WEC Driver Antonio Fuoco to Participate in Ferrari FP1 Session at Mexican Grand Prix

Ferrari World Endurance Championship (WEC) driver Antonio Fuoco is set to make an appearance in Friday's first practice session (FP1) ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix. The 29-year-old Italian, who also serves as a development driver for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, will gain valuable track time with the Maranello outfit.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's decision to field Fuoco in FP1 underscores the team's commitment to nurturing talent within its vast motorsport ecosystem. For Fuoco, it's a critical opportunity to demonstrate his F1 capabilities, keeping him on the radar for potential future roles while fulfilling F1's mandatory rookie driver requirements. This also highlights the synergy between Ferrari's F1 and WEC programs.

The Details:

• Extensive Ferrari F1 History: Fuoco has a long-standing relationship with Ferrari's F1 program, having first tested an F1 car with the team in 2015. He also participated in the 2020 Young Driver Test and post-season tests at Yas Marina Circuit in 2021 and 2024.
• Simulator Role: In 2019, he was promoted to Ferrari's F1 simulator team, a crucial role in car development and race strategy.
• WEC Success: Fuoco joined Ferrari AF Corse in the Le Mans Hypercar category of the WEC in 2023. He secured Ferrari's first top-class pole position that year and, alongside teammates Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen, contributed to Ferrari's 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in 2024.
• Driver Replacement: Ferrari has not yet confirmed whether Fuoco will replace Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton in the FP1 session. The team previously ran Formula 2 driver Dino Beganovic in FP1 in Bahrain, replacing Leclerc.
• Rookie Rule: F1 regulations mandate that each team run a rookie driver in at least two FP1 sessions per car per season, starting in 2025 (increased from one per car since 2022). Rookie drivers must not have started more than two F1 races.
• Other Rookies: Fuoco will be joined by other rookie drivers in the Mexican GP FP1 session, including Pato O'Ward for McLaren, Arvid Lindblad for Red Bull, Jak Crawford for Aston Martin, and Luke Browning for Williams.

The Big Picture:

Providing FP1 opportunities for development drivers like Fuoco is a strategic move for F1 teams. It not only complies with regulatory requirements but also allows teams to evaluate potential future talent in a competitive F1 environment. For Ferrari, integrating WEC talent into F1 sessions reinforces its comprehensive approach to motorsport and allows for cross-discipline skill development. Fuoco's WEC success, particularly his Le Mans win, makes him a highly credible choice for this F1 outing.

What's next:

Fuoco's performance in Mexico will be closely watched, not just by Ferrari but by the wider F1 paddock. A strong showing could further cement his position within Ferrari's future plans and potentially open doors for more F1 opportunities down the line. His participation is a clear signal that Ferrari is keen to leverage its diverse pool of racing talent across its premier programs.