Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri, and Others Announce Race Decision for Abu Dhabi GP

The last time fans witnessed such a major shake-up was at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where nine rookie drivers took part in FP1.

Similarly, FP1 at the season finale will become a high-pressure proving ground for rookies, offering valuable experience and global visibility on one of the biggest stages of the year at Yas Marina Circuit.

Which Rookies Will Replace the F1 Stars in Abu Dhabi GP FP1?

Amid the mounting pressure, Piastri will sit out the FP1 session, as IndyCar and McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward replaces him in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, other title contenders, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, will take part in the session.

While Hamilton's replacement for FP1 at the Abu Dhabi GP is not yet confirmed, Le Mans winner Antonio Fuoco stepped in for him at the Mexico City Grand Prix and could do the same at the Yas Marina Circuit.

List of drivers set to sit out FP1 in Abu Dhabi:

• Alpine: Pierre Gasly (replacement: F2 driver Paul Aron).
• Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso (replacement: F2 driver Cian Shields), Lance Stroll (replacement: F2 driver Jak Crawford).
• Scuderia Ferrari: Lewis Hamilton (replacement: TBD)
• Haas: Esteban Ocon (Replacement: Test and Reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa)
• Kick Sauber: NA
• McLaren: Oscar Piastri (Replacement: IndyCar and McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward)
• Mercedes: NA
• Racing Bulls: NA
• Red Bull Racing: Yuki Tsunoda (Replacement: F2 driver and 2026 F1 debutant Arvid Lindblad)
• Williams: Alex Albon (Replacement: F2 driver Luke Browning)

All the above-mentioned information was made public and confirmed by the respective teams' social media accounts and Formula 2 website announcements.

While the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offers a glimpse of F1's future by fulfilling a crucial FIA mandate, the 2025 World Drivers' Championship remains razor-thin. All eyes are on the season finale, as Norris, Verstappen, and Piastri gear up to battle it out at the Yas Marina Circuit.