Kimi Excited For Second FP1 Session In Mexico

Kimi said: “I’m looking forward to driving in FP1 and playing my part in helping the team make a good start on track this weekend.

“It is a new circuit for me and one I have been working hard to prepare for. The altitude makes it unique and it’s a challenge I’m excited to experience.

“I want to thank for the team for giving me this opportunity to contribute.”

Kimi – who has undertaken numerous F1 tests for the team already this year as part of our Testing of Previous Cars Programme – will drive Lewis’ car for the hour-long session, having driven George’s W15 at Monza.

It will be the first time Kimi has taken part in an F1 session since being announced as part of the team’s 2025 driver line-up alongside George Russell at the Italian Grand Prix in September.

FIA regulations state all F1 drivers must sit out one FP1 each season for a rookie who has no more than two Grands Prix starts.

Last week the FIA announced that this requirement will increase from once a season, to two times per season from 2025.

Toto added: “We look forward to seeing Kimi continue his development on track in Mexico.”

The Italian has enjoyed a solid season with PREMA in Formula 2, claiming two wins.

A maiden triumph in the Silverstone Sprint race was backed up with Feature race success in Hungary two weeks later.

A further podium followed in Baku in September.

He is the youngest driver in series history to have recorded multiple wins and sits P6 in the standings with two rounds remaining.

The Italian graduated to Formula One's top feeder series after winning Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) last season.

In 2022, he won titles in both Italian and German F4 series. He has been a member of our junior programme since 2019.

Since being announced as a Mercedes driver for 2025 at Monza, he has spent time shadowing the team at Grand Prix weekends.