Three Formula 1 teams have changed their driver line-ups for first practice in Hungary. Leonardo Fornaroli will drive Oscar Piastri’s McLaren. Ryo Hirakawa replaces Oliver Bearman at Haas, while Paul Aron takes Franco Colapinto’s Alpine.
The changes help McLaren, Haas and Alpine complete mandatory rookie running. Each regular driver returns after the opening session. The confirmed programme gives three reserve drivers direct experience with the current cars.
Fornaroli takes Piastri’s McLaren
Fornaroli begins his second Formula 1 practice appearance of the season. He drove Lando Norris’s car in Barcelona last month. Hungary places him in Piastri’s MCL40 for the first hour of track action.
The Italian is the reigning Formula 2 champion and belongs to McLaren’s development programme. He has worked in the simulator and attended race weekends with the team. Friday adds current circuit data to that preparation.
McLaren will also introduce revised aerodynamic parts in Budapest. Fornaroli will therefore follow a detailed run plan during the session. His laps will contribute to the team’s first checks of the updated car.
Piastri returns for second practice later that day. He will receive Fornaroli’s comments and the engineers’ recorded data. The handover separates the rookie obligation from the Australian’s remaining race preparation.
Hirakawa returns with Haas
Haas selected Hirakawa for the session in Bearman’s car. The Japanese driver has extensive reserve and testing experience. His programme is linked to the team’s work with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Hirakawa has previously driven modern Formula 1 machinery in official sessions. That background reduces the amount of basic familiarisation needed in Hungary. Haas can give him useful work soon after the installation laps.
Bearman will watch the session before returning to the cockpit. The regular driver still has two Friday hours and Saturday practice before qualifying. His engineers can compare his later comments with Hirakawa’s early reference.
Aron receives a third session
Aron takes over Colapinto’s Alpine for first practice. It will be his third appearance of the season. His previous two outings came with Audi in Barcelona and Austria.
| McLaren | Leonardo Fornaroli replaces Oscar Piastri in FP1 |
|---|---|
| Haas | Ryo Hirakawa replaces Oliver Bearman in FP1 |
| Alpine | Paul Aron replaces Franco Colapinto in FP1 |
| Session | Hungarian Grand Prix first practice |
Those sessions were arranged while Aron remained an Alpine reserve driver. The Hungary run places him inside his own team’s garage. He already knows its engineers, simulator methods and operating language.
Driving two different 2026 cars gives Aron a broader technical reference. The teams keep confidential data separate, but the driver retains experience of procedures and track conditions. Hungary also adds a very different corner sequence.
Colapinto returns in second practice and keeps the rest of the weekend. Alpine has confirmed only the opening-session change. Aron’s role ends once the first hour is complete.
The rule creates planned opportunities
Formula 1 teams must provide four first-practice places to eligible rookies during the season. The requirement is divided across both race cars. Each regular driver’s car must be handed over twice.
A driver qualifies through limited Grand Prix experience under the sporting rules. Teams normally select members of their academies or reserve groups. The sessions connect simulator work with a current car on a live circuit.
Hungary suits several teams because the weekend uses the standard format. There is no sprint, so three practice sessions remain available. Regular drivers regain their seats with two sessions still ahead of qualifying.
The three confirmed changes are separate decisions made under the same rule. Fornaroli, Hirakawa and Aron have different team links and career records. Each will complete his own programme rather than race directly for a practice result.
Friday has a clear timetable
First practice begins on Friday afternoon at the Hungaroring. Second practice follows later the same day. The final practice and qualifying take place on Saturday before Sunday’s Grand Prix.
The opening session gives the reserve drivers sixty minutes under normal sporting conditions. Red flags or mechanical problems can reduce that time. Every completed lap therefore adds useful mileage to a short appearance.
Fornaroli arrives with the least Formula 1 practice experience of the three. Hirakawa brings the widest top-level testing background. Aron is the only driver making his third appearance this season.
Their names are now confirmed on the Hungary entry plan for first practice. Piastri, Bearman and Colapinto remain the race drivers. The regular line-ups will be restored before the second session begins.
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