Max Verstappen is "dumped" by the team in the first practice session to be replaced by a Japanese rookie/protégé.
This year's rules require rookies to have four opportunities to gain experience in FP1, and Bahrain is the best place to do that. The first practice session doesn't really matter because the really important things happen under the spotlight at this track, and the young drivers know the track well because it's a well-known and established venue for the parent series. By this logic, Ayumu Iwasa could join Max Verstappen's Red Bull, creating a rare combination: an all-Japanese driving pair in a Formula 1 team.
At 23, Iwasa is no longer considered a rookie, currently leading the Super Formula championship, but also raced in F2 for two years, where he was also among the best. It will be interesting to see how he fares against Yuki Tsunodo!
Photo: FML / Red Bull
