F1 newcomers Tsolov, Mini and Slater among eight drivers to run in practice on Friday | Formula 1

Eight Formula 1 teams will field inexperienced drivers during Friday's opening practice session at the Mexican Grand Prix. Nikola Tsolov, Gabriele Mini, and Freddie Slater are set to make their official F1 test debuts for Racing Bulls, Alpine, and Audi, respectively. Teams are mandated to provide four practice outings across their cars to junior drivers over the course of the season.

Other drivers taking part include Luke Browning for Williams, Leonardo Fornaroli for McLaren, Jak Crawford for Aston Martin, Ayumu Iwasa for Red Bull, and Ryo Hirakawa for Haas. Teams appear to be fulfilling their mandatory testing quotas early amid ongoing uncertainty over whether the final rounds in the Middle East will take place.