This weekend`s Bahrain Grand Prix will see six rookie drivers taking part in the first practice session. These young talents will be temporarily replacing some of the sport`s biggest names, offering them a valuable chance to showcase their skills.
Formula 1 regulations stipulate that each team must field rookie drivers – 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 leading teams giving their junior drivers this opportunity in Bahrain.
Ayumu Iwasa, Red Bull
Iwasa will take over Max Verstappen`s Red Bull RB21 for FP1. This marks the third time the 23-year-old Japanese driver will participate in an F1 practice session, having previously driven for Racing Bulls last year.
After winning the French F4 championship in 2020 and securing a Formula 3 victory in 2021, Iwasa progressed to F2, finishing fifth and fourth in his two seasons. Supported by Honda, he was also fifth in Super Formula last year and is currently leading this year`s championship after two races.
Dino Beganovic, Ferrari
Beganovic will make his first appearance in an F1 session this weekend with Ferrari. He joined Ferrari`s driver academy at the age of 16 in 2020.
The Swedish-Bosnian driver claimed the FRECA championship in 2022 and achieved sixth place in both of his F3 seasons before stepping up to F2 this year with Hitech.
Beganovic will drive Charles Leclerc`s Ferrari during FP1, briefly becoming teammate to Lewis Hamilton.
Fred Vesti, Mercedes
Vesti, another former FRECA champion (2019), will have his third FP1 session with Mercedes.
The 23-year-old Danish driver has a strong racing background, winning 11 races across four years in F3 and F2. He finished second in the F2 championship in 2023. Vesti is currently balancing his F1 reserve driver role with IMSA racing for Cadillac. George Russell will be replaced by Vesti for this session.
Felipe Drugovich, Aston Martin
Drugovich, the 2022 F2 champion, is familiar with F1. He previously substituted for the injured Lance Stroll during preseason testing in 2023. He has also participated in three end-of-season tests and five FP1 sessions.
The Brazilian driver is also competing in endurance racing this season. He has a significant chance to impress on Friday, taking over from Fernando Alonso.
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas
Just one week after participating in FP1 for Alpine in Suzuka, Hirakawa gets another opportunity, this time with Haas.
The 31-year-old, a prominent figure in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota, mentioned limited opportunities at Alpine as a reason for his move to Haas. He also drove for McLaren in an FP1 session in Abu Dhabi last year, marking his involvement with three different teams in just four rounds!
Luke Browning, Williams
Carlos Sainz will give way to Browning at Williams. The 23-year-old British driver will participate in his second FP1 session, following his debut in Abu Dhabi last year.
Browning, who won the GB3 championship in 2022 and finished third in last year`s F3 series, is currently Beganovic`s teammate in F2 this season.
