Max Verstappen is "thrown" by the team for the first practice session to replace him with a Japanese rookie/protégé.
This year's rules require rookies to be given four opportunities to gain experience during FP1, with Bahrain being the most suitable venue. The first practice session is not yet of much importance, as the really important things happen under the spotlight at this track, and the young drivers are already familiar with the track, as the environment is familiar and established in the junior series. By that logic, Ayumu Iwasa could sit in Max Verstappen's Red Bull, creating a rarely seen line-up: an all-Japanese driving duo in a Formula 1 team.
Iwasa, at 23 years old, is no longer considered a rookie, currently leading the Super Formula championship, but he also competed in F2 for two years, where he was also at the forefront. It will be interesting to see how he fares against Yuki Tsunodo!
Photo: FML / Red Bull
