The six rookie drivers set to take part in FP1 at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend

Expect to see a handful of new names (and a very familiar one) on the timesheets during the first practice session for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as teams across the grid give young drivers a chance to make their mark on track.

All 20 F1 drivers are required to make way for a rookie – someone who has started no more than two Grands Prix – and miss out on a single practice session across the season, with Abu Dhabi representing their last chance to fulfil this obligation.

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As a result six drivers will sit out FP1 as racers from Formula 2 and the world of endurance get a shot around the Yas Marina Circuit on Friday.

Ryo Hirakawa – McLaren

At 30, Hirakawa is the oldest of the rookies taking part in FP1, and already has a comprehensive list of achievements alongside his role as one of McLaren’s reserve drivers for the 2024 season.

Hirakawa is part of their Development Programme and has most recently competed in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where in 2022 he claimed victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a team with Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley.

In October 2023 he tested a Formula 1 car for the first time, driving the 2021 spec MCL35 with fellow McLaren reserve driver Pato O’Ward, but this will be his debut appearance on track as he takes the wheel of Oscar Piastri’s car.

Sebastien Buemi, Ryo Hirakawa, Brendon Hartley and Kazuki Nakajima celebrate after winning Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race on June 12, 2022. - (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images) — Hirakawa (middle left) has made a name for himself in endurance racing

Arthur Leclerc – Ferrari

The younger brother of Ferrari star Charles Leclerc, the 24-year-old already has a wealth of experience from his time as the team’s development driver, a role which has allowed him to contribute to their performance with learnings from the simulator.

Leclerc has divided this season between working in Maranello and a stint in endurance racing, competing in the European Le Mans series. But in Abu Dhabi he will switch this out to drive alongside his brother, making history as the first sibling team mates in Formula 1 while Carlos Sainz watches from the garage.

Arthur Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari has a seat fitting in the garage during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 05, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) — The Leclerc brothers will drive together in a Formula 1 session for the first time

Isack Hadjar – Red Bull

This season’s champion Max Verstappen will step aside in FP1 for Hadjar, who is set to have a remarkably busy weekend – after an hour in the RB20, he will shift focus back to his main target of clinching victory in the Formula 2 championship, where he is just half a point off leader Gabriel Bortoleto.

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It will mark the 20-year-old’s second appearance in Formula 1 as he previously drove in FP1 at the British Grand Prix, finishing 1.8s behind pace-setter Lando Norris.

With a vacant seat at RB still seemingly up for grabs, this could be the perfect opportunity for Hadjar to demonstrate his potential even more than he already has.

Isack Hadjar, reserve driver for Visa Cash App RB, looks on in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 05, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) — Hadjar has two races left to secure victory in Formula 2

Felipe Drugovich – Aston Martin

Drugovich has been a key figure on Aston Martin’s driver roster ever since he won the Formula 2 title back in 2022, joining the then-newly established Driver Development Programme.

The Brazilian driver has previously driven in the 2023 pre-season test when Lance Stroll was forced to sit out with a cycling injury, and went on to make a significant impact this time last year in FP1 in Abu Dhabi by setting the second-fastest time of the session.

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With plenty of experience with Aston Martin already under his belt, his insights could be incredible useful to round off a challenging season for the team as Stroll once again temporarily relinquishes his seat.

Drugovich finished 18th in FP1 in Mexico

Ayumu Iwasa – RB

Like Hadjar, Iwasa is another figure within the Red Bull Junior Team and will take Yuki Tsunoda’s spot in FP1 around the Yas Marina Circuit.

After two strong seasons in Formula 2 that saw him claim five race victories, the 23-year-old moved back to Japan to compete in Super Formula this year, where he finished fifth in the standings.

This will be Iwasa’s second appearance at a Formula 1 race weekend after he drove Daniel Ricciardo’s RB at his home race, the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.

Ayumu Iwasa of Japan and Visa Cash App RB walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 05, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images) — This weekend will mark Iwasa's second FP1 outing

Luke Browning – Williams

Making his on-track debut is British driver Browning, who joined the Williams Driver Academy at the end of 2023 and will be driving Alex Albon’s car in Abu Dhabi.

At 22, he only recently made the step up to Formula 2 to compete in the final three rounds of the season after finishing third with Hitech Pulse-Eight in Formula 3 – he is also set to drive in the post-season young drivers’ test in the FW46.