Abu Dhabi post-season F1 test
Abu Dhabi hosts Formula 1 post-season test with fresh faces and future hopes
Abu Dhabi, UAE – The highly anticipated Formula 1 post-season test commenced today at the Yas Marina Circuit, just two days after the conclusion of the 2024 season. This test marks a pivotal moment for numerous drivers debuting with their 2025 teams and a key opportunity for 2025 tyre testing.
Day zero for 2025 Season
Teams are allocated two cars for this test: one for a young driver with fewer than two race experiences and another for 2025 tyre testing. Consequently, several teams are leveraging this as a "Day Zero" for the upcoming season, allowing their new drivers to settle in before the winter break.
Sainz debuts with Williams
Carlos Sainz, formerly of Ferrari, takes the wheel for Williams in his first full day with the new team following a filming day on Monday. Sainz, who is set to be replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year, sported an all-white race suit and helmet to avoid sponsor-related clashes. Williams' junior driver Luke Browning drove the second car.
Ferrari's line-up
Ferrari, bound by commercial commitments with Mercedes, did not feature Hamilton. Instead, they fielded Charles Leclerc, who remains with the team, alongside his brother Arthur Leclerc and Ferrari Le Mans winner Antonio Fuoco in the second car.
Tsunoda's moment with Red Bull
Yuki Tsunoda, after four seasons with Red Bull's junior team RB, made his debut with the main team, driving the championship-winning RB20. This test is significant for Tsunoda as sources reveal Red Bull's potential winter move away from Sergio Perez, possibly promoting Tsunoda or Liam Lawson to partner world champion Max Verstappen in 2025.
Liam Lawson, another promising candidate, tested for Red Bull alongside Honda Super Formula driver Ayumu Iwasa. Formula 2 runner-up Isack Hadjar drove the second Red Bull car, with expectations of him joining RB in 2025 if Lawson steps up to the main team.
Ocon transitions to Haas
Esteban Ocon transitioned to Haas for the test, following a deal to compensate for vacating his Alpine car for Jack Doohan in the season's final race. Ocon tested the 2025 tyres, joined by Ryo Hirakawa instead of his 2025 teammate Oliver Bearman, who exceeded the race limit for the young driver test.
New line-ups and debuts
Sauber introduced its new 2025 line-up, with Nico Hulkenberg joining from Haas and F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto making his debut. At Alpine, fresh from his debut F1 race in Abu Dhabi, Jack Doohan drove alongside newly signed reserve driver Paul Aron.
McLaren's split strategy
McLaren, maintaining its current driver line-up for next season, split the 2025 tyre testing duties between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward piloted the second car.
Mercedes adjustments
Mercedes had planned for Hamilton's replacement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, to participate, but the 18-year-old's illness during the final F2 race led to Fred Vesti, a Mercedes junior and simulator driver, taking his place alongside George Russell for the tyre test.
Aston Martin's juniors
Aston Martin allocated the test cars to junior drivers Felipe Drugovich and Jak Crawford, an American F2 driver. The test runs until 6 p.m. local time, wrapping up the last on-track activity of the 2024 season.
This post-season test offers a glimpse into the shifting dynamics of teams and drivers heading into the 2025 F1 season, making it a critical exercise for all involved.
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