McLaren Confirms Piastri to Miss Abu Dhabi FP1

Oscar Piastri will miss a crucial first free practice session in Abu Dhabi, the final race weekend of the season where the championship could be decided. This comes as a result of Formula 1 regulations requiring teams to give rookie drivers two practice sessions per season.

Why it matters:

Piastri's absence from FP1 in Abu Dhabi could be a significant disadvantage, especially if he is still in contention for the championship. While rivals like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen will be fine-tuning their setups, Piastri will be sidelined, potentially impacting his crucial preparation for the season's climax.

The details:

• Formula 1 regulations mandate that every driver (who did not start the season with fewer than two Grands Prix to their name) must cede their seat twice per season to a rookie for practice sessions.
• Piastri has only fulfilled this requirement once so far in 2024.
• It has been confirmed that Piastri will participate in first practice in Las Vegas, automatically fulfilling his second rookie session and ruling him out of Abu Dhabi FP1.
• The Qatar Grand Prix, with its sprint race format, only features one free practice session, making it impossible for Piastri to sit out there.
• The timing is particularly unfortunate for Piastri, as he might still be in the championship fight. Missing FP1 could hinder his ability to optimize his car's setup compared to his rivals.
• The most likely candidate to replace Piastri in Abu Dhabi is Pato O'Ward, McLaren's Mexican test and reserve driver.

What's next:

McLaren's decision, while mandatory under F1 rules, places Piastri in a challenging position for the season's final race. The focus will be on how he adapts to the limited practice time and whether Pato O'Ward can provide valuable data for the team. All eyes will be on the championship battle in Abu Dhabi, where every session, including FP1, can play a pivotal role.