Who are the rookies filling in for FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
- Chloe Buckley
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
There are still eight teams who need to complete their mandatory FIA obligation of running a rookie for four FP1 sessions per car during a season. For the final race of 2025, there will be nine rookies stepping into Formula One cockpits.
The FIA changed this rule in 2025. Originally, teams only needed to give up one session per car. In 2025, it was doubled to two.
There are still some teams that need to fulfil this obligation per FIA regulations. This means some drivers will miss out on FP1 at the season finale.
Here are the rookies who will be stepping into each spot tomorrow at the Yas Marina Circuit.
McLaren: Pato O’Ward in Oscar Piastri’s MCL39
Filling in yet again for a free practice session is Pato O’Ward. The Mexican driver came runner up in the 2025 Indycar season as a driver for McLaren.
O’Ward is no stranger to the McLaren F1 car as he is a reserve driver for the team. He also previously participated in FP1 at his home race in Mexico City in October.
The decision to give away Piastri’s FP1 on the last race of the season is one that many fans are concerned by, considering he will be battling it out for the championship on Sunday.
Every second of track time ahead of the race is vital, but with Piastri’s talent, there is no doubt he’ll be able to catch up.
Red Bull: Arvid Lindblad in Yuki Tsunoda’s RB21
After just being announced to be driving for Racing Bulls in 2026, Arvid Lindblad is taking the RB21 out at Yas Marina Circuit.
The 18-year old has been a standout driver across Formula series and in 2026, he will take Isack Hadjar’s seat at Racing Bulls as the French driver replaces Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull.
Ferrari: Arthur Leclerc in Lewis Hamilton’s SF-25
Another familiar face returning to FP1 is Arthur Leclerc, who will partner with his brother Charles Leclerc for Ferrari.
Leclerc currently competes in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and is Ferrari’s 2025 reserve driver.
Leclerc also filled in for FP1 last year in Abu Dhabi alongside his brother where together they became the first brothers to drive in an F1 session as teammates.
Aston Martin: Jack Crawford in Lance Stroll’s AMR25
The first driver stepping into the AMR25 this weekend is Jack Crawford. Sitting second in the F2 standings for 2025, Crawford is stepping in yet again for Aston Martin in FP1. He will be filling in for Stroll like he previously did in Mexico City.
In his last outing in the Aston Martin, Crawford came 19th overall, so hopefully Abu Dhabi will bring him a bit more luck.
Aston Martin: Cian Shields in Fernando Alonso’s AMR 25
Crawford isn’t the only rookie stepping into an Aston Martin this Friday. Cian Shields will be stepping into Fernando Alonso’s seat for his F1 weekend debut.
The young British driver completed his maiden F2 campaign this year after contesting in F3 and coming runner-up in the 2023 Euroformula Open Championship.
He took part in a private test earlier this season with Aston Martin and will look to showcase his skill on track at the first practice session in Abu Dhabi.
Racing Bulls: Ayumu Iwasa in Liam Lawson’s VCARB 02
Ayumu Iwasa will take part in FP1 in place of Liam Lawson after being crowned as the Super Formula Champion.
Iwasa won the 2020 French F4 Championship and also competed in F2 where he finished fourth in 2023.
Iwasa is the 2025 reserve driver for RB and will make another FP1 appearance for the team this weekend.
Alpine: Paul Aron in Pierre Gasly’s A525
Another rookie returning for an F1 weekend is Paul Aron in place of Pierre Gasly. Last year, the Estonian driver took part in a post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit and will now take part in FP1 a year later.
Most recently, Aron competed in F2 in 2024 for Hitech. He now serves as a test and reserve driver for Alpine and will have his fifth outing (third for Alpine) in FP1 at the final race weekend of 2025.
Williams: Luke Browning in Alex Albon’s FW47
Fourth in the F2 standings, Luke Browning has had an impressive season. Now, he will fill in for Alex Albon in his FW47.
Browning has been a member of the Williams Driver Academy for two years now, and has had several outings this season for the team. Let’s see what he can do in the car around Abu Dhabi.
Haas: Ryo Hirakawa in Esteban Ocon’s VF-25
Finally, Ryo Hirakawa returns to an F1 weekend for Haas. The accomplished driver has tons of experience in motorsport, being a two-time FIA World Endurance Champion as well as winning multiple other titles.
Earlier this year, Hirakawa took part in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix for Alpine before switching to a reserve driver for Haas. In Abu Dhabi, he will be making his third F1 appearance for the American outfit.
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