Who are all the F1 rookies driving in FP1 in 2025?

The 2025 Formula 1 season has introduced a significant shift in how teams develop emerging talent, with a major expansion of the rookie driver programme during Friday’s first practice sessions.

Under the updated regulations, every team is now required to run a rookie driver in FP1 not once, but twice per car throughout the season – a total of four rookie-run sessions per team.

This rule aims to accelerate the growth and experience of young drivers by giving them more race weekend track time, helping them adapt to the complexities of F1 cars and team operations under real conditions.

Rookies are defined as drivers with no more than two grand prix starts in their careers, ensuring the spotlight is on genuine newcomers to Formula 1.

As the season progresses, teams are increasingly utilising their rookie allocations to balance competitive performance with nurturing future stars.

This expanded rookie initiative not only strengthens the teams’ development pipelines but also gives fans a glimpse at the next generation of racing talent preparing to take the wheel in Formula 1’s evolving landscape.

Here’s a look at all the rookies driving in FP1 in 2025.

All the F1 rookies driving in FP1 in 2025

McLaren – Alex Dunne

Dunne is one of the standout rookies driving in FP1 during the 2025 Formula 1 season. The 19-year-old Irish driver, part of the McLaren driver development programme, has quickly gained attention with his impressive transition from junior formulas.

Currently racing in Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport, Dunne made his FP1 debut for McLaren at the Austrian Grand Prix, where he impressed by setting the fourth-fastest time among the field.

Known for his adaptability and maturity, he has since returned for additional FP1 sessions, including the Italian Grand Prix, gaining valuable experience in contemporary F1 machinery.

Dunne’s journey to Formula 1 has been marked by steady progress through karting, Formula 4, and Formula 3, with multiple wins and strong championship performances.

Sauber/Alpine – Paul Aron

Aron is a 20-year-old Estonian racing driver and the reserve driver for Alpine in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

He has rapidly risen through the junior categories, finishing third in the 2024 F2 championship with Hitech Pulse-Eight, earning multiple podiums and a win during the season.

Aron joined Alpine as a reserve driver in late 2024 and has since made his FP1 debut driving for Sauber at the British and Hungarian Grands Prix, helping both teams fulfil its rookie FP1 session requirements.

Aron, racing again in Formula 2 in 2025, is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the Alpine driver academy.

Red Bull – Arvid Lindblad

Lindblad is a key member of the Red Bull Junior team. He has rapidly advanced through the junior categories, making a significant impact in 2024 and 2025 by winning multiple races and breaking records.

He became the youngest winner in FIA Formula 3 history and in 2025 stepped up to Formula 2 with Campos Racing, where he became the youngest race winner in F2 history.

Lindblad secured his FIA superlicence ahead of his 18th birthday, enabling him to participate in Formula 1 practice sessions.

In 2025, as part of Red Bull’s development strategy, he made his FP1 debut at the British Grand Prix, driving the Red Bull RB21, and is expected to feature in more FP1 sessions throughout the season.

McLaren – Pato O’Ward

O’Ward is best known for his success in IndyCar, where he was the 2025 series runner-up.

The Mexican has made multiple FP1 appearances for McLaren, including at the 2022 and 2023 Abu Dhabi Grands Prix and is returning for the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, his home race.

O’Ward, 26, has long been on McLaren’s radar, balancing his IndyCar commitments with regular testing duties for the team.

His immediate future remains tied to IndyCar, however.

Red Bull – Ayumu Iwasa

Iwasa, 23, currently competes in Super Formula with Team Mugen and is a part of Red Bull’s junior programme as well as Racing Bulls’ reserve driver.

Iwasa spent two seasons in Formula 2 in 2022 and 2023 before heading back to Japan to race in Super Formula. He is currently leading the championship after the first two races at Suzuka.

The Japanese has two F1 practice outings under his belt, having driven for Red Bull during last year’s Japanese GP and later for VCARB in Abu Dhabi.

His Bahrain outing was Iwasa’s first time driving a 2025 F1 car.

Williams – Victor Martins

Martins is member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy who made his Formula 1 race weekend debut in FP1 at the Spanish Grand Prix, stepping into Alex Albon’s FW47.

Currently competing in his third Formula 2 season with ART Grand Prix, Martins won the 2022 FIA Formula 3 title and has taken part in Williams’ Testing of Previous Cars programme twice.

The Frenchman is a former member of the Alpine Academy, and he drove the team’s Formula 1 car three times in testing during 2023.

Mercedes – Frederik Vesti

Mercedes’ test and reserve driver Vesti had his third F1 practice outing in Bahrain.

The 23-year-old Danish driver had taken part in FP1 in the Mexican and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix in 2023, but has worked extensively with Mercedes in the simulator during 2024 and 2025.

Plying his trade in between F1 at the wheel of an LMDh Hypercar, Vesti currently races in IMSA with Cadillac.

Aston Martin – Felipe Drugovich

Brazilian Drugovich continues to be part of Aston Martin’s roster and is the most experienced of the rookie drivers driving in FP1 sessions.

The 2022 Formula 2 champion has driven for Aston in five FP1s, as well as having replaced Lance Stroll in Sakhir testing when the Canadian was injured ahead of the start of the 2023 season.

The 24-year-old has over 9000km of F1 testing, although he is yet to drive this year’s AMR25.

Williams – Luke Browning

Briton Browning returned to the cockpit of a Williams after having prepared for the Bahrain outing during a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programme at Monza.

The 23-year-old drove the 2023 F1 car, the FW45, before getting his first taste of the 2025 machine at Sakhir.

Browning, who will embark in his first full season in F2 with Hitech GP this year, has already driven for Williams in practice during last year’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Ferrari – Dino Beganovic

Beganovic is a 21-year-old Swedish racing driver competing in Formula 2 with Hitech TGR and a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

A former Formula Regional European champion and multiple F3 race winner, Beganovic made his FP1 debut for Ferrari at the Bahrain Grand Prix, becoming only the second Swede to drive for Ferrari in F1 history.

He reprised his FP1 role at the Austrian Grand Prix, stepping in for Charles Leclerc as part of the new rookie driver rule requiring two FP1 runs per car.

Known for his smooth driving style and technical feedback, Beganovic is seen as a rising talent within the Ferrari programme.

Haas – Ryo Hirakawa

Hirakawa was in the unique position of having back-to-back practice outings, driving for Alpine in the Japanese Grand Prix before moving to Haas for Bahrain.

Hirakawa had already driven for the American outfit in the 2024 post-season test in Abu Dhabi, and has previous experience of F1 machinery as part of McLaren’s driver development programme.

He made his practice debut with the British team last year in Abu Dhabi.

At 31, Hirakawa was the most experienced of the rookies driving in Bahrain (in overall racing terms), being a Le Mans 24 Hours winner. He currently races for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship.