A fifth of the Formula 1 grid was dedicated to rookie drivers in FP1 at the Mexican Grand Prix, giving rising talents a golden opportunity to showcase their skills. With Kimi Antonelli, Ollie Bearman, Pato O’Ward, Felipe Drugovich, and Robert Shwartzman in action, each faced unique challenges while gaining valuable experience. Here’s a breakdown of how they fared on Friday:
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
After a high-pressure debut in Monza, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli approached his second F1 session with a more restrained mindset, focusing on clean laps. “I didn’t want to take any risks, just wanted a clean session to understand the car and tyres,” Antonelli said. Running Lewis Hamilton’s W14, the 18-year-old encountered an early scare after running over debris, causing minor floor damage and a red flag.
Antonelli’s session centered around longer runs on hard tyres, taking three push laps and easing into the unfamiliar track. Antonelli struggled with mid-corner speeds and braking points, as engineer Pete Bonnington highlighted over team radio. With a switch to soft tyres in the final 13 minutes, Antonelli clocked a 1:19.200s, 1.202s off the pace, remarking that he was surprised by the softs’ grip boost. After a practice start, Antonelli wrapped up with a solid performance that showed discipline and promise, leaving his Monza mishap behind.
Ollie Bearman (Ferrari)
Ferrari’s young talent Ollie Bearman had high expectations placed upon him, but a collision with Alex Albon dashed his hopes of a smooth session. Bearman’s initial laps were productive, completing aero testing on hard tyres, but the collision with Albon’s Williams left his car damaged and his session cut short. The incident sparked confusion, as Ferrari’s radio communication seemed inadequate, giving Bearman minimal warning about Albon’s approach.
Bearman’s incredulous reaction—“He hit me… I don’t know what more I could have done”—captured his bewilderment, and the stewards ultimately agreed it wasn’t his fault. Despite the disruption, Bearman’s maturity under pressure highlighted his readiness to take on F1’s rigorous demands.
Pato O’Ward (McLaren)
Mexican crowd favorite Pato O’Ward stepped into Lando Norris’s McLaren for FP1, bringing a wave of local support. Tasked with collecting data rather than pushing limits, O’Ward completed 21 laps, placing 13th overall and just 0.337s behind teammate Oscar Piastri. Under strict instructions to prioritize information over speed, O’Ward showed restraint, explaining, “If you try to go too fast, I’ll scream,” per his engineer’s warnings.
Though limited by caution, O’Ward delivered the data McLaren needed, and his smooth session was a tribute to his adaptability and professionalism. As close as he’ll get to a “home” race, O’Ward’s disciplined run had the crowd on their feet, eagerly supporting their IndyCar star.
Robert Shwartzman (Sauber)
Shwartzman’s FP1 at Sauber was marred by two red flag interruptions, complicating his aerodynamic testing. While Shwartzman pushed hard, he drew a five-place grid penalty he’ll never serve for passing Yuki Tsunoda under yellow flags. A DRS malfunction during his hot lap left Shwartzman with a best time of 1.990s off the pace, feeling he missed the opportunity to push his limits.
Despite these setbacks, Shwartzman’s confidence in the car shone through: “We could have done a really nice lap with it.” With his limited F1 outings, Shwartzman remains focused on refining his skill set despite restricted track time.
Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin)
Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin’s reserve driver and 2022 F2 champion, faced a tough FP1 session as he battled with a car notorious for its handling quirks. Although he matched teammate Lance Stroll’s pace when adjusted for traffic, Drugovich struggled with understeer and a critical engine mode error that marred his best attempt on soft tyres.
Drugovich described the Aston Martin as “a car that’s ‘on and off,’” finding it difficult to get a feel for it. Despite delivering a competent performance, Drugovich was candid about the limitations of FP1 sessions, suggesting that they’re too short to allow proper development. His frustration was apparent, as this brief opportunity seems unlikely to influence his long-term career trajectory significantly.
These rookies brought a unique energy to Mexico’s FP1, balancing the thrill of stepping into an F1 car with the challenges of learning under strict instructions. While Antonelli’s discipline, Bearman’s resilience, O’Ward’s local heroism, Shwartzman’s focus, and Drugovich’s candor highlighted each driver’s strengths, the session showcased the hurdles young drivers face as they navigate Formula 1’s unforgiving landscape.
