GB3 race-winner Freddie Slater will make his Formula 1 weekend debut with Audi when he takes part in the first free practice sessions of the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix.
“Getting behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car at a Grand Prix weekend is a big moment for me and something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid,” said Slater. “My focus will be on doing the best job I can, helping the team and taking as many learnings as possible from both sessions.”
The 18-year-old is a member of the Audi Driver Development Programme and is set to race in Formula 2 with Invicta Racing in 2027, having finished as runner-up to fellow GB3 alumni Ugo Ugochukwu in this year’s Formula 3 championship.
“We have seen Freddie making great progress throughout recent years, both on and off the track,” said Allan McNish, racing director and director of Audi’s development programme. “It is the right time for Freddie to step-up.”
Slater previously featured in four GB3 race weekends, making his championship debut with Rodin Motorsport at Donington Park in September 2024 before returning for a three-event campaign with Hillspeed in 2025.
Following a hat-trick of top-six finishes with Rodin, Slater’s campaign with Hillspeed was a widespread success, securing three victories and two further podiums in nine races.
He won both main races at the Silverstone season-opener after taking a dominant double pole, with his qualifying laps more than four tenths of a second faster than his nearest rivals.
Slater’s most remarkable performance came at Spa-Francorchamps, when the Briton stormed from last on the grid to take a remarkable victory.
Following an issue in qualifying, Slater started all three races from 23rd on the grid. In races one and two, he put in commendable performances to finish ninth and eighth respectively.
In race three, Slater gambled by starting on slick tyres in the damp conditions, taking full advantage as a dry line emerged to storm through the field and win by 8.155 seconds from Hillspeed team-mate Kanato Le.