Scuderia Ferrari has confirmed a dramatic driver change for the opening segment of the 2025 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi, with Lewis Hamilton set to be replaced by Arthur Leclerc – the younger brother of star driver Charles Leclerc.
Rookie Rules Force Hamilton's Temporary Exit
The seven-time world champion will sit out the first practice session (FP1) at the Yas Marina Circuit this Friday. This move is a direct result of the sport's updated regulations for 2025, which mandate that each team must run a rookie driver in at least four FP1 sessions across the season – double the previous requirement. A rookie is defined as a driver with two or fewer Grand Prix starts.
Arthur Leclerc, 24, steps into the cockpit to help Ferrari meet this obligation. He is the third rookie to drive for the team in FP1 this year, following outings for Dino Beganovic, 21, and Antonio Fuoco, 29.
A Season of Struggle for Hamilton and Ferrari
The session swap caps a profoundly difficult debut season at Maranello for Hamilton. The 40-year-old arrives at the final race without a single podium finish and languishes in sixth place in the drivers' championship, just two points ahead of Kimi Antonelli, the driver who replaced him at Mercedes.
His performance has sharply declined since his blockbuster move from the Silver Arrows, a far cry from his title duel with Max Verstappen at the same Abu Dhabi circuit four years ago. After qualifying last for the first time in his career in Las Vegas, Hamilton labelled his first Ferrari campaign the 'worst ever' and followed it with a P12 finish in Qatar last weekend.
With Charles Leclerc also failing to mount a sustained title challenge, Ferrari sits a disappointing fourth in the constructors' standings, behind McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull.
Leclerc Brothers Make History Again
Friday's session will offer a repeat of a unique piece of F1 history. The Leclerc siblings became the first two brothers to appear together as teammates during an official practice session last season, and they will recreate that all-Leclerc line-up this weekend.
Hamilton is far from alone in making way for a rookie in Abu Dhabi. A total of nine established drivers will step aside for the final FP1 of the year. The list includes:
- Oscar Piastri (replaced by Pato O'Ward at McLaren)
- Yuki Tsunoda (replaced by Arvid Lindblad at Red Bull)
- Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Alex Albon, and Liam Lawson.
The focus now turns to whether Hamilton can salvage some pride in his remaining sessions, while Arthur Leclerc seizes a precious opportunity to impress on the global stage.
