FIA launches first investigation of the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend
Photo: Race Pictures
Kada Sárközi joined GPblog as an editor ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season. He graduated with a BA in Sports Journalism in the UK and has covered Grands Prix and other F1 events live.
The FIA stewards will investigate Audi after the German team released a car onto the circuit in an unsafe condition during the first practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
During the opening session of the weekend, 10 teams, including Audi, fielded a rookie. Freddie Slater, who finished second in this year's Formula 3 championship and will compete in Formula 2 in 2027, took part in his first-ever session during a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. He replaced Gabriel Bortoleto.
However, the young British talent did not have the smoothest of sessions at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Around the halfway point of FP1, Audi sent Slater out onto the track with a fan still attached to his car. The team's representative will have to report to the stewards at 14:00 local time (20:00 GMT).
Afterwards, an issue with his car appeared to prevent Slater from completing any further laps. However, he managed to return to the track during the final minutes of the session. In the end, he completed a total of 14 laps in Mexico City. His best lap time was 1:20.945, which was good enough for 21st place.
Leclerc sets the pace in FP1
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Ferrari and Charles Leclerc got the weekend off to a strong start, with the Monegasque driver setting the fastest time in FP1. Moreover, Leclerc's best lap was quicker than the fastest time recorded in FP1 in Mexico last season.
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