Ferrari have officially announced a change to their driver lineup for the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, bringing further attention to what has been a difficult year for the team. As the 2025 Formula 1 season heads into its concluding weekend at Yas Marina, the focus is not only on the championship battle but also on Ferrari’s decision to bench Lewis Hamilton for FP1.
The title fight remains intense, with Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri still mathematically able to claim the championship. Norris holds a 12-point lead over Verstappen, while Piastri sits 16 points behind his McLaren teammate. For Norris, securing a podium would seal his first world championship, though both chasers are poised to capitalise on any slip.
Hamilton, meanwhile, has endured a frustrating debut season with Ferrari, failing to reach the podium and suffering consecutive Q1 eliminations in Las Vegas and Qatar. With Ferrari yet to meet the requirement of running a rookie in a first practice session, the team has opted to place him on the sidelines for FP1 in Abu Dhabi.
Taking Hamilton’s place will be Arthur Leclerc, younger brother of Charles Leclerc. Arthur expressed excitement at the opportunity to drive alongside Charles, noting that real track time is invaluable for a driver who typically contributes through simulator work at Maranello. The session offers him a rare chance to gather data and provide more informed feedback to Ferrari’s engineers.
Team principal Fred Vasseur emphasised the importance of finishing the long season strongly, stating that Ferrari will push until the final lap of the finale. Several other teams, including McLaren, Aston Martin, Red Bull and Williams, have also opted for FP1 driver changes as the grid prepares for the closing chapter of the 2025 campaign.
About the Author
