Ferrari confirms Lewis Hamilton won’t race in FP1 at Abu Dhabi – potential replacement revealed. Lewis Hamilton will not drive the Ferrari SF-25 in FP1 at the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP.

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will not participate in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi GP. Here’s why, and who could take the wheel of the SF-25 during the first free practice session of the final weekend of 2025.

As per FIA regulations, each full-time driver must, starting from this year, hand over their seat to a young driver with fewer than two races in Formula 1 twice per season. Earlier in the year, at the Bahrain GP, we saw Dino Beganovic, a Ferrari Driver Academy talent, replace Charles Leclerc in FP1. A similar situation occurred in Austria. Logically, Hamilton had to give up his seat in FP1 in Mexico. Now, the British driver will again make way for a rookie. Here’s who could be in line.

Fuoco, Leclerc, Beganovic or…?

For FP1 in Abu Dhabi, several drivers could take part. Antonio Fuoco, who drove the Ferrari in Mexico, is a strong candidate. The Italian driver works in the Maranello simulator during race weekends and is also a Ferrari test driver, often running TPCs – tests in a car at least two years old to maintain F1 feel in case of emergency replacement.

It’s unlikely that Arthur Leclerc, Charles’ younger brother, will return to an F1 car, but it’s not completely impossible. Last year, the Leclerc brothers both took part in FP1 at Abu Dhabi. Then there’s Dino Beganovic, who has already replaced Charles twice this year.

Finally, there’s the remote possibility of Formula 3 champion Rafael Camara making his debut in a Formula 1 car. Ferrari had also considered Leonardo Fornaroli, fresh off his Formula 2 title, but he chose to stay aside. Fred Vasseur explained: “Sure, there was interest, but we already have Rafael Camara, who won Formula 3 and next year will be in Formula 2. He will likely do some FP1 sessions with us and certainly some TPC tests. We also have Ollie Bearman. We don’t think it makes sense to have too many young drivers under contract with us.”

Whoever gets the nod, Abu Dhabi FP1 will offer one last development opportunity for Ferrari’s next generation before attention turns fully to the revolutionary 2026 car.