The Abu Dhabi post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit concluded with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc setting the fastest lap ahead of Williams‘ new driver Carlos Sainz, marking an end to 2024 F1 season’s on-track activity.
The test, held on December 10, 2024, provided teams and drivers with an opportunity to evaluate their performance and gather essential data ahead of the 2025 F1 season.
The Abu Dhabi post-season test was particularly notable for several drivers transitioning to new teams, including Carlos Sainz who made his debut with Williams after leaving Ferrari.
The Abu Dhabi post-season test was structured to last nine hours, running from 9 AM to 6 PM local time. It featured a split format where each team utilized two cars: one for established drivers and another for rookies, allowing teams to experiment with different setups and tyre compounds.
Pirelli provided a range of tires from C2 to C6, and teams were encouraged to conduct various high, medium, and low-fuel runs to gather data for the upcoming season. This flexibility allowed teams to tailor their testing strategies according to their specific needs.
Charles Leclerc’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he clocked a blistering lap time of 1:23.510, which was just one second off the pole lap set by Lando Norris during the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Monesgaque’s time not only secured him the top spot but also underscored Ferrari’s ongoing development efforts as they prepare for the 2025 F1 season. Leclerc completed 134 laps throughout the day, showcasing both speed and reliability in the Ferrari package.
Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz had a strong showing in his first outing for Williams, finishing second with a lap time of 1:23.635 after completing an impressive 146 laps. Sainz topped the morning session before Leclerc’s late surge pushed him down one position.
Sainz’s performance was a promising start for Williams as they look to improve their competitiveness in the coming season. His ability to quickly adapt to his new environment was evident as he built on a filming run conducted just a day prior to the Abu Dhabi post-season test.
Mercedes driver George Russell finished third with a time of 1:23.789, reinforcing Mercedes’ competitive stance as they prepare for another championship challenge.
Russell’s consistency throughout the day highlighted Mercedes’ focus on refining their car’s performance and ensuring they remain in championship contention for the 2025 F1 season.
Nico Hülkenberg marked his return to Sauber by finishing fourth with a time of 1:23.856 after completing 113 laps. His transition from Haas to Stake marks a significant change in his career trajectory, and the Abu Dhabi post-season test provided him with crucial seat time in preparation for the upcoming season.
Hülkenberg’s experience will be invaluable as he partners with F2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, who is expected to join him next year as Sauber prepares transition to Audi starting 2026 F1 season.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is slated to race for Mercedes next season, showcased his potential by finishing fifth with a time of 1:23.873 despite only completing 62 laps due to limited track time earlier in the day before taking over from Frederik Vesti later in the day.
Antonelli’s performance was impressive given that he had recently recovered from illness but still managed to deliver competitive lap times.
Ayumu Iwasa from Red Bull Racing secured sixth place with a lap time of 1:24.100, while McLaren’s Pato O’Ward finished seventh with a time of 1:24.222. Both drivers demonstrated their skills and adaptability as they look to secure full-time drives in future seasons.
Jack Doohan and Paul Aron represented Alpine, finishing eighth and ninth respectively, while Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten in his first outing with Haas after switching from Alpine.
The Abu Dhabi post-season test also provided an opportunity for rookie drivers like Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson to gain valuable experience in their respective cars. Tsunoda drove for Red Bull Racing while Lawson drove RB tyre test car, as both contend for a seat alongside Max Verstappen next year.
Liam Lawson was 13th and completed the most laps with 159, with Yuki Tsunoda 17th for Red Bull after setting his best time in the final two minutes.
Overall, the Abu Dhabi post-season test served as an essential platform for teams and drivers alike to evaluate their performances and set the stage for the upcoming season.
The results demonstrated that while established drivers like Leclerc and Sainz are still very much at the forefront of F1 competition, there is significant potential among new talents eager to make their mark on the sport.
As teams prepare for what promises to be an exciting 2025 F1 season, insights gained from this testing session will undoubtedly influence strategies moving forward, ensuring that every driver has had ample opportunity to showcase their skills ahead of the competitive racing calendar ahead.
Abu Dhabi post-season test results
