official Formula 1 weekend is something that, both personally and professionally, makes me incredibly proud and happy,” said Antonio Fuoco. “Having the opportunity to drive Lewis’s car and share the garage once again with Charles, as we did back in Formula 2 in 2017, is really special. We’ve shared many moments both on and off the track. Our careers took different paths, but we’ve always maintained a great relationship, and today we’re both achieving important milestones with Ferrari. It will definitely be a Friday to remember, one that repays all the work I’ve done over the years to support the team.”
From simulator to track: Ferrari’s continuity in development
Fuoco’s experience in the simulator has been a key element in the technical evolution of the SF-25, especially in the development and data correlation phases. For the Scuderia, having his direct feedback on track represents an important step in validating the extensive work carried out at Maranello.
“My main contribution will certainly be to provide a useful reference for data correlation with the simulator,” explained Antonio Fuoco. “I’ll try to collect as much information as possible and check how the car behaves on track during an actual race weekend. It’s also a great opportunity for me to improve my work on the simulator. Collaborating with Lewis’s engineers and the rest of the team will allow me to grow further and refine the technical sensitivity that I’ll bring back to my work in Maranello.”
This approach reflects Ferrari’s core philosophy, where the connection between virtual development and real-world feedback has become one of the main pillars of its technical competitiveness.
Antonio Fuoco – A journey built over time
From the Ferrari Driver Academy to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, passing through years of GT racing and simulator work in Formula 1, Fuoco’s career perfectly embodies the internal growth philosophy of Ferrari. His journey combines talent, discipline, and dedication — the essential ingredients for a long-term career within the Scuderia.
“Looking back on my path, I can say these years with Ferrari have been truly unique,” Antonio Fuoco reflected. “We’ve come a long way together — from the Ferrari Driver Academy to GT racing, through simulator work on the Formula 1 car’s development, and up to the 499P Hypercar. I must admit I’m very proud, especially as an Italian, since I’ve dreamed of racing for Ferrari ever since I was a child. Winning the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Hypercar will probably remain the highlight of my career, but being able to officially take part in a Formula 1 weekend with Scuderia Ferrari HP is another huge emotion.”
A strong message of continuity
Antonio Fuoco’s debut in FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix is more than just a personal achievement — it’s also a symbolic and technical message from Scuderia Ferrari. It represents continuity, confidence in its own talent pool, and the ability to build and nurture internal expertise.
In a Formula 1 environment where the role of the simulator driver is increasingly crucial, Antonio Fuoco’s story proves that the line between virtual and real racing can be successfully crossed. In Mexico City, the Ferrari SF-25 will give the Calabrian driver a taste of the speed he has helped develop for years behind the scenes — with the same passion that’s driven him since childhood, when he first dreamed of racing with the Prancing Horse.
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