Rookies taking part in FP1

After an intense start under the new regulations that made every lap in the new cars extra valuable for their full time drivers.
Formula 1 teams have started to fulfil their required rookies outings at this weekend’s Barcelona Grand Prix.

Here are the drivers who have already been announced as participating in FP1 in the seventh round.

Leonardo Fornaroli – McLaren
Replacing: Lando Norris

Back-to-back Formula 3/ Formula 2 Champion, Fornaroli, was picked up by McLaren as its reserve this year – and is now getting his first practice outing.

He could’ve hardly have done more in F3 and F2, but given he’s not racing this year, he faces the unenviable task of staying at the forefront of F1 teams’ minds, through impressing in practice will undeniably help.

Frederik Vesti – Mercedes
Replacing: Kimi Antonelli

Vesti was the F2 runner-up three years ago, and his racing future now clearly lies in the endurance racing instead – where he has been forging a career with Cadillac.

He has established himself as a significant player in Mercedes F1 programmed, described by Toto Wolff, as “an important part of our development work with the W17”.

Ayumu Iwasa – Red Bull
Replacing: Isack Hadjar

The 24 year old is increasingly becoming Red Bull’s go to practice driver across its two teams having had considerable success racing in Red Bull colours in various category – but never truly entering the frame for an F1 call-up.

He is the formal Racing Bulls test and reserve driver, and is currently working to defend his maiden title in the prestigious Super Formula category in Japan.

Dino Beganovic – Ferrari
Replacing: Lewis Hamilton

Sixth – but only 20 points down on the standings leader – in F2 this year, 22 year old Beganovic will carry out his third practice outing with Ferrari in Barcelona.

Ferrari has two juniors on the cusp of F1 readiness in Beganovic and Rafa Camara but it’s line-up doesn’t appear likely to change in the immediate future.

Luke Browning – Williams
Replacing: Alex Albon

Williams reserve Browning, will be in Albon’s car at Barcelona and then in Carlos Sainz’s car at the Red Bull Ring.

An outside F2 title contender last year in his rookie season, Browning has now switched to Super Formula this year and has been competitive.

He is clearly the F1-readiest prospect on Williams’ books, but will need to make a big impression in FP1 sessions to be first in line for a future seat.

Paul Aron – Audi
Replacing: Nico Hulkenberg

Aron, is an Alpine reserve – but was already loaned by the English-French team to what was then Sauber for a pair of practice outings last year.
This arrangement will continue again, at the Red Bull Ring.

After making waves as an F2 rookie in 2024, Aron didn’t race last year and has no full-time programme this year either – instead supporting Alpine’s efforts.

His prospects of an Alpine seat look far from straightforward given this would likely require Alpine to move on from Franco Colapinto – who has been on a good run of form.

Colton Herta – Cadillac
Replacing: Sergio Perez

Ex-Indycar star Herta, will dovetail a first F1 practice outing with the full F2 round at Barcelona.

Cadillac and Herta have made no secret of their ambition to get him into an F1 seat, with the experience-gathering Indycar to F2 switch for this year aimed at no other goal but acquainting him with the tracks, the paddock and topping up his superlicence points tally.

Adjusting to F2 has proven tough – not unexpectedly so given Herta had left the European single-seater scene in 2026 and he is only 13th in the Standings at present.

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