Verstappen and Perez will give up their places to two rookies during FP1 in Abu Dhabi
The FIA regulations require teams to run a rookie in each car during a FP1 session each season. Red Bull has decided to run Jake Dennis, Formula E champion, and Isack Hadjar, F2 driver.
Every season, teams are required to run a rookie in each car during an FP1 session. However, the delicate schedule has not provided the luxury of a varied choice for the teams. The Qatar, Austin, and Brazil Grand Prix are only sprint events, while circuits like Singapore are not suitable for rookies. The choice was therefore between Mexico and Abu Dhabi. However, the Austrian team chose the race in the Emirates to allow Sergio Perez to compete normally in front of his home crowd.
The privileged Formula E champion
Jake Dennis is the champion of the 2022/23 season in Formula E. After two victories and nine podiums, the driver obtained the necessary points for a F1 super license. The 28-year-old Brit is also the simulator driver for Red Bull since 2018. He notably completed tests in the RB14 in Spain and Hungary.
Jake Dennis has had several experiences in car racing. The current Andretti driver in Formula E won the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award in 2012. In 2015, he participated in the F3 championship where he finished third. In 2017, after a season in GP3, the current champion of Formula E ventured into GT racing for three years. Finally, he reclaimed his place in a single-seater during the 2020/21 season of Formula E.
A Frenchman in the RB19
The other choice of the team led by Christian Horner is Isack Hadjar. Initially, the 19-year-old French driver will participate in the free tests 1 this weekend, with AlphaTauri at the Mexican Grand Prix, before participating in another session with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi.
Currently, Isack Hadjar is in 14th place in the F2 championship standings. The French-Algerian also served as a reserve driver for Red Bull/AlphaTauri when Liam Lawson replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo in F1. In 2022, Isak Hadjar finished 3rd in Formula 3.
Initially, Red Bull had planned to enter Liam Lawson. However, the New Zealander participated in more than three races, thus losing his rookie status.
Note that AlphaTauri will not have any rookies driving as Liam Lawson and Nyck De Vries have already driven in this status this season in Grand Prix and therefore in free practice. The quota has therefore already been met.
