How a driver with zero Formula 2 points can still drive in Formula 1

Aston Martin announced this week that Shields will drive Fernando Alonso's AMR25 during the first free practice session of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Shields does not boast the best of records in Formula 2 and Formula 3 over the past two seasons. He is yet to score a point in either of the two categories. Shields' best result was at Imola during the Feature Race, where he finished 11th. He previously finished 13th in the GB3 standings back in 2022.

His AIX Racing teammate, Joshua Dürksen, has scored 72 points this year, won the Sprint in Australia, and finished on the podium on five other occasions.

Jak Crawford will drive the other Aston Martin car in Abu Dhabi. He is currently second in the F2 standings, with 170 points and four victories.

Aston Martin thinks Shields is well prepared for the session in Abu Dhabi. The 20-year-old drove over 500km at TPC events over the course of the season and did extensive development work in the simulator as well.

Currently, the rule to gain a super license to compete in a free practice session is not solely performance-based.

According to the rule book, drivers need to complete one of the following requirements to obtain a Free Practice Only Super Licence: complete six events in the Formula 2 championship, or score more than 25 points over the previous three-year period that could also include the current calendar year.

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