The season is over but the drivers are still racing for end-of-season testing in Abu Dhabi
Formula 1 stayed in Abu Dhabi for this week's post-season tests, giving young drivers a chance and an opportunity to learn more about Pirelli tires.
The 2023 F1 season came to an end after Max Verstappen capped off a championship-winning year with a victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But the teams and drivers have not packed up just yet, as they remain in Abu Dhabi for the post-season testing at the Yas Marina circuit. These tests are taking place today, Tuesday, November 28th, and will give the teams a final glimpse of their cars before they are locked away.
However, the 20 Formula 1 drivers are not all obligated to participate. Teams must designate one of their cars to a young driver who has not made more than two starts in Grand Prix, similar to the rules for FP1. As a result, teams will call upon many young drivers who have already participated in certain FP1 sessions in 2023.
The other car is intended for drivers holding a valid Super license and is dedicated to Pirelli tire tests, so that F1 can learn more about the different compounds and how to improve for the following season.
Pilots committed for the tests:
- Red Bull: Sergio Pérez – Jake Dennis
- Mercedes: George Russell – Frederik Vesti
- Ferrari: Carlos Sainz/Charles Leclerc – Robert Shwartzman
- Alpine: Esteban Ocon – Jack Doohan
- Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso/Lance Stroll – Felipe Drugovich
- McLaren: Oscar Piastri – Pato O’Ward
- AlphaTauri: Daniel Ricciardo/Yuki Tsunoda – Ayumu Iwasa
- Williams: Alex Albon/Logan Sargeant – Franco Colapinto/Zak O’Sullivan
- Alfa Romeo: Guanyu Zhou – Theo Pourchaire
- Haas: Pietro Fittipaldi – Oliver Bearman
The notable absentees from these tests are Valtteri Bottas, both Haas drivers, Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, and especially Max Verstappen.
Among the young drivers, we can find F2 drivers, of course, such as Theo Pourchaire (Alfa Romeo), the recent champion of the category, who will be moving up to Super Formula next season. We also have Frederik Vesti (Mercedes), the runner-up in F2, Jack Doohan (Alpine), Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin), Ayumu Iwasa (AlphaTauri), and Oliver Bearman (Haas).
But we find in these tests other drivers, representing other categories like Zak O’Sullivan and Franco Colapinto, both racing for Williams and having competed this year in F3. Robert Shwartzman is Ferrari’s reserve driver. Pietro Fittipaldi, also a reserve driver for Haas, will return to IndyCar in 2024.
As for Jake Dennis (Red Bull), this young driver comes straight from Formula E, where he drives for Andretti, with whom he won the championship this season. Finally, Pato O’Ward (McLaren) spent his 2023 season in IndyCar, with McLaren’s satellite team, where he finished 4th in the championship.
However, it is pretty much a normal testing session as teams are running different programs, trying new things, and gathering as much feedback as possible from the drivers. The only difference is who is driving one of the cars.
The trials take place in Abu Dhabi from 9:00 AM local time (6:00 AM in Europe) until 6:00 PM (3:00 PM in Europe). They will not be broadcasted live, so the best way to follow the action is through Motors Inside for updates on these trials.
