F1 News: 10 Rookie drivers to replace regulars in Abu Dhabi FP1
Nine of the 10 F1 teams have waited until the final round of the 2023 season at the Abu Dhabi GP to fulfil the mandatory rookie running in first practice.
Every team has to run a rookie in both of its cars in an FP1 session at some point during the year. Abu Dhabi is a good race to do it because 1) it hardly rains, and 2) the regular drivers are still suffering from jet lag after the Las Vegas GP.
Team |
Driver(s) Sitting Out FP1 |
Rookie Replacements |
Red Bull | Verstappen and Perez | Jake Dennis and Isack Hadjar |
Ferrari | Leclerc | Robert Shwartzman |
Mercedes | Hamilton | Frederick Vesti |
McLaren | Norris | Pato O’Ward |
Alpine | Ocon | Jack Doohan |
Alfa Romeo | Bottas | Theo Pourchaire |
Aston Martin | Stroll | Felipe Drugovich |
Haas | Hulkenberg | Ollie Bearman |
Williams | Sargeant | Zak O’Sullivan |