2026 F1 FP1 rookies: A full list

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The 2026 F1 season will see teams having to give rookies a chance in FP1 sessions, view the full list here.

A driver who has not started more than two Grands Prix in Formula 1 is eligible to do a FP1 session for a team. Just like in 2025, all eleven teams must have a rookie or rookies in their car four separate times during a first practice session in 2026.

Racing Bulls have already completed two of the four mandated sessions

The 2026 F1 season has seen only one rookie join the grid: Arvid Lindblad. His ascent through the junior formulas has been rapid.

Finishing 6th in the 2025 Formula 2 season after a mixed rookie year, he was rewarded with a Racing Bulls drive for this season.

Having driven in practice sessions in Australia and China, it means Racing Bulls only need to give a different rookie two sessions across the rest of the year.

Aston Martin the first team to put a reserve rookie in

Ahead of Honda’s home race at Suzuka, Aston Martin announced that Jak Crawford would be replacing Fernando Alonso in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix.

It has been a dismal start to the season for the team, with the car and engine lacking performance. There has also been serious vibrations from the Honda engine that has led to safety and health concerns for the drivers.

In 2025, Jak Crawford finished a very strong P2 in the Formula 2 championship. It was his third and final season in the category.

Cadillac announce Herta will do all four FP1 sessions

On April 17th, Cadillac confirmed 2026 F2 driver and former Andretti IndyCar star Colton Herta will drive in four FP1 sessions in 2026, starting at the Barcelona-Catalunya GP.

“I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team car for the first time,” said Colton Herta, Test Driver, Cadillac Formula 1® Team. “I am looking forward to working closely with the team in a full Grand Prix environment and am fully focused on learning from every appearance. I hope I can contribute to the overall race weekend and help the team, Checo and Valtteri as much as possible.”