New Faces and Cars: Abu Dhabi F1 Test Highlights

The Abu Dhabi post-season tests offer a sneak peek at F1’s 2025 lineup, with fresh drivers and key developments shaping next season.

The season is not quite over. After the final Grand Prix, the traditional post-season tests will once again take place this Tuesday at the Yas Marina Circuit.

This annual event, both strategic and symbolic, offers teams a final opportunity to gather crucial data on their cars while implementing changes for the upcoming season… and preparing their new drivers.

The tests will run from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in Abu Dhabi, or from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM in France. As usual, we will bring you all the information, statements, and photos from this final test before 2025.

What should you pay close attention to?

This year’s tests will be particularly eventful and full of new developments. A preview of next season…

Carlos Sainz, released by Ferrari, will make his debut at Williams, getting to grips with a completely new car, much more challenging and harder to drive. Esteban Ocon will finally get behind the wheel of a Haas F1 car, after missing the Abu Dhabi GP with Alpine F1.

Another highlight: Nico Hülkenberg’s return to Sauber, a decade after his last stint with the team.

Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, who has been driving for RB F1 until now, will take the wheel of a Red Bull for the first time. A pivotal moment for the Japanese driver, which could open the door to a permanent seat at the parent team. Although Liam Lawson is currently the favorite, who knows what could happen if Tsunoda impresses?

On the other hand, despite his recent move to Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, along with Alonso, will be the notable absentee from this session. The Briton, occupied with a series of events celebrating his 12 years with Mercedes, will not be able to participate in these post-season tests as he is not available for Ferrari. While he expressed some regret at not being able to experience his new team at Yas Marina, he also stated that it was just as meaningful to bid farewell to Mercedes F1 in a way befitting his time there.

As a reminder, teams are required to field a driver with fewer than two Grand Prix appearances in a second car, a rule that favors rookie track time, which is otherwise limited during the season.

Why are these tests crucial?

Post-season tests allow drivers changing teams to adapt to their new environment. In 2022, for example, Fernando Alonso drove an Aston Martin just two days after racing for Alpine in the season finale.

These tests also provide an opportunity to finalize personalized adjustments for new drivers, such as seat fitting, to save time for the upcoming season.

The development and adaptation to the new Pirelli 2025 tires will also be key. One car per team will be dedicated to testing the new tires, providing essential data to refine the development for next year. It’s worth noting that the car used for tire testing must be driven by a holder of a valid superlicense. Therefore, to maximize learning, the full-time drivers will take the wheel of this tire-specific car during the day.

Drivers to watch closely

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): The Italian prodigy will be one of the most watched figures ahead of his official F1 debut in 2025. After his mistake in the FP1 session at Monza, he will need to prove that he is a reliable and serious driver.

Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber): The future full-time driver, chosen over Valtteri Bottas, Mick Schumacher, and Théo Pourchaire, will drive a 2024 Formula 1 car for the first time (having tested 2022 F1 cars with McLaren).

Esteban Ocon (Haas F1): After the blow dealt by Alpine F1 to their driver, the Frenchman has the chance to clear his mind by already thinking about next year, behind the wheel of a Haas F1 car.

Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull): Will he convince the Milton Keynes team to reconsider their choices for 2025 and offer him a race seat instead of Liam Lawson? It seems unlikely according to the Japanese driver himself, but who knows?

Luke Browning (Williams): Winner of the prestigious 2023 Macau Grand Prix, Browning will get back behind the wheel after participating in FP1 in Abu Dhabi. Will he be the next Franco Colapinto?

The entry list:

Here is the provisional list of drivers for tomorrow. Some teams (McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing) have yet to disclose their full schedule at the time of this article’s publication. We will update it throughout the day.

It’s worth noting that Aston Martin F1 plans to field two young drivers (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon), which is also permitted.

Team	Young Driver	Pirelli Driver	Car
McLaren F1	Patricio O’Ward	To be confirmed	McLaren Mercedes MCL38
Ferrari	To be confirmed	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari SF-24
Red Bull Racing	To be confirmed	Yuki Tsunoda	Red Bull Honda RBPT RB20
Mercedes F1	Andrea Kimi Antonelli	George Russell	Mercedes W15
Aston Martin F1	Felipe Drugovich et Jak Crawford	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin Mercedes AMR24
Alpine F1	Jack Doohan	Pierre Gasly	Alpine Renault A524
Haas F1	Ryo Hirakawa	Esteban Ocon	Haas Ferrari VF-24
Racing Bulls	Isack Hadjar	Liam Lawson	RB Honda RBPT VCARB 01
Williams F1	Luke Browning	Carlos Sainz	Williams Mercedes FW46
Sauber	Gabriel Bortoleto	Nico Hülkenberg	Stake F1 Kick Sauber C44