Arthur Leclerc to Replace Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi FP1 for Ferrari
Arthur Leclerc will replace Lewis Hamilton in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Ferrari fulfills its mandatory rookie driver requirement. Hamilton will return for FP2, aiming for his first Grand Prix podium with Ferrari in the season finale. Ferrari also announced Dino Beganovic will participate in post-season testing.
Ferrari has confirmed that Arthur Leclerc, brother of Charles Leclerc, will step into Lewis Hamilton's SF-25 for the first free practice session (FP1) at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This change fulfills the mandatory rookie driver requirement for Ferrari, making it the final FP1 session of the season where Hamilton will be sidelined.
Why it matters:
This move highlights Ferrari's strategic approach to fulfilling F1's rookie driver regulations while providing valuable track time to its development drivers. For Lewis Hamilton, it means less preparation time in FP1 for the crucial season finale, where he'll be aiming for his first Grand Prix podium with the Scuderia in his debut season.
The Details:
- Rookie Mandate: Ferrari needs to complete one more FP1 session with a rookie driver to meet the FIA's regulations, which mandate all teams field a rookie in at least two FP1 sessions per season.
- Arthur Leclerc's Role: Arthur Leclerc will drive Hamilton's car during FP1. This isn't his first experience, as he and his brother Charles notably partnered each other in FP1 ahead of last season's Abu Dhabi GP, marking a special family moment.
- Hamilton's Return: Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will rejoin his SF-25 for the second practice session (FP2), which is considered the most representative session for race conditions in Abu Dhabi due to similar timing to qualifying and the race.
- Season Finale Stakes: The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix represents Hamilton's last opportunity to secure a Grand Prix podium with Ferrari in his inaugural season, having achieved a Sprint victory and a sprint race podium earlier in the year.
- Post-Season Testing: Looking beyond the race weekend, Ferrari also confirmed plans for the post-season test. Dino Beganovic, another driver from Ferrari's development program and a Formula 2 competitor, will drive the SF-25 in its current configuration. Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are each scheduled to complete half a day of testing.
What's next:
The focus for Hamilton will quickly shift to FP2 and FP3 to compensate for the lost track time, as he aims to conclude his first season with Ferrari on a high note by securing a Grand Prix podium. Meanwhile, Ferrari continues to integrate its young talent, like Arthur Leclerc and Dino Beganovic, into the F1 ecosystem, preparing them for potential future roles within the team.