How Rookie FP1 Sessions Have Evolved in 2025

This weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix will see six Formula 1 teams fulfill the first of their mandatory rookie FP1 sessions. Among those six are Atlassian Williams Racing, with Academy driver Luke Browning taking the wheel of Carlos Sainz’s FW47.

2025 has brought a major change in how F1 teams nurture their up-and-coming talent. Since 2022, regulations have required each team to field a rookie driver in at least one Free Practice 1 (FP1) session per car during the season, meaning two sessions in total.

These rookies must have started no more than two F1 races in their career. The idea has always been to give young drivers valuable mileage in a live Grand Prix weekend environment, allowing them to learn the machinery, integrate with the team, and offer track time in an era of limited testing.

However, in 2025, the rule has been expanded. Teams are now required to run rookies in two FP1 sessions per car, doubling the total number to four across the season. It’s a move designed to offer more hands-on experience to the next generation of F1 hopefuls.

The increased track time is also designed to benefit the teams. Not only does it strengthen their own driver development pipelines, but it provides more data on future prospects and can even offer a fresh perspective on car performance.

While teams are free to choose any race weekend for their rookie FP1 sessions, they’ll tend to avoid doing them at demanding circuits that require a gradual confidence build-up, as well as on Sprint weekends, which only feature a single practice session. That’s why familiar venues like Bahrain, well-known to many junior formula drivers, are often the preferred stage for these outings.

For Luke Browning, and others like him, it’s an exciting chance to feature on the global stage. With more sessions available, rookies can find their feet with less pressure and even more track time.

Atlassian Williams Racing - Luke Browning for Carlos Sainz Ferrari - Dino Beganovic for Charles Leclerc Red Bull - Ayumu Iwasa for Max Verstappen Mercedes - Frederik Vesti for George Russell Aston Martin - Felipe Drugovich for Fernando Alonso Haas - Ryo Hirakawa for Ollie Bearman