# Audi Gives F3 Runner-Up Freddie Slater F1 Practice Debut

> Freddie Slater, Audi's F3 runner-up, gets F1 practice debut in Mexico and Brazil.
- Title: Audi Gives F3 Runner-Up Freddie Slater F1 Practice Debut
- Summary: Freddie Slater, Audi's F3 runner-up, gets F1 practice debut in Mexico and Brazil. Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater F1 practice sessions in Mexico City…
- Keywords: freddie slater, audi, formula 1, trident, audi driver development programme, f1 practice, mexico city, sao paulo, colton herta, sports, Gives, Runner-Up
- Source: Motorsport — https://motorsport.com/f1/news/audi-hands-f3-runner-up-freddie-slater-f1-practice-debut/10867002
- Author: Ben Vinel
- Published: 2026-10-22T15:02:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: freddie slater, audi, f1, formula 1, f3, trident, audi driver development programme, f1 practice, mexico city, sao paulo, colton herta, sports
## Audi Hands F3 Runner-Up Freddie Slater F1 Practice Debut
Audi junior Freddie Slater will make his debut at the wheel of a Formula 1 car with two Free Practice 1 outings in Mexico City and Sao Paulo.
## Slater's F3 Background
Slater, 18, is F3 runner-up behind Ugo Ugochukwu and was the highest-placed rookie in the standings.
## Audi Driver Development Programme
Audi took over the Sauber team for the 2026 season and launched a new driver academy focused on Slater.
## Slater's Goals for F1 Debut
Slater aims to gain on-track experience and help the team with its programme during the two practice sessions.
## Audi Racing Director's View
Audi racing director Allan McNish says Slater has made great progress and will get valuable experience before stepping up to Formula 2.
## Colton Herta's F1 Debut
Colton Herta will drive Sergio Perez's car at the United States Grand Prix in Austin for his fourth FP1 session.
## Herta's Motivation
Herta says driving the MAC-26 at COTA feels like coming full circle after winning his first IndyCar race here in 2019.
## Herta's Goals for Test
Herta aims to execute the test program cleanly, gather data, and hand the car back to Checo with useful feedback.
## Key takeaway

Audi hands F3 runner-up Freddie Slater F1 practice sessions in Mexico City and Sao Paulo for 2026 season.