F1 Mexico: Iwasa, Vesti and Tsolov run FP1 for the regular drivers
The newsroomUpdated on October 29, 20263 minF1 Mexico City GP: Ayumu Iwasa replaces Max Verstappen, Frederik Vesti stands in for George Russell and Nikola Tsolov for Liam Lawson in first practice.
Key point
At the F1 Mexico City GP, Verstappen, Russell and Lawson hand their cars to Iwasa, Vesti and Tsolov in FP1: teams must run a rookie four times a season.
The first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix in Formula 1 (Friday 30 October) has an unusual line-up: several regular drivers hand their cars to a reserve or a youngster. After Alpine, Williams and Cadillac, other teams have confirmed their stand-ins: Ayumu Iwasa at Red Bull, Frederik Vesti at Mercedes and Nikola Tsolov at Racing Bulls.
Red Bull: Iwasa for Verstappen
Max Verstappen gives up his RB22 to Ayumu Iwasa for FP1 in Mexico City, as part of Red Bull's rookie running programme. Iwasa has already taken part in three FP1 sessions this season: in the Red Bull at Barcelona and Monza, then in the Racing Bulls car in Austria. It will be his eighth FP1 in total and his second in Mexico, after last year's with Racing Bulls. Verstappen gets his car back for second practice.
Mercedes: Vesti replaces Russell
George Russell does not run in FP1: Frederik Vesti, a Mercedes reserve driver since 2024, drives his W17. It will be his third FP1 of 2026, after Barcelona and Hungary, where he took Kimi Antonelli's car, but the first in Russell's. He still has to do one more this year. Deputy technical director Simone Resta describes these sessions as an ideal link between the track and the team's virtual world. Vesti, in Mercedes' junior set-up since 2021, made his FP1 debut at the 2023 Mexican GP.
Racing Bulls: Tsolov for Lawson
Nikola Tsolov, a Red Bull junior, takes the wheel in place of Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.
A heavily reshuffled field
Other teams change drivers for the session too: Leonardo Fornaroli replaces Lando Norris at McLaren, Gabriele Minì Franco Colapinto at Alpine, Freddie Slater Gabriel Bortoleto at Audi, Luke Browning Alex Albon at Williams, Jak Crawford Lance Stroll at Aston Martin and Colton Herta Valtteri Bottas at Cadillac. Haas gives track time to reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.
Key points
- Teams must run a rookie in FP1 four times a season; a rookie is a driver with two Grands Prix or fewer.
- Regular drivers must also give up their car in two sessions, except in their first season.
- The regulars get their cars back for the rest of the weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Who replaces Max Verstappen in FP1 in Mexico?
Ayumu Iwasa drives the Red Bull RB22 in first practice, as part of the team's rookie running programme. Verstappen gets his car back afterwards.
Why is Mercedes replacing George Russell?
For the practice session reserved for a rookie: Frederik Vesti drives the W17. The source gives no other reason for Russell's absence.
What is the rule?
Teams must run a rookie (two Grands Prix or fewer) in four FP1 sessions a season, and regular drivers give up their car in two sessions, except in their first season.
Who drives in place of Liam Lawson?
Nikola Tsolov, a Red Bull junior, drives the Racing Bulls car in this session.
Sources
- Motorsport.com — Verstappen sits out FP1 in Mexico
- Crash.net — Mercedes replaces Russell in Mexico City FP1
- RacingNews365 — big FP1 driver shuffle in Mexico
- Motorsport Week — Vesti replaces Russell in FP1
Written by the Karrazmotorsport newsroom, proofread before publication. For settings, always refer to your vehicle's manual. Our charter.
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