Red Bull announce shock driver change for Bahrain Grand Prix race weekend

Red Bull have announced another driver change ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix just weeks after brutally dropping Liam Lawson.

After a somewhat lacklustre Japanese Grand Prix, Formula One fans are eagerly anticipating the sport's return to the popular Bahrain International Circuit this weekend.

Going into the fourth race of the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Red Bull as fans continue to monitor new driver Yuki Tsunoda after he replaced Liam Lawson ahead the Japanese GP.

But it appears that Red Bull aren't done altering their driver lineup, as they've also made last-minute change to who will be in the car during the race weekend for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Ahead of the 2025 F1 season, the FIA, the governing body for the sport, introduced a series of rule changes, including the decision to make it mandatory for each of the 20 drivers to give up their seat in a free practice session at least twice this year.

And that is exactly what Red Bull are doing at Bahrain Grand Prix, as young driver Ayumu Iwasa will replace reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen during the first free practice session of the weekend on Friday afternoon.

It is likely that this decision was made given the fact that just six weeks ago, Verstappen was able to put dozens of laps in at the Bahrain International Circuit which, as always, hosted pre-season testing this year.

Iwasa was officially announced as a Red Bull Junior driver back in 2021, making his official Formula One race weekend debut during a free practice session at his home race, the Japanese Grand Prix, last year.

Ayumu Iwasa will replace Max Verstappen in free practice 1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix. (Image: Getty)

The young talent drove for Racing Bull in the first practice session of the weekend, stepping in for fan-favourite driver Daniel Ricciardo.

He placed 16th in the session, a second behind RB teammate and fellow Japanese driver Tsunoda.

The 23-year-old was also handed a chance to drive the same car at the final race weekend of the 2024 season in Abu Dhabi, finishing the session in 17th and 0.6 second behind Lawson.