To comply with FIA regulations, that state that two FP1 sessions in a season must be given to a rookie, several teams have elected the Mexican GP to alot their rookies into their cars. Who is driving where?
MERCEDES
Nyck de Vries in for George Russell
Mercedes have elected to use Nyck De Vries for this weekends FP1, a slightly bizzare set of circumstances means that De Vries, who has signed for Redbull for 2023, will be driving in the Mercedes at Mexico. This will due to contractual obligations between De Vries and Mercedes prior to the former Formula E Champion heading to pastures at the end of the year.
Nyck will be happy to get any track time in preparation for his full time debut in 2023 with Alpha Tauri.
ALPHA TAURI
Liam Lawson in for Yuki Tsunoda
New Zealand’s Liam Lawson will take to the track in Yuki’s Alpha Tauri. This will be Liam’s second outing for Alpha Tauri having completing 14 laps in Pierre Gasly’s car at the Belgium GP.
Liam is driving for Carlin in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, he currently sits 9th in the table with three victories to his name. Liam was also promoted to Redbull reserve driver, replacing Juri Vips.
ALPINE
Jack Doohan in for Esteban Ocon
Australian Jack Doohan will drive in FP1, although Doohan has completed several Formula 1 tests, this is the first outing in an official Formula 1 session.
Jack is part of the Alpine Driver Academy and is well respected throughout the team, he was considered to be “plan b” if Alpine were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign Pierre Gasly.
WILLIAMS
Logan Sargeant in for Alex Albon
Logan Sargeant is back behind the wheel of the Williams this weekend. Last week Williams team principle, Jost Capito confirmed their intention to promote Logan to a race seat in 2023 provided he get enough points in the F2 finale at Abu Dhabi.
Logan currently sits third in the FIA Formula 2 standings, with the American needing to remain in the top five to secure his Formula 1 Super Licence.
HAAS
Pietro Fittipaldi in for Kevin Magnussen
HAAS’s reserve driver will take to the track in Mexico, 2022 will be the Brazilian-American’s fourth season with HAAS. He completed some of the pre season testing after Nikita Mazepin was dropped.
Although Fittipaldi is classed as a rookie, he has completed two Grand Prix, will be wondering if a full time seat in F1 will happen.