Six rookie drivers are set to take part in the first practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix, as part of a change in regulation that increases track time for inexperienced drivers.
In previous years, teams were obliged to run a rookie in Friday practice on two occasions across the season, with each of their race drivers having to give up one session. That number has been doubled to four in total this year — two per car — and the majority of teams have opted to make their first such change in Bahrain.
The reason the Bahrain International Circuit is utilized is due to the familiarity the race drivers have with the track as a result of pre-season testing, but also because rookies often have former experience of the circuit through other categories. FP1 is also not a particularly representative session as it takes place in the heat of the day, compared to the sunset sessions of FP2, qualifying and the race.
Ferrari is giving a first outing to F2 racer Dino Beganovic in place of Charles Leclerc, while at Red Bull reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa will take over Max Verstappen’s car for the first session.
Mercedes is running Fred Vesti for FP1 in place of George Russell, while Aston Martin has given Felipe Drugovich (pictured, top) an outing, replacing Fernando Alonso.
At Haas there will be a second appearance in two race weekends for Ryo Hirakawa as he takes over from Oliver Bearman, although Hirakawa’s run last time out at Suzuka was for Alpine. Williams is also giving track time to one of its junior drivers in Luke Browning, who will drive in FP1 in place of Carlos Sainz.
McLaren, Alpine, Racing Bulls and Stake are the only teams not running replacement drivers this weekend in Bahrain, with Alpine already having completed one of its allocation through Hirakawa.
