Ferrari replaces Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

13:19, 03 Dec

Updated: 13:37, 03 Dec

3 Comments

byKada Sarkozi

Lewis Hamilton will not drive during the first free practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Ferrari confirms.

The seven-time world champion will not drive the SF-25 in FP1 of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Each year, a driver has to give up his car on two occasions to a driver with at most two Grands Prix under his belt.

Therefore, in Abu Dhabi, the British world champion will sit out FP1 for the second time in 2025. Charles' brother, Arthur Leclerc will drive the Briton's car.

Hamilton previously missed FP1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, while Charles Leclerc did not drive in Bahrain and Austria.

Hamilton driving the SF-25 in Qatar - Photo: Race Pictures

Hamilton will not be the only full-time driver not participating in the session. Oscar Piastri will be replaced by Pato O'Ward, while fellow world champion Fernando Alonso will hand his AMR25 over to Cian Shields.

Leclerc brothers to share the stage together once again

In 2024, the two brothers already completed an FP1 session together at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Arthur Leclerc said: "Charles and I are very happy to be driving again together in FP1. It’s very exciting to be in a car on the other side of the garage from him.

"From a technical point of view, driving the car on track is always useful for us drivers who mainly support the team with our work in the simulator back in Maranello. It helps us to give better feedback to the engineers."

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