Pato O'Ward will replace Piastri in the first practice.

      Each team is required to put a "young driver" behind the wheel in the first Friday practice four times per season. At McLaren they postponed the final slot until the last round — on Friday morning in Abu Dhabi Pato O'Ward will take the wheel of Oscar Piastri's car.

      Pato has already stood in for Lando Norris in Mexico, and Alex Dunn has taken the wheel of Lando's and Oscar's cars in Austria and Italy.

      Andrea Stella, team principal: "The McLaren team has arrived at the final race of the season with an early victory in the Constructors' Championship and an ongoing fight for the title involving both of our drivers — Lando and Oscar. If someone had told us ten months ago that we'd be in this position, we'd have hired them on the spot! We are proud of our achievements and of being the main characters of this fascinating chapter in Formula 1 history.

      The last two races, for different reasons, did not go as we would have liked. But after each setback we have always shown our ability to react, learn from our mistakes, and work as one united and cohesive team. It is as that united team that we go to Abu Dhabi, where twelve months ago we returned the team to the top.

      We will do everything possible to give both drivers the best chance of claiming the title, continuing to stick to our approach to racing, with the aim of bringing McLaren the double in the World Championship, which it hasn't achieved for 27 years."

      Lando Norris: "I'm excited. The season finale in Abu Dhabi is ahead. Last year we won the Constructors' Cup, in 2025 we confirmed it, and now we're targeting victory in the drivers' standings. It's amazing how much we've achieved.

      It's been an incredible season. We have an amazing car. I'm proud of everyone in the team. Thanks to our fans. There's one more race ahead in which we'll give it our all."

      Oscar Piastri: "I had a great weekend in Qatar, it was one of the best of my career. The aim in Abu Dhabi is to repeat that and do everything possible to win the race. I will give everything I have and try not to lose a single point in this final race."

      Pato O'Ward: "McLaren faces a very important week. I will do everything to show myself at my best and help the team at the start of the weekend. I'm looking forward to the race result; I will support Lando and Oscar in their bid to go down in history."