Which Rookie Drivers Will Get FP1 Sessions in Hungary This Weekend?

Five of the 11 teams field rookies in FP1 at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with race drivers stepping aside under the 2025 rookie-running mandate. The session takes place on Friday.

The regulation requires each full-time driver to cede at least two FP1s to a rookie, defined as having no more than two race starts. McLaren, Mercedes, Alpine, Haas, and Cadillac comply this weekend.

McLaren turns to Leonardo Fornaroli for his second FP1 of 2026, continuing the programme that began with his Barcelona debut. The move aligns with McLaren’s broader rookie plan.

The 2025 Formula 2 champion is part of McLaren’s development scheme and serves as reserve to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. He has tested older McLaren and Haas machinery.

Fornaroli replaces Piastri for the 60-minute run at the Hungaroring, adding mileage at a circuit that rewards rhythm and traction. See our Hungaroring guide for the layout’s key demands.

Mercedes hands FP1 to Fred Vesti, its sole 2026 reserve, in place of championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The Dane continues his long-running link with the team.

Vesti has five FP1s since 2023, explored options with Williams and Cadillac, and now focuses on endurance racing alongside IMSA duties. He returns to a title-contending car’s workload.

Alpine runs Paul Aron for his first practice appearance of the year. The Estonian has prior FP1 experience with Sauber and Alpine, plus multiple young driver tests.

Aron, third in the 2024 Formula 2 standings, supports Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto within Alpine’s programme. He takes over Colapinto’s car for the session.

Haas turns again to Ryo Hirakawa, following his Austrian GP outing. The 32-year-old reserve, active in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota, replaces Ollie Bearman.

Cadillac fields Colton Herta, who debuted in FP1 at Barcelona-Catalunya. The American, now racing in Formula 2, substitutes for Valtteri Bottas after previously driving Sergio Perez’s car.

These rookie runs deliver valuable correlation data while exposing prospects to F1 procedures. Teams trade an hour of baseline work for development gains and expanded driver evaluation.

With the weekend unfolding, attention turns to programme efficiency and adaptation to the circuit’s short-run bias. Check the weekend schedule and broader Hungarian Grand Prix coverage, including McLaren’s plans for Fornaroli in FP1.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.