Ayumu Iwasa Replaces Isack Hadjar for FP1 Barcelona

Ayumu Iwasa will replace Isack Hadjar for the first practice session at the Barcelona Grand Prix this weekend, Red Bull announced. This opportunity will be Iwasa's first time driving the RB22 alongside Max Verstappen, fulfilling one of the four free practice sessions required for rookie drivers by the Milton Keynes-based team this season.

In Spain, Iwasa will be accompanied by several other rookie drivers. The team's experience with the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit makes it an ideal place to swap one of their regular drivers for FP1. This is especially important since the Grand Prix in Bahrain was cancelled in April, removing a likely opportunity for teams to partially meet the FIA's regulations.

Apart from Iwasa, other confirmed drivers for FP1 include Colton Herta for Cadillac, Leonardo Fornaroli for McLaren, Fred Vesti for Mercedes, Luke Browning for Williams, and Paul Aron for Audi. With Iwasa's appearance, at least six of the 11 teams will feature an alternative driver in one of their cars for the first hour of practice this weekend.

Iwasa, who is 24 years old, finished fourth in the 2023 F2 standings before returning to Japan to compete in the Super Formula, where he won the driver's championship in 2025. He is also a test driver and reserve for Racing Bulls, having participated in several FP1 sessions and rookie tests at the end of the season.

© 2026 www.ligaolahraga.com All Right Reserved