The post-season test in Abu Dhabi has concluded! On Tuesday, the 2024 racing cars took to the Yas Marina Circuit one last time. In a rather uneventful session, it was particularly interesting to see several drivers stepping into their new teams’ cars. Carlos Sainz was in action for Williams, while Esteban Ocon took the wheel for Haas. Charles Leclerc ultimately clocked the fastest time, with Liam Lawson completing the most laps.
After the morning session – in which Carlos Sainz immediately impressed in the Williams – the drivers switched to the softest compound in the afternoon. Charles Leclerc ultimately clocked the fastest time of the day with 1:23.510. It should be clear that these times are not very representative. Leclerc’s fastest lap would have only earned him the thirteenth starting position in last week’s qualifying.
George Russell was also fast in the Mercedes. Like Leclerc, he completed 134 laps in his W15 on Tuesday. He was joined by his new teammate, 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian had to sit out the morning session due to flu symptoms. However, he took to the track in the afternoon and completed 62 laps for the German team. He also clocked the fifth fastest time with a lap of 1:23.873.
During the session, several drivers were allowed to make their first laps for their new teams. Carlos Sainz drove for Williams for the first time – Ferrari will be sacrificing the Spanish star in 2025 for Lewis Hamilton. Nico Hülkenberg made his debut at Sauber, while Esteban Ocon stepped into a Haas for the first time. While the Frenchman was the slowest in the morning, he clocked the tenth fastest time in the afternoon.(Continuation of the text)
Esteban Ocon’s First Action for Haas
Esteban Ocon took part in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi for the first time on behalf of Haas (Motorsport Images).
Yuki Tsunoda’s Opportunity with Red Bull
Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda finally got the chance to prove himself in a Red Bull. While Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez were already enjoying their holidays, the Japanese driver was allowed to take a seat in the RB20. After 127 laps, he finished in seventeenth place. Teammate Liam Lawson, who was testing on behalf of Visa RB, clocked the thirteenth time. The New Zealander, who is rumored to be moving up to Red Bull according to the latest rumors, drove the most laps in Abu Dhabi – 159 in total.
The following table presents the positions, drivers, teams, fastest times, and number of laps driven:
| Position | Driver | Team | Fastest Time | Laps Driven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:23.510 | 134 |
| 2 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:23.635 | 146 |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:23.789 | 134 |
| 4 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber | 1:23.856 | 113 |
| 5 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:23.873 | 62 |
| 6 | Ayumu Iwasa | Visa RB | 1:24.100 | 110 |
| 7 | Pato O’Ward | McLaren | 1:24.222 | 116 |
| 8 | Jack Doohan | Alpine | 1:24.268 | 137 |
| 9 | Paul Aron | Alpine | 1:24.275 | 121 |
| 10 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:24.305 | 119 |
| 11 | Luke Browning | Williams | 1:24.375 | 105 |
| 12 | Ryō Hirakawa | Haas | 1:24.435 | 133 |
| 13 | Liam Lawson | Visa RB | 1:24.440 | 159 |
| 14 | Arthur Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:24.576 | 68 |
| 15 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 1:24.632 | 125 |
| 16 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:24.678 | 84 |
| 17 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | 1:24.689 | 127 |
| 18 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 1:24.738 | 130 |
| 19 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:24.838 | 72 |
| 20 | Jak Crawford | Aston Martin | 1:24.997 | 109 |
| 21 | Felipe Drugovich | Aston Martin | 1:25.014 | 146 |
| 22 | Frederik Vesti | Mercedes | 1:25.159 | 55 |
| 23 | Antonio Fuoco | Ferrari | 1:25.238 | 73 |
