Formula 1 teams are set to unleash their rookie reserve drivers during Friday’s opening practice session at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
After an intense start to the season following the introduction of all-new regulations, a return to the track that hosted the first pre-season test event for the 2026 cars is set to be used by most teams to begin to fulfil their rookie session obligations.
Throughout the 2026 season, each driver is obligated to give up their seat for a rookie during two practice sessions.
The majority of teams have already confirmed they will be running a rookie in Practice One on Friday, live on Sky Sports F1 at 12.30pm.
Mercedes – Fred Vesti
Replacing: Kimi Antonelli
The 24-year-old Dane gets another opportunity having twice appeared for the Silvers Arrows in each of the 2023 and 2025 seasons.
Twitter
This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Ferrari – Dino Beganovic
Replacing: Lewis Hamilton
The 22-year-old Swede, who is competing in F2 this year, returns to the Ferrari cockpit after appearing in Bahrain and Austria last year.
Twitter
This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
McLaren – Leo Fornaroli
Replacing: Lando Norris
Last year’s Formula 2 champion, who preceded that triumph by claiming the Formula 3 championship, will make his F1 practice debut.
Given McLaren’s recent track record of young pick-ups, with the likes of Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto, the 21-year-old Italian may attract attention all the way along the pit wall.
Twitter
This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Red Bull – Ayumu Iwasa
Replacing: Isack Hadjar
Japan’s Iwasa makes his second practice outing for Red Bull, but has also previously turned out on four occasions for Racing Bulls.
Twitter
This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Williams – Luke Browning
Replacing: Alex Albon
Britain’s Browning makes the first of his schedule back-to-back practice appearances, filling in for Albon in Spain before taking over from Carlos Sainz in Austria next time out.
Twitter
This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Audi – Paul Aron
Replacing: Nico Hulkenberg
As they did last season, Alpine are loaning out reserve driver Paul Aron to Audi (formerly Sauber) for two practice sessions, first in Barcelona and then also in Austria.
Twitter
This content is provided by Twitter, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only.
Cadillac – Colton Herta
Replacing: Sergio Perez
Perhaps the rookie with the most eyes on them in Barcelona will be Herta, the man many believe could be F1’s next American driver.
The former IndyCar star has switched to F2 this season, but has yet to produce the sort of performances that might be required to convince Cadillac to give him a permanent chance in future.
Rookie Drivers: Barcelona-Catalunya GP Practice One
| Team |
Rookie driver |
Driver replaced |
| Mercedes |
Fred Vesti |
Kimi Antonelli |
| Ferrari |
Dino Beganovic |
Lewis Hamilton |
| McLaren |
Leonardo Fornaroli |
Lando Norris |
| Red Bull |
Ayumu Iwasa |
Isack Hadjar |
| Williams |
Luke Browning |
Alex Albon |
| Audi |
Paul Aron |
Nico Hulkenberg |
| Cadillac |
Colton Herta |
Sergio Perez |
As it stands, it appears that Alpine, Racing Bulls, Haas and Aston Martin are running their usual driver pairings for all sessions.
Formula 1 heads straight to Spain for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix with live coverage on Sky Sports F1 from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
