Several rookies will drive in the Abu Dhabi FP1
The FIA requires each team to have a rookie drive in each car. Here is the list of drivers who will officiate during FP1 in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi will allow several rookies to take part in Formula 1. As required by the FIA regulations, teams are obliged to have at least one non-F1 category driver in each of their cars. The teams must do this every year during the FP1 sessions.
If some constructors have already fulfilled this obligation, other teams have preferred to wait until the last race of the season.
Two Red Bull entrusted
During FP1, the two Red Bull drivers will be observing the performances from the garage. In order to comply with the FIA rule, the team has decided to wait. The demanding schedule has caused the famous test session to be postponed. Mexico could have been chosen, but as it is Checo Perez’s home GP, Red Bull decided to wait a few more weeks.
The choices of the World Champion team for 2023 have fallen on Jake Dennis, the Formula E Champion of 2022/23, and Isack Hadjar, a French Formula 2 driver.
The British driver, who shined in electric racing, has been considered as the simulator driver for the company since 2019. Having obtained the necessary points for a Super License, he will be able to officiate in Saudi Arabia.
On Isack Hadjar’s side, this will be his second outing of the season in Formula 1. The Franco-Algerian had participated in Free Practice 1 with AlphaTauri in Mexico. He will have less pressure.
Haas renews trust in Bearman
After completing Free Practice 1 in Kevin Magnussen’s car, Oliver Bearman will be able to get back into an F1 cockpit for a few laps. As a driver from the Ferrari Academy, the British driver was able to benefit from the strong relationship between Scuderia Ferrari and Haas.
After showing some promising things in Mexico (15th fastest in FP1), he will carry out the tests in Nico Hülkenberg’s vehicle.
Finally an opportunity for Pourchaire
Théo Pourchaire will finally have the opportunity to take laps in a Formula 1 car. The Formula 2 Champion in 2023 was supposed to participate in Free Practice 1 in Mexico. However, after the Italian car detected hydraulic issues, he did not have the opportunity to go out.
Next year, Alfa Romeo has made the decision to extend the contracts of its two drivers. As a result, Théo Pourchaire will have to leave F2, with no available seat in his development team. With the very mixed results of the two Sauber drivers, the Frenchman will be able to demonstrate, with a good session, the logistical mistake of his managers.
A driver from the academy at Williams
The English team only needed to “loan” one of their cars during Free Practice 1. Logan Sargeant’s arrival in F1 allowed for the fulfillment of the agreement for one car. In Abu Dhabi, it will be Zak O’Sullivan who will operate in Alex Albon’s vehicle.
This is the British’s first outing in F1. The Vice-champion of F3 has also been promoted to F2 next season.
Pato O’Ward will be driving for McLaren
Just like Williams, McLaren benefits from the arrival of a rookie, as a regular driver at the beginning of the season, to only have a young and inexperienced driver behind the wheel. In Abu Dhabi, it will be Pato O’Ward who will take the MCL60 seat from Lando Norris. The Mexican athlete had already answered his team’s call for the Abu Dhabi FP1 in 2022.
After this race weekend, the Woking team has requested that Pato O’Ward participate in additional complementary tests aimed at rookies.
Alpine trusts its academy
Jack Doohan will race for Alpine in 2023. The young Australian had already taken part in Free Practice 1 during the weekend in Mexico in Pierre Gasly’s car. This time, he will be responsible for testing the initial setups for Esteban Ocon. Currently in Formula 2, he holds 4th place in the championship.
As Abu Dhabi is the ultimate race of the season, all teams must have had at least one rookie drive their car by the end of FP1. If not all teams have announced the presence of their drivers, those missing should answer.
