- Ayumu Iwasa will replace Daniel Ricciardo for FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, forming an all-Japanese lineup with Yuki Tsunoda.
- The decision complies with F1 regulations requiring teams to field a junior driver in at least two practice sessions per season.
- Red Bull’s strategy is influenced by its partnership with Honda and the favorable characteristics of the Suzuka circuit for their car.
- Daniel Ricciardo, facing challenges in regaining form, acknowledges the change and is focused on improving his performance.
In a significant move by the Red Bull Racing team, young talent Ayumu Iwasa, aged 22 and a member of the Red Bull junior program, is set to replace Daniel Ricciardo for the first practice session (FP1) at the Japanese Grand Prix. This decision will see Iwasa partnering with Yuki Tsunoda, creating an all-Japanese lineup for the session at their home circuit in Suzuka. The replacement aligns with the Formula One regulations, which mandate that teams must allow a junior driver to participate in at least two practice sessions throughout the season.
The Japanese Grand Prix has been scheduled earlier this season, leading Red Bull to opt for the driver replacement just four races into the championship. Red Bull’s decision is heavily influenced by its strong historical ties with Honda, which often sees Japanese rookies being given opportunities to showcase their skills at their home race.
Daniel Ricciardo replaced by RB youngster for Japanese Grand Prix sessionhttps://t.co/CIyGRsD6Yn pic.twitter.com/TjKTwhrWUt
— Express Sport (@DExpress_Sport) March 26, 2024
Helmut Marko, a key figure in the Red Bull Racing team, has pointed out that the Suzuka circuit’s characteristics are expected to favor the Racing Bulls’ car performance, indicating a strategic move by the team.
Daniel Ricciardo has acknowledged the change in the lineup for FP1, despite facing a challenging time in his effort to regain form in his first full season back since 2022. Following a disappointing performance at his home Grand Prix in Australia, where he failed to secure points, Ricciardo is hopeful for a turnaround at the Japanese Grand Prix.
He has expressed his determination to utilize specific features of the RB steering wheel to provide crucial feedback to his engineers, underscoring his commitment to overcoming the early-season struggles.