Young racing sensation Ayumu Iwasa is set to take the wheel in place of the renowned Max Verstappen during the opening practice session at the upcoming Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix for Red Bull. This unexpected shake-up will see the 23-year-old Japanese driver stepping into the spotlight as a reserve driver for the Racing Bulls team.
Iwasa, a promising talent hailing from Japan, has been making waves in the motorsport world, transitioning from the FIA Formula 2 series to Super Formula last year. Leading his country’s premier single-seater championship after two rounds in 2025, Iwasa is proving to be a force to be reckoned with on the track.
Having previously showcased his skills in FP1 sessions in Japan and Abu Dhabi, as well as the post-season Abu Dhabi test, Iwasa is no stranger to the demands of Formula 1. His debut in the Red Bull machine comes at a pivotal moment for the team, as they bid farewell to their current engine partner Honda with whom they celebrated their latest victory at Suzuka.
As a member of the Honda Formula Dream Project, Iwasa’s opportunity to drive for Red Bull has been met with enthusiasm from Honda Racing Corporation President Koji Watanabe, who sees this as a valuable stepping stone for the young driver’s future in the sport.
With Honda set to part ways with Red Bull at the end of the year, Iwasa’s path to an F1 race seat may face challenges. However, by continuing to impress in practice sessions and maintaining his strong performance in the Super Formula championship, Iwasa could be on the brink of securing a coveted spot on the F1 grid.
The prospect of Iwasa’s promotion to a full-time F1 role has been teased by Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko, who hinted at the young driver’s potential alongside other rising talents in the team’s junior program. As Iwasa prepares to seize this opportunity to prove his worth on the track, all eyes will be on his performance during the Bahrain FP1 session.
Excitement is building as the racing world anticipates Iwasa’s debut in the high-stakes environment of Formula 1, where every lap counts towards shaping the future of a driver’s career. Stay tuned as this young prodigy gears up to make his mark in the world of elite motorsport.
