Oscar Piastri faces a setback in his bid for the Formula 1 championship this weekend as he is one of nine drivers who will miss the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to a rule introduced at the beginning of 2025.
The race at the Yas Marina Circuit will determine the season’s champion, with Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen contending for the top spot. While a podium finish for Norris could secure him the title, any errors on his part could give his rivals an opportunity.
Given the high stakes in Abu Dhabi, it is essential for drivers to maximize their practice time. Nearly half of the grid will be absent from the first hour of running due to a regulation mandating teams to provide chances for rookie drivers.
Throughout the season, each team must include a rookie driver in two free practice sessions per car, totaling four sessions per team. Several teams are yet to meet their rookie session requirements, resulting in the inclusion of new faces in FP1 this weekend.
Piastri will be substituted by Pato O’Ward in his McLaren for the session, while Lewis Hamilton will also sit out as Ferrari announced that Arthur Leclerc will take his place.
Various rookies will step in for seasoned drivers in FP1, including Arvid Lindblad, who will replace Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull, Ayumu Iwasa filling in for Liam Lawson at RB, and Ryo Hirakawa taking over Esteban Ocon’s Haas seat.
Additionally, Alex Albon will be replaced by Williams academy member Luke Browning, and Aston Martin will give opportunities to rookies Cian Shields and Jak Crawford, who will drive in place of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, respectively.
Alpine will have Paul Aron driving in FP1, taking over from Pierre Gasly for his fifth session this season. The team has already met its rookie practice session obligations, allowing George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hulkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto to participate as usual.
Abu Dhabi is a favored venue for rookie sessions, especially on the final weekend of the season. The daytime conditions during FP1 differ from those in qualifying and the race, making rookie sessions vital for young driver development, with many progressing to full-time positions based on their performance in such sessions.