As the curtains prepare to fall on another thrilling Formula 1 season, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina circuit promises not just a battle for ultimate supremacy but also a vital proving ground for the sport’s next generation of talent. In a key development leading up to the grand finale, Red Bull Racing has officially confirmed that young sensation Liam Lawson will step into Max Verstappen’s championship-winning car for the crucial first practice session on Friday. This high-profile opportunity is a direct result of the FIA’s regulations designed to foster emerging talent, requiring teams to field an ‘inexperienced driver’ in at least two practice sessions per season – one for each car.
The FIA’s progressive mandate ensures that aspiring drivers get invaluable track time in a contemporary F1 machine, a critical step on their journey towards a full-time Grand Prix seat. For Red Bull, this marks their second fulfillment of the regulation. Earlier in the season, Sergio Perez yielded his car during the Spanish Grand Prix’s first practice session, which saw Juri Vips take the wheel. However, Vips’ tenure as Red Bull’s test and reserve driver was unfortunately cut short the following month after an incident involving a racial slur during a live broadcast. This unfortunate turn of events opened the door for Liam Lawson, who was swiftly installed as Vips’ replacement in Red Bull’s coveted junior driver program.
Lawson’s journey to this moment has been carefully cultivated by Red Bull’s renowned driver development academy. He has already gained experience in two practice sessions with sister team AlphaTauri earlier this year, demonstrating his potential and adaptability within the F1 environment. While those previous outings were valuable, they did not see him cover the crucial 100-kilometer distance required to earn an FIA Superlicence point. This Abu Dhabi session, therefore, presents a dual opportunity: to further impress Red Bull’s hierarchy and to potentially inch closer to the coveted Superlicence, a prerequisite for racing in Formula 1. Beyond his FP1 duties, Lawson is also set to compete in the final round of the Formula 2 championship at the same circuit, where he currently holds a respectable seventh position in the standings, showcasing his versatility and dedication across different racing categories.
The Abu Dhabi weekend is set to be a hive of activity for emerging talent, with five other Formula 1 teams also lining up their junior drivers to meet the mandatory practice session requirements. This collective influx of fresh faces underscores the FIA’s commitment to creating pathways for the sport’s future stars. McLaren will introduce an exciting debutant in the form of Pato O’Ward, the charismatic IndyCar star, who will take the wheel of Lando Norris’s car. O’Ward’s highly anticipated F1 appearance comes after strong performances in American open-wheel racing, generating significant buzz among fans eager to see his potential translate to Grand Prix machinery.
Aston Martin will similarly welcome a fresh face, Felipe Drugovich, the reigning Formula 2 champion, into Lance Stroll’s cockpit. Drugovich’s F2 title win firmly established his credentials, and this F1 practice debut is a critical step in his ambition to secure a future F1 drive. Ferrari will entrust one of their academy talents, Robert Shwartzman, with Carlos Sainz Jnr’s car. Shwartzman has been a consistent presence in the Ferrari driver academy and has been patiently waiting for such opportunities to showcase his capabilities to the wider F1 paddock. Alpine will field Jack Doohan, another promising talent from the F2 grid and son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, in Fernando Alonso’s car, continuing his development within the Enstone-based outfit. Lastly, Haas will see the familiar face of Pietro Fittipaldi, who has previous F1 race experience, take over Mick Schumacher’s car, completing their mandated junior driver sessions for the year.
These sessions are far more than mere formalities. They provide invaluable data for teams, allowing them to assess potential future drivers against the backdrop of their established machinery and protocols. For the drivers, it’s a high-pressure audition, an opportunity to demonstrate raw speed, technical feedback, and their ability to integrate seamlessly into a top-tier racing environment. The experience gained, even over a single hour, is monumental, exposing them to the intricacies of F1 car setup, tire management, and working alongside a Grand Prix engineering team. The FIA Superlicence system, which these practice sessions contribute to, is a stringent points-based qualification designed to ensure that only the most skilled and prepared drivers reach the pinnacle of motorsport. Accumulating enough points, often through success in feeder series and significant F1 track time, is a critical hurdle for any aspiring F1 driver.
The significance of these junior driver sessions cannot be overstated. They are a crucial element in maintaining the health and longevity of Formula 1, ensuring a steady stream of highly competent and motivated talent. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, therefore, becomes a dual spectacle: a high-stakes season closer and a vibrant showcase for the future stars of Formula 1, all vying for their place in the limelight.
F1 teams’ mandatory junior driver practice schedules: A Season Overview
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of how each Formula 1 team fulfilled their obligation to run two junior drivers during practice sessions throughout the 2022 season, highlighting the diverse range of talents given a chance on the sport’s biggest stage.
| Team | Event | Driver | Event | Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes | French Grand Prix | Nyck de Vries | Mexican Grand Prix | Nyck de Vries |
| Red Bull | Spanish Grand Prix | Juri Vips | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Liam Lawson |
| Ferrari | United States Grand Prix | Robert Shwartzman | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Robert Shwartzman |
| McLaren | United States Grand Prix | Alex Palou | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Pato O’Ward |
| Alpine | Mexico City Grand Prix | Jack Doohan | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Jack Doohan |
| AlphaTauri | Belgian Grand Prix | Liam Lawson | Mexican Grand Prix | Liam Lawson |
| Aston Martin | Italian Grand Prix | Nyck de Vries | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Felipe Drugovich |
| Williams | Spanish Grand Prix | Nyck de Vries | United States Grand Prix | Logan Sargeant |
| Alfa Romeo | Bahrain Grand Prix | Zhou Guanyu | United States Grand Prix | Theo Pourchaire |
| Haas | Mexican Grand Prix | Pietro Fittipaldi | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Pietro Fittipaldi |
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