Ferrari has officially confirmed a driver change ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, marking a strategic shift in the team’s approach to fulfilling Formula 1’s rookie participation rule. Under the 2025 regulations, every team must allocate four FP1 sessions to rookie drivers—two per car—throughout the season. With Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari already handed to development talent Dino Beganovic in Bahrain and Austria, it’s now Lewis Hamilton’s turn to step aside, as Ferrari prepares to introduce a surprising name to the cockpit.
Instead of fielding Beganovic again, Ferrari is opting for an unconventional choice—Italian endurance racer Antonio Fuoco, who will make his official Formula 1 debut during Friday’s first practice session. Fuoco currently competes in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) with Ferrari’s AF Corse outfit and brings a résumé that commands respect. The 29-year-old claimed victory in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024 behind the wheel of the No. 50 Ferrari and initially secured a second-place finish in the 2025 edition—though that result was later stripped after a disqualification for rear wing deflection during post-race inspection.
Despite the setback, Fuoco’s career trajectory remains deeply intertwined with Ferrari’s motorsport ecosystem. As a long-standing member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, he has been instrumental in the brand’s endurance racing success, and his consistent WEC podiums have already earned him a full FIA Super Licence. His upcoming FP1 appearance in Mexico represents a symbolic crossover—bridging Ferrari’s endurance dominance with its Formula 1 ambitions. “Got the call. Mexico, see you on track for FP1. Let’s do this,” Fuoco shared on Instagram, his excitement echoing across the racing community.
Ferrari isn’t the only team showcasing fresh faces in Mexico. McLaren is set to field local hero Pato O’Ward, the IndyCar runner-up, in place of one of its main drivers—either Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri. Over at Red Bull, Arvid Lindblad, the 17-year-old sensation recently granted a Super Licence exemption, will temporarily step into Max Verstappen’s seat. Aston Martin, too, will give track time to its reserve driver Jak Crawford, currently competing in Formula 2, in what is shaping up to be a weekend rich with future potential and youthful energy.
As the Formula 1 paddock converges on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, all eyes will be on Fuoco’s first outing in a modern F1 machine. His participation not only satisfies Ferrari’s regulatory obligation but also highlights the brand’s commitment to nurturing its cross-discipline talent. For Hamilton, it’s a rare weekend to observe from the sidelines—a reminder that even the most established stars occasionally yield the spotlight to the next wave of racers eager to prove their worth.
