Ayumu Iwasa gets another chance to prove himself in an F1 car during the upcoming Italian GP. The 24-year-old Japanese driver will take part in the first free practice at Monza in Max Verstappen’s RB22. It will be his third FP1 appearance of the season, with Red Bull continuing to work towards meeting the mandatory rookie requirements. Many other teams are also putting young talents behind the wheel.
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Iwasa has been a test and reserve driver for both Red Bull and sister team Racing Bulls for some time. This season he has been able to drive both cars. During the Barcelona GP, he took part in a free practice for Red Bull, and in Austria he was allowed to test drive the VCARB 03. He clocked the fourteenth and fifteenth fastest times respectively. He also took part in several test sessions in 2024 and 2025.
Multiple rookies in action during FP1
Elsewhere, young talents are also getting the chance to put in laps. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly makes way for Paul Aron, and Alex Albon hands over his Williams to Luke Browning. At Cadillac, former IndyCar driver Colton Herta gets the chance to step in for Sergio Pérez.
Read more Injured Isack Hadjar also on the bench during the Italian GP, Liam Lawson back to Red Bull
At Red Bull, a major game of musical chairs will take place again next weekend. On Wednesday, the team announced that Isack Hadjar has not yet recovered from his wrist injury, so Liam Lawson will once again fill in for the main team. Yuki Tsunoda, in turn, will take Lawson’s seat at Racing Bulls.
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Read everything about the Italian GP here
