Freddie Slater will make his F1 race weekend debut subsequent week, driving for Audi in first apply on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix and once more in São Paulo.
The 18-year-old was the primary driver signed to Audi’s Driver Growth Programme earlier this yr. He mixed that function with a Method 3 marketing campaign for Trident, ending the season as runner-up.
Slater strikes as much as Method 2 with Invicta Racing subsequent yr, and the 2 FP1 classes are meant to present him his first expertise of an F1 automotive on a race weekend earlier than that step.
“Getting behind the wheel of a Method One automotive at a Grand Prix weekend is a giant second for me and one thing I’ve been dreaming of since I used to be a child,” stated Slater. “I’ve realized lots this yr, and these Free Apply outings with Audi Revolut F1 Group will likely be one other alternative to maintain gaining on-track expertise.
“Being a part of the Audi Driver Growth Programme has already given me some unbelievable alternatives, and I’m grateful for his or her belief and assist. I’m actually trying ahead to getting out on observe: m y focus will likely be on doing the very best job I can, serving to the group with its programme and taking as many learnings as potential from each classes.”
Allan McNish, Audi’s racing director and head of its driver improvement programme, stated Slater had made sturdy progress on and off observe in recent times. He described it as the fitting time for him to step up.
“We’ve got seen Freddie making nice progress all through latest years, each on and off the observe; it’s the proper time for Freddie to step-up. These appearances in Mexico and Brazil will give him beneficial expertise of a Method One race weekend, and one other likelihood to proceed his improvement earlier than he steps as much as Method 2 subsequent season. We’re trying ahead to seeing him within the R26 and supporting him by means of these two essential FP1 classes.”
Slater is one in all a number of junior drivers getting FP1 time on the two rounds, with McLaren additionally operating F2 driver Leonardo Fornaroli in Mexico and Brazil.
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