Herta's debut and more: Every F1 practice rookie at Barcelona

After an intense start under the new all-regulations that made every lap in the new cars extra valuable for their full-time drivers, Formula 1 teams will finally start to fulfil their required rookie outings en masse at the Barcelona Grand Prix.

Here are the stand-in drivers who have already been announced as participating in FP1 in the seventh round of the campaign.

McLaren

Leo Fornaroli

Previous FP1s: 0
Replacing: Lando Norris

Back-to-back Formula 3/Formula 2 champion Fornaroli, 21, was picked up by McLaren as its reserve this year - and is now getting his first F1 practice outing.

He could hardly have done more in F3 and F2 but, given he's not racing this year, faces the unenviable task of staying at the forefront of F1 teams' minds through impressing in practice outings without overstepping the mark.

McLaren picking up a rookie for a seat feels far-fetched right now given its station in F1, but Fornaroli could hope for a loan deal elsewhere or to attract a rival's attention like Gabriel Bortoleto did while on McLaren's books.

Mercedes

Fred Vesti

Previous FP1s: 4
Replacing: Kimi Antonelli

The 24-year-old Vesti was the F2 runner-up three years ago, and his racing future now clearly lies in endurance racing instead - where he has been forging a career with Mercedes' F1 rival Cadillac.

He has nonetheless established himself as a significant player in Mercedes' F1 programme, described by Toto Wolff as "an important part of our development work with the W17", and will get the championship-leading car at Barcelona.

Red Bull

Ayumu Iwasa

Previous FP1s: 5
Replacing: Isack Hadjar

The 24-year-old Japanese is increasingly becoming Red Bull's go-to practice driver across its two teams, having had considerable success racing in Red Bull colours in various category - but never truly entering the frame for an F1 call-up.

He is the formal Racing Bulls test and reserve driver, and is currently working to defend his maiden title in the prestigious Super Formula category in Japan. A future in F1 beyond practice outings would be warranted by his track record, but would seemingly require a change of heart within Red Bull.

Williams

Luke Browning

Previous FP1s: 4
Replacing: Alex Albon

Williams reserve Browning, 24, will be in Albon's car at Barcelona and then in Carlos Sainz's car at the Red Bull Ring.

An outside F2 title contender last year in his rookie season, Browning has switched to Super Formula this year and has been competitive.

He is very clearly the F1-readiest prospect on Williams's books, but will need to make a big impression in FP1 sessions and other test work to be first in line for a future seat.

Audi

Paul Aron

Previous FP1s: 5
Replacing: Nico Hulkenberg

Aron, 22, is an Alpine reserve - but was already loaned by the English-French team to what was then Sauber for a pair of practice outings last year. This arrangement will continue again in 2026, not just at Barcelona but also at the Red Bull Ring.

After making waves as an F2 rookie in 2024, Aron didn't race last year and has no full-time programme this year either - instead supporting Alpine's F1 efforts.

His prospects of an Alpine seat look far from straightforward given this would likely require Alpine to move on from Franco Colapinto - who has been on a good run of form - and be willing to replace him with a rookie.

Cadillac

Colton Herta

Previous FP1s: 0
Replacing: Sergio Perez

Ex-IndyCar star Herta, 26, will dovetail a first F1 practice outing with the full F2 round at Barcelona.

Cadillac and Herta have made no secret of their ambition to get him into an F1 seat, with the experience-gathering IndyCar-to-F2 switch for this year aimed at no other goal but acquainting him with the tracks, the paddock and topping up his superlicence points tally.

That last part is not going so well right now. Adjusting to F2 has proven tough - not unexpectedly so given Herta had left the European single-seater scene back in 2016 - and he is only 13th in the standings at present.