Verstappen, Hamilton Among Eight Drivers Missing Mexico City GP First Practice

Eight drivers, including F1 champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, will sit out the first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix this Friday. This widespread absence is largely due to F1 regulations requiring teams to run a rookie driver in at least two practice sessions per car each season. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez's straightforward layout and the absence of a Sprint format this weekend make it an ideal venue for teams to fulfill these obligations without significantly compromising their primary drivers' preparation.

Why it matters:

This mass rotation means several top drivers will have less track time to prepare for qualifying and the race, potentially shaking up the early weekend pecking order. For rookie drivers, it's a critical opportunity to gain F1 experience and impress their teams, with significant implications for their future careers. For teams, it's a balancing act between developing new talent and ensuring their main contenders are fully ready.

The Details:

• Rookie Obligations: Formula 1 mandates that each team must run a rookie driver in at least two practice sessions per car during the season. Mexico City's circuit characteristics make it a prime location to meet this requirement.
• Drivers Out: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton are among the eight drivers stepping aside. This leaves only Racing Bulls and Sauber running both of their full-time drivers in FP1.
• Oscar Piastri's Advantage: Championship leader Oscar Piastri will be the only title contender to participate in FP1, giving him a potential edge in preparation. However, this likely means he will miss FP1 in Abu Dhabi as he has only fulfilled one rookie session so far.
• Upcoming Races: Brazil and Qatar are Sprint weekends, offering only one practice session. Las Vegas is a challenging street circuit where full practice is crucial, making Mexico an opportune moment for rookie outings.
• Arvid Lindblad's Debut: British teenager Arvid Lindblad will drive Verstappen's Red Bull, a closely watched opportunity as he eyes a potential 2026 F1 debut. Currently seventh in his F2 rookie season, Lindblad has impressed Red Bull's junior program.
  • Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko confirmed decisions on Verstappen's 2025 teammate and the two Racing Bulls seats for 2026 will be made after Mexico. Isack Hadjar is expected to move to Red Bull, with Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Lindblad competing for the Racing Bulls spots.
• Pato O'Ward Returns Home: IndyCar star Pato O'Ward will replace Lando Norris at McLaren for the second consecutive year, giving the home crowd a local hero to cheer for. O'Ward expressed excitement about contributing to the team's setup and data gathering.

Looking Ahead:

The focus on rookie drivers in Mexico highlights F1's commitment to nurturing new talent while creating a unique challenge for established drivers. How teams and drivers adapt to this reduced preparation time will be a key storyline, especially for those vying for the championship. The performances of rookie drivers like Lindblad could also significantly influence future driver market decisions.