Formula 1 title contender Oscar Piastri will not compete in the first free practice session in Abu Dhabi on Friday (12/5), the final stage of the championship this season. The Australian makes way for Mexican Pato Oward, who drives the McLaren team in the IndyCar Series.
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Pato Aouard will replace Piastri in the first practice session in Abu Dhabi.
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Oscar Piastri takes third place in the Formula 1 season
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Piastri is competing for the world title
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O’Ward’s selection into the McLaren cockpit at Yas Marina Circuit comes as the team needs to comply with the requirements of the International Automobile Federation (FIA). All manufacturers must put a rookie through the first free practice session over at least two stages in each of the two cars.
Lando Norris did not drive in the first FP1 in Austria and Mexico due to this rule, just as Oscar Piastri was ruled out of practice in Italy.
The Piatri-for-O’Ward swap comes on a crucial weekend for the Australian. He arrives in Abu Dhabi in third place in the championship with 392 points, four points behind Max Verstappen and 16 behind leader Lando Norris. Even far away, he can still become a champion, but it depends on a specific set of results.
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With the World Cup final on the line, missing the first training session brings additional risk for Piastri. The driver starts the weekend with less time on the track, which could complicate his preparation for qualifying practice, which is crucial to performance in Sunday’s race (7/12).