F1
Max Verstappen replaced for Bahrain Grand Prix session as title rival gets same treatment
Max Verstappen has been replaced by Red Bull rookie Ayumu Isawa for FP1 of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The Dutchman came out on top during an uneventful Japanese Grand Prix last weekend to keep him in touch with early pace-setter Lando Norris at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Aside from a risky exit from the pit lane, Verstappen was relatively unchallenged throughout the Japanese Grand Prix, with McLaren duo Norris and Oscar Piastri caught in a squabble over who had the most pace to challenge him just behind. In the end, their differences got in the way, with Norris and Piastri forced to watch on as Verstappen took home his first race win of the year.
