As the 2024 Formula 1 season comes to a close with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a fresh wave of young talent is set to make their mark during the first practice session. In line with F1 regulations, each of the 20 regular drivers must step aside for a rookie driver in one practice session across the season, and Abu Dhabi offers the last opportunity to fulfill this obligation. As a result, several young drivers from various motorsport disciplines, including Formula 2 and endurance racing, will take to the Yas Marina Circuit, giving fans a glimpse of future stars.
The first of these rookies is Ryo Hirakawa, McLaren’s 30-year-old reserve driver, who brings a wealth of experience from the World Endurance Championship (WEC), including a 2022 Le Mans 24 Hours victory. Hirakawa will be making his Formula 1 debut, taking over Oscar Piastri’s car for the session. Despite being the oldest among the rookies, his endurance racing pedigree and time as a McLaren reserve driver position him as a promising talent.
Arthur Leclerc, the 24-year-old brother of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, will also make his F1 debut during this session. Having worked as Ferrari’s development driver, Leclerc has gained valuable experience with the team’s simulator and has raced in the European Le Mans Series. His participation will make history, as he becomes the first sibling pair to race together in F1, with Carlos Sainz sitting out for the session.
Isack Hadjar, a member of the Red Bull Junior Team, will step in for Max Verstappen. At just 20 years old, Hadjar has already impressed with his performances in Formula 2 and his debut F1 appearance at Silverstone. He is in the running for the F2 championship and will also be aiming to showcase his abilities during his second FP1 outing.
Aston Martin’s Felipe Drugovich, who won the F2 title in 2022, has experience driving for Aston Martin and previously posted a strong performance in the Abu Dhabi FP1 last year. He’ll take over Lance Stroll’s car for the session. Ayumu Iwasa, another Red Bull Junior Team driver, will replace Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri, while Luke Browning, making his F1 debut with Williams, has recently moved up from Formula 3 to Formula 2.
With this exciting mix of emerging talent, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix promises to provide a glimpse of the next generation of F1 drivers.
