SLATER TO MAKE F1 PRACTICE DEBUT FOR AUDI IN MEXICO

Freddie Slater gets his first F1 laps in Mexico next week, stepping into an Audi for a practice session before repeating the duty seven days later in Brazil. The 18-year-old F3 runner-up is Audi's solution to the FIA's mandatory rookie running — the team already gave Paul Aron two outings and will split Slater's back-to-back appearances between its two cars to satisfy the four-session requirement.

Slater moves to F2 with Invicta in 2027, making these Friday runs a crucial first read of Grand Prix machinery. Aston Martin announced Jak Crawford will take their fourth mandated slot in Mexico as well, meaning three teams have now cleared the rule. Colton Herta logged his fourth Cadillac session this weekend in Austin, giving American fans two of their own in the rookie-running mix as the rest of the grid scrambles to complete its obligations before Abu Dhabi.