Breaking: Max Verstappen replaced at Abu Dhabi GP as Red Bull hand car to…read more
Max Verstappen replaced at Abu Dhabi GP as Red Bull hand car to…read more
Red Bull Racing will replace Max Verstappen with rookie Isack Hadjar for the first practice session (FP1) at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking the final race weekend of the 2024 Formula One season. This decision comes as part of Formula One’s regulations requiring each team to allow a young driver to participate in at least one FP1 session during the season. With Abu Dhabi being the last opportunity for Red Bull to meet this obligation, Verstappen will relinquish his car for the session.
Hadjar, a promising talent in Red Bull’s junior program, previously took part in an FP1 session during the British Grand Prix earlier this year, stepping in for Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez. Until now, Verstappen had not yet fulfilled this requirement. However, with the 2024 season nearing its conclusion and the championship already decided, the Dutchman will finally step aside for the young driver to gain valuable experience.
The decision follows Verstappen’s triumph in securing his fourth consecutive World Drivers’ Championship. He clinched the title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend with a calculated fifth-place finish, extending his dominance in the sport. Verstappen’s primary rival this season, Lando Norris of McLaren, posed a significant challenge midway through the year, narrowing the points gap and briefly threatening Verstappen’s championship streak. However, Norris’s performance declined in recent races, allowing Verstappen to rebuild his lead.
Heading into the final two races, Verstappen holds an unassailable 63-point advantage, confirming his title victory before the season’s end. The penultimate race in Qatar this weekend, featuring a sprint format, leaves Abu Dhabi as the final event on the calendar where Red Bull can comply with the rookie FP1 requirement. According to RacingNews365, the team has confirmed that Hadjar will drive Verstappen’s car during the opening session at Yas Marina Circuit on December 8.
For Red Bull, this is an opportunity to evaluate Hadjar’s potential as part of their ongoing driver development program. The 27-year-old Verstappen, meanwhile, can focus on wrapping up another historic season, further solidifying his legacy in Formula One. With the championship settled, the final races will primarily offer teams and drivers a chance to test strategies, prepare for 2025, and fulfill regulatory requirements.
About The Author
