Alpine will give 21-year-old academy driver Gabriele Mini his first official Formula 1 session, replacing Franco Colapinto in Friday’s FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Formula 2 contender will use the opportunity to show his potential and provide feedback to help Alpine prepare for the weekend.

By the Numbers
  • Mini is 21 and joined the Alpine Academy in 2023.
  • He is fourth in the F2 standings, with two rounds remaining.
  • Alpine’s Mexico appearance will be its third rookie FP1 outing this season.
  • Williams’ Luke Browning is scheduled for his eighth and ninth FP1 appearances in Mexico and Brazil.
Yes, But

Mini has experience in older F1 cars through Alpine’s testing program, but the current-generation A526 presents a different challenge. His chances of winning the F2 title are also slim, making the Mexico session a key opportunity to make an impression beyond his championship campaign.

State of Play
  • Mini will replace Colapinto in Alpine’s Friday opening session.
  • Several teams are rotating rookie drivers through FP1 in Mexico and Brazil.
  • Mini has prepared on Alpine’s simulator and will work with engineers to deliver useful data and feedback.
What’s Next

Mini’s performance and feedback in Mexico could strengthen his case for future opportunities with Alpine. His immediate goal is to support the team’s preparations as Pierre Gasly and Colapinto target points.

Bottom Line

This is more than a first taste of F1 for Mini: it is a chance to turn years of academy development into a credible case for a bigger role in the sport.