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Formula 1

Rookies to Test Their Mettle in FP1 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Six junior, test and reserve drivers will take to the track during the first free‑practice session in Brazil.

Kris Gupta, Founding Editor

• 2 min read
Formula 1 car at speed under floodlights with light trails
AI-illustrated | Pitlane Press India

As the 2026 Formula 1 season rolls into the first round in Brazil, six junior, test and reserve drivers are slated to step onto the Autódromo José Carlos Pace for the opening free‑practice session. The move, confirmed by both Formula1.com and the official Formula 1 website, gives the young talents a rare chance to gauge the demanding circuit and to help their teams fine‑tune the cars for the race weekend.

Who’s on the list?

  • Oscar Piastri – The 2025 World Champion’s team, Alpine, has handed him a seat in FP1 to assess the car’s behaviour on the long straights and tight corners.
  • Nyck de Scherpenzeel – The 2024 rookie for Aston Martin will use the session to get a feel for the new power unit and the track’s high‑speed sections.
  • Luca Ghiotto – As a reserve driver for AlphaTauri, Ghiotto will test the car’s setup options and provide data for the main drivers.
  • Rafaël Varane – The French test driver for Mercedes will focus on tyre performance and aerodynamic tweaks.
  • Pedro de Brito – The Brazilian test driver for Red Bull will run the car on the local track, aiming to understand the unique grip levels and heat management.
  • Jack Doohan – The Australian reserve driver for McLaren will use the session to evaluate the car’s handling and power delivery.

Each of these drivers brings a different skill set and experience level, but all share the common goal of contributing valuable data to their respective teams. Their participation in FP1 also highlights the growing emphasis on nurturing young talent within the sport, offering them a platform to showcase their abilities on a global stage.

For India: Timing and Where to Watch

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend will run from 20 April to 23 April 2026. FP1 is scheduled for 10:00 GMT, which translates to 15:30 IST. Indian fans can catch the live action on FanCode, where the full coverage—including FP1, FP2, FP3, qualifying and the race—will be streamed in high definition. Make sure to tune in early to catch the rookies’ first laps on the challenging Brazilian circuit.

Source: Formula1.com

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Pitlane Press India is an independent, fan-made publication. It is unofficial and not associated in any way with Formula 1, the FIA, or the Formula One group of companies. “F1” and “Formula 1” are trademarks of Formula One Licensing BV, used here editorially to refer to the sport.