The idea of organizing a sprint race for rookies after the season finale, which will be held on December 8 in Abu Dhabi, is reportedly close to being officially confirmed, according to Motorsport.com. The pre-season tests will be transformed into a full race weekend, allowing the new rookies to get more familiar with their cars and immerse themselves in the Formula 1 environment.
The proposal emerged during a meeting of the F1 Commission, receiving widespread support. It was decided to present it to the sporting directors to evaluate its feasibility in regulatory terms. Recently, during a meeting of the Sporting Advisory Committee, the regulatory implications were analyzed, and it was concluded that the initiative is feasible and the project can move forward. On October 2, the F1 Commission will meet for the official vote, almost certainly giving its approval.
Among the strong supporters of the project is Christian Horner, who stated: “This is something I presented at the last two Formula 1 Commissions because I think it’s great for young drivers. I think the problem with some of the rookie tests is that they’re all used for testing. You never know, are they running with 50 kilos, 70 kilos, 30 kilos of fuel? What engine mode are they using? You don’t know how the competitors are doing. So, I think this is a non-championship race for junior drivers but a fantastic opportunity for growth,” he concluded.
Details around the event are still scarce: it will likely be held on December 10 at the Yas Marina Circuit, where the season’s final race will take place on Sunday. There will be a short qualifying session followed by the sprint race with 10 rookies, including familiar faces set to debut next season, such as Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
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