Isack Hadjar to sit out Barcelona session as ex-F2 race winner steps in
Updated: 12:03, 10 Jun
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Kieran Lynch
Isack Hadjar, fresh off his first podium for Red Bull, will sit out FP1 at the Barcelona Grand Prix with ex-Formula Two race winner Ayumu Iwasa getting his chance to impress in Spain.
It comes after it was also announced that McLaren's Lando Norris will be replaced by F2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli and championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be replaced by Frederik Vesti at Mercedes.
In further news on Wednesday morning, Audi revealed that Paul Aron will will take over driving duties from Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, in Barcelona and in Spielberg respectively for the opening session of each race weekend, before returning to Alpine for the remainder of the events.
Iwasa excited by Barcelona F1 opportunity
Iwasa returns to a Formula One car after last driving for the Racing Bulls during an FP1 opportunity at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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“I'm excited to be driving with the Team during FP1 in Barcelona this weekend. The last time I drove a Formula One car was in Abu Dhabi last year, so it will be a new experience for me with the current car and regulations. I've spent a lot of time preparing in the simulator so I'm looking forward to getting out on track, learning as much as possible and helping the Team during the session.”
Iwasa finished fifth and fourth respectively while competing in the F2 championship during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Since then, he has been driving in the Super Formula category, winning the championship in 2024 and finishing second last season.
Aron finished third in the F2 championship in 2024 and made his free practice debut with Audi, then under the Kick Sauber name, at the 2025 British GP weekend. In 2025, he also did two FP1 sessions with Alpine in Italy and Mexico.
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Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 12.06.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 13.06.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 14.06.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 12.06.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 13.06.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 14.06.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 156 | |
2 | FerrariFER | 90 | |
3 | MercedesMER | 88 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 75 | |
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9 | Racing BullsRCB | 26 | |
10 | AlpineALP | 26 |
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