How the FP1 rookies fared in Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix

Seven teams opted to run Free Practice 1 rookies at this weekend’s Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Here is how they fared in the practice session.

Feature image credit: Pirelli

Over half the grid opted to run a rookie in the first hour of practice at the Barcelona GP, held at the iconic Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with only four teams opting to run their regular driver line-up.

Unsurprisingly, the teams opted to run a rookie driver at the Spanish track, as it is historically known as a testing track. It was once the preferred circuit for pre-season testing before Bahrain took those honours in recent seasons.

Even this year, the teams and drivers were doing laps around the Barcelona circuit as part of Shakedown Week, when the teams as a collective joined together ahead of the official pre-season tests.

Winners

McLaren and Audi were probably the biggest winners for their FP1 rookies as 2025’s Formula 2 champion, Leonardo Fornaroli, stood as the fastest FP1 rookie. The Italian driver replaced the reigning world champion, Lando Norris.

The McLaren driver put in a strong time to go fifth fastest after 22 laps completed for the Woking-based team, finishing 0.853 seconds off the pace of Mercedes’ George Russell.

He was closely followed by Alpine’s reserve driver, Paul Aron, who was substituting for Audi, replacing Nico Hulkenberg. The Estonian finished sixth overall, keeping within a time within a second of the leading time (+0.958s).

Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix: the full F1 schedule and times

Loser

It was a painful hour for Williams’ Luke Browning, who was not able to get out of the garage in the first practice session. The team has confirmed it was an electrical problem with Alexander Albon’s car, which Browning was set to take part in.

As such, the Williams driver was not able to get out on track and set a lap time on the board, finishing as the 22nd driver by default.

Whilst it wasn’t meant to be for the British driver, he will get a second chance at the next event, as he will take over Carlos Sainz’s car at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Where the FP1 rookies finished;

5th – Leonardo Fornaroli, McLaren +0.853s

6th – Paul Aron, Audi +0.958s

8th – Dino Begnovic, Ferrari +1.415s

14th – Ayumu Iwasa, Red Bull Racing +1.935s

15th – Fred Vesti, Mercedes +2.002s

21st – Colton Herta, Cadillac +4.334s

22nd – Luke Browning, Williams (No time set)

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Russell tops first practice ahead of Piastri at Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
• Pirelli remain F1 tyre supplier until 2028
• Drama In The Principality: The Monaco Grand Prix Did Not Disappoint
• Fernando Alonso suggests Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix could be his last
• Pirelli confirm tyre compounds for Austrian and British Grand Prix
• McLaren, Audi & Williams make FP1 changes for Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
• Writer’s Verdict: 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

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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.