Max Verstappen to be replaced by Ayumu Iwasa for Mexico City GP practice

Red Bull will replace four-time world champion Max Verstappen with Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa for the first free practice session (FP1) at the Mexico City Grand Prix. This move is part of the Formula 1 requirement for teams to provide practice opportunities to rookie drivers.

Iwasa, who has already participated in three FP1 sessions this season, will be making his eighth appearance in a free practice session. This decision comes amid a broader trend of rookie participation in Mexico, with other teams also rotating drivers, including Mercedes, Alpine, Audi, Haas, Williams, and Cadillac.

Additionally, Verstappen’s performance in the upcoming race could influence the championship outcome for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli holds a 123-point lead over George Russell and a 124-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. Depending on the race results, Antonelli could secure the world title regardless of his final finishing position.