Carlos Sainz was among four drivers to make the first test drive for their new teams for F1 2025 as the Abu Dhabi end-of-season test concluded this year's track action on Tuesday.
The one-day test at Yas Marina Circuit saw all 10 teams running two cars, one for experienced drivers to test the Pirelli tires and the other for inexperienced drivers to gain valuable track mileage.
Ferrari at Charles Leclerc finished the year plus on the time sheet with a best lap of 1:23.510, a second slower than last Saturday's pole time around the same track, by his team-mate 2024 Sainz the second – although he is now running in Williams for the first time.
Two days after the Spaniard ended his four-year Ferrari career with a second-place finish at the end of the 2024 season, Sainz made his official debut for his new team.
Sainz lowers himself into Williams in his new team's garage
Tuesday was actually Sainz's second drive in Williams' FW46 after first experiencing it in a private test with his new team on Monday at the circuit as the team completed both of two days of filming allowed this year.
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New footage shows Carlos Sainz conducting his first ever test in a Williams car at the team's filming day in Abu Dhabi, ahead of Tuesday's full post-season test.
Having received permission from Ferrari to start the next chapter of his F1 career early, Sainz, who remains under contract to the Scuderia until December 31, ran in simple white overalls and a crash helmet.
He completed a mammoth 146 laps during the day.
Sainz gets to know the FW46 and its Mercedes engine on the track
Nico Hulkenberg he also ran in unbranded overalls as the German driver familiarized himself with the Sauber team, 11 years after he first drove for them in one season in 2013.
Nico Hulkenberg explores his surroundings for 2025
Along with Hulkenberg, who ended his Haas career with an eighth-place finish on Sunday, on the track was a new team-mate and a newly crowned F2 champion. Gabriel Bortoletowho won the feeder series title in Abu Dhabi and will be making his F1 debut next year as one of four rookies on the grid.
Sauber new boy – and new Formula 2 champion – Gabriel Bortoleto talks to team principal Mattia Binotto
Both new Sauber drivers also comfortably clocked a century of laps, Bortoleto clocking up 130 and Hulkenberg 113. Hulkenberg also clocked the fourth fastest time of the day.
Haas is another team that has completely changed its line-up, after Hulkenberg's move to Sauber, with Audi and the departure of Kevin Magnussen, and Esteban Ocon he also started his career with the team on Tuesday with 119 laps.
New Haas sign Esteban Ocon in full squad after early release from Alpine
Ocon sat out the Abu Dhabi GP last week after reaching an agreement with Alpine so he could take part in this test while they run his 2025 replacement, Jack Doohan, in his first full race weekend. Ocon's 2025 teammate at Haas is Britain's Oliver Bearman.
Lewis Hamilton's first drive for Ferrari will take place sometime in the new year with Mercedes taking the seven-time champion on a farewell tour of various headquarters this week, but the team's timing after Hamilton had already started on the way.
With George Russell driving a single W15, finishing third fastest and 0.2s back of Hamilton's 18-year-old substitute Leclerc Andrew Kimi Antonelli share the other with a backup driver Frederik Vesti.
Kimi Antonelli completed 62 laps in the Mercedes W15, finishing tenth behind George Russell
Antonelli sat out both F2 races last weekend due to illness but returned to the track in the afternoon running for 62 laps after Vesti completed an initial 55 laps in the car.
Red Bull has not fielded any of its 2024 race drivers, world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, with Yuki Tsunoda instead he finally got the chance to drive the company's top car.
His supporters have been pushing for a Japanese driver to test in the RB20, and Red Bull's engine partners, Honda, are not thought to be a forerunner to replace Perez next- year if Mexico, as expected, loses its seat for 2025.
“This is the first time in the last four years that I have driven a different car. You can physically feel why the RB20 has been fighting for the championship at -year, it feels like a very different car to drive,” said Tsunoda after his 127 lap.
Yuki Tsunoda in Red Bull Racing colors at the test
“We've had a very proactive day today and I'm very happy with that. I still have a lot of learning to do but the team has done a good job preparing to run so good today, it has been such a pleasant feeling in the garage.
Liam Lawsonwho moved for RB as usual on Tuesday, is considered the favorite to replace Perez.
Tsunoda said he is “happy more than ever right now” after running out of the long-awaited Red Bull.
New constructors' champions McLaren capped off their incredible year with Lando Norriswinner of last Sunday's race, and Oscar Piastri sharing one MCL38 and their IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward driving in the opposite direction.
“I enjoyed being back on track for the morning supporting Pirelli with next year's tire development,” said Norris after signing off for the year with 84 laps.
Final round of the year for Lando Norris and his title winning MCL38
“It's always a useful session and it's great to work closely with them on it. It's now time to relax after such an amazing end to the season, the team deserve some well-earned time off before we head out again next year.”
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