The final day of monitor motion to finish the 2024 season befell in Abu Dhabi at present. The Yas Marina circuit hosted the same old finish of season take a look at.
All ten groups took half, every fielding two automobiles, engaged on totally different fronts. One automotive from every staff needed to be pushed by a “rookie driver” outlined by the FIA as one who has not taken half in additional than two Grands Prix, whereas drivers for the opposite automotive had been freed from any restrictions and certainly, some drivers had been already working with their new groups for subsequent yr.
The tyres obtainable for these two teams had been additionally totally different and whereas the rookies ran the identical 2024 compounds that had been obtainable for final weekend’s Grand Prix, within the different automobiles, these driving had been capable of assess the homologated compounds that Pirelli will provide subsequent season, having developed them along with the groups over the previous yr. The one absentee was the C1 tyre, as it isn’t suited to this monitor.
Every younger driver had eight units of tyres obtainable: two C3, 4 C4 and two C5. Different drivers had ten units to make use of: one C2, three every of C3 and C4, two C5 and one C6, the latter being the brand new ultra-soft compound which is an addition to the 2025 vary, aimed one expects to be used at some road circuits.
Not like the “in-competition take a look at” run on the Mexico Metropolis weekend, Pirelli didn’t set out a normal programme for a way the 2025 tyres needs to be used, leaving the groups free to run them as they noticed match, with the intention to collect very important knowledge for the event of subsequent yr’s automobiles. Lastly, as decreed by the FIA, no automotive was allowed to hold any parts that had not been used throughout a race weekend.
There have been 9 very busy hours of testing, with only one brief interruption in the direction of the tip. A complete of two,578 laps had been accomplished, equal to 13,614.418 kilometres (8,459 miles). All compounds and sorts of tyre had been used: certainly some groups even ran rain tyres or intermediates for his or her set up laps and when finishing up aerodynamic measurements, that are often carried out at first of the day.
Topping the time sheet general was Charles Leclerc who took his Ferrari spherical in 1:23.510. Second was Williams’ new signing, Carlos Sainz (1:23.635) whereas George Russell was third for Mercedes on 1:23.789.
Whereas the previous Ferrari team-mates set their greatest instances on the C5, Russell did his with the C6. Of the rookies, the quickest was Italy’s Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) with a time of 1’23″873. The three drivers who put in essentially the most laps had been Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls, 159), Carlos Sainz (Williams, 146) and Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin, 146).
“This was a really helpful take a look at, with the ability to see your complete new vary of compounds which were homologated for subsequent season in use, excluding the C1,” stated Mario Isola. “Observe circumstances had been superb, similar to these skilled final Sunday throughout the closing Grand Prix and with not too dissimilar temperatures.
“We gathered a number of knowledge which is able to now be analysed very fastidiously by our engineers and people from the groups to proceed to organize as totally as attainable for subsequent season. From a primary preliminary evaluation, we will say that the brand new compounds have proved to supply larger mechanical resistance, which subsequently results in a discount within the stage of abrasion on the tread. As for overheating, we knew it will be tough to see important enhancements, as we ran nearly completely in sunny circumstances, in contrast to over the race weekend.
“One other essential matter was to test the positioning of the compounds inside the 2025 vary: from what we noticed at present, we will say that the distinction in efficiency between the C2, C3, C4 and C5 is extra in step with our targets, particularly to have a niche of round half a second in between every of them.
“As for the model new C6, we noticed on this monitor, with its very demanding closing part, particularly by way of traction, that degradation even on a primary flying lap is kind of pronounced. Now we are going to perform a cautious evaluation of the info to determine which tracks shall be greatest suited to its attainable use on a race weekend.”
That brings the 2024 season to an finish, and Pirelli’s System 1 staff shall be again on monitor on the finish of January in Magny Cours for the primary take a look at session of the yr, engaged on improvement of the 2026 tyres.
