Lewis Hamilton will be replaced by Ferrari junior driver Arthur Leclerc for the first practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion is stepping aside to allow the younger Leclerc, brother of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, to gain experience in a Formula 1 car.
The decision is part of a requirement for teams to run a rookie driver in two FP1 sessions per season. Ferrari has chosen Arthur Leclerc, who is currently competing in Formula 2, to take Hamilton's place for the session at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Hamilton, who is leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025, will return to the cockpit for FP2 later that day. The move gives Leclerc a valuable opportunity to drive the Mercedes W15, which is Hamilton's current car.
Arthur Leclerc has previously tested for Ferrari in 2023 and has been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy since 2020. The 23-year-old Monegasque driver will be making his first official FP1 appearance in Formula 1.
