Max Verstappen will be seated at the first training session at the Bahrain Grand Prix, with Red Bull confirming that a replacement driver will take his place. The decision is part of the team’s plan to meet the recruit race requirements.
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The Japanese drivers run the perch of the Red Bull Formula 1 team. Japan Yuki Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson to Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing 12th during its beginnings at Red Bull. Now, the Red Bull teams have confirmed that another Japanese Ayum Iwasa will replace Max Verstappen for the first training session for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Verstappen will be back for Red Bull after the first training session.
Formula 1 teams are now required to operate the recruits twice in each of their cars during the season – totaling four recruit outings – against only one per car last year.
Consequently, Red Bull uses the first training session at the Bahrain Grand Prix to give the Iwasa recruit a chance. The 23 -year -old driver will try to impress the teams while looking for an F1 race seat.
In the RB21 for FP1 👏 @Ayumuiwasa_cars will lead Max’s car for the first session of #Bahraingp weekend 🇧🇭# F1 || #REDBULLRACING pic.twitter.com/v0uic8pvri
– Oracle Red Bull Racing (@REDBULLRACING) April 9, 2025
In addition to Iwasa, other recruits that were confirmed for the first training session in Bahrain are Ryo Hirakawa in Haas, Frederik Vesti in Mercedes, Felipe Drugovich in Aston Martin and Luke Browning in Williams.
Who is the beginner of Red Bull Ayumu Iwasa?
Iwasa is a member of the Red Bull Junior program. The Japanese driver graduated from the Formula 2 series from FIA to Super Formula last year. He is currently heading the first unique place championship in Japan after the first two laps of the 2025 season.
Iwasa previously participated in FP1 sessions in Japan and Abu Dhabi with racing bulls in 2024 and also presented the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
Lando Norris of McLaren is currently leading the driver’s ranking with 61 points of three races. Verstappen is second with 61 points while his Norris teammate, Oscar Pisatri, was third (49).
