F1 Today | Rookies in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton Flies and Monza Stays

Who are the Rookies driving in FP1 at Abu Dhabi? 

While not every team has released who they are running during FP1 at Abu Dhabi, some have let the news slip. Aston Martin did not keep their secret long after the news of Jak Crawford driving for them came out a while ago. What is new is that Luke Browning will be testing for Williams in FP1. He will be driving Alex Albon's car and thus fulfilling their rookie requirements. Browning will be moving up to F1 next year, but this will be the first time he will drive an F1 car.

Albon is not the only driver stepping down for the practice session. Max Verstappen will also loan his car to Isack Hadjar. Hadjar is currently an F2 driver, but with the way things are at Red Bull Racing and VCARB, who knows what his future holds?

Ferraris and Fighter Jets 

 I'm not sure what's currently going on at Ferrari for their 2025 lineup to have both recently flown in a fighter jet, but whatever it is, keep it away from me. A few weeks ago, it was Charles Leclerc, and now it's Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton had the opportunity to pilot a plane through an opportunity that IWC Schaffhausen (who he is an ambassador for) gave him. It is also worth noting that Hamilton was working with a non-profit organisation fostering STEM education called Dibia DREAM. 

Monza extended its contract 

Speaking of Ferrari, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza circuit has agreed with Formula 1 to continue hosting the Italian Grand Prix. The new contract is valid until 2031. The race remains on the first weekend of September.