Max Verstappen to miss Bahrain Grand due to…. read more
Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Max Verstappen will not participate in the first practice session (FP1) of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. In his place, the team’s junior driver Ayumu Iwasa will take over driving duties for the session. This change is in line with the updated Formula 1 regulations set to be enforced during the 2025 season. According to the new rule, all teams are now required to allocate two free practice sessions per season for rookie drivers—defined as those with limited or no prior F1 race experience. This is a notable change from the previous regulation, which mandated just one rookie appearance per car throughout the season.
The purpose behind this updated regulation is to ensure that young and upcoming drivers have more opportunities to gain real-world Formula 1 experience. As a result, several teams have opted to use the opening race weekend in Bahrain to begin fulfilling this requirement. Bahrain is considered an optimal circuit for rookie drivers to make their F1 debuts due to its familiarity among the teams and drivers. The track hosted the pre-season testing, which means that the full-time drivers already have substantial recent experience there. This makes it easier for teams to slot in rookie drivers for FP1 without compromising crucial preparation time for the regular drivers.
For Ayumu Iwasa, taking over Verstappen’s RB21 for the first practice session represents a significant step forward in his professional racing career. Iwasa, a promising talent from Red Bull’s junior program, will have the chance to showcase his skills and gain invaluable experience in a Formula 1 car during an official Grand Prix weekend. While Verstappen will miss FP1, he is expected to return to the cockpit for the second session (FP2) later the same day, along with the other regular drivers across the grid.
Red Bull is not the only team taking this opportunity to give seat time to young drivers. A number of other teams are following suit by putting their own rookies into action during FP1 in Bahrain. At Aston Martin, Felipe Drugovich is set to replace Lance Stroll. Haas will feature Ryo Hirakawa, giving him a chance to get a feel for the car and the team’s procedures. Mercedes is bringing in Frederik Vesti, while Ferrari will allow Dino Beganovic to take the wheel in place of one of their race drivers. Williams has also confirmed that Luke Browning will step in for Carlos Sainz during FP1.
This coordinated effort across the grid highlights the sport’s growing emphasis on nurturing future talent. By choosing Bahrain, teams are making a calculated decision to minimize disruption to their race weekend plans while still complying with the new mandate. The track’s modern facilities, good weather conditions, and recent use during testing make it a logical location for rookie outings.
In summary, the updated Formula 1 rules for 2025 have prompted a significant shift in how teams integrate young drivers into their race weekend plans. By giving rookies like Ayumu Iwasa and others the chance to drive during official sessions, Formula 1 is opening more doors for emerging talent and preparing the next generation of drivers for future full-time roles in the sport.
