“The Australian will give the car to Pato O’Ward in the first practice”, — write: sport.ua
The McLaren driver will miss the first practice session as the team is scheduled to hold four rookie FP1s during the 2025 F1 season. A rookie is considered a rider who has held no more than two Grand Prix. Piastri has already lost his place once in Monza, while Norris missed his two sessions in Austria and Mexico.
Now, in the final weekend of the season, Piastri will have to give up the cockpit again – in Abu Dhabi in FP1 his MCL39 will be piloted by Indycar racer and long-time McLaren test driver Pato O’Ward.
Such a schedule is far from ideal for the Australian, who is fighting for his first title. Piastre held the lead for a long time, but a decline in form and a powerful drive by Norris turned the championship race around. Verstappen, in turn, won five out of eight Grands Prix after the summer break, also taking advantage of McLaren’s strategic mistake in Qatar.
In the end, the fight for the title will be decided in Abu Dhabi. Norris leads the standings, ahead of Verstappen by 12 points, and Piastri – by 16. The Dutchman is the only one of the three with championship experience and is fighting for the fifth crown in a row.
Piastri hopes that after 24 rounds of the season and at the familiar Yas Marina circuit, the loss of one hour of practice will not affect his preparation for the decisive Grand Prix.