Championship frontrunner Kimi Antonelli will be one of five drivers who sit out the opening practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday. The Formula 1 regulations require each team to field a rookie driver in at least two practice runs during the season, and the familiar layout of the Hungaroring combined with the fact that this weekend is not a Sprint event has prompted five teams to take advantage of the rule.
Antonelli, who currently enjoys a 45‑point lead over Lewis Hamilton and a 50‑point margin ahead of George Russell in the Drivers' Championship, will be replaced for the Friday morning session by Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti. Vesti already gained experience in Antonelli's car when he took part in the first practice at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix last month, so the Italian youngster will not miss any additional practice opportunities beyond this one. The move allows Vesti, the 2023 Formula 2 runner‑up, to get valuable seat time in a modern F1 machine. "I’m really excited to get back behind the wheel of the W17 and continue building my experience with the car.
It’s a great opportunity and one I’m looking forward to making the most of," Vesti said after being confirmed for the Hungarian session. Meanwhile, George Russell has yet to hand his Mercedes over to a rookie driver, meaning he will sit out two practice sessions later in the season after the summer break. This decision underscores the strategic juggling that teams must perform to satisfy the rookie‑driver requirement while still protecting their competitive edge. In addition to Vesti’s appearance, reigning Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli will make his second Friday outing of the year when he takes the wheel of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.
Fornaroli, who captured the F3 title in 2024 and the F2 championship in 2025, previously drove Lando Norris’s McLaren during the Barcelona weekend and has been linked to a possible seat at Haas for the 2027 season. Earlier in June, McLaren loaned the 21‑year‑old Italian to Haas for a testing session involving previous‑generation cars, fueling speculation that he could replace Esteban Ocon at the American outfit. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu cautioned that no final decisions have been made, adding, "We are simply keeping the options open.
We are not in a hurry, but Leo did a great job in the test." This measured approach reflects the broader trend of teams using practice sessions as audition platforms for emerging talent. Haas will also see Oliver Bearman miss the first Budapest practice, as Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa takes his place for a second rookie outing of the season.
Paul Aron, another young prospect, will enjoy his third practice appearance of 2026 when he pilots Franco Colapinto’s Alpine. Aron’s development path has already included loan spells with Audi for practice sessions in Barcelona and Austria, highlighting the collaborative nature of driver development across manufacturers.
Former IndyCar star Colton Herta will join the action in first practice as well, stepping into the Cadillac that Valtteri Bottas usually drives. Herta’s involvement illustrates how teams sometimes bring in drivers from other racing disciplines to broaden their experience base and evaluate adaptability. The Hungarian Grand Prix weekend is packed with supporting series and ancillary events. The schedule begins on Thursday, July 23, with a drivers' press conference at 2 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut show at 5 p.m.
Friday, July 24, features F3 and F2 practice sessions in the morning, the first F1 practice session at 12:30 p.m., and the F1 Show in the evening. Saturday, July 25, includes the F3 sprint, the third F1 practice, F2 sprint, and the crucial qualifying session that determines the grid for the Sunday race.
The final day, Sunday, July 26, offers the F3 feature race, Porsche Supercup, F2 feature race, and the main event – the Hungarian Grand Prix – which starts at 2 p.m. All sessions are broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via the NOW platform without a long‑term contract.
Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time updates, video highlights, analytical pieces, and exclusive content throughout the weekend. The network also advises viewers to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. In summary, the rookie‑driver rule is prompting a notable reshuffle of line‑ups for the Budapest weekend.
Antonelli’s temporary absence, Vesti’s return, Fornaroli’s continued exposure, and the inclusion of drivers like Hirakawa, Aron and Herta all serve the dual purpose of complying with regulations and nurturing the next generation of F1 talent. As the championship battle tightens, teams will continue to balance the immediate need for points with the long‑term goal of developing drivers who can sustain success in the sport’s premier category.