The 10 F1 teams must run a young driver in free practice at least twice during a season, the rule being applied for the first time this year.
But, while there are only 4 races left, many teams have not yet fulfilled their obligations. And remember that each holder must leave his place.
However, this will improve this weekend since during the United States Grand Prix, four young junior drivers will take to the track in Free 1.
Let’s take stock team by team:
– Red Bull Racing: Juri Vips drove at the Spanish Grand Prix, taking Sergio Perez’s RB18. They have yet to confirm their plans for the second run, but Liam Lawson is likely to be fielded in Verstappen’s F1 at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
– Mercedes F1: At the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard, Mercedes fielded its reserve driver Nyck de Vries in place of Lewis Hamilton. This one will join AlphaTauri for 2023. As a result, he might not get another chance in W13. Who will be mobilized and when?
– Ferrari: The Scuderia has yet to field a junior driver in one of its cars but Academy driver Robert Shwartzman (pictured) will make his debut at the Circuit of the Americas. He will ride under the Israeli flag, having been born in Tel Aviv, as a Russian driver who signed the FIA driver’s pledge form denouncing Russia’s military action in Ukraine. Shwartzman will have another opportunity later this season, at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
– McLaren F1: The team has announced its plans: it will run two young IndyCar stars who have done extensive testing in F1 with the MCL35M. Ganassi driver Alex Palou will benefit from his contract with the team as a test driver to drive in the United States, and Arrow McLaren SP driver Pato O’Ward will be in Abu Dhabi.
– Alpine F1: The Enstone team should have had at least one required session behind them at this stage, as Oscar Piastri was due to drive at Spa or Monza. However, the Aussie has signed with McLaren for 2023. As a result, Alpine has yet to announce its plans but Academy driver Jack Doohan is the obvious candidate to call.
– Alfa Romeo: Formula 2 driver Theo Pourchaire, who is part of the Sauber Academy, will drive for Alfa Romeo at the United States Grand Prix – and that’s Alfa’s obligations for 2022 fulfilled! Indeed, Guanyu Zhou, starter but rookie, counted for a rolling during the season opener in Bahrain. An unintended effect of the rule…
– AlphaTauri: Red Bull’s sister team have fielded Liam Lawson for the Belgian Grand Prix, and it’s likely he’ll get another chance before the end of the season. However, with the signing of Nyck De Vries for 2023, the Dutch driver could get the green light instead, if Mercedes allows him.
– Aston Martin F1: As a Mercedes customer, Aston Martin also opted for Nyck De Vries at the Italian Grand Prix which came in handy as he was called up to race for Williams the following morning. Felipe Drugovich, who has joined the brand new Aston Martin Driver Academy, will take part in EL1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
– Williams F1: Another Mercedes-powered team, another Nyck de Vries appearance! He raced the FW44 in E1 at the Spanish Grand Prix, and Williams will look to his own junior driver Logan Sargeant for his home race at the United States Grand Prix.
– Haas F1: While Pietro Fittipaldi took part in one Grand Prix, replacing Romain Grosjean at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, the longtime Haas junior remains eligible for these runs. As a result, he will drive in EL1 for the American team at the Grands Prix in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
