Oscar Piastri faces a setback in his quest for the Formula 1 championship this weekend as he and eight other drivers will be absent from the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to a regulation introduced at the beginning of 2025.
The upcoming 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 the title, any errors could give his rivals an opportunity.
Given the high stakes in Abu Dhabi, it is crucial for drivers to maximize their practice time. Nearly half of the grid will miss the initial hour of running as teams are required 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 still need to fulfill their rookie session quota, leading to the introduction of new faces in FP1 this weekend.
Piastri will be one of the drivers substituted, with Pato O’Ward taking over his McLaren for the session. Additionally, Lewis Hamilton will not participate as Ferrari announced that Arthur Leclerc will replace him.
Various replacements are lined up for FP1, including Arvid Lindblad, Ayumu Iwasa, and Ryo Hirakawa stepping in for other drivers. Alpine has already met its rookie practice session requirements, allowing George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hulkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto to participate as usual.
Abu Dhabi serves as a prime location for rookie sessions, particularly given that it is the final weekend of the season. These sessions play a crucial role in the development of young drivers, often paving the way for them to secure full-time positions in the future.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can catch every practice, qualifying, and race live with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, which includes access to around 100 TV channels, as well as complimentary subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
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