P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A 2026 F1 rookie and a point-less F2 driver are among the nine FP1-only ‘rookies’ at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi GP
At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, nine FP1-only ‘rookies’ will participate, including a 2026 Formula 1 rookie and a Formula 2 driver without any points.
All teams are required to have a rookie driver with fewer than two grand prix starts in both practice sessions this season, resulting in all teams, except Mercedes and Sauber, fielding at least one rookie.
Among these rookies, Arvid Lindblad from 2026 Racing Bulls will take over Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull for the session.
Championship contender Oscar Piastri will miss FP1 as Pato O’Ward, an IndyCar race winner, gets his second practice outing of the year.
Notably, Aston Martin will run a fifth rookie session this year with F2 driver Cian Shields, alongside Jak Crawford, even though they’ve already met their rookie requirements.
The FP1 session will also feature the Leclerc brothers driving for Ferrari, with Arthur Leclerc joining Charles on track.
