The 2024 Formula 1 season will officially come to a close with post-season testing in Abu Dhabi, a must-attend event that teams and drivers look forward to every year. Next Tuesday, December 10, the Yas Marina Circuit will be the stage where the teams will not only test young talents, but also Pirelli tires who will be protagonists in the next campaign.
These post-season tests have a special relevance within the F1 calendar, as they allow us to observe new promises at the wheel of current single-seaters. and serve as a test bed to adjust technical details for the 2025 season. According to the Sporting Regulations, each team must present two cars, one intended for Young drivers with no more than two official races in their career and another for drivers with a super license, in charge of testing the Pirelli tires.
Confirmed lineups for Abu Dhabi F1 2024 testing
So far, the teams have begun to announce some of the names that will participate in this key day. Among the most notable news is the Carlos Sainz debuts with Williams, after successfully closing his time at Ferrari. In addition, Nico Hulkenberg will get into the Sauber and Esteban Ocon will do the same with Haas.
In the case of young talents, the newly crowned Formula 2 champion, Gabriel Bortoleto, will be part of the Sauber team. We will also see Jack Crawford driving an Aston Martin, while Patrick O'Ward will have his chance at the wheel of McLaren, a team that has dominated the 2024 Constructors' World Championship. For its part, Ferrari will bet on Arthur Leclerc, Charles' brother, as part of their lineup for this day of rehearsal.
Event schedule and format
The test will take place from 6:00 to 15:00, Spanish peninsular time, with a break scheduled at 10:00 to give the teams and drivers a break. During these nine hours of action, The aim is to optimise the performance of the cars and collect valuable data.
However, fans will have to rely on media coverage for details of the events, as they will not be broadcast live. Minute-by-minute updates can be followed through platforms such as DAZN and specialized sites, which will offer analysis on what happens at Yas Marina, paying special attention to prominent figures such as Carlos Sainz and rookie drivers.
Technical details and promising youngsters
In addition to the experienced drivers testing Pirelli tyres, the day is a unique opportunity for young Formula 1 talents. This year, the focus is on emerging figures such as Luke browning, who will drive for Williams, and Antonio Fuoco, who will accompany the Leclerc brothers at Ferrari.
The regulations state that the car intended for young drivers must be technically identical to the one used during the regular season. This ensures that rookie pilots have a realistic experience and that teams can observe their performance in conditions identical to those of official races.
Team by team: confirmations and expectations
- Williams: Carlos Sainz and Luke Browning will head the line-up.
- Ferrari: Charles Leclerc, Arthur Leclerc and Antonio Fuoco will take part in the tests.
- Sauber: Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will wear the team's colours.
- Aston-Martin: Jak Crawford and Felipe Drugovich will share the duties.
- McLaren: Patricio O'Ward will star, with a pilot yet to be confirmed.
Many teams have yet to complete their line-ups, adding an element of uncertainty to the event. Red Bull, for example, remains tight-lipped about who will take part in this day of testing, with the focus especially on Yuki Tsunoda, who could play a key role in the team.
In structural terms, the Yas Marina Circuit will offer a perfect setting to analyse performance in long straights and technical areas with tight corners. This will allow teams to gather valuable information on how the cars and tyres behave in different situations.
The post-season test day in Abu Dhabi is seen as a window into the immediate future of Formula 1, where both established teams and new talents will have their chance to shine and leave a lasting mark.