Meet the Future of Formula One

The FIA introduced a new rule last year that makes it mandatory for each team to use a rookie driver at least twice each year during FP1. As most teams have not yet used their second rookie, there is an array of rookies that will be featured in this weekend’s FP1. Although none of the racers will be joining the F1 grid in 2024, they are still the future of the sport so let’s meet them!

Jake Dennis

Red Bull racing F1 Sim and Development driver Jake Dennis will drive the RB19 round the Abu Dhabi circuit on Friday afternoon. The 28 year old British driver currently competes in Formula E where he drives for Andretti and is the current reigning champion. He finished the championship 30 points ahead of second place driver, Nick Cassidy to finish top place.

Starting his racing career in 2007, Dennis went on to win multiple karting championships. He then joined singled seated racing in 2011 winning the InterSteps championship in his first season. After much success he joined the Formular 3 series in 2014 finishing third in the year following his rookie season. His journey continued competing in the GP3 series where he was victorious at Monza and Sepang in 2016. Dennis competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship, taking part in the 24 hour famous Le Mans race. Since then, Dennis has undoubtedly demonstrated his talent repeatedly, now being one of the star drivers competing in Formula E. During his first season at Formula E, Dennis had an exceptional season but due to a glitch was denied the championship and came third. This season ended in a much better way for him seeing the Brit win the championship in the penultimate race of the season in front of his home fans.

Isack Hadjar

Red Bull Racing Junior driver Isack Hadjar will take the other seat of Red Bull’s RB19 in this weekend’s FP1. The 19 year old will experience the F1 format for the second time this weekend having driven for AlphaTauri in Mexico.

Isack is no stranger to racing currently competing in F2 championships for Hitech Pulse-Eight, where he currently sits 14th in the Formula 2 driver’s standings. Last season, Hadjar competed in the FIA Formula 3 championship again racing for Hitech where he finished fourth place earning the promotion.

Robert Shwartzman

Ferrari reserve driver Robert Swartzman will take Charles Leclerc’s seat in the SF-23. The Israeli driver has also previously appeared in formula one for an FP1 session replacing Carlos Sainz in Zandvoort. He also appeared at the US and Abu Dhabi races in 2022.

The last competition Schwartzman competed in was the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup. The 24 year old worked his way up from Formula 3 European Championship in 2018 before progressing to Formula 3 Championship in 2019 where he was the champion. In 2021 He competed in the formula 2 championship where he finished second behind Oscar Piastri.

Frederik Vesti

The Mercedes AMG F1 junior racer will take Lewis Hamilton’s spot in the W14 on Friday afternoon. This will be the second time Vesti will drive the Mercedes car having taken George Russel’s spot at the Mexico Grand Prix.

The Danish driver currently competes in the Formula 2 championship where he sits second in the drivers standings driving for Prema. Prior to this, Vesti competed in the Formula Ford Denmark in 2016 where he was vice champion in the following season. In 2019, he became champion of the Formula Regional European Championship, he then earned back to back promotions from Formula 3 to Formula 2 and was rewarded with the Mercedes junior driver title.

Pato O’Ward

The McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, will take Lando Norris’ seat in this weekend’s FP1 session.

The 24 year old is no stranger to the Papaya of McLaren having raced for them since 2018 in the IndyCar series. In this seasons championship Pato finished fourth, with his highest finish coming in 2021 where he finished third.

Jack Doohan

Alpine reserve driver Jack Doohan will have his second experience in the Alpine F1 car in Abu Dhabi this weekend. The 20 year old also drove the Alpine in Mexico FP1 last month.

The Australian currently races in Formula 2 with Invicta Virtuosi Racing and sits fourth in the driver standings. Prior to this, in 2021 he was vice champion of Formula 3 and a member of the Red Bull Junior Team.

Theo Pourchaire

The Sauber Academy driver Theo Pourchaire will take the seat of the Alfa Romeo C43 F1 car on Friday afternoon. Pourchaire also featured in the Alfa Romeo during the Mexico Grand Prix though his time was cut short due to reliability issues. The Frenchman also appeared in practice sessions for Alfa Romeo last year so is no stranger to the car.

The 20 year old currently sits first in the Formula 2 Championship and will be hoping to secure a final victory in the final F2 race this weekend. He recently became both Formula 2 and Formula 3 youngest race winner whilst coming second in the F2 Championship last year.

Felipe Drugovich

The newly announced Aston Martin test and reserve driver Felipe Drugovich will take the seat of the Aston Martin AMR23 in Abu Dhabi.

The 23 year old won the 2022 Formula 2 championship driving for MP Motorsport registering 5 wins and 11 podiums. In 2019, Drugovich joined Formula 3 racing alongside Logan Seargant in a season where he finished 16th. The following year, he got promoted to Formula 2 where he spent the last 3 years.

Oliver Bearman

The Ferrari Junior Academy driver Oliver Bearman will drive for Haas in Friday’s FP1.

At just 18 years old, Bearman is competing in the Formula 2 Championship for Prema where he is currently 6th in the driver’s standings. Prior to this, he was the 2021 Italian and ADAC Formula 4 Champion. In 2022, the young British driver finished third in the Formula 3 championship where he was just seven points off the top place. Bearman is Britain’s next hope of a F1 driver, so be sure to keep a look out for him!

Zak O’Sullivan

The Williams Racing Academy driver is set to take Alex Albon’s seat in the FW45.

The 18 year finished runner-up in Formula 3 this year and has been rewarded a seat at ART Grand Prix to compete in the Formula 2 Championship in 2024. His Vice championship came with Prema Racing having spent his previous season in F3 with Carlin.