The curtain has all but fallen on the dramatic 2023 Formula 1 season, and as the sun dipped beneath the iconic Yas Marina circuit, the paddock buzzed with anticipation for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend. Free Practice 1 brought with it the unique flavour only seen at the season finale: intense title celebrations in the air, experimental set-ups on track, and a welcome opportunity for F1’s brightest rookies to show their mettle in front of enthralled team bosses. This opening session set the tone for an unforgettable close to a rollercoaster year.
With the championship fight already wrapped up, the spotlight was firmly on the teams’ final tweaks for next season, and on the range of test drivers eager to grab future opportunities. Teams must field a rookie at least twice a year in FP1, and Abu Dhabi—just like last season—was host to a flood of fresh faces. From Oliver Bearman climbing into the Ferrari, to Zak O’Sullivan in his Williams debut, the new guard took centre stage, raising questions about who will star in seasons to come.
Adding to the drama, Abu Dhabi’s unique circuit layout—balancing technical sectors, high-speed straights, and ever-shifting grip levels as the night falls—meant teams faced a challenge to collect meaningful data for both qualifying and the race itself. With conditions markedly different from the key evening sessions, every lap in FP1 was about adaptation and learning as much as outright pace. Veteran drivers were tasked with system and tyre tests, while rookies used the session as a job interview in front of a global audience.
It’s in these circumstances that the regular stalwarts—led by triple world champion Max Verstappen—took different approaches. Some, like Mercedes’ George Russell, focused on long runs and tyre degradation in anticipation of Sunday’s strategies, while others chased single-lap performance. Yet, it was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who ultimately ended the session on top, his SF-23 showing balance and pace that sent a clear message to rivals: the Scuderia wants to finish the season with pride intact.
Rookie performances gave fans plenty to discuss. While Bearman’s Ferrari appeared tricky in the hands of a relative newcomer, he matched the consistency expected of Maranello’s academy graduates. O’Sullivan quietly impressed with his adaptability, helping Williams collect vital data for its upward trajectory. Meanwhile, the likes of Jack Doohan (Alpine) and Frederik Vesti (Mercedes) reminded everyone why there’s so much hype around the next generation of Formula 1 hopefuls.
Outside the headline acts, several teams used the session to debut subtle upgrades or alternative aerodynamic components—testing ideas for the gruelling 2024 calendar. Aston Martin, under pressure after a fluctuating second half of the season, fielded Felipe Drugovich and focused on correlation data between their simulator and real-world performance. McLaren, too, calmly ran their rookie, giving executives food for thought as Lando Norris continues to lead the charge and Oscar Piastri’s star rises.
The session wasn’t without incident. Suddenly, several drivers found themselves grappling with the unique Yas Marina asphalt—its freshly resurfaced sections proving slippery under the Abu Dhabi sun. A handful of minor off-track excursions and a snap of oversteer here and there sparked lively radio chatter, but the rookies managed to keep their noses clean, a testament to the ever-growing depth in junior single-seater talent.
As the sun set and the day’s data was analysed, team engineers hunched over telemetry to decipher what lies ahead. FP1 in Abu Dhabi offered more than just an appetiser for the Grand Prix: it showcased F1’s relentless drive for progress, its commitment to nurturing rookie talent, and provided a tantalising hint that next season’s grid could welcome fresh faces pushing the established stars to new heights. As always, the fans—whether in the grandstands or glued to their screens worldwide—can expect another dazzling display of speed, skill, and strategic intrigue as the chequered flag for 2023 draws near.
