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Max Verstappen · Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort 2024

Verstappen to miss Mexico GP FP1 as Iwasa takes his Red Bull seat

Archive photograph: Max Verstappen · Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort 2024 · 2024-08-25Archive photo · 2024-08-25 · Steffen Prößdorf · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ayumu Iwasa will replace Max Verstappen in Red Bull’s opening practice lineup, with Verstappen returning for FP2. At Racing Bulls, Nikola Tsolov will take Liam Lawson’s place for his first F1 outing.

GPBeat · Newsroom28 Oct 2026, 18:35 · 1 min

Max Verstappen will watch the opening practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix from Red Bull’s pit wall for a second year running, with Ayumu Iwasa driving in his place. Verstappen will return to the RB22 for FP2.

Racing Bulls will also make a change for FP1: Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov will take Liam Lawson’s car for his first F1 outing. Tsolov is currently second in the Formula 2 championship.

Each team must field a rookie in four first-practice sessions a year. The confirmed Mexico lineup also includes Fred Vesti for George Russell at Mercedes and Leonardo Fornaroli for Lando Norris at McLaren.

Sources 01
  1. SOURCEVerstappen staat Red Bull-zitje af tijdens F1 GP Mexico, Tsolov krijgt F1-kansRacingNews365 Nederland

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