A British teen seen as F1’s next big star has now been told he’s wanted on the track.
Audi CEO Mattia Binotto is excited about moving British teenager Freddie Slater up to Formula 1 soon.
Slater, who is just 18, started racing in F3 in 2025 and came in second in the 2026 championship, narrowly missing out after a tough final weekend in Spain. Next year, he’ll be racing in F2 with Invicta, and Binotto believes his time in F1 is not far off.
Slater is part of Audi’s driver development program, and Binotto thinks he might get a chance to drive in F1 as early as the end of this season. Right now, the two Audi F1 seats are taken by 21-year-old rising star Gabriel Bortoleto and experienced 39-year-old Nico Hulkenberg. Audi could give Slater a shot in free practice sessions before the 2026 season ends or in 2027.
In an interview, Binotto said, “Freddie is in our driver program and has a lot of potential. He just finished second in the championship after leading before the last weekend in Madrid. It’s a good learning experience. What really matters is what he can do moving forward. F1 will be part of that plan.”
Binotto emphasizes that Slater still needs to keep developing to reach F1, and while the steps are tough, it’s the natural path for him. Success in F3 and F2 is key for getting there, and Slater is making strong progress.
To race in F1, drivers need an FIA Super Licence, which requires passing tests and completing most of two full seasons in qualifying series like F3 and F2. At 18, Slater now meets the age and experience requirements, including winning the Italian F4 and Formula 4 UAE Championships in 2024.
With these achievements, Slater has earned the points he needs and is ready to step up to the F1 grid when the chance comes. Binotto’s confidence shows he sees a bright future for the young driver in Formula 1.