A total of nine rookie drivers will be in action during Friday’s first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, Williams, Racing Bulls, Haas, Aston Martin and Alpine all making line-up changes for FP1.
Under F1’s regulations, every full-time driver is required to make way for a rookie – viewed as someone who has started no more than two Grands Prix – in two practice sessions across the 2025 season, an increase on the one mandated last year.
The Yas Marina Circuit has previously been a popular choice for these outings ahead of testing next week and as the final race weekend of the season, but who will be out on track this Friday?
Pato O’Ward – McLaren
McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward will again get behind the wheel for the second time this season.
The Mexican – who finished the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES as runner-up for Arrow McLaren at the end of the summer – has already driven the MCL39 at his home event in Mexico City, finishing the FP1 session 13th quickest.
The 26-year-old will face extra scrutiny on Friday, as he will be at the wheel of Oscar Piastri’s car, with the Australian set to fight for a maiden world title this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
Arthur Leclerc – Ferrari
Arthur Leclerc will once again join older brother Charles in Free Practice 1 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, taking the seat of Lewis Hamilton for the one-hour session.
The Leclerc siblings made Formula 1 history 12 months ago in the same session, which marked the first time two brothers competed together as team mates.
Arthur Leclerc will take over Hamilton’s SF-25 and fulfil Ferrari’s final mandated rookie driver session this year, the Monegasque having been the Scuderia’s Development Driver for the last two seasons.
Arvid Lindblad – Red Bull
Having been confirmed at Racing Bulls for the 2026 season, Arvid Lindblad will sample Formula 1 machinery one final time this season with Red Bull.
The British driver, who has taken two wins in Formula 2 this season and sits sixth in the standings ahead of the final round this weekend, has already driven the RB21 on two occasions.
The 18-year-old sampled the car at Silverstone and Mexico City, and will take over the departing Yuki Tsunoda’s car for the opening one-hour session again.
Luke Browning – Williams
Alex Albon is set to hand his Williams FW47 over to Luke Browning for the first practice session of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend.
This will be 23-year-old Browning’s fourth FP1 outing, the Briton having previously gotten behind the wheel in Bahrain and Mexico City earlier this year, as well as at the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Like Lindblad, Browning – a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy – is currently racing in Formula 2, where he holds P4 in the Drivers’ standings.
Ayumu Iwasa – Racing Bulls
Taking the place of Liam Lawson, Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa will step in at Racing Bulls.
Iwasa will make his fifth Free Practice 1 appearance, having driven for Red Bull in Bahrain and Racing Bulls in Mexico City earlier this year already – and twice for the Racing Bulls squad (in their RB guise) last year.
Iwasa competed in Japan’s Super Formula series this season, claiming the title after winning the final race of the season at Suzuka.
Ryo Hirakawa – Haas
At Haas, Esteban Ocon is sitting out FP1 while reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa makes his fifth practice outing of the season.
After starting the season as part of the Alpine stable – during which time he participated in first practice for the Enstone-based outfit at Suzuka – Hirakawa joined Haas in April.
Since then, the Japanese racer has gone on to make FP1 appearances for the American squad in Bahrain, Barcelona and Mexico City.
Jak Crawford – Aston Martin
Aston Martin Young Driver Jak Crawford will be in action for the team during Free Practice 1 again, having made his Formula 1 debut with the team earlier this season.
Crawford is set to drive Lance Stroll’s AMR25 again ahead of the final race of the season, having previously driven the Canadian’s car in Mexico City.
The American racer has clinched four wins so far during the 2025 Formula 2 campaign, putting him in second place in the Drivers’ Championship ahead of the final two races this weekend.
Cian Shields – Aston Martin
Cian Shields will make his Formula 1 debut in Free Practice 1 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Aston Martin.
The Scottish driver will take over Fernando Alonso’s car for the one-hour session on Friday, making Aston Martin the only team to field two rookies in Abu Dhabi.
Shields has raced in his maiden campaign of Formula 2 this term with AIX Racing, taking a best result of P12.
Paul Aron – Alpine
And finally, Paul Aron will be driving the Alpine A525 in first practice in Abu Dhabi.
The Estonian, who was third in the F2 championship last year, will take Pierre Gasly’s car again for the session.
It will be 21-year-old Aron’s fifth FP1 appearance of the year, after he drove for Sauber at Silverstone and the Hungaroring, and in Monza and Mexico City for Alpine.
