In FP1 of Bahrain, six rookies got behind the wheel of F1 cars, in a session where Lando Norris set the fastest lap time.
The excitement of Round 4 of the 2025 Formula 1 (F1) season kicked off with Free Practice 1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix (GP). This session was notable for a special reason, as six rookies had the opportunity to drive the top-tier single-seaters at the Bahrain International Circuit.
In compliance with the F1 regulation requiring each team to field a rookie driver in at least four practice sessions throughout the season, FP1 in Bahrain saw Williams, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Haas, Mercedes-Benz, and Red Bull each selecting one of their young prospects.
From Williams, Luke Browning was the driver chosen for this FP1 session, finishing in 13th place; Dino Beganovic, representing Ferrari, finished just behind the Williams. For Aston Martin, Felipe Drugovich concluded the session in 16th. Ryo Hirakawa, who had previously participated in a practice session in Japan driving an Alpine, ended this outing in 17th, this time at the wheel of a Haas.
Rounding out the rookie field, Frederik Vesti drove for Mercedes and placed 18th, while Ayumu Iwasa replaced Max Verstappen in the Red Bull but finished in the penultimate spot during this first Free Practice.
Lando Norris clocks the fastest lap
Crowning this unique FP1 session was Lando Norris in his McLaren, who set the benchmark with a lap time of 1:33.204. Pierre Gasly took second place, although still far off Norris’ time, trailing by 0.238 seconds. Lewis Hamilton completed the Top 3, though the seven-time F1 world champion never seemed fully comfortable with his car, voicing multiple complaints to his team throughout the session.
Our top three in first practice
🥇 Norris
🥈 Gasly
🥉 Hamilton#F1 #BahrainGP pic.twitter.com/rEaTMlKTR9— Formula 1 (@F1) April 11, 2025
Cover photo: formula1.com
