High drama before the finale! Oscar Piastri will take on the season-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with one less hour of crucial track time than his main rivals—Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. And that’s because of a mandatory rule every F1 rookie must follow. But here’s where it gets complicated—and controversial.
McLaren has confirmed that Piastri will sit out the first practice session (FP1) at Yas Marina Circuit so that reserve driver Pato O’Ward can take the wheel of the MCL39. The decision isn’t optional. Each Formula 1 team is required by the FIA to run a rookie driver—defined as someone with no more than two race starts—in at least two FP1 sessions per car each season. That means four rookie sessions in total for a two-car team.
While championship leader Norris has already completed both of his obligatory sit-outs (in Austria and Mexico), Piastri has only missed one—at Monza. So his second and final FP1 absence had to happen in Abu Dhabi, whether he liked it or not.
A tough pill to swallow for Piastri, especially heading into the biggest race of his career. The Australian driver, in his second Formula 1 season, has been in contention for the world title for much of 2025. However, his mid-season dip in form opened the door for Norris and Verstappen to close the gap—completely transforming the championship picture.
Since the summer break, Verstappen has been back to his dominant ways, winning five of the last eight races, including a pivotal victory in Qatar thanks to a McLaren strategy error. That surge has set up a thrilling showdown: Norris leads the standings by 12 points over Verstappen, with Piastri 16 points off the top. Verstappen, chasing his fifth straight world championship, is the only one of the trio who has been here before.
So as the lights go out for the season finale, the margins couldn’t be slimmer—or the stakes higher. Can Piastri bounce back from this setback and deliver under pressure with less prep time? Or will that missing hour in FP1 prove decisive?
Meanwhile, McLaren’s decision offers a silver lining. It gives O’Ward, their long-term test and reserve driver, another opportunity to gain valuable F1 seat time. The Mexican IndyCar star has gradually adapted to Formula 1 machinery, saying he now has “a solid understanding of what the car likes.” He explained to McLaren’s media team that every F1 car demands a unique driving approach—different ways to bring the tires and setup into the right working window. Once those tendencies are understood, execution must become second nature—something hard to achieve when seat time is limited.
“The simulator helps,” O’Ward said, “but it can never replicate the sensations and instincts you get in a real F1 car. So I try to stop overthinking and just let my body do the remembering.”
As for McLaren, they’ll be hoping that O’Ward’s feedback adds tangible value heading into a weekend that could define their season—and possibly make or break a championship dream.
But here’s a thought that might split opinions: Should Formula 1 really force title contenders to give up valuable prep time at the most critical race of the year? Some argue rookie rules are key for development. Others call it poor timing and unfair to those chasing the crown.
What do you think—does the system need tweaking, or is this just part of F1’s brutal fairness? Share your take in the comments.
