Aston Martin hands Abu Dhabi FP1 to rookie duo: Shields to sub for Alonso, Crawford for Stroll
Aston Martin will run both cars with rookies in Abu Dhabi’s opening practice, with Formula 2 freshman Cian Shields set for his first taste of an F1 grand prix weekend in Fernando Alonso’s AMR25.
The 20-year-old Scot steps into FP1 at Yas Marina on Friday, with Aston Martin also confirming previously that Jak Crawford will take Lance Stroll’s car for the session. It’s a clean sweep to tick off the team’s rookie mileage requirement for 2025, which asks that each race driver sits out two FP1s across the season — up from one last year — to give emerging talent meaningful track time.
For Shields, it’s a big moment at the end of a steep learning year. He graduated to F2 after a stint in F3 and has already had a taste of green overalls, logging TPC miles in older Aston Martin machinery at Monza and digging into a structured simulator program with the team.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to drive in FP1 with Aston Martin Aramco,” Shields said. “I’ve learned so much working with the team this year, both in the simulator and through my TPC testing, and to now be trusted with the AMR25 on a Grand Prix weekend is a huge moment for me. I’m looking forward to contributing to the programme on Friday and making the most of the experience.”
Aston Martin’s Chief Engineer, F1 Evolution, Gerry Hughes, painted the move as a reward for steady, serious work behind closed doors. “Cian has worked closely with our team throughout the year, building mileage in AMR TPC Formula One machinery and deepening his understanding of the AMR25 through a structured simulator programme,” he said. “His feedback and professionalism have been consistently strong, and he has continued to develop with every opportunity. This upcoming FP1 session is a fantastic way to round out the year, putting the knowledge and experience he has gained to good use for the team at the final race of the season.”
The team is juggling more than just a feel-good story. Abu Dhabi’s first hour is precious for race-weekend prep, particularly at a venue where dusk conditions can swing balance and tyre behaviour as the track cools. Handing both cars to rookies is a bold play — but it also suggests confidence in the sim-to-track link and in Alonso and Stroll’s ability to compress their setup work into FP2 and FP3.
Crawford’s run in Stroll’s car will draw eyes as well. He’s been one of F2’s sharper operators this season and arrives with momentum and familiarity with current Pirelli rubber, which matters on a circuit that punishes rear tyres in the final sector.
For Shields, the task is simple and hard all at once: keep it clean, hit the test items, and show calm speed. The stopwatch isn’t everything in these outings, but engineers notice when a rookie can adapt out-laps, tyre prep and traffic management without hand-holding. Do that, and people remember.
As for Aston Martin, the bigger picture remains clear: stockpile data, shape the baseline for the night sessions, and close out the year with tidy execution. The midfield has been unforgiving, and every decision carries weight — even decisions that come with a mandate attached.
FP1 at Yas Marina gets underway on Friday afternoon. Two green cars, two hungry rookies, and one team trying to squeeze every last drop out of 2025. That’s a busy hour.
