Ferrari among F1 teams changing drivers for Mexico GP FP1: Why rookies are taking over

Ferrari is among eight Formula 1 teams planning changes to their driver line-ups for the opening practice session of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, with Dino Beganovic listed for another appearance in the SF-26. Mercedes, McLaren, Alpine, Audi, Williams and Aston Martin are also preparing to give young drivers valuable track time, while Red Bull could join them if its reported plans involving Ayumu Iwasa materialise.

The unusually large number of rookie appearances is no coincidence. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez presents particular challenges during the opening stages of a Grand Prix weekend, making FP1 an attractive opportunity to satisfy Formula 1’s mandatory rookie-running requirements. With the championship approaching its conclusion and teams increasingly directing their attention towards their 2027 cars, the timing also makes sense from a development perspective.

Why Ferrari and other F1 teams are choosing Mexico GP FP1 for rookie drivers

Formula 1 regulations require teams to provide opportunities for inexperienced drivers during official practice sessions. In 2026, each team must allocate four FP1 appearances to eligible rookies, with two sessions coming from each of its regular race cars. Drivers who have started no more than two Formula 1 Grands Prix qualify for these outings.

Although teams can distribute these appearances across different race weekends, choosing the right circuit can minimise the impact on their regular drivers’ preparations. Mexico City offers a particularly interesting combination of track conditions and championship timing.

The first factor is the state of the asphalt at the beginning of the weekend. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is often relatively dirty and lacking grip when Formula 1 cars first take to the circuit, making the opening session less representative of the conditions expected during qualifying and the Grand Prix.

As more cars circulate, the racing line becomes cleaner and rubber is deposited onto the surface. Grip progressively improves, changing how the cars respond under braking, through corners and during acceleration.

Consequently, the information gathered during FP1 may have limited relevance once the circuit has evolved. Teams can therefore use the opening hour to complete rookie obligations while preserving the more representative second and third practice sessions for their established race drivers.

The specific circuit conditions have already attracted attention from Ferrari. Team principal Fred Vasseur has highlighted the cooling and grip challenges awaiting the SF-26 in Mexico City, with the venue’s altitude adding another complication to the weekend.

Ferrari’s Dino Beganovic gets another opportunity in the SF-26

For Ferrari, Dino Beganovic is the driver identified for the rookie appearance, although the regular driver he will replace has not yet been specified in the planned line-up. Either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc would therefore miss the opening session if the arrangement goes ahead.

The Swedish driver already has experience of working with the Maranello team during official Formula 1 practice sessions. Earlier in the season, Beganovic gained valuable experience alongside Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, learning from the contrasting approaches of Ferrari’s two established drivers.

His previous outings have also demonstrated how rookie running can contribute to a team’s technical programme. During Spanish Grand Prix FP1, Beganovic drove the previous specification of the SF-26 while Charles Leclerc evaluated Ferrari’s updated aerodynamic package, allowing the engineers to gather information from two different configurations.

Another appearance in Mexico would provide the Ferrari Driver Academy prospect with further experience of the 2026 machinery, while the team’s regular drivers would resume their programmes from FP2.

Why Mexico’s place on the F1 calendar makes rookie running attractive

The second major consideration is the stage of the championship. Mexico City hosts the middle race of the final triple-header, following the United States Grand Prix and preceding the Brazilian round. Formula 1 is therefore entering a crucial period in which teams must balance their remaining 2026 ambitions against preparations for the following season.

With championship positions beginning to take shape, some teams are allocating an increasing proportion of their development resources to their 2027 cars. The potential benefit of gathering additional information on the current machines consequently becomes smaller, particularly if significant upgrades are no longer planned.

This shift in priorities could also mean fewer major development packages appearing during the remaining races. Rookie sessions provide a practical way to fulfil regulatory requirements while established drivers concentrate on the more important competitive work later in the weekend.

Mexico City could also become the setting for a historic Drivers’ Championship outcome. Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrives with the possibility of securing his first Formula 1 world title, adding another dimension to an already significant race weekend.

Colton Herta returns to Cadillac after Austin FP1 appearance

Cadillac will also provide another opportunity to Colton Herta, with the American scheduled to replace Valtteri Bottas during the opening session in Mexico. The Formula 2 driver previously participated in FP1 at the United States Grand Prix and has completed four such sessions during the season.

His outing at Monza, however, was complicated by a reliability problem that prevented him from covering the minimum 100 kilometres required for the session to count towards his Super Licence points.

Herta explained that every opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car with Cadillac was valuable for his development. He expressed enthusiasm about returning to the cockpit in Mexico, emphasising the chance to learn a new circuit, accumulate additional Formula 1 experience and contribute to the team’s work throughout the weekend.

The appearance could also prove relevant to Cadillac’s preparations for 2027, as the American team continues evaluating its options for the following season.

Complete list of rookie drivers planned for Mexico City GP FP1

Several familiar young drivers are expected to appear during Friday’s first practice session, with Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren among the teams preparing substitutions. The Italian contingent is particularly notable, as Leonardo Fornaroli returns with McLaren and Gabriele Minì prepares for his official Alpine practice debut.

Alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli, their participation means three Italian drivers are expected to feature during a weekend that could also produce an Italian Formula 1 world champion.

McLaren has confirmed Leonardo Fornaroli’s return to a Formula 1 cockpit, while Alpine is providing Gabriele Minì with his first official practice appearance. Meanwhile, the Red Bull entry remains dependent on confirmation, with Ayumu Iwasa currently linked to the session rather than definitively announced.

For the established drivers, the substitutions mean missing an hour of track time at a circuit where conditions can change considerably between sessions. However, given the characteristics of Mexico City, teams may consider that an acceptable compromise as they complete their remaining rookie commitments.

What the rookie changes mean for Ferrari’s Mexico GP preparations

Ferrari approaches the Mexican Grand Prix seeking to build on its encouraging performance in Austin, where Charles Leclerc finished second and Lewis Hamilton took fourth. Maintaining that competitiveness at a very different circuit will be an important challenge for the Italian team.

The reduced track time available to one of its race drivers could complicate preparations, particularly given the unusual grip levels and cooling demands. However, Mexico’s rapidly evolving surface means the information collected later in the weekend may ultimately prove more useful for determining the optimal setup.

Fans can find the complete 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix practice, qualifying and race schedule ahead of the opening session.

With rookie drivers preparing to take over several Formula 1 cars, Friday’s FP1 will offer a mixture of development work, young-driver opportunities and preparations for the championship’s final races. For Ferrari, the focus will remain on ensuring that any rookie appearance contributes to the team’s programme without compromising its prospects of another strong Grand Prix result.