Max Verstappen will be absent from the cockpit during the opening practice session of this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, as Red Bull Racing opts to fulfill its mandatory rookie driver requirements. GPblog can confirm that the championship leader will cede his RB22 to Japanese talent Ayumu Iwasa for the duration of Friday’s initial outing at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
This shift in the lineup marks the second time this season that Verstappen has stepped aside for a junior driver, following a similar arrangement at the Italian Grand Prix in September. Under current Formula 1 sporting regulations, each team is required to hand over one of their cars to a rookie—defined as a driver who has completed no more than two Grand Prix starts—during two FP1 sessions per season. With this obligation now met for the 2026 campaign, Verstappen is cleared to resume full duties in all subsequent Friday practice sessions for the remainder of the year.
For Ayumu Iwasa, the appearance in Mexico City represents a significant opportunity to prove his mettle on the global stage. The Japanese driver has already logged substantial mileage throughout the 2026 season, having participated in three prior FP1 sessions. His experience includes two outings for Red Bull in Barcelona and Monza, as well as a run for the Racing Bulls team in Austria. Red Bull management remains keen to evaluate the young driver’s data collection capabilities in the unique, high-altitude conditions of Mexico City, where engine performance and cooling are tested to their limits.
Verstappen is not the only high-profile star forced to watch from the sidelines this Friday. The Mexico City Grand Prix has historically served as a prime venue for teams to fulfill their rookie mandates due to the circuit’s specific logistical demands, and this year is no exception as the grid undergoes a notable shake-up.
George Russell is set to step out of his Mercedes W17, handing the wheel to reserve driver Frederik Vesti. Similarly, McLaren is continuing its investment in emerging talent; Leonardo Fornaroli, who has been linked to the team’s future hypercar program, will replace Oscar Piastri for the session. Williams is also participating in the reshuffle, confirming that young prospect Luke Browning will occupy Alex Albon’s seat for the hour-long practice.
While the loss of track time can be challenging for title contenders, the teams are confident that the data gathered by these reserve drivers will provide a vital baseline for the weekend. For the rookies, it is a high-pressure audition, while for the veteran drivers, it is a brief moment of respite before the intense qualifying and race preparations begin later on Friday. With the championship battle heating up, all eyes will be on how effectively the teams can transition from these experimental sessions back to their standard race-winning configurations.
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