F2 drivers set for FP1 appearance at the British GP

Current F2 drivers Isack Hadjar, Franco Colapinto and Ollie Bearman are all set to make an appearance in tonight’s FP1 session, running as rookies alongside Jack Doohan during the opening hour of practice at the British Grand Prix.

The current regulations state that each team is required to run a rookie in two FP1 sessions per season, with the familiar British Grand Prix posing the perfect setting for the likes of Red Bull, Williams, Haas and Alpine to sideline one of their drivers for the first session.

As a result, Hadjar, Colapinto and Bearman will take time out of a busy Round 8 of the FIA Formula 2 Championship, to run in their associated F1 teams’ machinery around the iconic Silverstone Circuit this weekend.

Taking over the reins from Sergio Perez, Red Bull junior Hadjar will drive the RB20 in tonight’s session.

This isn’t the Frenchman’s first FP1 outing, with Hadjar having run in two Formula 1 practice sessions in 2023, the first being with AlphaTauri in Mexico and the second with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi.

Racing for Campos Racing, Hadjar is currently second in the Formula 2 standings, having secured two Feature Race wins in Australia and Imola.

One of two colleagues joining the Red Bull junior on track this evening is Franco Colapinto.

The Argentinian F2 driver will be making his FP1 debut with Williams, fulfilling his duties as a Williams Driver Academy Member as he takes over for Logan Sargeant.

Colapinto currently sits fifth in the F2 standings, scoring one victory and two second-place finishes with MP Motorsport this season. 

“For any racing driver, it’s something you are hoping for – to have your first FP1,” Colapinto said.

“To get this opportunity and this trust from Williams – they have been so supportive last year – I’m extremely happy and very proud.

“It’s a mega opportunity. I’m excited. 

“I know it is short, only one hour [of running] but Silverstone is the nicest track to drive an F1 car with all these high-speed corners. 

“I’m really looking forward to it and will try to do a good job.”

The “special moment” comes at a circuit the 21-year-old hailed victorious at in the F3 championship last year.

Off the back of his own “special” announcement that he will be joining the F1 grid with Haas in 2025, Ollie Bearman will celebrate his “proud” news on track and in front of his home crowd.

Commandeering the VF-24 for a third time in 2024, Bearman will end this weekend halfway through his allocated FP1 sessions of the year, having shown Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu some deal-sealing qualities in his first two runs at Imola and Barcelona. 

“I already saw in Mexico and Abu Dhabi last year what he is capable of and how amazing it was to work with him,” Komatsu said.

“We have the first-hand experience with him – including the end of season test and more FP1 sessions. 

“Seeing how he could jump into a Ferrari in FP3 in such a difficult track like Jeddah and perform how he did, it wasn’t a total surprise knowing how he worked with us. 

“It just gives us more confidence in him.”

“I remember working with him for the first time in Mexico for the FP1. He said himself, he had lots of pressure – but in terms of how he handled himself, it was impressive,” he added.

“Lots of drivers in that situation, they might focus on their own performance or trying to get the quickest lap time, but Ollie understood what the team was looking for in terms of programme and answers we needed to get and what role he can play driving in FP1 in one of our cars in the bigger context of the race weekend.

“When he drove, he drove accordingly so we could generate good data. 

“To do that at such a young age and first time in FP1 was impressive.”

The Ferrari Driver Academy member will be taking Kevin Magnussen’s place for the 60-minute session.

These three drivers will be joined by FP1 veteran Jack Doohan who will step out onto Silverstone Circuit with hopes of leaving a similar impression on the Alpine higher-ups.

Continuing to pitch himself for the vacant seat alongside Pierre Gasly in 2025, Doohan will be stepping into the #10’s A524 for FP1, planning to bring his potential future teammate’s car home safely at the chequered flag.

The hour of running will kick off at 9:30 PM tonight before Hadjar, Colapinto, Bearman and Doohan are forced to hand back the reins for FP2. 

Image: Mark Thompson/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

2024 British Grand Prix Schedule:

Friday July 5th:

FP1: 21:30 – 22:30

Saturday July 6th:

FP2: 01:00 – 02:00

FP3: 20:30 – 21:30

Sunday July 7th:

Qualifying: 00:00 – 01:00

Monday July 8th:

Race Start: 00:00