Rookies Take Center Stage at Bahrain GP Practice

No fewer than six rookies will get a taste of Formula 1 during the upcoming race weekend in Bahrain. In line with the new guidelines for deploying inexperienced drivers, a host of new names will appear during the first free practice. Max Verstappen will also have to relinquish his RB21 to a Red Bull junior for one hour.

In recent years, Formula 1 teams were required to put a rookie in the car during a free practice twice per season, so that the next generation could get used to the premier class in a timely manner. To further increase their testing opportunities, from 2025 onwards, teams are obliged to deploy an inexperienced driver four times a year. All regular drivers will therefore have to give up their car twice. With the large number of street circuits and no fewer than six sprint weekends, this is easier said than done. Grands Prix that are suitable for rookies include Bahrain, Spain, and Mexico.

Large Number of Rookies

Ferrari announced in March that Dino Beganovic will make his debut during the first free practice in Sakhir. The 21-year-old Swede is, after Charles Leclerc, Arthur Leclerc, Robert Shwartzman, and Oliver Bearman, the fifth Ferrari junior to drive an official Formula 1 session. He will take over Leclerc’s car. This week, Red Bull announced that reigning champion Max Verstappen will also have to give up his car. The Japanese Ayumu Iwasa, who has already driven free practices for Racing Bulls, will drive in his place.”Earlier, it was announced that Aston Martin, Mercedes, Williams, and Haas are also opting for rookies in Bahrain. For instance, Fernando Alonso is handing over his car to test driver Felipe Drugovich, and George Russell is making way for Frederik Vesti. At Williams, Luke Browning is stepping into Carlos Sainz’s FW47. Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa is getting into action for the second time in a short period. He already drove a first free practice session for Alpine at Suzuka, but in Bahrain, he will be serving as a Haas driver.

All rookies who will be in action in Bahrain“