Oscar Piastri faces a setback in his bid for the Formula 1 championship this weekend as he is one of several drivers who will miss the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. A rule introduced in 2025 requires nine drivers to sit out FP1.
The race at 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 the title, any errors could give his rivals an opportunity.
Due to the importance of the Abu Dhabi race, it is crucial for drivers to maximize their practice time. Nearly half of the grid will be absent from the first hour of running due to the rule that mandates teams to provide rookie drivers with opportunities.
Throughout the season, each team must give a rookie driver a chance in two free practice sessions per car, totaling four sessions per team. As some teams need to fulfill their rookie session quota, fresh faces will be seen in FP1 this weekend.
Piastri will be replaced by Pato O’Ward in the McLaren, while Lewis Hamilton will also miss the session as Arthur Leclerc takes his place at Ferrari. Several other drivers, including Arvid Lindblad, Ayumu Iwasa, and Ryo Hirakawa, will step in for their respective teams in FP1.
Fans of Formula 1 can enjoy live coverage of every practice, qualifying, and race with Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, saving £192. This deal also includes access to around 100 TV channels, as well as free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Mercedes and Sauber have already completed their required rookie practice sessions, allowing George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hulkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto to participate as usual.
Abu Dhabi is a popular location for rookie sessions, especially during the final weekend of the season. These sessions are vital for the development of young drivers, with many earning full-time seats based on their performance. Drivers like Antonelli and Oliver Bearman secured spots for the 2025 season after showcasing their skills in practice sessions last year.