McLaren, Audi & Williams make FP1 changes for Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix

McLaren, Williams and Audi have confirmed that they are to make changes to their driver line-ups for the opening practice session at the Spanish Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

Feature image credit: Pirelli

For the first time since the winter break, Formula 1 will return to Spain at the iconic Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend, for the first of two Spanish rounds this season.

With the circuit being a regular testing ground for F1 pre-season testing, which happened earlier this year for the F1 ‘shakedown week,’ a couple of teams have opted to utilise their FP1 allocation for this event: Audi and McLaren.

McLaren

Lando Norris is set to miss out on the first hour of running in Barcelona as he is set to give up his seat to McLaren’s development and F1 reserve driver, Leonardo Fornaroli.

Fornaroli joined the team in December last year, following successful back-to-back seasons which saw him claim the 2025 Formula 2 and 2024 Formula 3 world championships.

He has already gotten some experience under his belt ahead of his F1 debut, this weekend, having taken part in three Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) tests, including sessions at the Barcelona circuit, Silverstone and the USA’s Circuit of the Americas. On the announcement, Fornaroli said:

“I’m looking forward to getting to drive the MCL40 this weekend in Spain for Free Practice 1. It’s a great opportunity to support the team with their preparations and work through the planned Friday programme.

“It’s also a very special milestone for me personally, as it will be my first official Formula 1 session. It’s something I’ve worked towards for a long time, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take this next step with McLaren Racing.

“The experience I’ve gained so far this year through the multiple Testing of Previous Cars events I’ve successfully completed has been so valuable for my development and overall learning of driving a Formula 1 car.”

Fornaroli will run the number # , on Norris’ car as he enjoys his first taste of 2026 F1 machinery.

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Audi

Paul Aron is set to return to Formula 1 this weekend as Audi has confirmed two Free Practice appearances, with the first outing taking place this weekend in Spain.

At the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Nico Hulkenberg will give up his seat to Aron to complete one of two mandated FP1 sessions. Audi has also confirmed that he will be taking part in the free practice session at the Austrian Grand Prix, later this month. During that time, he will replace Gabriel Bortoleto.

Aron has previously taken part in free practice sessions for the team, under their previous branding of Stake Formula 1 Team Kick Sauber, in 2025.

It will be Aron’s only two appearances for the Audi squad as the Estonian will return to Alpine for the remainder of the season.

Williams

Williams Racing’s reserve driver will follow a similar plan to that of Audi, with Luke Browning making FP1 appearances at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix and Austrian Grand Prix, this month.

Browning is set to step into Alexander Albon’s FW48 this weekend in Barcelona before taking over Carlos Sainz’s car in Austria, at the end of the month.

This weekend will be the British driver’s first outing in the latest generation of F1 machinery, after previously completing FP1 appearances in the last generation of F1 cars in 2024 and 2025.

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.