Navigating the Unknown: Teams Grapple with the 2023 Rookie Rule Implementation
Aug.24 - How Formula 1 teams will handle a rule about using rookie drivers in practice sessions this season is unclear.
It is now known that, to comply with the regulations requiring every race driver on the grid to give up his car on an official Friday, Robert Shwartzman will take the wheel of Carlos Sainz's Ferrari at Zandvoort.
"We let our drivers decide for themselves when they want to take the break," said team boss Frederic Vasseur.
Frederik Vesti will be in action in a Mercedes in Mexico - and many insiders think that will also be the scene of a lot of other teams catching up with the rookie rule.
That's because there aren't a lot of other sensible opportunities for the teams to comply.
For instance, the alternative tyre allocation rule will again be in play in Monza, and there are three more sprint weekends to come - in Qatar, Austin and Brazil - where there is only a single practice session before qualifying.
Las Vegas, meanwhile, is a brand new street circuit for Formula 1, while the demanding Singapore layout is also regarded as inappropriate for the rookie outings.
That leaves only Suzuka and Abu Dhabi as other viable locations yet to be raced. It is believed Charles Leclerc, for instance, will give up his cockpit at the 2023 finale.
Ferrari, though, will not use its juniors Oliver Bearman or Leclerc's younger brother Arthur. "They should first concentrate on the end of the Formula 2 season," said Vasseur.
It is thought that one of them will be loaned to Ferrari-powered Haas for a rookie outing.
McLaren, AlphaTauri and Williams, however, have already partly complied with the rookie rule - by fielding rookies (Oscar Piastri, Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant) as race drivers this year.
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Firstly, their problem for not using the viable opportunities earlier in the season, i.e., immediately in Bahrain (other than AlphaTauri, Mclaren, & Williams by default, although the same should've also applied in Jeddah for them) as the track is permanent, FP1 is pretty useless for qualifying & race preparations + all regular drivers (except Stroll) had already driven a lot in testing, so no argument against using non-regulars already on the opening weekend, followed by Montmelo, Silverstone, & Hungaroring (ATA is a weak excuse because that doesn't really impact preparations versus normal).
From the remaining circuits, as stated in the article, temporary circuits are always unideal for taking away practice time for regular drivers, not to mention the LV circuit is also new for all.
Of course, the sprint format has its side effect.
However, the others are definitely viable options regardless of tyre stuff, or F2 as eligible drivers for the rule doesn't have to be from F2 specifically anyway & Suzuka's nature isn't any trickier than, for example, Spa's or Silverstone's in comparison, so I don't get this argument.
I can definitely also see Lawson driving RB19 & Iwasa AT04 on that circuit, with perhaps Hauger driving RB19 in the Mexico City GP equivalent session.
Anyway, Zandvoort, Monza, Suzuka, AHR, & YMC, the only remaining circuits that are not only permanent but also familiar to all or most regular drivers + feature the standard weekend format, are the ones where teams will have to fill their requirements or remaining requirement for the Mclaren-Williams-AT trio.
Hopefully, teams from next season, teams would again use viable opportunities throughout a season rather than leave everything until the post-summer break phase.
The Suzuka reference is about what Fred Vasseur said.
Stupid rule. I.E. why should a team like Haas with two confirmed geriatric 2024 pilots have to run a rookie? Friday practice should be open season for the teams testing qualified fresh blood. Maybe a team who is losing a driver at season end might want to run a half dozen candidates. Maybe a stable team might want to pass on the opportunity. Team decision. The only rule SB driver eligibility. Period.
I think its to do with points towards a super licence as well that they'll run a so called rookie
Shropp, I am at my wits end, what the hell has gone wrong with king George he might as well be driving for Williams if he can't do better or be closer to sir Lulu then he's not the driver I thought he was., is sir Lulu getting upgrades but not King George something is not right. 😜
I do agree, he seems to have gone very off the boil this season for sure, he should be very close to , or beating his sister
He's behind both Williams drivers at the moment, something is not ringing true to me, if things don't change then I would say that he's been told to back off, but then again I can't see king George being told what to do, fs George put your foot down or lose your faithful fans who deserve more from you. There that's said. 😜
C'mon, guys. I am NOT defending Lewie's personal habits, politics or anything else about who he has become. BUT, the fact is that Georgie Boy is currently being bettered by a a driver with superior race craft. The MB has become a bit more competitive and so the sir is motivated to perform. Sorry Donalf, RUS does not rate in the top 6 of current grid dwellers.
Im doing three things at once here lol and not very well but i think i heard Toto talking about updates after fp2, the interviewer was saying about King G struggling , but i didn't catch all of what Toto said about it , but i think the gist was he was struggling with the changes to the car Whether the changes were done to keep the Dam happy Again who knows "i think ", i do though remember how chco struggled i think at the beginning of the year with the car , whereas Max adapted quickly , who knows though
Poo! I don't believe that crap for for one minute I'm surprised at you Ror there's more to it I know there is if not I suggest he goes back to Williams, but shit, they won't want him because he's slower than them. Ughhh! What do i have to say sir Lulu finishes 4th in practice Russel"because he's not King anymore ends up in 14th or thereabouts surely with your experience should know that's not right... Norris topped it. 😌
Poo to me? Haven't had one of those in a while. :) Yes, I am biased. I've never rated RUS more than fastest of the middle group. As for NOR outperforming in the McL, he is one of the 6 best drivers on the grid. IMO, the sir simply wants another contract & lots of $$$ and so has upped his game. Doubtful that the totster told Georgie Boy to slow down. More likely the knight has seen the light. Personally, I would like to see MB give away 2d to Aston in the WCC.
See,, that telling off I gave king George yesterday has brought him back to life, 2nd place after MV, sir Lulu 5th, now I'm happy again. 😎
i missed Quali , but the bollocking i gave King G seems to have paid off lol
Well done Shropp, you see, you still got the touch. 😜