Following Isack Hadjar’s impressive podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix, Red Bull has confirmed that Ayumu Iwasa will take over the French driver’s seat during the opening Free Practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The Japanese driver will make his first Formula 1 appearance of the season behind the wheel of the RB22, partnering Max Verstappen during FP1. The session will allow Red Bull to complete one of the rookie-driver outings required under FIA regulations.
Under the current rules, every Formula 1 team must allocate a specified number of Free Practice sessions throughout the season to young or inexperienced drivers, providing valuable track time and helping develop future talent.
Barcelona remains a key proving ground for young drivers
Ayumu Iwasa will not be the only fresh face on track during Friday morning’s session.
The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has long been regarded as one of the best venues for evaluating young talent due to its technical layout and the extensive amount of data teams already possess from years of testing and competition.
The presence of Formula 2 and Formula 3 support races during the same weekend also allows many young drivers to arrive at the circuit already familiar with the track conditions, making it an ideal environment for rookie appearances. Alongside Ayumu Iwasa, several other reserve and development drivers are scheduled to participate in FP1. Colton Herta will drive for Cadillac, Leonardo Fornaroli will take part with McLaren, Frederik Vesti will be on track for Mercedes, Luke Browning will represent Williams, and Paul Aron will drive for Audi.
In total, at least six Formula 1 teams are expected to field either reserve drivers or rookies during the opening hour of on-track running in Barcelona.
Ayumu Iwasa continues his rise through the Red Bull programme
Born in 2001, Ayumu Iwasa is widely considered one of the most promising drivers within the Red Bull Junior Team.
After finishing fourth in the Formula 2 championship in 2023, the Japanese racer moved full-time to Super Formula, where he enjoyed significant success and ultimately secured the championship title in 2025.
In addition to his racing commitments, Ayumu Iwasa currently serves as a reserve and test driver for the Red Bull organisation. Over the past few seasons, he has gained valuable Formula 1 experience through various Free Practice appearances and post-season young driver tests.
The upcoming session in Barcelona therefore represents another important opportunity for Ayumu Iwasa to showcase his abilities at the highest level of motorsport. With Red Bull continuing to evaluate future talent for its Formula 1 programme, strong performances in opportunities such as these could prove increasingly important for his long-term prospects.
For Red Bull, the session will not only satisfy regulatory requirements but also provide additional data and feedback as the Milton Keynes-based team continues its development work during a crucial phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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