Driving for Ferrari had been Charles Leclerc, Antonio Fuoco and Arthur Leclerc, these final two each driving what was, up till Sunday evening, Carlos Sainz’s automotive, as a part of the Younger Driver Check.
Charles began off working the C2 compound, earlier than switching to the C4, his greatest time being a robust 1’24″561 on the C4. By the lunch break, the Monegasque had accomplished 77 laps, equal to 407 km. Within the afternoon, he added an additional 59 (313 km) first on new C2s after which switching to the C3 and C5 compounds. His complete for the day was 136 laps (720 km) and he topped the time sheet with a 1’23″510 set on the softest tyre.
Antonio Fuoco was driving the SF-24 for the primary time, beginning on the C3 after which the softer C4 with which he set his greatest time of 1’25″238. It was the second time the Italian had pushed a present era automotive and it was a helpful train, permitting him to check it with the digital automotive he often drives on the Maranello simulator. He did 73 laps, 386 kilometres.
Previous to the afternoon session, the SF-24 was reconfigured to suit Arthur Leclerc who returned to the cockpit simply 4 days after making his official debut at a System 1 weekend, changing Carlos Sainz for the primary free observe session at this monitor, driving alongside his brother. He accomplished 68 laps, 359 kilometres, on the C3, C4 and C5. Right now, he was capable of push the automotive tougher, working a extra full programme to the one set out for him throughout Friday observe. His greatest time was a 1’24″576.
“It was essential for me to have the chance to get again behind the wheel of a present era System 1 automotive, having pushed the F1-75 a number of weeks in the past at Fiorano,” stated Fuoco. “Doing so in Abu Dhabi, simply a few days after the Grand Prix permits for notably significant comparisons, as a result of we managed to accumulate knowledge in comparable climatic and monitor circumstances. For me, spending a lot time within the simulator, it was additionally helpful to have the ability to work on correlation: tomorrow I shall be again in Maranello the place we are going to test a few of the knowledge from right here. Then there shall be a brief break for the Christmas vacation after which I am very captivated with getting again to work on 2025, once we wish to be much more aggressive.”
“It was nice to be again within the automotive just some days on from once I drove it within the first free observe session,” added Arthur Leclerc. “Right now, I used to be capable of get pleasure from driving the SF-24 rather more and we labored on a reasonably busy programme, attempting numerous issues and gathering knowledge that we are going to analyse within the coming days. As soon as once more, it was particular to have Charles throughout the storage from me and in addition to be on monitor with so many actually good drivers. Subsequent up is one other week working in Maranello earlier than a brief break for the tip of the yr. Then will probably be time to begin once more for what I count on shall be a really busy 2025, however let’s hope will probably be a really rewarding yr.”
KICK Sauber F1 Workforce formally concluded the season with a optimistic day of testing. The day marked an essential milestone for the staff, as 2025 drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, took to the monitor; it was a return to the staff for Nico, who raced for the Hinwil squad in 2013, whereas Gabriel put his first kilometres as a System One driver underneath his belt.
Each drivers had been going through totally different approaches. Nico’s programme primarily centered on the Pirelli tyre take a look at, gathering essential knowledge for the tyre provider’s strategy of the upcoming season., Gabriel made use of the day to get accustomed to System One equipment, and the staff’s processes, shortly adapting and laying a robust basis for his rookie season subsequent yr.
Each drivers accomplished their respective programmes easily, offering invaluable insights and knowledge. The staff now heads into the low season with a wealth of knowledge to analyse, forward of returning on monitor in 2025.
“The primary day collectively is now behind us,” stated Hulkenberg, “and I believe at present has been a productive and optimistic begin – we had been capable of deal with the fundamentals and start working collectively as a staff.
“It was typically very helpful to get a primary impression of the automotive,” he added. “I am trying ahead to constructing on this momentum within the new yr and actually diving into the work forward of us. I want to thank everybody for the nice and cozy welcome and I am unable to wait to get again to this in 2025.”
Take a look at our gallery from Yas Marina, right here.
