A. Leclerc, Hirakawa, Hadjar... The list of rookies driving in FP1 in Abu Dhabi

Since the 2022 season, the regulations require teams to have rookies participate in at least two official free practice sessions during the year. A rookie is defined as a driver who has not participated in more than two Formula 1 Grand Prix races in their career.

For the final Grand Prix of the 2024 season, which will take place in Abu Dhabi, no less than seven teams will call upon as many rookies to comply with this regulation. And all of them have different backgrounds and profiles.

At Ferrari and on the side of Monaco, there will be a lot of emotion and pride as Arthur Leclerc will be associated with his brother Charles. Committed to ELMS with Panis Racing, Arthur Leclerc is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and participates in sessions in Maranello's simulator. He also recently took the wheel of the Ferrari 499P competing in the WEC and the two-time defending champion of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

McLaren will also give a chance to a driver competing in an Endurance championship. And not just any driver since it is Ryo Hirakawa, winner of the 2022 24 Hours of Le Mans and double world champion in WEC in 2022 and 2023 with Toyota. The Japanese driver will get behind the wheel of Lando Norris's car.

At Aston Martin, reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will take the wheel of the AMR24. The Brazilian already knows this single-seater as he drove it during the FP1 in Mexico at the end of October. In Abu Dhabi, he will take Lance Stroll's place alongside Fernando Alonso.

Alpine is a special case. After the Qatar Grand Prix, the Franco-British team simply decided to part ways with Esteban Ocon one race before the end of the season. So it's as a full-time driver that Jack Doohan will make his racing debut this weekend. The Australian has already driven this year in FP1 in Canada and Silverstone.

All French fans and all Red Bull leaders will have their eyes on Isack Hadjar on Friday. Always fighting for the Formula 2 title, Hadjar will take the wheel of the single-seater with which Max Verstappen became world champion for the fourth time. A real test for the Frenchman whose name is coming up insistently for a starting spot at Racing Bulls in 2025.

At Racing Bulls, Ayumu Iwasa will take the wheel of the VCARB 01 for the second time this year, after Suzuka last April. The current member of Team Mugen in the Super Formula will replace his compatriot Yuki Tsunoda for one session at the Yas Marina circuit.

Last team to field a rookie at Abu Dhabi, Williams. Less known than the previously mentioned names, Luke Browning will make up the least experienced duo on the grid during FP1 with Franco Colapinto. A member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy, the British driver finished third in the F3 championship this year before finishing the season in F2. He will also take part in the young driver test scheduled for the week following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

List of rookies on track during FP1 in Abu Dhabi