Max Verstappen, Formula 1’s reigning world champion, will be replaced at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a driver swap organized by Red Bull. This marks the end of a successful 2024 season for Verstappen, who secured his fourth world title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, despite a challenging year for his team. With Verstappen’s title already in hand, he can take a well-deserved break for the final two races of the season.
While Verstappen has consistently delivered impressive performances throughout the year, often outpacing competitors like McLaren’s Lando Norris, his teammate, Sergio Perez, has faced a more turbulent season. Perez has struggled with performance issues, especially in the past few races where he scored just eight points. This underwhelming form has fueled rumors that Perez might be replaced at Red Bull, with several junior drivers eager to take his seat.
Liam Lawson, one of Red Bull’s junior drivers, has been widely considered as a potential replacement for Perez. However, Isack Hadjar, another highly-rated Red Bull junior, will get his chance to prove himself in a Formula 1 setting at the Abu Dhabi GP. Hadjar will take over Verstappen’s car for the FP1 session, fulfilling the mandatory requirement for every team to provide an opportunity for junior drivers to participate in at least two Friday practice sessions during the season.
Hadjar, who is currently second in the F2 standings, will also be looking to demonstrate his talent and compete for the championship in the final round of the Formula 2 season at Lusail. Earlier this year, Hadjar had a brief test session for Red Bull at Silverstone, where he replaced Perez and finished 19th. The opportunity at the Abu Dhabi GP will be a critical moment for Hadjar as he aims to further his career in Formula 1. This swap and his upcoming performances may play a role in determining his future with Red Bull.
