Audi F1 project head Mattia Binotto says greater involvement in F1 is part of Freddie Slater’s development plan and may not have to wait until 2027. A report published on F1’s official website on 29 September linked the 18-year-old driver’s next steps with Audi’s long-term driver planning.
Slater joined Audi’s driver development programme this year and finished runner-up in this season’s F3 drivers’ standings. He has signed with Invicta Racing to move up to F2 in 2027. Asked whether Slater would receive more F1 duties next year, Binotto replied that they could come even sooner and praised his progress this season.
Binotto believes Slater has developed from a driver who used his tyres too aggressively early in the season into one with more balanced pace and better tyre management. Audi is looking beyond whether he ultimately won the F3 title to whether those improvements can continue in the races ahead.
More F1 work and a full-time race seat remain separate matters. Binotto said the development programme aims to bring young drivers into F1 sooner or later, but whether Slater eventually earns a seat depends on how much further he develops. These comments did not set out a specific F1 appearance programme; his confirmed next step remains the 2027 F2 season.
