Ayumu Iwasa is set to drive Max Verstappen’s Red Bull RB21 during…..
Iwasa, who is currently a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, already has some experience in Formula 1 practice sessions. He previously took part in two practice sessions for the Red Bull sister team, Racing Bulls, in 2024, with one session in Japan and another in Abu Dhabi. His upcoming Bahrain outing will mark his official debut in a Red Bull Formula 1 car, a major milestone in his career.
The 23-year-old Iwasa first joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2021 during his debut season in Formula 3. After a promising start, he made the jump to Formula 2 in 2022, where he finished fifth in the championship standings. He improved on that result in 2023 by securing fourth place in the F2 championship. Apart from his success in F2, Iwasa has also competed in Super Formula, Japan’s premier open-wheel series, and has worked as a test driver for the Racing Bulls F1 team, gaining more experience in F1 machinery.
Ahead of his first outing with Red Bull in FP1, Iwasa expressed his excitement on social media, stating that he was “very looking forward to getting some new experience in the car.” His time behind the wheel of the RB21 during practice will provide valuable insight and experience for both him and the team, as Iwasa continues his development as part of the Red Bull driver program.
The regulations in Formula 1 require each team to field a rookie driver in at least two FP1 sessions each season, and Verstappen’s decision to hand over his seat to Iwasa is in line with these rules. This will not be the only driver change during the first practice session in Bahrain. Other teams will also be giving rookie drivers a chance to drive. Fred Vesti will take over the Mercedes car, Felipe Drugovich will drive for Aston Martin, and Luke Browning will be in action for Williams, as each team follows the F1 regulations.
Iwasa’s FP1 run at the Bahrain Grand Prix will be a crucial step in his journey with Red Bull, as the team continues to nurture young talent for the future of Formula 1.
