Abu Dhabi post-season testing: Carlos Sainz leads the timesheets with Williams at the break

The post-season private tests in Abu Dhabi were marked by numerous driver changes within the Formula 1 teams, and it was Carlos Sainz who made a strange impression by finishing on top of the morning session here at Yas Marina Island. The Spanish driver, now at Williams, took the controls of the FW46 for the first time and posted an excellent time of 1:24, which is about 2 seconds slower than Norris’ qualifying time on Saturday.

Other drivers also took advantage of this opportunity to discover their new teams, like Esteban Ocon, who made his debut at Haas, or Nico Hülkenberg making his debut at Sauber.

A Williams in the lead

Carlos Sainz has made an impressive start with his new team Williams during the post-season private tests in Abu Dhabi. This is the only day reserved for F1 teams before the winter break and the 2025 season.

On this morning, the Spanish driver dominated the session by setting the fastest time, a 1:24.435, after taking the wheel of the FW46 for the first time just a few days after saying goodbye to Scuderia Ferrari. This test is all the more important as it is part of the testing program for the new Pirelli tires for 2025. Sainz, dressed in a white suit and a helmet without a sponsor, completed 60 laps.

Behind him, Charles Leclerc currently holds the second position with a time of 1:24.561 with the Ferrari, while Lando Norris, third in 1:24.678, also performed well for McLaren, although he had a slight scare with a harmless spin at the exit of turn 14.

A lot of new faces in new colors

The morning also saw several other drivers testing their new cars: Esteban Ocon, who left Alpine before the end of the season, as he was not allowed to drive for the French team in Abu Dhabi, did his first laps with Haas. He completed 46 laps but could not get close to the top times, he is currently at the bottom of the timesheet. Ocon succeeds Nico Hülkenberg at Haas, while the latter has joined Sauber, where he completed 63 laps.

The Hadjar / Tsunoda duel at Red Bull

Among the other highlights, Yuki Tsunoda had the opportunity to drive the Red Bull, at Honda’s request, although it is not yet certain whether he will be part of the Austrian team in 2025, it leaves a little more doubt hanging over the driver who will support Max Verstappen in 2025. This opportunity looks more like a duel to allow the team to determine who will be the most performant in the Red Bull between Isack Hadjar, vice champion of F2, and the current Racing Bulls driver in F1, Yuki Tsunoda…

Other drivers also took advantage of the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new teams. In particular, Jack Doohan, who continues his preparation program for 2025 with Alpine where he will be a regular driver alongside Gasly, and several juniors such as Antonio Fuoco, Luke Browning, and Paul Aron who had the chance to test F1 cars. The tests went smoothly, with the exception of Norris’ slight spin.

Change of drivers at the break.

Regarding the other drivers, Oscar Piastri took over from Norris in the afternoon, while Arthur Leclerc replaced Fuoco at Ferrari. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who had been unwell in recent days, was also expected to take the wheel of Frederik Vesti’s second Mercedes.

The morning ranking allowed us to see Sainz dominate, but the teams will certainly remain attentive to the developments of the tests to draw useful lessons for the future.

The results of the private tests in Abu Dhabi at lunchtime.