Abu Dhabi check: First take a look at F1 2025 with Carlos Sainz for Williams amongst 4 drivers debuting for brand new groups | F1 Information

Carlos Sainz was amongst 4 drivers who made their testing debuts for his or her new groups for F1 2025 as end-of-season testing in Abu Dhabi wrapped up this yr's on-track motion on Tuesday.

The one-day check on the Yas Marina circuit noticed all 10 groups racing two vehicles, one for knowledgeable drivers to check Pirelli tires and the opposite for inexperienced drivers to realize beneficial mileage. observe.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc completed the yr on the high of the standings with a greatest lap of 1:23.510, a second slower than final Saturday's pole on the identical observe, along with his 2024 teammate Sainz second – though he’s now driving a Williams for the primary time.

Two days after the Spaniard ended his four-year profession at Ferrari with a second place within the 2024 season finale, Sainz made his official debut for his new staff.

Tuesday was truly Sainz's second outing in Williams' FW46, having gained an preliminary familiarization throughout a non-public check along with his new staff on Monday on the circuit because the staff accomplished its second of two days of 'filming' approved this yr.

Having obtained permission from Ferrari to start the subsequent chapter of his F1 profession early, Sainz, who stays underneath contract with the Scuderia till December 31, raced in a plain white swimsuit and helmet.

He accomplished a big 146 laps in the course of the day.

Nico Hulkenberg additionally raced in an unbranded swimsuit because the German driver reconnected with the Sauber staff, 11 years after first driving for them in a single season in 2013.

Hülkenberg, who ended his Haas profession with an eighth place on Sunday, was joined on observe by his new teammate and new F2 champion. Gabriel Bortolétowho clinched the feeder collection title in Abu Dhabi and can make his F1 debut subsequent yr as considered one of 4 rookies on the grid.

Haas is one other staff that has utterly modified its roster, following Hülkenberg's transfer to Audi-owned Sauber and the departure of Kevin Magnussen, and Esteban Ocon additionally began his profession with the staff on Tuesday.

Ocon missed final week's Abu Dhabi GP after putting a cope with Alpine so he might participate in that check whereas they raced his 2025 alternative, Jack Doohan, in his first race weekend full. Ocon's 2025 teammate at Haas is Briton Oliver Bearman.

Lewis Hamilton's extremely anticipated debut at Ferrari will happen within the new yr, with Mercedes taking the seven-time champion on a farewell tour to varied headquarters this week, however the post-Hamilton period throughout the staff has already began heading in the right direction.

With George Russell driving a W15, Hamilton's 18-year-old alternative. Andrea Kimi Antonelli shared the opposite with reserve driver Frederik Vesti.

Antonelli missed each of final weekend's F2 races because of sickness, however returned to the observe within the afternoon after Vesti accomplished the primary laps within the second automobile.

Purple Bull has not fielded any of its 2024 racing drivers, world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, with Yuki Tsunoda as a substitute, he lastly will get the prospect to drive the corporate's senior automobile.

The Japanese driver's check within the RB20 had been known as for by his supporters and by Purple Bull's engine companion Honda, though he’s not seen as a front-runner to switch Perez subsequent yr if the Mexican, as is rumored expects increasingly, loses his seat for 2025.

Liam Lawsonwho rode for RB as common on Tuesday, is taken into account the favourite to switch Perez.

New constructors' champions McLaren rounded off their very good yr with Lando Norriswinner of final Sunday's race, and Oscar Piastri sharing an MCL38 and their IndyCar driver Pato O'Ward lead the opposite.

What's subsequent…

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