Mexico City GP 2025: Record 9 Rookies in FP1
The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City hosted an unprecedented number of rookie drivers in the FP1 free practice sessions during the 2025 Grand Prix. Nine rookies took to the track, with each team, except Sauber, fielding a new driver to comply with F1's rookie regulations. This high number is attributed to the track's traditionally dusty conditions, which make FP1 less useful for race weekend preparation.
The dusty track at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has long been known for its challenging conditions, particularly for rookie drivers. In 2025, this resulted in a record number of rookies participating in FP1. Kimi Anttonen and George Russell made way for these new drivers, providing them with valuable track time.
Among the nine rookies were notable names like Mercedes' Fred Vesti. Despite the high number of rookies in FP1, only one of the top four finishers in the race, Max Verstappen, had participated in the free practice session, suggesting that FP1's impact on race performance may be limited.
The Mexico City Grand Prix in 2025 saw a record number of rookie drivers in FP1, with nine drivers taking to the track. While this provided valuable experience for the newcomers, its impact on the race weekend remains limited, as indicated by the low number of FP1 participants among the top finishers.
