Five Drivers to Miss Hungarian Grand Prix First Practice as Teams Meet Rookie Requirement

Five Drivers to Miss Hungarian Grand Prix First Practice as Teams Meet Rookie Requirement

By Alex Christian|MBCF News _July 22, 2026

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Five Formula 1 drivers, including championship leader Kimi Antonelli and McLaren's Oscar Piastri, will miss the opening practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday as teams fulfil the FIA's mandatory rookie driver requirement.

Under Formula 1 regulations, every team must field a rookie driver in at least two practice sessions for each of its race cars during the season. With the Hungaroring being a familiar circuit and the event not featuring a Sprint race, five teams have chosen to complete part of that requirement this weekend.

Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti will replace Antonelli in the W17 for the first practice session. It marks Vesti's second rookie appearance of the season after driving the Italian's car during first practice at the Spanish Grand Prix, meaning Antonelli has now completed his rookie session obligations for the year.

McLaren will hand Oscar Piastri's car to reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli, while Alpine will field Paul Aron in place of Franco Colapinto. Haas will replace Oliver Bearman with Ryo Hirakawa, and Cadillac will give former IndyCar driver Colton Herta the opportunity to drive instead of Valtteri Bottas.

Fornaroli continues to attract attention after winning consecutive Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles and recently completing a Testing of Previous Cars programme with Haas amid speculation over a future race seat.

Antonelli arrives in Budapest leading the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship by 45 points over Lewis Hamilton and 50 points ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell.

Quotes

Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti said:

"I'm really excited to get back behind the wheel of the W17 and continue building my experience with the car. It's a great opportunity and one I'm looking forward to making the most of."

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said about Leonardo Fornaroli's future:

"At the moment we are not deciding anything. We're simply keeping the options open. We are not in a hurry, but Leo did a great job [in the test]."

Analysis: Why Rookie Practice Sessions Matter More Than They Appear

The decision by five Formula 1 teams to field rookie drivers during the opening practice session of the Hungarian Grand Prix may seem like a routine administrative requirement, but it highlights one of the sport's most important long-term objectives: preparing the next generation of talent while balancing the immediate demands of a championship fight.

Formula 1's regulations require every team to run rookie drivers in at least two practice sessions for each race car during a season. The rule ensures that promising young drivers gain valuable experience in current-generation machinery instead of spending years waiting for an opportunity. Although the regulation is mandatory, teams still have complete control over when to use those sessions, making timing a strategic decision rather than simply ticking a box.

The Hungarian Grand Prix is one of the safest weekends to hand over a race seat temporarily. The Hungaroring is a circuit every team knows well after years of racing there, and the weekend does not feature a Sprint race, meaning drivers have three full practice sessions before qualifying. Losing one practice session is therefore less damaging than it would be at a completely new venue or during a Sprint weekend, where teams have limited preparation time.

Mercedes' decision to let Frederik Vesti replace championship leader Kimi Antonelli demonstrates that confidence. Antonelli currently leads the Drivers' Championship, yet Mercedes clearly believes missing one practice session will not significantly affect his weekend. That confidence reflects not only Antonelli's familiarity with the car but also the amount of simulator work and engineering preparation that modern Formula 1 drivers complete before arriving at a circuit.

For Vesti, however, the session represents far more than ninety minutes of track time. Reserve drivers spend much of the season working behind the scenes in simulators, attending race weekends and helping with car development without receiving opportunities to race. Every official practice session gives them a chance to demonstrate speed, technical understanding and consistency under real Grand Prix conditions. Strong performances can strengthen their reputation within the paddock and improve their chances of securing a full-time race seat in the future.

McLaren's decision to give Leonardo Fornaroli another opportunity is equally significant. The reigning Formula 2 champion has already built an impressive résumé by winning back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles. Those achievements alone make him one of the most promising young drivers outside the Formula 1 grid. Additional practice appearances allow him to continue adapting to Formula 1 machinery while giving McLaren valuable information about his development.

Fornaroli's recent testing programme with Haas has also fueled speculation about his future. While Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu stressed that no decisions have been made, the continued opportunities suggest several teams are carefully evaluating the Italian's long-term potential. Formula 1 teams rarely invest significant testing resources without considering future possibilities, even if they publicly avoid confirming negotiations.

Haas itself also benefits from giving Ryo Hirakawa another practice outing. Although Hirakawa is already an accomplished endurance racer, additional Formula 1 mileage allows the team to compare data from different driving styles and further assess his capabilities. Similarly, Alpine's decision to field Paul Aron provides another opportunity for one of its young prospects to continue gaining valuable experience after previous appearances this season.

Cadillac's choice to run former IndyCar star Colton Herta is particularly interesting because it reflects the team's broader driver evaluation process. Herta has long been linked with Formula 1, and every official session offers both the driver and the team another opportunity to understand whether a future partnership could be successful. With Cadillac continuing to establish itself in Formula 1, gathering information on potential drivers is an important part of building a competitive programme.

These rookie sessions also provide engineering benefits that extend beyond evaluating individual drivers. Teams can use the first practice session to test aerodynamic updates, tyre setups and mechanical changes while collecting additional feedback from a fresh perspective. Although rookie drivers may lack the experience of established race winners, they can still provide valuable technical observations that help engineers understand how the car behaves under different driving styles.

From a championship perspective, there is very little downside for leading teams this weekend. Antonelli, Oscar Piastri and the other regular drivers will still have two practice sessions before qualifying. Modern Formula 1 teams rely heavily on simulation tools, historical data and advanced modelling, meaning much of the car's setup is already prepared before the cars even reach the circuit. Missing one practice session is no longer as disruptive as it would have been in previous decades.

The growing importance of rookie development also reflects Formula 1's changing competitive landscape. Young drivers are reaching the sport better prepared than ever thanks to advanced simulators, junior categories and extensive testing programmes. Teams increasingly want to identify future stars before rival organizations can secure their services. Investing in promising talent has become almost as important as developing the race car itself.

For fans, rookie practice sessions offer an opportunity to watch potential future Grand Prix winners before they become household names. Many of today's established stars first attracted attention during similar Friday practice appearances, proving that even a single session can shape a driver's reputation. Strong performances often create momentum that eventually leads to reserve roles, testing contracts and full-time race seats.

Ultimately, the Hungarian Grand Prix's opening practice session represents far more than a regulatory exercise. It combines championship strategy, technical development, talent evaluation and long-term planning into a single session. While the established stars prepare for another crucial race weekend, the spotlight will briefly shift to five drivers hoping to prove they belong on Formula 1's biggest stage. Their performances may not affect Sunday's race directly, but they could influence future driver line-ups and career opportunities for years to come.

Source: Sky Sports