There's 10 rookie drivers heading out on track in the first practice session this weekend, some getting their first shot behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. Here is a look at who they will all be driving for this weekend, and what they're currently doing outside of Formula 1.
With new rules in place where each team has to run at least 2 FP1 sessions with rookie drivers in a season, a lot of the teams have left it until the last opportunity to give their lesser-F1 experienced drivers a test behind the wheel. This opportunity is great for drivers to build their reputation among the paddock, and develop their skills in Formula 1 and showcase their ability to the teams constantly scouting the driver market.
Jake Dennis
Red Bull
Currently racing in Formula E for Andretti, and off the backend of his 2023 Drivers World Championship, the Red Bull reserve driver sees his first official Formula 1 track action this weekend. The Brit has previously tested for the team as their development driver in closed track ventures.
Theo Pourchaire
Alfa Romeo
Pourchaire is currently leading the FIA Formula 2 Drivers' Championship, and in contention against Iwasa and Vesti to defend his lead. The pressure will be on for the French driver this weekend, but hopefully the excitement of a Formula 1 outing will help ease some of the pressure and develop his skills to defend the title. This will be his third outing in Formula 1.
Pato O'Ward
McLaren
Currently racing for McLaren in their IndyCar team, Pato O'Ward is aiming to develop his skills in Formula 1 ahead of him entering the reserve driver pool for the team in 2024. This will be his second outing for the team in an FP1 session.
Frederik Vesti
Mercedes
As one of the three drivers currently in contention for the Formula 2 Drivers Championship, Vesti will have a lot on his plate this weekend, running in FP1 for Mercedes as well. This will be the second outing in an official Formula 1 session for the Danish driver.
Robert Shwartzman
Ferrari
The Russian driver, currently racing under an Israeli license, currently bides his time as a Ferrari reserve driver. He is one of the more experienced Formula 1 rookie with 3 previous outings in an FP1 session with both Haas and Ferrari in the last few years.
Jack Doohan
Alpine
The Australian driver currently in the FIA Formula 2 series, joins Shwartzman being one of the more Formula 1 experienced of the rookies taking part in FP1 this weekend, with 3 previous sessions.
Zak O'Sullivan
Williams
The 18-year old Brit joined the Williams driver academy in 2022. He competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship this year, finishing 2nd in the Drivers' standings. He will race in Formula 2 next year with ART Grand Prix. As one of the least experienced rookies taking part this weekend, O'Sullivan hopes to awe those watching on. This will be his first experience in an official Formula 1 session.
Isack Hadjar
Red Bull
Hadjar will be the second driver running in FP1 for Red Bull this weekend in FP1, alongside Jake Dennis. It will be interesting to see how the two compare to one another as both have limited experience in modern Formula 1 cars. Isack has previously debuted in Mexico earlier this year so this won't be his first rodeo.
Felipe Drugovich
Aston Martin
As a current test and reserve driver for Aston Martin, Drugovich is well experienced working with the team and has had one FP1 session with them earlies this year at the Italian GP. Having won the 2022 Formula 2 Championship, he was unable to continue racing in the series, since then he has filled his time developing with Aston Martin, as well as one of McLaren's reserve drivers in 2023.
Oliver Bearman
Haas
The young British driver is currently 6th in the Formula 2 Championship this year, heading into the season finale he aims to maximise his outcome, still in contention for a jump up the standings this weekend. Bearman made his Formula 1 debut earlier this year in Mexico for Haas, and will continue his development with them under the Ferrari Driver Academy this weekend in Abu Dhabi in FP1.