The six rookie drivers set to take part in FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix

No fewer than six junior, test and reserve drivers will be in action up and down the F1 field during Friday’s first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Red Bull, Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Haas and Williams all making FP1 line-up changes.

Under F1’s regulations, every full-time driver is required to make way for a rookie – viewed as someone who has started no more than two Grands Prix – in two practice sessions across the 2025 season, an increase on the one mandated last year.

Given that both Qualifying and the Grand Prix in Sakhir are held in twilight conditions, at a similar time to second practice, it provides an ideal opportunity for teams to run different drivers in FP1 (in hotter midday weather) without massively compromising their weekend efforts.

Ayumu Iwasa – Red Bull

At Red Bull, reigning four-time World Champion Max Verstappen will hand his RB21 over to 23-year-old Japanese racer Iwasa, who made two FP1 outings with RB (now Racing Bulls) in 2024.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 04: Ayumu Iwasa of Japan and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls walks in the Paddock — Iwasa will take over Verstappen’s Red Bull for the opening practice session in Bahrain

After a two-year stint in Formula 2, which included five race wins, Iwasa moved back to Japan to compete in Super Formula in 2024, where he finished fifth in the standings – and he leads the way after two races this term.

Dino Beganovic – Ferrari

While Iwasa has some FP1 experience under his belt already, one person gearing up to make their official F1 weekend debut is Ferrari junior Beganovic, who currently competes in the F2 feeder championship with Hitech TGR.

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A champion in Formula Regional European and a race winner in F3, he will become the fifth Ferrari Academy driver to represent the Scuderia in a proper F1 session, following on from Charles and Arthur Leclerc, Robert Schwartzman and Ollie Bearman.

He is also set to be only the second Swede to appear for Ferrari in F1, with the 21-year-old joining Stefan Johansson – who raced with the famous Maranello-based outfit in 1985 and 1986 – on an exclusive list.

IMOLA, ITALY - OCTOBER 23: Dino Beganovic of Sweden and PREMA Racing (1) prepares to drive in the — Beganovic is preparing to make his official F1 weekend debut with Ferrari

Fred Vesti – Mercedes

Vesti will be making his third FP1 appearance with Mercedes, having driven for the Silver Arrows at the start of the Mexico City and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekends back in 2023, when he finished runner-up in F2.

As a test and reserve driver, the 23-year-old Dane has spent the first part of 2025 working in the simulator at Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters, alongside a debut season in the United States-based IMSA endurance championship with Cadillac.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - SEPTEMBER 12: Frederik Vesti of Denmark and Mercedes walks in the Paddock during — Vesti is getting another opportunity to drive Mercedes F1 machinery

Felipe Drugovich – Aston Martin

Aston Martin’s own test and reserve driver, 2022 F2 title winner Drugovich, will get his latest F1 outing in Bahrain, where he stood in for an injured Lance Stroll during 2023 pre-season testing.

Now (like Vesti) also competing in endurance racing, the 24-year-old Brazilian has previously taken part in three end-of-season test sessions for Aston Martin, as well as five FP1 sessions at race weekends.

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Drugovich is adding to his F1 experience with another run-out for Aston Martin

Ryo Hirakawa – Haas

Hirakawa started the 2025 season as a reserve driver at Alpine, even hopping into the cockpit for FP1 at last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, but the 31-year-old has now moved over to rivals Haas.

He previously served as a dedicated development driver at McLaren, making his FP1 debut in Abu Dhabi in 2024, and drove for Haas in the post-season test that followed at the Yas Marina Circuit.

As well as his Haas reserve duties, Hirakawa competes for Toyota GAZOO Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, having won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and World Endurance Championship twice.

Ryo Hirakawa China.png — Hirakawa is straight into action with Haas after making the move from Alpine

Luke Browning – Williams

Finally, Williams Racing Driver Academy member Browning will make his second FP1 appearance for the Grove-based squad, having driven in the opening practice session over the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.

The Briton, 23, who also appeared at last year’s post-season test in Yas Marina, is contesting his first full F2 season alongside Beganovic at Hitech TGR, having stepped up after finishing third in the F3 championship.

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