Colapinto, Albon and Russell to sit out Mexico City FP1 after rookie reshuffle
Three drivers – Nico Colapinto, Alex Albon and George Russell – will miss the first free‑practice session in Mexico as teams finalise rookie line‑ups ahead of the race.
Mexico City will see a slightly altered driver roster for the opening free‑practice (FP1) on Saturday, as three regulars sit out to accommodate rookie testing duties. According to a report from Grande Prêmio, rookie Nico Colapinto will be given track time in place of Alex Albon, while George Russell will also miss the session as Mercedes shifts focus to its own development driver programme.
Albon, who is currently serving as a reserve driver for Williams, will be replaced by Colapinto – the 2024 FIA Formula 3 champion who is currently attached to the Williams junior programme. The move is part of Williams’ effort to give their emerging talent valuable exposure on a high‑downforce circuit before the end of the season. Colapinto’s participation will be limited to the 90‑minute FP1 window, after which he will return to the team’s simulator work.
Mercedes, meanwhile, has opted to keep George Russell out of the first practice session to allow its own test driver, Oliver Bearman, to complete a short shakedown. Russell will join the squad for FP2 and the qualifying session, ensuring he remains fully prepared for the race. The decision mirrors a broader trend across the paddock where top teams are using the limited practice slots at street circuits to accelerate the development of their junior drivers.
What this means for Indian fans
For viewers in India, the FP1 session will start at 02:30 IST on 28 October, streamed live on FanCode and the official F1 app. While the headline names will be absent, the session will still feature the full line‑up of seasoned drivers, giving fans a clear view of tyre performance and car balance ahead of the sprint weekend. The altered line‑up also adds an extra storyline for the weekend’s sprint qualifying, where Russell’s return will be closely watched after his brief hiatus.
Fans should also keep an eye on the post‑practice briefings, where team principals often discuss the impact of rookie runs on car set‑up. The data collected by Colapinto could indirectly influence Williams’ strategy for the race, especially on the high‑altitude, low‑grip surface of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Source: Grande Prêmio