 "Ayumu Iwasa will replace Max Verstappen in RB21 for the Bahrain FP1 session. Images: Reuters/Red Bull on X")
Japanese drivers are ruling the roost at Red Bull Formula 1 team. Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson at Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing 12th on his Red Bull debut . Now the Red Bull teams has confirmed that another Japanese Ayumu Iwasa will replace Max Verstappen for the first practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Verstappen will be back for Red Bull after the first practice session.
Formula 1 teams are now required to run rookies twice in each of their cars over the season — totaling four rookie outings — up from just one per car last year.
As a result, Red Bull are using the first practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix to give rookie Iwasa a chance. The 23-year-old driver will look to impress the teams as he searches for an F1 race seat.
Besides Iwasa, other rookies who have been confirmed for the first practice session in Bahrain are Ryo Hirakawa at Haas, Frederik Vesti at Mercedes, Felipe Drugovich at Aston Martin and Luke Browning at Williams.
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More ShortsWho is Red Bull debutant Ayumu Iwasa?
Iwasa is a member of the Red Bull junior programme. The Japanese driver graduated from the FIA Formula 2 series to Super Formula last year. He currently leads Japan’s premier single-seater championship after the first two rounds of the 2025 season.
Iwasa previously took part in FP1 sessions in Japan and Abu Dhabi with Racing Bulls in 2024 and also featured in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
McLaren’s Lando Norris currently leads the driver standings with 61 points from three races. Verstappen is second with 61 points while Norris’ teammate Oscar Pisatri is third (49).