Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto, from the Audi team, will not participate in the first free practice session for the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, scheduled for Friday (26), at 8:30 am (Brasília time). He will be replaced in the session by Paul Aron, from Estonia, who is currently a reserve driver for Alpine and was loaned to the German team for this activity.
However, the measure is a common practice within the category, and Bortoleto is confirmed for the following stages on the track. The Brazilian will return to the wheel for the two remaining training sessions, one on Friday and the other on Saturday, guaranteeing his participation for the rest of the weekend.
FIA regulations on the participation of novice drivers in Formula 1
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) establishes a rule that obliges each Formula 1 team to reserve, each season, four free practice sessions for drivers classified as rookies. This classification includes not only young talents, but any competitor who has competed in, at most, two races in the main category of world motorsport.
The regulations require each main driver to give up his car on two occasions throughout the season for newcomers to participate in training. In the case of Gabriel Bortoleto, he did not need to comply with this determination the previous year, as his first two participations in F1 training already counted towards the rule as he was a rookie. The only driver exempt from this condition this year is Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad.
Paul Aron, who takes Bortoleto’s place at the Red Bull Ring, had already participated in the initial training session at the Barcelona-Catalunya GP, when he replaced German Nico Hulkenberg. The Estonian performed well, reaching sixth place and ahead of Bortoleto, who faced problems with his car in the same activity.
Paul Aron’s previous experience and Audi’s advancement in F1 demands
In this way, the Audi team already fulfills two of the four opportunities with newcomers required annually by the FIA. Until the end of the season, Bortoleto and Hulkenberg will have to release their respective cars in one more training session each, so that the team reaches the total of four participations of debutant drivers.
Despite his absence in the first training session, the expectation for Gabriel Bortoleto at the Austrian GP is for a more solid performance. It was on this circuit that the Brazilian won his first points in Formula 1. In the two most recent races, he was in 11th place, close to the points zone, and is now looking to return to the top-10.
“We arrived in Austria knowing that we should have scored points in recent events and that didn’t happen; although it’s frustrating, we also recognize the performance we can deliver and are looking forward to another chance to be in the top ten. I have great memories of last year’s race in Spielberg: I got my first points in Formula 1 there, and it was a great day for the team, with Nico also scoring. It’s something we would like to repeat this year: I have confidence in the work the team is doing and I look forward to this weekend’s races,” declared the Brazilian pilot.
Other rookie drivers confirmed for the sessions in Austria
In addition to Paul Aron, three other rookies are confirmed for the first free practice session in Austria, seeking to gain experience in the category. They are: Jak Crawford, representing Aston Martin; Ryo Hirakawa, for Haas; and Luke Browning, who will drive for Williams.