Red Bull replace Max Verstappen for Monza FP1

Ayumu Iwasa will take over Max Verstappen's RB22 for the opening practice session at the Italian Grand Prix, marking his third FP1 outing of the 2026 season as Red Bull continues to work towards its mandatory rookie running obligations.

The Japanese driver, who serves as a reserve for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls, previously drove the RB22 at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, where he finished P14 after completing 21 laps.

He also ran the Racing Bulls VCARB 03 at the Austrian Grand Prix, finishing P15 from 19 laps at the Red Bull Ring, a week after the round in Spain.

Iwasa is no stranger to Friday practice outings. The 24-year-old has been a regular fixture in FP1 sessions since his debut at the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix, where he drove Daniel Ricciardo's car to give Racing Bulls an all-Japanese line-up alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

He went on to complete further FP1 appearances at Abu Dhabi that year before stepping into Verstappen's car for the first time at the 2025 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Additional outings with Racing Bulls in 2025, including at the Mexico City Grand Prix, brought his total to five sessions before the current campaign began.

Liam Lawson, meanwhile, will again partner Verstappen in the second Red Bull for the Monza weekend. The New Zealander was drafted in from Racing Bulls at the Dutch Grand Prix after Isack Hadjar injured his wrist training over the summer break. Lawson impressed at Zandvoort, qualifying eighth and finishing seventh to score six points.