Oscar Piastri faces a setback in his quest for the Formula 1 championship this weekend, as he is one of several drivers excluded from first practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to a regulation introduced in 2025.
The race at the Yas Marina Circuit will determine the season’s champion, with Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen in contention for the top honors. Norris could secure the championship with a podium finish, but any errors could give his rivals an opportunity.
Given the high stakes in Abu Dhabi, it is crucial for drivers to maximize their practice sessions. Nearly half of the grid will miss the first hour of running due to a rule requiring teams to allocate time to rookie drivers.
Teams must field a rookie driver in two free practice sessions per car throughout the season, totaling four sessions per team. Consequently, several teams have rookie sessions to fulfill, leading to the presence of new faces in FP1 this weekend.
Piastri will be replaced by Pato O’Ward in his McLaren, while Lewis Hamilton will also be absent from the session, with Arthur Leclerc taking his place at Ferrari. Additionally, other drivers like Arvid Lindblad, Ayumu Iwasa, and Ryo Hirakawa will step in for their respective teams.
Sky has enhanced its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, Hayu, 135 channels, and comprehensive coverage of Formula 1. The network broadcasts every practice, qualifier, and race of the season, along with exclusive coverage of other sports events.
Mercedes and Sauber have fulfilled their rookie practice session requirements, allowing George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hulkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto to participate as usual.
Abu Dhabi is a popular venue for rookie sessions, especially as it marks the end of the season. FP1 occurs in different conditions from qualifying and the race, making these sessions vital for the development of young drivers aiming for full-time seats in the future.