Bromsgrove-educated Freddie Slater, 18, describes 'surreal' Formula 1 debut in Audi practice sessions

Freddie Slater, the 18-year-old racing driver who grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and went to school in Bromsgrove, has had his first taste of Formula 1, driving in practice sessions at the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix for Audi.

Slater, one of Britain's brightest motorsport prospects, described the experience as "surreal", BBC News reported on 12 November.

"I've waited my whole life for this"

"You're doing 350kph (217mph) into turn one at Mexico, I've never done anything like it, honestly it's just incredible," he said.

"I didn't expect this opportunity to come so early if I'm honest. I just love speed and sitting in that F1 car was just the most surreal and incredible feeling. I've waited my whole life for this."

His time in the car was cut short on both occasions by mechanical problems, which is not unusual in practice sessions as teams learn each track. But he said simply getting to drive was a dream come true. "It was just incredible getting those laps behind me with the forces and speeds involved," he said.

A rapid rise

Slater's climb has been remarkable. "In 2023, I was still in karting, then last year I was in the Formula Regional Championship which I won, and this year Formula 3," he said. He finished runner-up in the Formula 3 Championship, the series that races alongside Formula 1 at the same tracks on the same weekends.

That form made him the first driver signed to Audi's driver development programme. "It's been great to have the support of Audi and the support of people like team principal Mattia Binotto and racing director Allan McNish," he said.

Next season he moves up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing, the current championship leaders, and with Audi's support he is likely to appear in another practice session before long.

Trophies bigger than he was

Racing from a young age meant balancing exams and coursework with travel around the world. His former headmaster at Bromsgrove Preparatory School, Mike Marie, said: "We're so proud of Freddie after having his first practice at an F1 weekend. My memories of Freddie were of him coming into school in year four with trophies bigger than he was, always incredibly talented, we wish him the best of luck on the world stage."

Slater, the eldest of five children, says motorsport runs in the family. "My dad used to race himself, my two brothers are also climbing the ladder, the youngest of which is 10 and just started karting." His family still live in Warwickshire, and he says he loves coming home to unwind after a busy race weekend.

A local hero in the making

The region has a proud motorsport tradition, and Slater's progress is one for fans in Birmingham, Bromsgrove and Warwickshire to follow closely. "Of course I want to win a championship, that's got to be the goal every year, but it's also to develop as a driver," he said. Until his next outing, he will be on the simulator and in the gym every day.