Sainz fastest for Williams after morning in Abu Dhabi F1 test

Carlos Sainz has topped the morning hours of Formula 1’s 2024 post-season Abu Dhabi test for his new Williams team.

After getting his install laps out of the way during a private filming session on Monday, Sainz officially kicked off his Williams stint by taking the wheel of the FW46 during Tuesday’s post-season test, where teams are helping Pirelli test its 2025 tyre compounds.

Dressed in full white overalls and a plain white helmet, Sainz was one of several drivers to scoot out of the pitlane at the 9am kick-off time, and he ended the morning hours on top with a 1m24.435s and 60 laps completed.

Sainz headed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (72 laps) and McLaren driver Lando Norris (78 laps), who will hand his MCL38 to team-mate Oscar Piastri in the afternoon.

Jack Doohan continued his 2025 preparation with another day aboard the Alpine, and was fourth-fastest ahead of Mercedes reserve Frederik Vesti.

McLaren’s IndyCar star Pato O’Ward was also found in the top 10 alongside Ferrari development driver Antonio Fuoco, Williams junior Luke Browning and Alpine’s latest reserve driver signing Paul Aron.

Alongside Sainz, several other 2024 regulars made their official debuts for their new teams. After sitting out the season finale for Alpine, Esteban Ocon made his appearance in Abu Dhabi for Haas, clocking 46 laps.

Ocon replaces Nico Hulkenberg, who got his first laps on the board for his new Sauber outfit and completed 63 laps.

At the behest of Honda, Yuki Tsunoda finally got the opportunity to sample a Red Bull F1 car, with Racing Bulls team-mate Liam Lawson still expecting to get the nod over the Japanese driver to move up to the main team should Sergio Perez be dropped.

The session occurred without notable incidents thus far, registering just an innocuous spin for Norris coming out of Turn 14.

As well as Piastri, Arthur Leclerc is joining the test in the afternoon to take over Fuoco’s Ferrari. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has been unwell over the past few days, is expected to take the wheel of the second Mercedes driven by Vesti in the morning hours.

Results after the first four hours: