SEVEN ROOKIE DRIVERS TO TAKE PART IN BARCELONA FP1
Seven driver changes will take place during Free Practice 1 at the Barcelona Grand Prix weekend, as Formula 1 teams continue to fulfil their mandatory rookie running requirements.
Several young drivers and reserve talents will step into race seats for the opening session, replacing full-time drivers across the grid in a wide range of teams.
For Audi, Paul Aron will take over from Nico Hülkenberg for the session. Red Bull will run Ayumu Iwasa in place of Isack Hadjar, while McLaren will give Leonardo Fornaroli a chance in the car normally driven by Lando Norris. Mercedes will field Frederik Vesti, who will replace Kimi Antonelli for FP1.
Williams will hand driving duties to Luke Browning in place of Alexander Albon, while Cadillac will run Colton Herta instead of Sergio Pérez. Ferrari will also make a change, with Dino Beganovic stepping in for Lewis Hamilton for the opening practice hour.
These sessions are part of Formula 1’s ongoing effort to give young drivers track time in current cars, allowing them to gain valuable experience in real Grand Prix conditions. It also gives teams the opportunity to evaluate their junior drivers in a competitive environment without affecting the main race weekend programme.
With seven rookies on track, FP1 in Barcelona is expected to provide an early look at future Formula 1 talent while regular drivers return for the rest of the weekend starting from FP2.
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