F1 considering rookie sprint race plan for post-season test in Abu Dhabi

Formula 1 is currently exploring the idea of ​​organising a rookie sprint race following the tyre test after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

A discussion has started at the latest meeting of the F1 Commission, with racing series bosses and team principals asking how they can give young drivers more opportunities on the track.

With testing of today’s cars so limited, executives feel novice drivers are not as well prepared as they once were when more miles were allowed.

As previously reported by Autosport, an idea to allow rookie wildcard entries into F1 races was rejected due to complications regarding car entries, as there is no room to allow third cars. It was also deemed illogical to replace current stars to make way for relatively unknown youngsters.

Another idea is to open more training sessions to rookies, but another proposal is also being considered: a post-season sprint race.

The idea is to organise a sprint with novice drivers after the one-day test, which takes place on the Tuesday after the season finale in Abu Dhabi in December.

Under current rules, teams must enter two cars in the Abu Dhabi test. One of the cars must be for novice drivers who have not yet competed in more than two Grands Prix, while the other is for a current driver to test next year’s rubber.

In preparation for the next meeting of the F1 Commission, which takes place next month, the sporting directors have been asked to consider whether the idea is feasible and how the regulatory framework can be adapted to accommodate it, as this would require a change to the sporting regulations.

Pato O’Ward, McLaren MCL60

Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

In his speech ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali explained that he believes the idea could be useful for the development of young driver talent.

“There is a project on the table, which is the possibility of organizing a sprint race for young drivers in Abu Dhabi,” he said.

“We are thinking about how we can give young people the opportunity to shine and gain experience during the Yas Marina test – not only by driving during the test, but also in a competitive context.

“It would definitely help with their training, aimed at preparing them for the next step. We will talk about it extensively at the end of September to understand the feasibility of this idea.”

Organising a sprint race after the Abu Dhabi test would be a huge logistical challenge for both the teams and the organisers, with factors such as timing systems, safety, officials and team personnel all having to be taken into account.

It is also unclear how such a sprint race would be broadcast on television: whether it would be sold to regular broadcasters or hosted on Formula 1’s own channels.

Should the rookie sprint race plan take off, it would provide an incentive for the rookie drivers who qualify and secure a seat for next year.

New Haas driver Oliver Bearman could be in contention, along with Alpine’s new signing Jack Doohan, as well as Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is likely to be George Russell’s team-mate.

It may be a step too far to get everything organized this year, but that doesn’t mean the idea can’t come back in 2025.

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

More sprints

Domenicali believes sprint races are a success for Formula 1 and has reiterated his belief that there should be more than six races per season in the future, but he believes this will not happen until 2026.

“There is a possibility to increase the number of weekends in the future, but not in 2025,” he said.

“We are seeing more and more interest, but of course we cannot imagine that a choice has been made like in MotoGP, where there is a sprint every weekend.

“I believe there is room to increase the number of sprints, and we will discuss it at the end of this year.”