MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Red Bull’s Formula One team boss, Christian Horner, announced at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Friday that Formula E world champion Jake Dennis will drive for the team during the first practice session of the Abu Dhabi season-ender next month.
According to Formula One regulations, teams have to provide rookie drivers with a session in each of their cars once a season. Despite Red Bull already securing both F1 championships, they have decided to wait until the end of the season to fulfill this requirement.
“Jake Dennis will be driving one of the cars, and Isack Hadjar will be in the other car,” Horner shared with reporters.
Hadjar, a Frenchman, also had the opportunity to drive for Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri during the first practice session in Mexico.
Horner explained that Abu Dhabi is a circuit where Red Bull has ample data and that the first practice session holds little significance in terms of car setup, as it takes place during the hot daytime conditions rather than at night.
Unlike most rookies, Jake Dennis is older at 28 years old and recently won the all-electric Formula E title with Avalanche Andretti. He has been serving as a Formula One simulator driver for Red Bull.
Meanwhile, Ferrari Academy driver Oliver Bearman, who participated in first practice for Haas on Friday, is ten years younger.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken Ferris)
