Red Bull Racing confirms Japanese rookie Ayumu Iwasa to stand in for Max Verstappen for FP1 in Bahrain

In a tactical decision that is in line with Formula 1's rules on rookie participation, reigning world champion Max Verstappen will not be taking part in the opening free practice session (FP1) of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing confirms. Japanese racer Ayumu Iwasa will take the seat in the RB21 instead. It will be the first time Ayumu Iwasa drives a Red Bull car following appearances for Racing Bulls in sessions previously.

Red Bull Racing has announced that 23-year-old Ayumu Iwasa will drive Max Verstappen's car during FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix. This is all part of a wider plan by the team to complete Formula 1's rookie running commitments early in the season, particularly in sessions that have little effect on race-day performance.
The action is one of Red Bull Racing's initiatives to comply with the sport's new regulation that mandates each team to run rookie drivers in a minimum of four FP1 sessions throughout the season—two per vehicle. Since Bahrain's FP1 has limited value with its daytime schedule and warmer temperatures, the team identifies this session as the best time to incorporate new talent.
Ayumu Iwasa has already got some experience driving in FP1 sessions, driving for Racing Bulls at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix and then again at Abu Dhabi. This session will be his first time driving the senior Red Bull Racing team's car, though, an opportunity that might be crucial to his future in Formula 1.
The choice to sit out Max Verstappen during FP1 is determined to a great extent by the timing of the session. Taking place in the afternoon with hot conditions, FP1 in Bahrain has little similarity to the night-time cool conditions under which qualifying and the race will take place. That makes it the ideal session for Red Bull Racing to utilise one of their mandatory rookie spots without sacrificing their competitive advantage.

Max Verstappen will return to his traditional driving role behind the wheel during Free Practice 2, with teams starting more substantive setup and performance analysis on a race-related basis. Red Bull Racing are following the tactic of several other premium teams, among them Mercedes, Ferrari, Haas, Aston Martin, and Williams, all of which are using Bahrain's FP1 to mark the completion of their first rookie outing of the campaign.
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With the level of demand for new driving talent increasing in Formula 1, opportunities such as this are increasingly important. For Ayumu Iwasa, the test might be a key step to a race seat on a full-time basis in the not-too-distant future. The Japanese driver will be keen to make a mark on one of the grid's most competitive teams.