Why Are Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli Not Racing at Barcelona-Catalunya GP FP1?
Free Practice 1 at the 2026 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will look a little different from the usual lineup, with seven teams set to field rookie drivers during the opening session of the weekend, who will be replacing Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, among others.
FIA's Formula 1 regulations mandate that every full-time driver must make way for a rookie, defined as someone who has started no more than two Grands Prix, in two practice sessions across the season. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a familiar venue for junior series racing and testing, makes it a logical choice for these outings.
Which Rookies Are Getting FP1 Outings at Barcelona-Catalunya GP?
Here is a full breakdown of who is stepping in and who is sitting out, as confirmed by Formula 1.
Fred Vesti – Mercedes (replacing Kimi Antonelli)
Stepping into the championship leader's car will be Fred Vesti, Mercedes' sole reserve driver for 2026. The Dane has previously had four FP1 outings since 2023 and currently competes in the IMSA SportsCar Championship alongside his reserve duties.
Dino Beganovic – Ferrari (replacing Lewis Hamilton)
Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic will make his third FP1 appearance, having previously driven in Bahrain and Austria in 2025. The 22-year-old Swede is currently sixth in the F2 standings and arrives off the back of a podium finish in Monaco.
Leonardo Fornaroli – McLaren (replacing Lando Norris)
The 2025 F2 champion will make his FP1 debut, stepping into Norris' MCL40. Fornaroli previously tested McLaren's 2023 car at Barcelona earlier this year, but this will be his first experience of the current generation of machinery.
Ayumu Iwasa – Red Bull (replacing Isack Hadjar)
Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa will make his sixth FP1 appearance, this time for the senior Red Bull team. The defending Super Formula champion currently balances that campaign with his test and reserve duties for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
Luke Browning – Williams (replacing Alex Albon)
Williams reserve driver Luke Browning will take Albon's seat for his fifth FP1 outing. The Briton splits his time between simulator work at Williams' Grove base and competing in Super Formula.
Paul Aron – Audi (replacing Nico Hulkenberg)
Despite being Alpine's reserve driver, Paul Aron will drive for Audi under an arrangement between the two teams, a setup that previously saw him drive for Sauber in 2025. This will be his latest outing in what has become a recurring cross-team deal.
Colton Herta – Cadillac (replacing Sergio Perez)
Making his FP1 debut, IndyCar convert Colton Herta will step in for Sergio Perez at Cadillac. The American is currently in his first F2 season and is set to take part in three further practice sessions across the year.
With seven rookies taking to the track on Friday, Barcelona's FP1 will serve as more than just a warm-up session for the weekend ahead. For some, like Fornaroli and Herta, it marks a significant first step toward a potential future on the grid. For others, it is another opportunity to stay sharp and remind the paddock of what they are capable of.
Either way, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has a history of producing memorable moments, and Friday afternoon could be no different.
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