P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Who thought there’d be appetite for a 25th F1 race, and in a midweek slot at that? But that proposal – which teams almost got over the line for 2024 – is far more significant than it first seems, as Scott Mitchell-Malm explains
The proposal for a post-season race just for rookie drivers in Formula 1 generated significant interest and support among teams and decision-makers. The idea aimed to provide a more relevant opportunity for young drivers compared to current evaluation methods like rookie tests and FP1 sessions. The plan included a sprint event for young drivers in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for December 10, 2025, after the season finale. The proposed event would have combined tyre testing with a sprint race under floodlights. While the concept was well-developed, ultimately, it had to be deferred and is not entirely canceled, leaving room for potential realization in the future.