Red Bull has announced that Ayumu Iwasa is to deputise for Max Verstappen in the first practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Japanese racer Iwasa will take over Verstappen’s RB21 for the opening practice session of the Bahrain weekend in the latest announcement of a rookie driver filling in for a regular race driver.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen to miss Bahrain GP practice as Red Bull confirms replacement
Red Bull handed major ‘cracks appearing’ warning after F1 tensions
Johnny Herbert believes Red Bull has “fundamental issues” it must solve as “cracks” are appearing in the operation of the F1 team.
Red Bull has struggled with an unpredictable car since the summer of 2024 and has discarded both Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson in that time for not being able to perform as well as team leader Max Verstappen – the only Red Bull driver to win a grand prix since April 2023.
READ MORE: Red Bull handed major ‘cracks appearing’ warning after F1 tensions
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Fernando Alonso support for Max Verstappen pinned on ‘lingering bitterness’ for Lewis Hamilton
Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has suggested Fernando Alonso’s praise for Max Verstappen stems from “lingering bitterness” towards Lewis Hamilton.
Alonso and Hamilton spent the 2007 season as team-mates at McLaren with Alonso joining the team off the back of two consecutive titles while Hamilton stepped up to F1 following championship success in GP2.
READ MORE: Fernando Alonso support for Max Verstappen pinned on ‘lingering bitterness’ for Lewis Hamilton
Haas clarify potential impact of Donald Trump tariffs on F1 team
The Haas F1 Team has clarified that it will not be impacted by Donald Trump’s tariffs after parent company Haas Automation made drastic changes to its operation.
The president of the United States has recently levied reciprocal tariffs against most countries in the world to right the perceived wrongs of American trade policy, with Haas Automation confirming a “significant impact” on its business, mainly the manufacturing of CNC machines.
READ MORE: Haas clarify potential impact of Donald Trump tariffs on F1 team
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McLaren disclose surprising stance on Max Verstappen F1 title threat
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella believes it will be “very difficult” for Max Verstappen to keep up his current level of performance across the rest of the F1 season, unless Red Bull can turn the RB21 around.
The Italian feels that unless the Dutchman has the best car, it will be challenging for him to stay within touching distance of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri across the full 24-round slate.
READ MORE: McLaren disclose surprising stance on Max Verstappen F1 title threat
What key F1 figures are saying ahead of crunch Bahrain V10 meeting
The FIA and F1 engine manufacturers are to have a crucial meeting at the Bahrain Grand Prix, to discuss the potential return of V10 engines.
Speculation has grown in recent weeks that V10s, with fully sustainable fuels, could make a return to grand prix racing, with the planned 2026 engine regulations scrapped as the current rules are extended until the end of 2028.
READ MORE: What key F1 figures are saying ahead of crunch Bahrain V10 meeting
