Nine Drivers, Including Hamilton and Piastri, to Miss Abu Dhabi FP1

Nine prominent drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri, are set to miss the opening Free Practice (FP1) session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This unprecedented lineup change is primarily due to teams fulfilling the mandated rookie practice requirements before the season concludes.

Why it matters:

With the drivers' championship still on the line, the final race of the season holds immense pressure. For top contenders like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, every minute of track time is crucial. The absence of key drivers like Hamilton and Piastri from FP1 means they will lose valuable setup and track acclimatization time, potentially impacting their weekend performance, especially as teams finalize their 2025 car preparations.

The Details:

• Rookie Rule Compliance: Formula 1 regulations require each team to field a rookie driver (one who has started no more than two Grands Prix) in at least two FP1 sessions per car per season.
• Eight Teams Affected: Only Sauber and Mercedes have fulfilled this obligation for the 2024 season. The remaining eight teams must use the Abu Dhabi FP1 session to meet the requirement, leading to a significant number of regular race drivers stepping aside.
• High-Profile Absences: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) are the most notable drivers to miss FP1, making way for Arthur Leclerc and Patricio O'Ward, respectively.
• Full Lineup Changes: A total of nine regular drivers will be replaced by rookie or test drivers. Aston Martin is uniquely replacing both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll with Cian Shields and Jak Crawford.
• Impact on Drivers: Losing an hour of practice in the final race weekend can be a disadvantage, especially for optimizing car setup and understanding track conditions at Yas Marina.

What's next:

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the culmination of an intense F1 season. While the FP1 changes address a regulatory requirement, the true focus remains on the championship battle, with Lando Norris holding a narrow lead over Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

• Championship Decider: Norris, coming off recent victories, needs a podium finish to secure the F1 2025 crown. The reduced practice time for some competitors could subtly influence their preparations.
• Final Preparations: Beyond the title fight, teams will be using this final race weekend to gather data for their 2025 car development, making every session critical, even with rookie drivers at the wheel.
• Young Talent Showcase: The FP1 session will also provide a valuable opportunity for up-and-coming talents like Arthur Leclerc, Patricio O'Ward, and Luke Browning to showcase their skills on a Grand Prix weekend.