Formula 1 executives postpone the rookie race schedule
Formula 1 executives have delayed a plan to organize an end-of-season race for young drivers until at least 2025.
The concept, known as the “rookie race,” was to hold a sprint-style competition during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
To provide new drivers with a more favorable opportunity to prove they were qualified to compete in Formula One racing.
However, the F1 Commission determined at its meeting on Wednesday that additional time was required to make sure the plan functioned as best it could.
“While the proposal garnered significant approval, it was concluded that the event would not take place in 2024 owing to schedule and organizational restrictions.
Discussions will continue to establish a prospective concept and plan for 2025,” the Federal Insurance Administration stated in a statement.
The three organizations that make up the F1 Commission—teams, the regulatory body, the FIA.
And commercial rights holder Liberty Media—agreed that there was a sense the strategy was being hurried.
The workload placed on team members, who would already have completed the longest season in history. And their requirement to remain in Abu Dhabi following the final race for this new event were among the worries.
The decision also affects logistics related to freight and other matters, as well as how the event would be telecast and how to make it appealing to a wide range of viewers.
Although it is intended that the event will occur in 2025, there is no certainty that it will.
The race’s concept originated from a widespread worry that.
Due to testing restrictions imposed in recent years on the basis of cost.
Young drivers are not given enough opportunities to demonstrate their worth in Formula One machinery.
A junior driver race in modern cars held a few days after the season’s last grand prix would be a useful tool for teams to evaluate drivers’ skills.
The most recent proposal suggested that there should be a shorter qualifying session and race.
Like to those included in the schedule for “sprint” weekends.
It was decided to amend the 2026 regulations, which include significant modifications to the engines and chassis.
In order to improve the vehicles’ anticipated aerodynamic performance, among other topics covered at the F1 Commission.
This is the result of partnership efforts between the FIA and the teams.
And it comes after teams voiced fears that the 2026 cars will be too sluggish.
Furthermore, changes were reached to the financial and sporting regulations, with the latter “trying to provide a competitive balance between sporting fairness and financial sustainability” and the former “looking to simplify their structure.”
There were no specifics given.