Formula 1: Leclerc Leads Abu Dhabi Post-Season Test, Sainz Shines on Williams Debut
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Abu Dhabi, Dec 10 (NationPress) Charles Leclerc wrapped up the 2024 F1 season on an impressive note, leading the post-season trials at the Yas Marina Circuit for Ferrari. Leclerc clocked the quickest lap, narrowly beating former teammate Carlos Sainz, who made a remarkable debut with Williams, while George Russell from Mercedes finished in third place.
The nine-hour testing session showcased both rookie and veteran drivers, as teams experimented with various setups and evaluated Pirelli’s homologated 2025 tyres. While teams like Ferrari and Mercedes aimed to fine-tune their packages, attention was also directed towards significant driver changes.
Carlos Sainz, in his initial outing with Williams, made a notable impact by leading the morning session. After a brief filming run the previous day, Sainz quickly adapted to his new environment, finishing a mere tenth behind Leclerc by the end of the day.
McLaren, coming off a successful performance in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, split their test responsibilities between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Norris ended up 16th during his morning session, while Piastri placed a few spots lower in the afternoon. Both drivers concentrated on testing new components rather than chasing outright lap times.
Red Bull welcomed Yuki Tsunoda for his inaugural test with the main team after spending several seasons at AlphaTauri. Tsunoda gathered valuable mileage, finishing in the midfield, as Red Bull continued to hone their 2024 car for further success next year.
Williams, beyond Sainz’s headline debut, also fielded rookie Luke Browning, who demonstrated potential by completing solid laps and finishing within the top 12.
The day wasn't solely focused on experienced drivers. Mercedes’ highly anticipated junior, Kimi Antonelli, continued his preparations for a future F1 debut, while Williams and McLaren also evaluated their younger reserves to test future talent.
