Source: Official Team Post via X
FIA Probes Audi After Freddie Slater's FP1 Debut Mishap
The FIA is investigating Audi following a potential unsafe release of Freddie Slater during his FP1 debut at the Mexican Grand Prix. Slater's session was marred by a cooling fan left in the car, prompting a swift response from the stewards.
The FIA has launched an investigation into the Audi F1 team following an incident during the first practice session at the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix. The focus is on a potentially unsafe release of Freddie Slater, an 18-year-old making his debut at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Having recently finished as the runner-up in the 2026 Formula 3 championship, Slater stepped up to Formula 1, taking the wheel of the Audi R26 during FP1 in Mexico. He will continue to gain experience with another outing scheduled for next weekend in Brazil.
Slater expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying, “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.” He acknowledged the value of the experience, noting the support he’s received from the Audi Driver Development Programme.
However, Slater's FP1 debut was anything but smooth. After finally getting on track halfway through the session, he was quickly called back to the pits. A cooling fan was mistakenly left in the car’s sidepod, a blunder noted by the FIA stewards, who then initiated an investigation.
Once the fan was removed, Slater attempted to return to the track, only to face another setback as an issue was detected, forcing him to turn off the engine and end his run prematurely.
Despite these hiccups, Slater managed to return to the track late in the session, completing a lap that placed him 21st, just ahead of Colton Herta in the Cadillac.
The FP1 session was led by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, who stands to secure the championship with a ninth-place finish or better in Mexico, following close behind. Frederik Vesti, Antonelli’s teammate, rounded out the top three with a performance just shy of Antonelli's time.
While the incident with Slater might have added some unexpected drama to the session, it’s clear that the young driver remains eager to learn and make the most of his opportunities with Audi.