P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 rookies to have driven in FP1 this year ahead of Abu Dhabi GP
In the last month’s Mexican GP, several Formula 2 drivers participated in FP1 as F1 teams needed to meet the season’s requirements. Five drivers took part in the session, as per the FIA rules that a rookie driver must give up an FP1 outing for another rookie driver with no more than two Grand Prix starts. However, full-time F1 drivers who started as a rookie are exempt from this rule. Albeit, Red Bull is the only team to have not used a rookie in FP1 this season, but they will be using both slots in Abu Dhabi to maximise their performance. Mercedes used the first mandatory session in Mexico and placed Frederik Vesti in George Russell’s car, where he completed a low-speed testing programme. Ferrari reserve driver Robert Shwartzman drove Carlos Sainz’s car in FP1 for the Dutch GP and focused on testing aero balance solutions. Oscar Piastri has driven in all the races for McLaren, but there is still one drive left for him in FP1.
