Which teams still have to run rookies in EL1?

The first half of the calendar has just ended this Sunday July 31 at the Hungaroring. With 13 rounds completed out of the 22 on the program, some teams have already taken the opportunity to make substitutions during the first free practice sessions. Since this year, each team is obliged to have young drivers participate in at least two test sessions. To be considered “young drivers”, the rookie must not have participated in more than two World Championship races. F1 during his career. So to enlighten you, here is a summary of the progress of the teams in the face of this new rule.

Mercedes: Hamilton has already left his place

The world champion team has several options to replace George Russell and Lewis Hamilton time for a free practice session. At the French Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion agreed to watch the 20 cars from the pit lane. This is Nyck de Vries who therefore found himself behind the wheel of the W13 at Le Castellet.

The German team must still find another niche for these young drivers. If the Dutchman can very well be called to the wheel of a Silver Arrow again, Frederik Vesti can also claim this seat. The Danish driver is currently 6th in Formula 2 with ART Grand Prix for its first year in this championship. 

Red Bull: Jüri Vips before his dismissal

On a track that the teams know by heart, the Austrian team decided to give Jüri Vips his chance in Barcelona. Sergio Pérez had left him his seat in Spain. But the Estonian will not do a second session with Red Bull. After his controversial release on Twitch, the Estonian was officially fired from Red Bull Junior Team last June.

It is therefore another driver under contract with the Austrian team who will take the place of Jüri Vips. There are several coveting this seat between the rookie Dennis Hauger and the two other Formula 2 drivers, Liam Lawson and Jehan Daruvala. However, it is unlikely to see the New Zealander with Red Bull given that he already has a session scheduled at Alpha Tauri. Unless the bull brand decides to load up its schedule for the second half of the season. 

Ferrari: Shwartzman will drive

For the prancing horse brand, nothing has changed since the start of the season. Carlos Sainz et Charles Leclerc have taken part in EL1 since the start of the season. Ferrari must therefore still plan two test sessions for one of its young drivers. With Antonio Giovinazzi and Mick Schumacher in the role of reserve driver, the Italian team will have to turn to its test drivers. The Russian, Robert Shwartzman, who operates under an Israeli license, meets the criteria and will make his debut at the wheel of the F1-75. Indeed, Laurent Mekies confirmed in Hungary that the former Formula 2 driver would take part in both sessions. 

All that remains is to find him a date. “ You wouldn't choose races like Singapore or races where drivers need more laps. I don't think we'll have a problem doing it during one of the weekends where we have Pirelli testing », Estimates the French leader. Robert Shwartzman could then very well make his debut during the European or American tour. 

Alpine : Piastri should start soon

At Alpine, Oscar piastri is the natural candidate for these two free practice sessions. After winning the Formula 2 championship, the Australian must be champing at the bit this season with the French team as a reserve driver. If he runs on the A521, the Australian will take his first real steps in Formula 1 at Spa-Francorchamps or Monza. 

Unless the recent transfer window announcements push Alpine to review their plans and offer the opportunity to ride to another talent from his academy. In Formula 2, Jack Doohan and Olli Caldwell could therefore take the Australian's place.

McLaren: The temptation of Indycar drivers

As for Ferrari and Alpine, McLaren has not yet completed any of its obligatory sessions with young drivers. But the team based in Woking will certainly take advantage of the American tour to run one of its many drivers entered in Indycar. For the moment, Pato O'Ward and Colton Herta seem in pole position to make their first runs in Formula 1. If the Mexican had participated last season in a test in Abu Dhabi with McLaren, the American pilot was in Portimão last month to pilot the MCL35. 

Alfa Romeo: The Théo Pourchaire puzzle 

To Alfa Romeo, there is no suspense. It is Théo Pourchaire who will fulfill this task during a free practice session. Now all that remains is to find out which one. Between the Formula 2 calendar and the return of Formula 1 to Japan and Singapore, it is difficult for the Swiss team to know when it will offer its first test to the Habs. 

The Frenchman will certainly have to wait until the start of the American tour to make his debut. “ Mexico could work, Austin could work. But Pirelli will have to do the tire tests. And I think it will also depend on the weather », recalls Frédéric Vasseur, the main team.

Alfa Romeo has a different situation from those of the other teams on the grid. The first practice session Guanyu-Zhou in Bahrain was included in one of the two sessions “ young pilots ».

Haas: Double ration for Shwartzman?

Within the American team, the natural candidate for this test reserved for a rookie is called Pietro Fittipaldi. The Brazilian occupies the role of reserve driver this season at Haas and should therefore take part in a free practice session. But Robert Shwartzman could also drive the VF-22. The Russian driver already took part in the Rookies Test at the end of last year in Abu Dhabi. 

AlphaTauri: Liam Lawson will start in Belgium

If Jüri Vips were to make his debut with Red Bull this year, for sister team AlphaTauri, it is Liam Lawson who will board the ATO3. The New Zealand driver, engaged in his second season in Formula 2, will discover Formula 1 in Belgium. “ We plan to run Liam Lawson in FP1 at Spa », explained Franz Tost in Hungary. The Red Bull Junior Team driver will have to do another session in addition to Belgium for AlphaTauri to comply with this new rule introduced this year. Unless Liam Lawson is replaced by Jehan Daruvala to perform this second test. 

Aston Martin: Nothing on the program

To Aston Martin, it's a bit vague. Many drivers can claim to occupy the seat of Sebastian Vettel or Lance stroll during a free practice session. By not having a young driver academy in Formula 1, the British team would then have to turn to its test drivers. Nick Yelloly should therefore drive the AMR22 after having participated in 2019 and 2021 in the young driver test with Racing Point then Aston Martin. In any case, Mike Krack will have to find someone available for two dates before the last round of the championship. 

Williams: Everything is settled

For the last team in the constructors' championship, the two sessions have already been scheduled on the calendar. If Nyck De Vries had the opportunity to replace Alexander Albon at Barcelona is Logan sargeant who will replace Nicholas latifi in Austin. In front of his home crowd, the American will be able to make his debut in Formula 1 after his impressive first half of the season in Formula 2.

The rookie caught the eyes of Sven Smeets, the sporting director of Williams : " Logan has demonstrated a great level of ability and maturity so far this season through his accomplishments on and off the track. He delivered performances that allowed him to win races in Formula 2, while working hard during the simulation sessions. It seemed only right to reward these achievements by giving him the opportunity to participate in a free practice session in Austin. »

ALSO READ > Alonso's departure, Piastri's refusal: what can be done Alpine ?