Mattia Binotto, CEO of Audi, stated during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that he wishes to see Freddie Slater, a promising young driver, secure a seat in Formula 1 in the near future.
Slater, enrolled in Audi’s driver development program, has had a strong season in Formula 3, finishing second in the championship behind Ugo Ugochukwu. He is expected to compete in Formula 2 in 2027 with the Invicta Racing team.
Binotto mentioned the possibility that Slater could participate in Formula 1 free practice 1 (FP1) sessions as early as 2027, or even sooner, as part of the driver’s development plan. Audi has so far used only two of its four FP1 slots dedicated to young drivers this season, which could facilitate this opportunity.
Slater’s future in Formula 1 will depend on his progression and the performances of Audi’s current drivers, notably Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. Binotto emphasizes that the goal is to eventually integrate young talents from Audi’s academy into the Formula 1 team.
The CEO expressed satisfaction with Slater’s development, noting improvements in balance and tire management throughout the season, which bodes well for the promising future of the 18-year-old driver.