The F1 rookies taking part in Austrian GP FP1

Six rookie drivers will get behind the wheel of an F1 car at the
Red Bull Ring this Friday, as teams continue to fulfil their
mandatory obligations for the 2026 season. Under current FIA
regulations, each team must field a rookie driver, defined as
someone who has started no more than two grands prix, in two FP1
sessions per car across the season.  That amounts to four rookie
FP1 appearances per team in total, a requirement introduced to give
the next generation of talent meaningful track time during official
race weekends. Ferrari’s Dino Beganovic will step into Charles
Leclerc’s SF-26, continuing to build on his FP1 experience with the
Scuderia. The Swedish Ferrari Driver Academy member, currently
racing in Formula 2, already has previous FP1 outings under his
belt from 2025.  Jak Crawford, Aston Martin’s American reserve
driver, replaces Lance Stroll in the AMR26, while Ayumu Iwasa takes
Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls seat, adding to his duties as test
driver within the Red Bull programme. Ryo Hirakawa, the 2022 Le
Mans winner and TGR Haas reserve driver, gets behind the wheel of
the VF-26 in place of Esteban Ocon.  Paul Aron, Alpine’s reserve
who has a testing arrangement with Audi, drives the R26 in place of
Gabriel Bortoleto, and Luke Browning, the Williams reserve and
Driver Academy member, replaces Carlos Sainz in the FW48. With
teams needing to complete their quota across the remaining races,
expect further rookie appearances as the season progresses.
Austrian GP FP1 Rookie Drivers