Seven rookie drivers participated in the first practice session of the weekend in Barcelona, where they replaced the main drivers and had the opportunity to try the machinery of Formula 1. The 2025 Formula 2 champion, Leonardo Fornaroli, led the group, while Luke Browning was left without track time due to an electrical problem.
Leonardo Fornaroli made his official debut in a F1 session behind the wheel of the MCL40 from McLaren, previously driven by world champion Lando Norris. Fornaroli completed 22 laps, seven fewer than his teammate Oscar Piastri, and qualified fifth overall with a time of 1:17.216, 0.853 seconds behind the session’s leader, George Russell.
“It was an incredible feeling to complete my first official session in Formula 1,” Fornaroli commented. “The priority was to provide the team with the necessary data, and I am very satisfied with the work we did together.” After the session, he participated in a TPC test in Monza.
Paul Aron, loaned by Alpine, took the wheel of Nico Hulkenberg‘s Audi and finished sixth with a time of 1:17.321, a standout performance that marked a time 0.888 seconds better than his teammate, Gabriel Bortoleto. Aron expressed that it was a unique opportunity to test a 2026 car and he did a good job for the team.
Dino Beganovic, who set aside his responsibilities in Formula 2, tested Lewis Hamilton‘s Ferrari for the third time in FP1. With a total of 30 laps, he achieved a time that placed him 0.895 seconds behind Charles Leclerc, being the driver who completed the most laps during the session.
Ayumu Iwasa, while having left Formula 2 at the end of 2023, maintained his connection with Red Bull, participating at the wheel of Isack Hadjar‘s car. He obtained the fourteenth time with 1:18.298, 1.251 seconds behind the best mark of Max Verstappen.
Frederik Vesti returned to the session with Mercedes, familiar with the car following his previous performances. He drove the W17 and ended up in fifteenth place with a time of 1:18.365.
Colton Herta, who is speculated to possibly participate in future races with the Cadillac F1 Team, made his first appearance in a F1 car, achieving a best time that left him dissatisfied, finishing last. Nevertheless, he completed 27 laps and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.
On the other hand, Luke Browning challenged bad luck, as an electrical problem prevented him from completing any laps in Alex Albon‘s car. Browning hopes for better luck in his next opportunity in Austria, replacing Carlos Sainz.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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