F1 News: Daniel Ricciardo Replacement Confirmed For Japanese GP FP1

Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by Red Bull junior driver Ayumu Iwasa for the first free practice session in Japan.

Daniel Ricciardo - VCARB / Qian Jun/MB Media/GettyImages

Red Bull junior driver Ayumu Iwasa is set to replace Daniel Ricciardo in the opening practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix next week.

Key Takeaways:

• Red Bull junior driver and member of the  Honda Formula Dream Project Ayumu Iwasa will take Daniel Ricciardo's place in FP1 at the Japanese GP.
• Speculations are rife about Ricciardo's future with the team, amidst claims of potential replacement.

Daniel Ricciardo - VCARB / Mark Thompson/GettyImages

Ayumu Iwasa, a bright talent from the Honda Formula Dream Project, has been slated to step into Daniel Ricciardo's shoes for the first practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix. This decision, while showcasing Honda's intent to promote its young prodigy during its home race, has inadvertently fuelled rumours regarding Ricciardo's position with the Visa Cash App RB team.

Despite the swirling media speculation suggesting that Ricciardo is on thin ice, with Liam Lawson potentially replacing him post-Miami, official statements from Red Bull, VCARB, and the drivers' management teams have denied these allegations. The narrative gained further complexity with Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko's veiled criticisms directed at Ricciardo.

Ayumu Iwasa's journey to this pivotal moment has been marked by significant achievements. His foundational years at the Suzuka Circuit Racing School set the stage for a victorious stint in the French F4 Championship, followed by commendable performances in Europe, leading to a fourth-place finish in the 2023 F2 Championship. This progression not only solidified his reputation in the racing world but also earned him the Super License points required for Formula 1 participation.

Iwasa commented on his upcoming FP1 stint: 

"I am very happy to be able to participate in an official F1 session in my home country and I am excited to be able to take the first step toward the realisation of my dream - winning races and capture the World Championship title for many consecutive years in F1.

"I would like to thank everyone supporting me in this challenge. In the official session, I will steadily carry out the mission assigned to me and learn as much as I can. I look forward to seeing you all in Suzuka."

Ayumu Iwasa - AlphaTauri / Ciancaphoto Studio/GettyImages

VCARB team principal Laurent Mekies shared his enthusiasm for Iwasa's involvement, noting:

"It's a great pleasure for us to have Ayumu in our car for the upcoming session. He did a great job in the Abu Dhabi test at the end of last year when he drove for us for the first time. Since then, he has been doing a lot a valuable work in our simulator, including providing live race support.

"This on-track experience will be important for his growth as a young driver, as well as providing him and our engineers with a useful real-track correlation of the work he carries out for us in the simulator. It's definitely going to be a very exciting moment for the Team to have an entirely Japanese line-up for FP1 with Yuki and Ayumu, both powered by Honda RBPT power units!"

Koji Watanabe, President of Honda Racing Corporation, also expressed his delight, stating:

"I am very pleased that everyone will be able to see Iwasa driving an F1 machine at the Japanese Grand Prix, at Honda's home track.

"I would also like to thank the Visa Cash App RB Formula One Team and Red Bull Group for providing Iwasa with the opportunity to drive in FP1. We hope that he will continue to pursue his dream and inspire young people around the world. We look forward to your continued support for Iwasa."