Max Verstappen set to skip Mexico City Grand Prix session
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Updated:
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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.
Max Verstappen will not drive his RB22 during the first free practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, GPblog can confirm.
During a Formula 1 season, each driver has to hand over their car to a rookie driver twice during FP1 sessions. Verstappen will do so for the second time this season, having already sat out the first session at the Italian Grand Prix back in September. This means that Verstappen can take part in the remaining FP1 sessions of the 2026 season.
Red Bull's Ayumu Iwasa will drive Verstappen's car on Friday at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The Japanese driver has already taken part in three FP1 sessions this year. In Barcelona and Monza, he drove for Red Bull, while in Austria, he drove for Racing Bulls.
Multiple full-time drivers to miss FP1 in Mexico City
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is usually a circuit where many rookies take part in the first practice session, and this year will be no different.
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George Russell will hand over his W17 to Frederik Vesti on Friday. At McLaren, Leonardo Fornaroli is also set to make another FP1 appearance. The Italian, who will also drive for McLaren in the WEC in the future, will replace Oscar Piastri. Meanwhile, Luke Browning will drive for Williams, replacing Alex Albon.
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