Antonio Fuoco is about to experience one of the most meaningful moments of his career. The Italian driver will take part in the FP1 session of the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix at the wheel of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari SF-25, during the rookie-only session alongside his long-time friend and teammate Charles Leclerc. For Fuoco, this marks his official debut in a Formula 1 weekend with Scuderia Ferrari, after years of hard work behind the scenes in the simulator and within Ferrari’s endurance program with the 499P Hypercar.
“My debut in an official Formula 1 weekend is something that, both personally and professionally, makes me truly proud and happy,” said Antonio Fuoco. “Having the opportunity to drive Lewis’s car and to share the garage with Charles once again, just like we did in Formula 2 back in 2017, is really special.”
The strong bond between Antonio Fuoco and Charles Leclerc
“We’ve shared many moments together, both on and off the track,” continued Fuoco. “Then our careers took different paths, but we always kept a great relationship, and now we’ve both reached important milestones with Ferrari. It will certainly be a Friday to remember, one that repays all the effort and dedication I’ve put into supporting the team over the years.”
Thanks to his extensive simulator experience, Antonio Fuoco is already deeply familiar with the Ferrari SF-25. During the free practice session in Mexico, his main goal will be to gather data useful for track-to-simulator correlation—an essential aspect for car development ahead of the 2025 and 2026 Formula 1 seasons.
“My main contribution will definitely be to provide a valuable reference for the simulator correlation, trying to collect as much data as possible and verify the real-world behavior of the car during a race weekend,” he explained.
“For me personally, it will also be an opportunity to improve my own simulator work. Collaborating directly with Lewis’s engineers and the rest of the trackside team will allow me to grow further and refine the technical sensitivity I can bring back to my daily work in Maranello.”
Fuoco’s deep connection with Ferrari
The Calabrian driver also reflected on his long journey within the Ferrari world, emphasizing how much the Scuderia has shaped his professional and personal development. From the Ferrari Driver Academy to the 499P Hypercar program, Antonio Fuoco has been a key figure within the Prancing Horse family, contributing significantly to the historic 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours victory.
“Looking back at my journey, I can say that these years with Ferrari have been truly unique,” Antonio Fuoco said. “We’ve come a long way together—from the Ferrari Driver Academy to the GT world, from working in the simulator to develop the Formula 1 car to finally reaching the Hypercar program with the 499P.”
“I have to admit I’m very proud, especially as an Italian who has dreamed since childhood of racing for Ferrari. The victory with the Hypercar at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans will probably remain the highlight of my career, but being able to officially take part in a Formula 1 weekend with Scuderia Ferrari is an incredible emotion as well.”
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