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Gabriele Mini set for F1 debut as Colapinto sits out Mexico FP1

Conceptual AI-generated editorial motorsport illustration; not a documentary photograph or evidence that a pictured event, meeting or transfer occurred. · 2026-10-27GPBeat newsroom · News Made Clear generated illustration

Alpine junior Gabriele Mini will make his Formula 1 debut in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, taking Franco Colapinto's place.

GPBeat · Newsroom27 Oct 2026, 17:03 · 1 min

Alpine junior Gabriele Mini will make his Formula 1 debut in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, replacing Franco Colapinto at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Colapinto has now stepped aside for a free-practice session twice in 2026, completing his FIA-mandated rookie-driver requirements. Pierre Gasly still has one session to surrender in the other Alpine.

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Mini said he had prepared at Alpine's Enstone base, spending time on the simulator and with the engineers. He wants to do the best possible job on track and give the team useful data and feedback, hoping that will help set up a successful weekend. Mini said Gasly and Colapinto would be aiming for points.

Freddie Slater, Jak Crawford, Luke Browning, Fred Vesti and Ayumu Iwasa will also take part in FP1.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCEFranco Colapinto steps aside at Alpine for F1 debutant in Mexico FP1RacingNews365 English

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