Red Bull confirm Verstappen to miss upcoming practice session as replacement named

Red Bull have confirmed to RacingNews365 that Isack Hadjar is to replace Max Verstappen in practice for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix next weekend. 

The new four-time world champion must hand over his RB20 to F2 title-contender Hadjar to fulfil the requirement of a rookie driving his car in an FP1 session. 

Team-mate Sergio Perez handed his car over to Hadjar at the British Grand Prix, but Verstappen had not yet done so. 

Given the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix is a sprint event, it meant that the final option for meet the regulation was in Abu Dhabi. 

In 2023, simulator driver Jake Dennis deputised for Verstappen, but he is unavailable as the Formula E season-opener takes place in Brazil that same weekend.