At the start of the 2024 season, no rookies were on the grid. All of the drivers had completed at least one season. But that has changed. With only 6 races to go, several rookies are now racing on the f1 grid. And now, the FIA is planning to introduce a Rookie Race after every season.
Oliver Bearman, 2025 HAAS driver, has raced in two Grand Prix while another F2 driver, Franco Collipinto, has replaced Logan Sargeant. Liam Lawson is joining us again as a replacement for Daniel Ricardo. With all the changes this year, we are getting ready for the rookies of 2025 to take over the grid.
Who Can Participate in F1’s Rookie Race?
Formula 1 classifies a rookie as a driver who has started two or fewer Grands Prix. To give rookies more time in F1 machinery, Formula 1 enacted a “rookie rule”. This is where each team has to use a rookie driver for at least one FP1 in a season. With this rule, we have seen drivers such as Liam Lawson, Kimi Antonelli and, Oliver Bearman race in F1 before gaining an actual seat. The drivers must be classified as rookies to be able to participate.
What is the format of the Rookie Race?
Red Bull Racing team principal, Christian Horner, has mentioned that the race would be similar to a sprint event. While nothing is confirmed about the race, he talked about it in Baku. Horner said, “The event will take place all in one day, so a qualifying then the equivalent of a sprint race”. The idea is that the rookie race would take over the young drivers’ post-season tests.
Where will the Rookie Race Take Place?
The rookie race is set to be at the very end of the season. The race will happen in Abu Dhabi. For most teams, The risks are too high to have a rookie in the car at the beginning of the season. That is why we see an influx of FP1 rookie practices in Mexico. Jack Doohan, who raced at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in 2023 said “Mexico is a perfect scenario for a team to put a young driver in” (Formula 1).
Doohan OK 💪 JD reflects on FP1 here in Mexico 🇲🇽#Alpine #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/aaEdL1c4Cf
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) October 27, 2023
Having the rookie race at the very end of the season allows the drivers to be in current F1 machinery. While teams are allowed the testing of previous cars (TPC), it costs a lot of money. Abu Dhabi allows both the drivers and the teams to collect as much current and usable data as possible as they are able to use regular racing tyres (compared to the demonstration tyre during TPC). Abu Dhabi is a low-stakes high-impact track to test the rookies on and makes the most sense.
When will the Race Take Place?
As of right now, there is no concrete date for the Rookie Race. While it was rumoured to be held at the end of the 2024 season, it was announced recently that it would not be happening. It has been decided that “due to timing and organisational constraints, the event would not take place in 2024, and discussions would continue to formulate a potential concept and plan for 2025″.
An earlier discussed Rookie Race at the end of the 2024 season has been cancelled.
Plans will now be targeting the 2025 season!
Read all about it on our website👇https://t.co/CnHS4CpHw5#F1 #Formula1
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) October 2, 2024
Even with a full year to plan, the rookie race remains a possibility, not a promise.
I love seeing rookies on the grid! Hope to see more
Next season looks promising already!! Can’t wait for it.