A taste of the top

Everything happens very, very quickly at the pointy end of international motorsport, and for Audi Development Driver, Freddie Slater, it must feel as though everything has hit warp speed as he prepares to get behind the wheel of the Audi R26 this weekend in Mexico for the Audi Revolut F1 Team.

The first driver to be signed to Audi’s Driver Development Program at the start of the year, the 18-year-old British driver distinguished himself in the 2026 Formula 3 season driving for Trident Motorsport for the Audi Development backing. In a standout season, Slater wracked up eight podiums in eight consecutive weekends, three pole positions and one Feature Race win to finish runner up in the championship. His performance showed beyond any doubt that the faith shown in him by Audi was not misplaced and a subsequent offer to step up to Formula 2 in 2027 with Invicta Racing followed just last month.

Now the Audi Revolut F1 Team has confirmed that Slater will get his first taste of the top formula when he drives in free practice at both Mexico this coming weekend (October 30 – November 1) and then again the following weekend in Brazil (November 6 – 8).

“We have seen Freddie making great progress throughout recent years, both on and off the track; it is the right time for Freddie to step-up,” says Allan McNish, Racing Director & Director of the Audi Driver Development Program.

“These appearances in Mexico and Brazil will give him valuable experience of a Formula One race weekend, and another chance to continue his development before he steps up to Formula 2 next season. We are looking forward to seeing him in the R26 and supporting him through these two important FP1 sessions.”

For Slater, it is yet another ‘pinch yourself’ moment in a year full of them.

“Getting behind the wheel of a Formula One car at a Grand Prix weekend is a big moment for me and something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid,” an excited Freddie Slater said of the announcement.

“I’ve learned a lot this year, and these Free Practice outings with Audi Revolut F1 Team will be another opportunity to keep gaining on-track experience. Being part of the Audi Driver Development Program has already given me some incredible opportunities, and I am grateful for their trust and support. I’m really looking forward to getting out on track: my focus will be on doing the best job I can, helping the team with its program and taking as many learnings as possible from both sessions.”

Practice for the Mexican Grand Prix gets underway at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Friday (30 October) between 6:30 and 7:30pm AEDT with coverage on Foxtel.