Oscar Piastri faces a setback in his quest for the Formula 1 championship this weekend as he joins a group of drivers missing the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Nine drivers, including Piastri, will sit out FP1 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 competing for the top spot. While a podium finish for Norris could secure him the title, any errors on his part could provide an opportunity for his rivals.
Given the significance of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it is crucial for drivers to maximize their practice time. However, nearly half of the grid will be absent during the initial hour of running due to the requirement for teams to give rookie drivers track time.
Throughout the season, each team must allocate two free practice sessions to rookie drivers per car, totaling four sessions per team. As several teams have yet to fulfill their rookie session quota, a number of new faces will feature in FP1 this weekend.
Piastri will be substituted by Pato O’Ward in the McLaren, while Lewis Hamilton will also be sidelined, with Ferrari’s Arthur Leclerc taking his place. Various other drivers, including Arvid Lindblad, Ayumu Iwasa, and Ryo Hirakawa, will step in for their respective teams during FP1.
Additionally, Alex Albon will make way for Luke Browning in the Williams team, and Aston Martin will give Cian Shields and Jak Crawford the opportunity to drive in FP1, replacing Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Meanwhile, Alpine’s Paul Aron will participate in his fifth FP1 session of the season, taking over from Pierre Gasly.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle, now offering access to HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, and Hayu, along with 135 channels and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1. Sky broadcasts all practice sessions, qualifiers, and races throughout the season, as well as exclusive coverage of other sports events.
Mercedes and Sauber have already met their rookie session requirements, allowing George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hulkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto to participate as usual. Abu Dhabi is a favored location for rookie sessions, particularly since it marks the end of the season. These sessions are valuable for young drivers’ development, often leading to future full-time opportunities in Formula 1.