Breaking: Verstappen Bahrain swap confirmed as… Read more
Four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is set to sit out the first free practice session (FP1) of the Bahrain Grand Prix, as Red Bull Racing hands his RB21 over to a young up-and-comer. The team confirmed that Ayumu Iwasa, a Red Bull junior driver, will take the wheel during FP1 as part of the sport’s newly enforced rookie driver regulation for the 2025 season.
Under these new rules, all F1 teams are now required to give rookie drivers at least two FP1 outings per car throughout the season, doubling the previous requirement. The regulation was introduced to increase the presence and experience of young talent in Formula 1, offering more opportunities for drivers hoping to graduate into full-time roles in the future.
Red Bull has opted to begin meeting this obligation in Bahrain, a venue all full-time F1 drivers are already familiar with due to its hosting of pre-season testing. The decision allows teams to integrate rookies into the schedule without jeopardizing valuable track time for their main drivers during later, less predictable weekends.
Iwasa, 23, will be driving Verstappen’s car for the first session of the race weekend. However, the reigning world champion will return to action for FP2 later that same day, where he’ll begin preparing to extend his impressive form following a dominant win at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Red Bull officially announced Iwasa’s participation via social media, stating: “In the RB21 for FP1. @ayumuiwasa_cars will drive Max’s car for the first session of the #BahrainGP weekend.” This FP1 run will mark Iwasa’s third appearance in an official F1 session but his first in a Red Bull works car.
The Japanese driver previously drove for Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) during FP1 at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo. Later that same season, he took over Yuki Tsunoda’s car at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite not having a full-time F1 seat, Iwasa has remained on Red Bull’s radar due to his strong junior formula credentials and current form in Japan’s Super Formula series.
Iwasa currently leads the Super Formula championship after two rounds, having landed on the podium in both races so far in 2025. His consistent performances and maturity behind the wheel have strengthened his case for future F1 consideration, and this FP1 session could be another valuable step toward a permanent spot in the paddock.
Red Bull isn’t the only team using the Bahrain GP to fulfill the rookie requirement. Several other outfits have also announced young driver substitutions for FP1. Aston Martin will run Felipe Drugovich, Haas will give Ryo Hirakawa a shot, Frederik Vesti will step in for Mercedes, Dino Beganovic will get seat time with Ferrari, and Luke Browning is set to take over Carlos Sainz’s Williams.
All of the regular drivers, including Verstappen, are expected to resume their duties starting from FP2. These rookie practice sessions are structured to minimize disruption to the team’s race weekend while still giving junior drivers essential experience with top-tier equipment and feedback loops.
While Verstappen’s brief absence from the cockpit may raise eyebrows among fans, it’s unlikely to have any impact on his weekend performance, given his familiarity with the Bahrain circuit and the short nature of FP1 sessions. For Iwasa, however, the opportunity is a major milestone in his racing journey—a chance to prove himself at the very top of motorsport under the watchful eye of the Red Bull senior team.
