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.
It brings an unusual end to a season Hamilton himself has described as the “worst-ever” of his illustrious career, with the seven-time world champion set to complete his debut campaign with the Scuderia without a single podium finish.
Under the 2025 sporting rules, every team must field a rookie, defined as a driver with no more than two grand prix starts, in four FP1 sessions across the year, double last season’s requirement.
Ferrari have used two of those slots already and are now obliged to remove a race driver from Friday’s programme.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Hamilton has been selected for the final handover, allowing the team to meet their quota ahead of the season’s close at Yas Marina.
Ferrari confirmed on Wednesday that 25-year-old Arthur Leclerc, who has served as a development driver for the past two seasons, will step into Hamilton’s car for the 60-minute session.
It marks his second FP1 outing for the team at the same circuit, a year after he and Charles made history as the first brothers to run together in an official Formula One session.
F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWS
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
|REUTERS
Last December, Leclerc finished 18th in FP1 before completing the young-driver test.
The timing of the announcement adds another unwelcome footnote to Hamilton’s difficult first chapter in red.
His campaign has unravelled since the summer, culminating in an eighth-place finish in Las Vegas - elevated only because both McLarens were disqualified for excessive plank wear - followed by 12th place in Qatar.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Arthur Leclerc is the younger brother of Ferrari star Charles Leclerc
|REUTERS
Abu Dhabi now offers one final opportunity to salvage something from a season in which little has gone to plan.
Leclerc’s FP1 appearance continues a year of transition within Ferrari’s development ranks.
He becomes the third rookie to drive in practice for the Scuderia this season after Dino Beganovic and Antonio Fuoco.
Across the grid, nine race drivers will hand over their cockpits during the session as teams rush to comply with the expanded rookie-participation rules.
Among the other high-profile absentees is title contender Oscar Piastri.
The Australian, who trails championship leader Lando Norris by 16 points heading into the finale, will sit out FP1 in favour of Pato O’Ward.
Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have struggled for form this year
|REUTERS
The widespread reshuffle means that Friday’s opening hour will bear little resemblance to the sessions that follow, with teams balancing championship priorities against mandated development obligations.
Meanwhile, Sunday's race promises to be a cracker.
As well as Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen are also fighting it out to become F1 champion.
Who ends up shining in the Middle East remains to be seen.