Max Verstappen misses Bahrain FP1 as…..read more
In an interesting turn of events for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, three-time World Champion Max Verstappen will not take part in the opening free practice session (FP1) on Friday. The decision comes as part of a broader trend across multiple Formula 1 teams who are choosing to give seat time to their reserve or junior drivers in FP1, especially with the increased number of mandatory rookie sessions introduced this season.
The Bahrain International Circuit, which hosted pre-season testing earlier in the year, is a track that all teams and drivers have already become well-acquainted with. Given that level of familiarity, several teams are using the FP1 session to fulfill one of their rookie driver requirements for the 2025 season. This regulation, which aims to provide more opportunities for emerging talent, has seen the number of required rookie sessions double from two to four per team over the course of the season.
Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Verstappen will step aside during FP1 to allow Ayumu Iwasa, one of the team’s most promising junior drivers, to take the wheel. For Iwasa, this marks his debut appearance in a Red Bull car during a Grand Prix weekend. The 23-year-old Japanese driver is no stranger to Formula 1 machinery, having previously participated in FP1 sessions for Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) during the Japanese and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix last season. Additionally, he was involved in post-season testing, further adding to his experience.
Currently competing in Japan’s Super Formula series, Iwasa is leading the standings with Team Mugen, showcasing his speed and consistency. His performance in Super Formula, often considered the closest single-seater championship to F1 in terms of technical complexity and competitiveness, has made him a standout candidate for future F1 opportunities. His FP1 run with Red Bull is seen as a crucial step in his development and a chance for the team to evaluate his progress in a real race weekend environment.
Meanwhile, Aston Martin has also opted to utilize FP1 to give track time to their reserve driver. Brazilian talent Felipe Drugovich will replace veteran Fernando Alonso for the session. Drugovich, the 2022 Formula 2 champion, has been part of the Aston Martin driver program and is widely regarded as a strong prospect. This isn’t his first outing with the team; he has previously taken part in testing and FP1 sessions, gaining valuable mileage in the AMR cars.
These changes reflect a growing focus within Formula 1 on preparing the next generation of drivers. With limited in-season testing available, FP1 sessions offer one of the few opportunities for young talents to gain on-track experience in current F1 machinery under competitive conditions. Teams are using these sessions strategically—not only to comply with regulations but also to assess how their junior drivers handle pressure, deliver feedback, and interact with the engineering teams.
As more teams follow this approach, fans can expect to see more fresh faces in upcoming FP1 sessions throughout the 2025 season. With top-tier drivers like Verstappen and Alonso stepping aside, even temporarily, it’s a reminder of the sport’s evolving landscape—where nurturing future stars is becoming just as important as winning races today.
