Postseason Testing in Abu Dhabi: Key Insights and Questions for 2025

The 2024 Formula 1 season concluded with its traditional postseason test in Abu Dhabi, offering teams and drivers a crucial opportunity to assess their cars and gather data for the upcoming year. While the lap times may not carry much weight due to varying setups and tire strategies, the session provided notable storylines, from rookie debuts to high-profile absences.

One of the standout performances came from Carlos Sainz, who showcased the SF-24’s potential by setting the second-fastest lap of the day. Sainz held the top spot for much of the session until his teammate Charles Leclerc edged him out as track conditions improved. The testing also saw the debut of the C6 compound tire, Pirelli’s softest to date, though its viability remains uncertain. These results underscore Ferrari’s ongoing effort to close the gap to their rivals in 2025.

Lando Norris experienced a spin during the test, marking one of the few on-track incidents in an otherwise smooth session. The spotlight, however, was firmly on rookies and drivers in new machinery. Antonelli, debuting with Mercedes, delivered an impressive performance despite battling illness. His P4 finish and competitive pace against teammate George Russell highlighted the potential of a driver many are watching closely.

In the Red Bull camp, the battle for the coveted second seat took center stage. Yuki Tsunoda, making his first appearance in a Red Bull car after years with AlphaTauri, faced scrutiny as his performance was juxtaposed against that of Liam Lawson. Tsunoda completed 127 laps but struggled to shine on the time sheets, ranking 17th, behind both Lawson and Honda-affiliated junior Ayumu Iwasa. Tsunoda attributed his difficulties to the car’s limitations but expressed confidence in his adaptability.

Conversely, Lawson impressed with his consistency and endurance, logging 159 laps—more than any other driver. His strong showing aligns with Red Bull’s philosophy of promoting from within, as emphasized by Helmut Marko. Speculation is growing that Lawson may secure the second seat, with Tsunoda potentially remaining at AlphaTauri alongside another promising talent, Isaac Hadjar.

Absent from the test was Lewis Hamilton, whose move to Ferrari for 2025 has been one of the sport’s biggest storylines. The seven-time champion cited his ambassadorial duties with Mercedes as the reason for missing the session but acknowledged the potential setback this could pose for his acclimati