Loads of Components 1 drivers will sit on the sidelines in FP1 this Friday in Barcelona. These rookies will participate within the session this weekend.
Whereas groups wish to because of the surprising modifications to this yr’s calendar, many are utilizing the to offer drivers with fewer than two Components 1 Grands Prix underneath their belts an opportunity in FP1.
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The total-time drivers lacking out on the primary 60 minutes is not going to have to fret an excessive amount of both, as this is not going to be the primary time they’ve pushed on the this yr after the primary pre-season take a look at additionally passed off on the observe close to Montmeló in January.Wi
Mercedes – Frederik Vesti replaces Kimi Antonelli
The Danish driver joined the junior programme in 2021. After ending second within the 2024 Components 2 Championship, Vesti additionally grew to become the crew’s reserve driver that season. For the 2026 marketing campaign, he changed Valtteri Bottas as Mercedes’ third driver after the Finn joined .
Exterior of his Components 1 duties, Vesti competes within the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Cadillac Whelen within the GTP class. He completed second within the 24 Hours of Daytona and third within the 12 Hours of Sebring this yr. He accomplished his first FP1 session with Mercedes on the 2023 Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, and Barcelona will mark in an official Components 1 session.
Picture: McLaren Mastercard F1 Crew
Picture: McLaren Mastercard F1 Crew
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McLaren – Leonardo Fornaroli replaces Lando Norris
Having gained the Components 3 title in 2024 and the Components 2 championship in 2025, the Italian expertise graduated to Components 1 as a McLaren reserve driver. The function was introduced in 2026 after he joined the crew’s junior academy. This might be his first FP1 outing, having beforehand accomplished a TPC take a look at on the similar circuit in March. He’ll sit in
Ferrari – Dino Beganovic replaces Lewis Hamilton
After finishing his first full-time season in Components 2 in 2025, the Swedish teenager returned to the collection for the 2026 marketing campaign as properly. Beganovic completed seventh within the standings final yr, and he’s presently sixth within the championship with two podiums to his identify.
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Beganovic joined the Driver Academy again in 2020, and accomplished two FP1 outings final yr in Bahrain and Austria. This would be the first time .
Picture: Race Photos
Picture: Race Photos
Pink Bull Racing – Ayumu Iwasa replaces Isack Hadjar
now among the many checklist of rookie drivers. He’s presently a take a look at and reserve driver for the Pink Bull groups on the grid, and on this event, he’ll substitute Monaco GP podium sitter Isack Hadjar.
The Japanese driver accomplished his first FP1 session in 2024 on the Japanese Grand Prix with Racing Bulls, and featured in an extra three classes with the Faenza-based crew. He has additionally already pushed for as soon as in FP1, on the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix.
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After successful the Tremendous Components title final yr, Iwasa continues to race in the identical collection in 2026 as properly. He presently sits second within the standings.
Williams – Luke Browning replaces Alex Albon
grew to become a member of the Driver Academy in 2023 and was promoted to order driver for the 2026 season. He accomplished his first FP1 outing with Williams on the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and has since participated in three extra FP1 classes. After ending fourth within the Components 2 championship in 2025, he switched to Tremendous Components, the place he’s now a rival to Iwasa. Following 4 rounds, Browning sits eighth within the standings.
Audi – Paul Aron replaces Nico Hulkenberg
Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron was first loaned to Sauber through the 2025 season, and the partnership will proceed in 2026 underneath Audi’s banner. The Estonian is about to participate in FP1 outings for the German producer in each Barcelona and Austria. Aron drove for Sauber at Silverstone and the Hungaroring final yr, whereas additionally finishing three FP1 appearances with Alpine.
Picture: Race Photos
Picture: Race Photos
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Cadillac – Colton Herta replaces Sergio Perez
is about to finish his first laps in an official Components 1 session in Barcelona, taking up Sergio Perez’s Cadillac for FP1. The American is presently in his first Components 2 season after making the change from IndyCar. He sits thirteenth within the standings, having scored 16 factors up to now. His greatest outcomes got here within the characteristic races in Melbourne and Montreal, the place he completed seventh on each events.
