Major shake-up for Mexico: Almost half the grid changes
Arvid Lindblad ahead of his FP1 debut - 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.
All but one team has confirmed that a rookie will participate in FP1 of the Mexico City Grand Prix this Friday. See the complete list below!
| Team | FP1 driver | Replaced driver |
| McLaren | Pato O'Ward | Lando Norris |
| Ferrari | Antonio Fuoco | Lewis Hamilton |
| Mercedes | Frederik Vesti | George Russell |
| Red Bull | Arvid Lindblad | Max Verstappen |
| Aston Martin | Jak Crawford | Lance Stroll |
| Alpine | Paul Aron | Pierre Gasly |
| Haas | Ryo Hirakawa | Oliver Bearman |
| Racing Bulls | Ayumu Iwasa | Liam Lawson |
| Williams | Luke Browning | Carlos Sainz |
The current F2 drivers in action
While the feeder series will return in Qatar, three drivers from F2 will get behind the wheel of Formula 1 cars at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Red Bull junior talent Arvid Lindblad will feature in his second FP1 session in the RB21. The Brit will take over Max Verstappen's car.
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American talent Jak Crawford will make his F1 weekend debut for Aston Martin, while Luke Browning will take part again for Williams.
Pato O'Ward at the Circuit of the Americas - Photo: Race Pictures
Reserve drivers and others joining from different series
McLaren announced back in May that IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward will drive in Mexico, after he participated in FP1 on the same track the previous season as well.
Two Japanese drivers will also take part. Ayumu Iwasa, who competes this season in Super Formula, will drive for Racing Bulls, while Toyota Gazoo Racing’s WEC driver Ryo Hirakawa will be in action for Haas.
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Another WEC driver will also take part. Antonio Fuoco, who regularly competes in the #50 Ferrari, will replace Lewis Hamilton this weekend.
Two other reserve drivers will also participate. Frederik Vesti will drive for Mercedes, while Paul Aron will do so for Alpine.
Sauber remains the only team without a rookie or young driver in action in FP1.
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