Aston Martin will run American third driver Jak Crawford in place of Lance Stroll in the first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix on Friday, 30 October 2026. The session starts at 12:30 p.m. local time, which is 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
It is the latest development in our F1 Mexico City Grand Prix coverage hub. Aston Martin did not say why Stroll will sit out the session.
Key Facts
- Who: Jak Crawford, 21, Aston Martin’s American third driver, takes Lance Stroll’s car in Free Practice 1.
- What: A practice-session driver swap, not a withdrawal from the Grand Prix.
- When: Friday, 30 October 2026, 12:30–13:30 Mexico City time (2:30–3:30 p.m. EDT).
- Race: Sunday, 1 November, 14:00 Mexico City time (3:00 p.m. EST), round 18 of 22.
- Economy: Canaco-CDMX expects MXN22.228 billion (about US$1.2 billion) of activity, 6.5% above 2025.
Why Aston Martin Is Swapping Drivers
This will be Crawford’s fourth first-practice appearance of the 2026 season, after Suzuka, the Red Bull Ring and Spa. The session completes Aston Martin’s young-driver running requirement for the season.
Aston Martin has not said whether Stroll returns for the rest of the weekend. The team’s announcement covers only the first session.
Audi Gives Freddie Slater a Practice Debut
Freddie Slater, 18, will make his Formula 1 practice debut for Audi in the Mexico City session. He is due to drive again in first practice at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Weekend Schedule in Mexico City and ET
Free Practice 1 runs 12:30–13:30 and Free Practice 2 runs 16:00–17:00 on Friday, 30 October, Mexico City time. Those are 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.
On Saturday, 31 October, Free Practice 3 runs 11:30–12:30 and qualifying 15:00–16:00 local time. The Grand Prix starts at 14:00 on Sunday, 1 November, or 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, because US clocks go back that morning.
What the Race Means for Mexico City
The Canaco-CDMX chamber of commerce estimates the weekend will generate MXN22.228 billion (about US$1.2 billion at 18.65 pesos per dollar, EODHD, 23 October). That is 6.5% more than its 2025 figure, with about MXN8.42 billion (roughly US$450 million) from ticket sales.
The figure is an economic-impact estimate, not audited revenue. Mexican driver Sergio Pérez is due to make his 300th Formula 1 start at the home race, driving for Cadillac.
What It Means for US Readers
An American driver gets a Formula 1 car for one hour on Friday, a small storyline for US fans. East Coast viewers can watch practice in the early afternoon and the race at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Mexico has no daylight saving time, so the gap to New York shrinks from two hours to one when US clocks go back on 1 November.
What Is Not Known
Aston Martin has not given a reason for Stroll’s absence from the first session or said whether he drives in qualifying and the race. No prediction market on the Mexico City Grand Prix was trading at the time of writing.
Sources
Formula 1 (official timetable and calendar), Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team (announcement of 22 October 2026), Canaco-CDMX via Crónica and Excélsior, Audi F1 via Motorsport.com, EODHD (exchange rate).
Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief · Editorial standards · Report an error
Frequently Asked Questions
Who replaces Lance Stroll in Mexico City practice?
Jak Crawford, Aston Martin’s American third driver, takes Stroll’s car in Free Practice 1. It is his fourth first-practice outing of 2026.
What time is the Mexico City Grand Prix for US viewers?
The race starts at 14:00 Mexico City time on Sunday, 1 November 2026, which is 3:00 p.m. EST. US clocks go back that morning, so Friday practice is 2:30 p.m. EDT.
How much is the race weekend worth to Mexico City?
The Canaco-CDMX chamber of commerce estimates MXN22.228 billion, about US$1.2 billion. That is 6.5% more than in 2025.
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