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6 Rookies set to shine in FP1
Six rookies will get behind the wheel in Bahrain as part of the rules that state every driver on the grid must vacate their seat for a rookie for two FP1 sessions in a season.
A new rule for 2025 states that every driver on the grid must vacate their seat for a rookie for two FP1 sessions in a season. FP1 in Bahrain will consist of six rookies getting behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car: Ferrari's Dino Beganovic, Mercedes' Fred Vesti, Aston Martin's Felipe Drugovich, Red Bull's Ayumu Iwasa, Haas' Ryo Hirakawa, and Williams' Luke Browning.
In this case, a rookie is classed as a driver who has started two or fewer Grands Prix.
Most of these rookies will have ample experience at this circuit, as it has been a venue for the junior categories for some time in both testing and racing, as well as being the site of F1 pre-season testing.
The Bahrain schedule makes this race a prime candidate to replace a race driver in FP1, because the sunset timing of the race and Qualifying make FP2 a far more representative session. As FP1 and FP3 take place in the middle of the day in far hotter conditions, they are slightly less valuable than at other events, and offer a good opportunity to give a rookie some track time – at a track that doesn’t punish mistakes as harshly as some…
FERRARI
BEGANOVIC MAKES FIRST OFFICIAL APPEARANCE IN FORMULA 1
One driver gearing up to make their official F1 weekend debut is Ferrari junior Beganovic, who currently competes in the F2 feeder championship with Hitech TGR.
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.
MERCEDES
VESTI MAKES HIS THIRD FP1 APPEARANCE FOR MERCEDES
Vesti – the runner-up in the 2023 F2 Championship – will be making his third FP1 appearance, having previously driven for the Silver Arrows in Mexico and Abu Dhabi back in 2023.
As part of his role as Test and Reserve Driver, Vesti has spent the first part of this year working in the simulator at Mercedes' base in Brackley, combining his role with his first season in endurance racing in the United States, where he is competing in IMSA with Cadillac.
“I am really looking forward to getting my first taste of the W16 in FP1 in Bahrain," Vesti said. “Being able to put all of my simulator work into practice on the track is a really exciting prospect for me.
“I will be doing everything I can to help the team, George, and Kimi get set for the rest of the weekend. I am grateful to Mercedes for once again giving me this opportunity.”
HAAS
HIRAKAWA JOINS HAAS FOR 2025 IN SWITCH FROM ALPINE
Ryo Hirakawa has gathered F1 experience for a number of teams, including McLaren, while he has run in a number of practice sessions. He also drove for Haas in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi last December.
As well as his Haas reserve duties, Hirakawa currently competes for Toyota GAZOO Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and is also a 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, and two-time Hypercar Champion. He has further experience over multiple disciplines; including Super Formula and Super GT.
“I’m excited to join MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, I really appreciate this opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to a new journey with the team,” Hirakawa said.
“I’m driving my first FP1 session in Bahrain, so for me to have driven at two race weekends in a row is exciting, and I can’t wait to get to Bahrain. I would like to thank Komatsu-san, MoneyGram Haas F1 Team, Morizo-san (Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation) and Toyota GAZOO Racing for this opportunity, it’s a new challenge for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
Williams
BROWNING HAS SECOND FP1 OUTING FOR WILLIAMS
Williams Racing Academy Driver Browning, who is currently in his first full F2 season with Hitech GP, will make his second FP1 appearance after turning out for the Grove-based outfit in the first practice session over the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.
The 23-year-old Briton said: “Being given another opportunity to drive in a Free Practice session with Williams is a dream come true, and I'm getting more and more confidence each time I drive the car. My main aim for FP1 is to get more comfortable with the procedures and environment that come with Formula 1, and to build on my experience from Abu Dhabi last December."
Sven Smeets, Williams' Sporting Director, added: “Luke has made strong progress since his first Formula 2 weekend last year and scored good points in the opening race of the season in Australia. His previous FP1 experience, participation in our TPC programme, and simulator work have prepared him well for this weekend and we look forward to seeing him take this next step forward in his development.”
Aston martin
DRUGOVIC RETURNS IN THE ASTON MARTIN
Aston Martin's Test and Reserve Driver Drugovich – the 2022 F2 Champion – will also embark on his latest session in F1 at a track he knows well, having previously stood in for an injured Lance Stroll during 2023 pre-season testing at the same venue.
The 24-year-old Brazilian has also taken part in three end-of-season tests for Aston Martin previously, as well as five FP1 sessions at race weekends.
"I'm very happy to be getting out in the F1 car again, especially so early in the season," he said. "I've been preparing on the simulator to get a feel for the car, and Bahrain is a track I know well and really enjoy driving.
"I'm excited to contribute and give the team the data they need to perform at their best this weekend. Thanks to the whole team for their continued support."
RED BULL
AYUMU IWASA SET TO DRIVE VERSTAPPEN'S RED BULL
Japanese racer Iwasa already has two practice outings under his belt for sister team Racing Bulls – with these taking place in Japan and Abu Dhabi last year – and will return to action for Round 4 of the 2025 championship in Sakhir.
Having joined the Red Bull Junior Team back in 2021 during his debut Formula 3 campaign, Iwasa made the step up to F2 in the year that followed and ended the season in fifth of the championship, a result he bettered in 2023 by taking fourth place.
The 23-year-old has since gone on to compete in Super Formula, as well as acting as a test driver for the Racing Bulls F1 team.
Ahead of his Red Bull debut during FP1 in Bahrain, Iwasa told his social media followers: “I'm very looking forward to get[ting] some new experience in the car!”
