Oscar Piastri to Miss Crucial Abu Dhabi GP FP1 Session

Oscar Piastri will head into the decisive Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with one less hour of crucial practice time compared to his championship rivals, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. This is due to a mandatory rookie FP1 session, where IndyCar star Pato O'Ward will take over Piastri's MCL39.

Why it matters:

Piastri, currently in a three-way fight for the F1 title, will miss the opening practice session at a critical juncture. While he aims for his first world championship, the reduced track time could impact his final preparations at the familiar Yas Marina Circuit, potentially putting him at a disadvantage against experienced title contenders Norris and Verstappen.

The details:

• Mandatory Rookie Session: F1 regulations require each team to field a rookie driver (one with no more than two Grand Prix starts) in four FP1 sessions per season.
• McLaren's Compliance: Lando Norris has completed his two required rookie FP1 handovers earlier in the season (Austria and Mexico). Piastri, however, has only given up his seat once, at Monza.
• Pato O'Ward Steps In: As a result, Piastri must cede his seat in Abu Dhabi FP1 to Pato O'Ward, McLaren's long-time test and reserve driver and an IndyCar frontrunner.
• Championship Stakes: The Abu Dhabi GP is the season finale, where Norris leads the standings by 12 points over Verstappen and 16 points over Piastri, setting up a thrilling three-way title decider.

The big picture:

This development comes as the F1 2025 season reaches its climax. Verstappen has been in formidable form, winning five of the last eight Grands Prix, while Norris has seen a resurgence that has shifted the title narrative. Piastri, after a strong mid-season, has experienced a dip, making every minute of track time crucial as he chases his maiden championship against two highly competitive rivals.

What's next:

Piastri will be hoping that his familiarity with the Yas Marina Circuit and the advanced stage of the season (24 rounds in) will minimize the impact of his missed FP1 session. Meanwhile, McLaren expects valuable data and feedback from O'Ward, who feels he has a strong understanding of F1 machinery after extensive simulator work and previous test outings. The team will be working intensely to ensure both drivers are fully prepared for the qualifying and race sessions, where the 2025 F1 World Champion will be crowned.