There will be a true rookie parade at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix's first free practice session, where alongside Arthur Leclerc, five other debutants will don their overalls for the first time in a live Formula 1 race weekend.
This season, many teams left the compliance with regulations until the last minute, resulting in this unusually high number of first-time appearances. By the way, get used to it, as from 2025, this will also change, since due to stricter regulations, every team must provide 2 free practice sessions per driver for their rookie competitors, leading to more new faces during FP1 sessions on the tracks. And who will those be that we will see now?
Here is the list:
Red Bull Racing: In place of Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar
Scuderia Ferrari: In place of Carlos Sainz, Arthur Leclerc
McLaren: In place of Oscar Piastri, Ryō Hirakawa
Aston Martin: In place of Lance Stroll, Felipe Drugovich
Racing Bulls: In place of Yuki Tsunoda, Ayumu Iwasa
Williams: In place of Alexander Albon, Luke Browning
