Which rookies are getting FP1 outings at the Austrian Grand Prix?

After seven rookie drivers made an appearance during first practice last time out in Barcelona, a total of six teams are set to field a rookie in Friday’s opening practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix.

With F1's regulations stating that every full-time driver must make way for a rookie – viewed as someone who has started no more than two Grands Prix – in two practice sessions across the season, several different names will appear on the timesheets when the track action gets underway at the Red Bull Ring.

Ferrari, Racing Bulls, Haas, Williams, Audi and Aston Martin have all made changes to their line-ups for FP1 in Austria – and these are the young drivers that will be running for their respective squads…

Dino Beganovic – Ferrari

Charles Leclerc will skip first practice in Austria while Dino Beganovic gets behind the wheel of his SF-26, the Swedish driver having driven in place of Lewis Hamilton during FP1 in Barcelona. He ended that session in P8 on the timesheets.

Beganovic currently sits in sixth place of the Formula 2 standings and his latest practice outing will be his fourth, having also previously competed in two FP1 session for Ferrari in 2025. The 22-year-old has been part of Ferrari's Driver Academy since 2020.

Ayumu Iwasa – Racing Bulls

Another driver making a return appearance after running in Barcelona is Ayumu Iwasa. However, the Japanese racer is substituting for Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson this time, having driven Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Iwasa is currently competing in Super Formula for a third campaign after winning the championship in 2025. Alongside this racing programme, the 24-year-old acts as a test and reserve driver for the Racing Bulls and Red Bull teams and has previously made six FP1 outings since 2024.

Ryo Hirakawa – Haas

Competing in his first FP1 of 2026 is Ryo Hirakawa, who will drive Esteban Ocon’s Haas for the opening practice hour in Austria.

As well as acting as the American squad’s test and reserve driver, 32-year-old Hirakawa has competed in various categories of motorsport and is currently racing in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota. His practice run at the Red Bull Ring marks his seventh FP1 appearance.

Luke Browning – Williams

One person who will be especially keen to get some mileage in this weekend is Luke Browning, the Briton having been set to compete in FP1 for Williams in Barcelona only to spend the session on the sidelines following a technical issue with the car. This time out he will replace Carlos Sainz.

The 24-year-old – for whom this will officially be his sixth first practice appearance, despite not getting out on track in the fifth – acts as a reserve driver for the Grove-based outfit, as well as competing in Super Formula this season.

Paul Aron – Audi

Making his seventh FP1 appearance – off the back of his most recent in Barcelona, where he classified in P6 on the timesheets – is Paul Aron, who will take the wheel of Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi in Barcelona.

While he is officially Alpine’s reserve driver, the 22-year-old from Estonia made his maiden practice outing with the outfit formerly known as Sauber in 2025 after an arrangement was reached with Alpine.

Jak Crawford – Aston Martin

After driving in first practice at Round 3 in Japan, Aston Martin’s third driver Jak Crawford will get another run – this time in place of Lance Stroll – during FP1 in Austria.

Off the back of ending the 2025 F2 season in second place, the 21-year-old American is set for his fourth F1 practice run after previously competing in two sessions for Aston Martin in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi last year.