According to recent widespread discussions, Formula 1 is actively exploring ways to create more opportunities for rookie drivers.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that during the latest F1 Commission meeting, the introduction of a 'wildcard' system was deliberated. This system would mandate that teams include a rookie in at least one or two grands prix each season.
However, the idea of occasionally adding a third car per team was dismissed due to financial concerns, and there was no consensus on having a current race driver forfeit their spot for a rookie.
Still under consideration is a proposal for an exclusive F1 sprint race for rookies or less experienced drivers, which could potentially be held in Abu Dhabi after the season ends.
Such plans would be welcomed by many overlooked yet talented young drivers, such as 2023 F2 second-place finisher Frederik Vesti, who currently works behind the scenes as a simulator driver for Mercedes.
Frederik Vesti's manager, Dorte Riis Madsen, expressed her disappointment to Ekstra Bladet about younger drivers like 17-year-old Kimi Antonelli being promoted over Vesti, stating it is "worse than frustrating."
"It's difficult to see how other drivers are in play, while we are not mentioned in the same context," she commented.
"We constantly receive enquiries from elsewhere, but when we only want to be in Formula 1, the joy is not the same as getting those calls from Japan, the USA or elsewhere.
"In reality, all it would take is a copy-paste of (Liam) Lawson or (Oliver) Bearman so that he could get an opportunity for a race weekend or two," Riis Madsen added.
"I have heard a lot of talk about wanting to put young drivers in the sprint races, but that has been pushed to the corner," she revealed.
"But there's still something about there being more free practice for young drivers next year."
