Many drivers confirmed for end-of-season tests in Abu Dhabi

The 2024 Formula 1 campaign ended this Sunday in Abu Dhabi, after 24 races. A spectacular season, marked by struggles at all levels and intense battles, which give a lot of hope for 2025. Meanwhile, the teams still have to finish their season. Even though the championship is over, the 10 teams will participate in the post-season tests this Tuesday. An important test to gather valuable data for 2025, but also for some drivers who will have the opportunity to test their new cars.

Carlos Sainz discovers his new team.

Among them, Carlos Sainz will discover his fifth team. The Ferrari driver will join Williams in 2025. After weeks of discussions with the Scuderia, the Grove team has obtained permission to have the Spanish driver drive in the post-season tests. An opportunity that delighted the British team.

Williams Racing is pleased to announce today that Carlos Sainz will join the team for the upcoming end-of-season tests in Abu Dhabi, thus marking the first steps of his preparation for the 2025 season, it explained in a statement.

This opportunity will allow Carlos and Williams to start building their relationship. The testing session will be a valuable opportunity for Carlos to integrate into his new team environment, and he will drive the FW46 for the first time. Carlos will drive for Williams alongside Alex Albon in 2025, forming one of the most formidable driver duos on the grid.

Some images taken in Abu Dhabi have allowed to observe Sainz in his new car during a private test session organized on Monday. It’s a new adventure that he approaches with enthusiasm: “I started to analyze why this car was performing well in certain corners and what I could learn from it for my next challenge. It’s a new step, and I am very motivated to contribute to the development of this historic team.”

During these post-season tests, he will be partnered with Luke Browning, a protege of Williams. The English driver, third in the Formula 3 championship this year, competed in the last four rounds of the Formula 2 season, a category he will continue in next year with the Hitech team, with whom he has been collaborating since 2022.

Changes also at Haas

Changes will also take place at Haas, the American team completely changing its driver lineup. Just like Sainz, Gene Haas’ team obtained permission from Alpine to have Esteban Ocon drive as early as this Tuesday. The Normandy driver, who didn’t take part in the last race of the season, hopes to start this new chapter in a positive way. On Tuesday, he will be paired with Ryo Hirakawa, an endurance driver for Toyota, who took part in the first free practice session for McLaren in Abu Dhabi.

This choice demonstrates the close ties between Haas and Toyota since their partnership. If the decision may seem surprising, it is logical: the American team cannot field its future driver Oliver Bearman, who has already taken part in three Formula 1 Grand Prix races and is therefore no longer considered a rookie.

Among the other drivers already on the grid, Nico Hülkenberg will have the opportunity to test the Sauber, a team for which he raced in 2013. Yuki Tsunoda, on the other hand, will test the Red Bull for the first time, hoping to convince the Austrian team, although it seems to favor Liam Lawson for next season. Leclerc, Stroll, Gasly, Lawson, and Russell will also participate in the tests with their respective teams.

Rookies in the spotlight

These tests will also be an opportunity to discover or rediscover new faces, like Kimi Antonelli. The Italian, who took part in the first free practice session in Monza with Mercedes, will meet the German team for a day of driving. A way to prepare as best as possible for 2025 and his first season in Formula 1.

He will not be the only one in this situation. Freshly crowned Formula 2 champion, Gabriel Bortoleto, will drive for Sauber alongside Nico Hülkenberg. His main rival in the championship, Isack Hadjar, will take the wheel of the Racing Bulls. Jack Crawford, another Formula 2 driver, will driver the Aston Martin for part of the morning before handing over to the third driver of the British team, Felipe Drugovich. Finally, at McLaren, Pat O’Ward will be at the wheel of the MCL38, the reigning world champion constructor car.

Essential trials

Despite the end of the championship, these tests are of paramount importance. They allow drivers to test their new cars and rookies to dive into the world of Formula 1. It is also an opportunity to test the new Pirelli tires for 2025 and to refine various settings for the upcoming season, which promises yet again multiple surprises.