Hamilton to Miss FP1 in Mexico, Fuoco Steps In

Lewis Hamilton will sit out the opening practice session at this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix, with Ferrari confirming that Antonio Fuoco, a Ferrari Driver Academy member and the team’s WEC driver, will take his place. This move allows Ferrari to fulfill one of its mandatory rookie FP1 sessions for the season.

Why it matters:

This driver swap is part of Formula 1's regulations requiring teams to field rookie drivers in practice sessions. For Ferrari, it's an opportunity to give a talented young driver like Fuoco valuable F1 experience while also managing their regulatory obligations. For Hamilton, it means slightly less track time ahead of a crucial race weekend, though he is expected to be back for FP2, returning to the traditional weekend format after the recent sprint event in Austin.

The Details:

• Driver Swap: Antonio Fuoco, a key part of Ferrari's driver lineup in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and a Le Mans winner, will take over Hamilton's SF-25 for FP1.
• Regulatory Compliance: This session counts as one of the four mandatory rookie FP1 sessions Ferrari must complete this season. The team has already used two with Dino Beganovic in Bahrain and Austria.
• Leclerc's Momentum: Charles Leclerc, Hamilton's teammate, is expected to participate in FP1, aiming to build on his strong performance in Austin, where he secured his sixth podium of the season.
• Hamilton's Return: Hamilton will rejoin the cockpit for the second practice session, preparing for a standard Grand Prix weekend following the sprint format in Austin.

The Big Picture:

Hamilton's recent performance has shown a steady upward trend since the summer break. Despite missing the podium at COTA, he delivered one of his strongest weekends, finishing close to Leclerc and the top three. This consistent improvement suggests he is nearing his teammate's performance levels after a challenging first half of the season. His brief absence in FP1 is unlikely to derail this momentum, as he is a seasoned veteran capable of quickly adapting.

What's next:

All eyes will be on how Fuoco performs in his FP1 outing and how quickly Hamilton gets up to speed in FP2. The Mexican Grand Prix is a critical race for Ferrari as they look to consolidate their position and continue their improved form, especially with Leclerc riding high on recent success. The team's overall performance in Mexico will be a key indicator of their progress and their ability to challenge the frontrunners consistently.