Mercedes has confirmed that Kimi Antonelli will sit out first practice ahead of this weekend's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, with Frederik Vesti taking his seat.
Each team must field a rookie in four first-practice sessions during the 2026 season, with Williams and Cadillac also announcing driver changes for this weekend.
Luke Browning will replace Alex Albon, while Colton Herta will make his FP1 debut for F1's newest team, replacing Sergio Perez.
It has been an exceptional start to the season for Antonelli, who enters the seventh round with a 66-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the drivers' standings.
The 19-year-old has won five consecutive races and became the youngest driver to win the Monaco Grand Prix last time out.
His car will be in good hands, with Vesti serving as Mercedes' official reserve driver. The Dane has already taken part in several first-practice sessions for the Silver Arrows.
Originally published by RacingNews365 —
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