Gabriele Mini Takes Alpine Steering Wheel for Mexico Grand Prix Practice Debut
Formula 2 front-runner Gabriele Mini will step into Franco Colapinto’s Alpine A526 to make his official Formula 1 race weekend debut during Free Practice 1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, motorsport.com reported. The driver, currently fourth in the F2 standings with a narrow title mathematical possibility, joins a wave of junior prospects taking over cockpit duties in Mexico to satisfy mandatory rookie outing rules.
I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the A526 and taking part in my first ever Free Practice 1 in Formula 1,
Mini said. The Alpine Academy member has built up his mileage through the team’s Testing of Previous Cars program after finishing as runner-up in both the Formula Regional European Championship and Formula 3.
Rookie Grid Additions Across Williams, Mercedes, and Haas
Williams reserve Luke Browning will step into the FW48 to replace both Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz across multiple sessions, notching his eighth and ninth career FP1 appearances, according to motorsport.com.
📰: Gabriele Mini is set for his first run in a current-generation F1 car. He’ll drive in FP1 at this week’s Mexican Grand Prix as part of the Alpine Academy programme.#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/u9JNC8QioE
I’m happy to be back in the FW48 and grateful to be trusted by Atlassian Williams F1 Team with all four of the team’s rookie FP1 sessions this year,
Browning said. The young driver sits 13th in his debut Super Formula campaign.
Mercedes will hand the W17 to 2023 F2 runner-up Frederik Vesti for his third outing of the season, taking over George Russell’s car. Meanwhile, Haas reserve Ryo Hirakawa takes over Esteban Ocon’s VF-26 for his ninth career FP1 outing after missing out on a 2027 race seat with the squad during testing, and Freddie Slater fulfills Audi’s rookie requirement alongside Brazil.
Simulator Preparation and Team Objectives
Preparation for the rookie contingent has involved intensive simulator work at team headquarters to accelerate adaptation to current-generation Formula 1 machinery. Mini spent significant time at the Enstone base collaborating with engineers to refine setups ahead of the opening session in Mexico City.
My goal is to do the best possible job on track and help provide valuable data and feedback to the team to hopefully set up a successful weekend, where both Pierre and Franco aim to score points by the end of it,
Mini stated regarding his primary task of gathering telemetry and long-run data for regular race drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.
Exciting news for @MiniGabriele as he’ll jump in the Alpine for his very first ever FP1 session at this weekends Mexico Grand Prix. https://t.co/0OlMutz18X
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Track Session Schedule
Free Practice 1 gets underway at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as part of the opening day of on-track running for the Mexico Grand Prix weekend.
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