This weekend`s Bahrain Grand Prix will feature six rookie drivers taking part in the first practice session. These young talents will be temporarily replacing experienced drivers from leading teams, offering them a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills.
Formula 1 regulations mandate that teams must utilize rookie drivers, defined as those with no more than two Grand Prix starts, in at least two practice sessions during the 2025 season. Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes are among the teams giving their junior drivers a chance in Bahrain.
Ayumu Iwasa, Red Bull
Ayumu Iwasa will drive Max Verstappen`s Red Bull RB21 during FP1. This marks the third FP1 session for the Japanese driver, who previously participated in two sessions for Racing Bulls last year.
Iwasa, aged 23, has a strong racing background. He won the French F4 championship in 2020, secured a Formula 3 race victory in 2021, and then progressed to Formula 2, finishing fifth and fourth in his two seasons. Supported by Honda, he was fifth in Super Formula last season and currently leads this year`s championship after two races.
Dino Beganovic, Ferrari
Dino Beganovic will make his Formula 1 practice debut this weekend for Ferrari. He joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2020 at the age of 16.
The Swedish-Bosnian driver is a former FRECA champion, winning the title in 2022. He competed in F3 for two seasons, achieving sixth place in both, before moving up to F2 this year with Hitech.
Beganovic will take over Charles Leclerc`s Ferrari for FP1, briefly becoming teammate to Lewis Hamilton.
Fred Vesti, Mercedes
Another FRECA champion (2019), Fred Vesti will participate in his third FP1 session for Mercedes.
The 23-year-old Danish driver has a strong racing record, with 11 wins in F3 and F2 over four years. He finished second in the F2 championship in 2023. Vesti is currently Mercedes` reserve driver and also competes in IMSA racing with Cadillac. George Russell will be replaced by Vesti for this session.
Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin
Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 F2 champion, is no stranger to Formula 1. He previously substituted for the injured Lance Stroll during preseason testing in 2023. He has also participated in multiple end-of-season tests and five FP1 sessions.
The Brazilian driver is currently involved in endurance racing this season. He has a significant opportunity to make a strong impression on Friday, taking over Fernando Alonso`s Aston Martin.
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
Just a week after participating in FP1 for Alpine at Suzuka, Ryo Hirakawa will get another FP1 opportunity, this time with Haas.
Hirakawa, 31, is a regular in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota. He mentioned limited opportunities at Alpine as a reason for switching to Haas. He also drove for McLaren in an FP1 session in Abu Dhabi last year. This marks his third team in just four rounds.
Luke Browning, Williams
Luke Browning will replace Carlos Sainz at Williams for FP1. This will be the second FP1 session for the 23-year-old British driver, who made his debut in Abu Dhabi last year.
Browning, who won the GB3 championship in 2022 and finished third in the F3 series last year, is currently Dino Beganovic`s teammate in F2 this season.
Dominic Ashworth