Red Bull boss Helmut Marko has confirmed that Japanese junior driver Ayumu Iwasa will line up in Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 car for the first practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend.

It hasn’t been the best of starts for Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo during his return to the starting grid. The former Red Bull driver, lining up for its sister team Visa Cash App Red Bull, has so far failed to score points during the opening three races of the 2024 season and fans are starting to wonder if he’ll be able to rediscover some of his lost form.

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With the Japanese Grand Prix coming up this weekend, the Red Bull boss was excited by the prospect of an all-Japanese driver line-up – albeit temporarily – confirming to Speedweek that Ayumu Iwasa will be promoted from the junior programme for the first practice session.

“It will be a home race for Yuki. According to a recent survey, he is the most popular driver in the world among young people up to the age of 18. This could be something! On Friday we will use our young pilot Ayumu Iwasa in training, an all-Japanese team.”

Helmut Marko

Whilst the change is only for FP1, it speaks to the embarrassment of riches that Red Bull has at its disposal, with drivers such as Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa waiting in the wings for their opportunity in the big time. For Ricciardo, the fairy tale return to the front of the grid is still very much a possibility and the Japanese Grand Prix is the perfect opportunity for the Australian driver to kickstart his 2024 season.