Oscar Piastri faces a challenge in his bid to clinch the Formula 1 championship this weekend as he, along with eight other drivers, will miss the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to a regulation introduced in 2025.
The upcoming race at the Yas Marina Circuit will determine the title, with Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen competing for the top spot of the season. While a podium finish for Norris could secure him the championship, any errors on his part could create opportunities for his rivals.
With the championship on the line in Abu Dhabi, drivers must maximize their practice time. However, almost half of the grid will be absent from the first hour of running due to the rule requiring 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 still need to meet their rookie session quota, resulting in the appearance of new faces in FP1 this weekend.
Piastri is among the drivers being substituted, as Pato O’Ward will drive his McLaren in his place. Lewis Hamilton will also skip the session, with Arthur Leclerc taking his spot at Ferrari.
Various other drivers will also have replacements for FP1, including Arvid Lindblad, Ayumu Iwasa, Ryo Hirakawa, Luke Browning, Cian Shields, Jak Crawford, Paul Aron, and many more.
Mercedes and Sauber have already fulfilled their rookie practice session requirements, allowing George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hulkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto to participate as usual.
Abu Dhabi is a strategic venue for rookie sessions as it marks the end of the season. FP1 occurs under daytime conditions, providing invaluable experience for young drivers looking to progress in their careers.
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