Revealing the 2025 Abu Dhabi F1 Driver Line-Ups for Post-Season Test

The Abu Dhabi post‑season Formula 1 test closes the 2025 season on Tuesday at Yas Marina. Running spans 09:00 to 18:00 local time, with all ten teams participating.

Each team fields two cars with distinct objectives. One focuses on 2026 development under the incoming technical regulations, prioritising correlation and future concepts.

Pirelli supports that programme with defined tyre allocations: one C2 set and three sets each of C3, C4, and C5. Teams target compound behaviour and setup sensitivity.

The second car is reserved for a young driver, defined as having fewer than three grand prix starts. Programmes focus on 2025‑spec tyres and operational mileage.

Young driver tyre usage includes two C3 sets, four C4 sets, and two C5 sets. The plan balances performance snapshots with longer‑run learning.

The emphasis is data quality and correlation. Teams chase aero and mechanical baselines to inform winter design decisions and simulator model updates.

McLaren assigns Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to tyre work, with Pato O’Ward taking the young driver role. The team targets compound range understanding.

Mercedes runs Kimi Antonelli and Frederik Vesti on tyre trials, with Vesti also fulfilling young driver duties. Mileage distribution supports correlation across compounds.

Red Bull nominates Isack Hadjar for Pirelli evaluation, while Ayumu Iwasa handles the young driver running. The team prioritises consistency across stints.

Ferrari assigns Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to 2026 component work, with Dino Beganovic as young driver. The focus is concept sensitivity and feedback quality.

Williams has Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon on tyre assessment, with Luke Browning as young driver. The programme targets operating windows and degradation trends.

Racing Bulls plans Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad on tyre duties, with the team covering its young driver sessions internally.

Aston Martin fields Stoffel Vandoorne and Jak Crawford. Haas pairs Esteban Ocon with Oliver Bearman and adds Ryo Hirakawa as young driver.

Stake runs Gabriel Bortoleto alongside Nico Hulkenberg, with Paul Aron in the young driver slot. Alpine features Pierre Gasly and Kush Maini.

The test informs early 2026 direction while refining 2025 tyre understanding. Teams aim to lock correlation and reduce unknowns before winter shutdowns.

Lando Norris leads the driver standings, with McLaren on top among teams. Their operational execution strengthens confidence entering the off‑season.

The grid balances experience and youth effectively. Efficiency and clean runs matter most as Formula 1 pivots toward the 2026 ruleset.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.