Ayumu Iwasa to drive Verstappen’s Red Bull during FP1 in Bahrain

Ayumu Iwasa, reserve driver at Racing Bulls, will have the opportunity to take the wheel of Max Verstappen’s RB21 during the first free practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix. It will be his first appearance at the wheel of a Red Bull Formula 1 car, after participating in two tests with Racing Bulls last year.

Member of the Red Bull Junior Team program since 2021, Iwasa, 23, is currently continuing his career in Super Formula where he is leading the championship after two races in 2025, with two podiums already to his credit. His career also includes notable stints in Formula 3 and then in Formula 2, where he finished fifth in 2022 and fourth in 2023, respectively.

The team and the driver shared the news on social media: « I will drive for @redbullracing during FP1 at the #BahrainGP. I’m really looking forward to experiencing something new in the car! », he posted on X (formerly Twitter) in response to the team’s announcement regarding his participation in place of Verstappen.

I’ll drive for @redbullracing in FP1 of #BahrainGP .
I’m very looking forward to get some new experience in the car!😆

今週末のF1 バーレーンGPのFP1で@redbullracing のマシンをドライブします。
また新しい経験が出来ることを楽しみにしています！😆#Honda #Red Bull #F1 #ORBR #F1jp https://t.co/nMaAfREVtO pic.twitter.com/X3g6di6fiK

— Ayumu Iwasa 岩佐歩夢 (@ayumuiwasa_cars) April 9, 2025

This participation by Iwasa is part of the FIA regulations that now require each team to hand over the wheel of its two cars to a rookie driver twice during the season, an increase from the previous rule which only imposed it once. This measure was established to provide more opportunities for young drivers by allowing them to gain experience on Formula 1 circuits.

A well-stocked field of rookies in Bahrain

Iwasa will not be the only rookie driver to take part in the first free practice sessions in Bahrain. Mercedes has chosen Frederik Vesti to replace George Russell, while Felipe Drugovich will take the wheel of Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin. At Williams, Luke Browning will succeed Carlos Sainz, and Ferrari will entrust the SF-25 of Charles Leclerc to F2 driver Dino Beganovic. Finally, Ryo Hirakawa, winner of the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans and new reserve driver at Haas, will replace Oliver Bearman.

These replacements of young drivers in Bahrain are explained notably by the familiarity of the circuit to the drivers. Indeed, the Sakhir circuit, being the site of winter testing, not only provides a known environment for the young drivers but also minimizes the impact of the absence of the regular drivers during this first session.

All the main drivers will be back in their cars for the second practice session, including Verstappen, who will be looking to build on his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix.