The team will "drop" Max Verstappen for the first free practice session so that a Japanese rookie/protégé can replace him.
According to this year's rules, rookies must be given four opportunities to gain experience in FP1, and Bahrain is the most suitable location for this. The first free practice session does not weigh much on the bar, since the really important things happen in the spotlight on this track, and on the other hand, the youngsters also know the track well, since this is a well-known and established venue for training series. Following this logic, Ayumu Iwasa can sit in Max Verstappen's Red Bull, and this creates a rare lineup: a purely Japanese pair of drivers at a Formula 1 team.
Iwasa is no longer considered undefeated at 23 years old, currently leading the Super Formula championship, but also competed in F2 for two years, where he was also among the top drivers. It will be interesting to see what he does against Yuki Tsunoda!
Photo: FML / Red Bull
