Audi protégé Freddie Slater is set for his first taste of Formula 1 machinery, with the Hinwil squad handing its highly rated young prospect two Friday practice appearances in Mexico City and São Paulo.
The 17-year-old Briton has already made quite an impression on the junior single-seater ladder.
After conquering both Italian Formula 4 and the Formula Regional European Championship, Slater carried that momentum into Formula 3, finishing runner-up to Ugo Ugochukwu and emerging as the highest-placed rookie in the championship.
Now, he gets the opportunity to sample the top tier of motorsport for the first time, taking over the R26 for FP1 at two grands prix as Audi completes its mandatory young-driver running for the season.
The outings also represent another milestone for Audi’s newly established Driver Development Programme, with Slater emerging as a central figure in the manufacturer’s next-generation talent strategy.
Slater will replace Nico Hulkenberg in Mexico City and Gabriel Bortoleto in São Paulo, completing the two remaining rookie sessions after Alpine junior Paul Aron previously stepped in for Audi on two occasions this season.
For the young Briton, the chance to drive an F1 car during an actual grand prix weekend is more than just another box ticked on his racing CV.
“Getting behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car at a grand prix weekend is a big moment for me and something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid,” Slater said.
“I’ve learned a lot this year, and these free practice outings with Audi will be another opportunity to keep gaining on-track experience.
“Being part of the Audi Driver Development Programme 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 programme and taking as many learnings as possible from both sessions.”
Audi is clearly encouraged by Slater’s progress, with racing director and Driver Development Programme chief Allan McNish believing the timing is right for the youngster to take his first steps into F1 machinery.
“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,” McNish said.
“These appearances in Mexico and Brazil will give him valuable experience of a Formula 1 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.”
Slater will graduate to Formula 2 with Invicta next season, following a well-trodden route taken by former Trident F3 team-mates Gabriel Bortoleto, Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Camara.
Looking ahead at this weekend’s US Grand Prix, Cadillac’s F1 reserve Colton Herta will be in action on Friday in FP1, the former IndyCar star enjoying his fourth outing with the American outfit following FP1 runs in Barcelona, Budapest and Monza.
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