Many rookies in action in America, these teams already comply with the new rule

Ferrari F1 Media

F1 News

18 October 2022 at 09:19
  • GPblog.com

This weekend, many tests for rookies are scheduled before the first free practice of the US Grand Prix. Find out who will be competing for which teams and which teams have already complied with this year's new rule here.

From 2022, Formula 1 teams are obliged to offer at least two first free practice sessions to a rookie. So this usually involves young talents who have the chance to get into an F1 car. Most teams have already complied with this rule once but will have to give up a second free practice.

Red Bull Racing

Juri Vips drove the first free practice for the Austrian racing stable in Spain, but the Estonian has not been closely involved with the F1 team since then following his racism riot. Liam Lawson was designated as the new reserve driver and the New Zealander is likely to take over one more practice from Max Verstappen in 2022.

Ferrari

Ferrari put a rookie in the car for the first time during the race weekend in America. Robert Shwartzman will be given a chance by Ferrari at the Circuit of the Americas and is likely to make another appearance in one of the other three Grands Prix.

Mercedes

Mercedes already used Nyck de Vries once as a rookie. The Dutchman replaced Lewis Hamilton during FP1 in France. George Russell will also have to relinquish his seat once more, but the question is whether De Vries will get the chance to do so again now that he is making the move to Red Bull.

Alpine

Alpine has yet to use a rookie in 2022. With Oscar Piastri as a reserve driver, the French racing stable had the ideal man to use for these sessions, but now that he is making the move to rival McLaren, Alpine is looking at other options. As an F2 driver, Jack Doohan seems the ideal candidate, but F3 champion and Alpine Junior, Victor Martins, could also be given a chance.

McLaren

McLaren would have liked to give Piastri a chance to get used to his new team's car beforehand, but Alpine will not release Piastri until legally required. McLaren does not have a junior programme but does have IndyCar drivers who count as rookies. Alex Palou will be in action during FP1 in America, and Patricio O'Ward will get the chance in Abu Dhabi.

Alfa Romeo

Theo Pourchaire will be in action during FP1 in Austin on behalf of Alfa Romeo. The Frenchman is a junior at the Sauber Academy and will become the F1 team's reserve driver in 2023. Alfa Romeo has not used a 'rookie' before and is likely to use Pourchaire again in 2022.

Aston Martin

Nyck de Vries drove a first free practice for the Aston Martin team in Italy. In Abu Dhabi, the team will give the chance to Felipe Drugovich. This season's F2 champion has been appointed as the British team's reserve driver in 2023.

Haas

Haas has yet to give a rookie a chance in 2022. As a reserve driver, Pietro Fittipaldi is the most logical driver to use for the American race stable. Giving a FP1 in America to the Brazilian does not seem obvious, as that is when Antonio Giovinazzi will be in action for the second time. However, with his years of F1 experience, he does not count as a rookie.

AlphaTauri

Liam Lawson already drove a first free practice for AlphaTauri in Belgium and it is expected that he will once again be in action for the team. The team would probably prefer De Vries in action, but the question is whether Mercedes will approve that early switch.

Williams

Williams already gave De Vries a free practice in Spain and is giving Logan Sargeant a chance in America. It is the American's chance to show he deserves a seat for 2023. He is considered the top favourite for the free seat at Williams.