Hamilton replaced by Leclerc for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix practice
Ferrari have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will make way for Arthur Leclerc, the younger brother of his teammate Charles, during Friday’s opening practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in a move dictated not by Formula One’s rookie-driver regulations, reports BritPanorama.
This decision caps a challenging season for Hamilton, who has called it the “worst-ever” in his distinguished career. The seven-time world champion is set to conclude his debut campaign with Ferrari without achieving a single podium finish.
As per the 2025 sporting regulations, each team is required to field a rookie—defined as a driver with no more than two grand prix starts—in four FP1 sessions throughout the season, doubling the previous requirement. Ferrari has utilized two of these slots already, necessitating the removal of an established driver from Friday’s programme.
Selected for this final handover, Hamilton allows the team to fulfil its quota ahead of the season’s finale at Yas Marina. Ferrari officially announced that 25-year-old Arthur Leclerc, who has worked as a development driver for the last two seasons, will take over Hamilton’s car for the 60-minute session. This will be Leclerc’s second FP1 outing at the circuit, following an earlier appearance alongside his brother last year, marking the first time siblings have raced together in an official Formula One session.
The timing of this announcement adds yet another unwelcome chapter to Hamilton’s tumultuous first season with Ferrari. His performances have declined since the summer, highlighted by an eighth-place finish in Las Vegas—only elevated due to disqualifications of both McLarens—and a 12th-place finish in Qatar.
Abu Dhabi now presents a last chance for Hamilton to salvage something from a season characterized by setbacks. Leclerc’s participation continues Ferrari’s drive to integrate young talent into its ranks, making him the third rookie to take the wheel during practice this year, following Dino Beganovic and Antonio Fuoco.
In total, across the grid, nine race drivers will hand over their cockpits during the session as teams comply with the expanded rookie-driver regulations. Among those missing is title contender Oscar Piastri, who sits out FP1 to allow Pato O’Ward to gain valuable experience.
The reshuffling means that Friday’s opening hour is likely to differ significantly from subsequent sessions, with teams balancing their championship commitments against mandated developmental duties. As energy builds for the final race of the season, the anticipation is palpable in the paddock.
As the competition tightens in the Middle East, the outcome is unpredictable—an exhilarating reminder of how swiftly fortunes can change in Formula One.
