Jak Crawford set the quickest time of the day of the Pirelli tire take a look at in Abu Dhabi, as Mercedes and Ferrari ran programs to assist replicate the aerodynamic adjustments in 2026.
All groups had been allowed to develop a system that might assist them perceive the doubtless stability and efficiency adjustments that might be induced by the energetic aerodynamics that come into impact subsequent season, with decrease drag modes on straights and excessive downforce in corners.
Of these, solely Mercedes and Ferrari had visibly totally different entrance wings, with Mercedes working a hydraulic system that included two tubes protruding from the top of the nostril and looping spherical to the entrance wing flaps. The Ferrari design was extra delicate, however each allowed the flaps to maneuver right into a low drag setting.
These adjustments meant the 2 groups had been exempt from a 300kph (186mph) velocity restrict that was imposed by Pirelli to scale back downforce, guaranteeing the information collected was extra consultant to 2026. Ferrari and Mercedes may solely use the ‘straight line mode’ (SLM) programs in sure sections enforced by the FIA.
The programs had been essentially the most eye-catching a part of a day that had only one pink flag – when Haas reserve Ryo Hirakawa spun backwards into the barrier at Flip 1 – and featured new world champion Lando Norris as considered one of 15 race drivers for 2026 participating, utilizing mule vehicles.
Norris was sporting a particular gold model of his helmet design after profitable his maiden title on Sunday, in addition to touches of gold on his racing boots as nicely. He confirmed no ill-effects of his massive celebrations on Sunday evening, logging 71 laps by the morning session.
Piastri took over from Norris within the afternoon session, with Ferrari additionally splitting working between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Williams utilized each Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, Sauber giving monitor time to Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, and Haas making an attempt to do the identical.
For Haas, a productive morning for Ollie Bearman was adopted by a irritating one for Esteban Ocon, who managed simply 4 laps in complete earlier than an engine problem ended his afternoon.
Crimson Bull had Isack Hadjar within the automobile for the complete day as its tire tester forward of his step as much as the workforce in 2026, and that allowed Racing Bulls to be the one workforce to run its full driver lineup for subsequent yr throughout its two vehicles. Groups are permitted to run race drivers within the Pirelli tire take a look at mule automobile, and one rookie within the different as a part of the Younger Driver Take a look at, however with Hadjar’s substitute Arvid Lindblad additionally a rookie, he was in a position to put together with a day’s working whereas Liam Lawson carried out Pirelli duties.
It was Aston Martin third driver Crawford who set the quickest time of the day in an unmodified automobile utilizing 2025 tires, with the American posting a 1m23.766s within the afternoon session. That meant he completed just below a second away from Paul Aron within the Sauber, whereas Williams driver Luke Browning was third on a 1m23.930s.
Kimi Antonelli drove all day for Mercedes and was the lead driver on 2026 tires, additionally logging the best variety of laps with 157 as he completed with the sixth-fastest time, simply forward of Pato O’Ward. The IndyCar star made one other look for McLaren and added 127 laps to his F1 expertise.
“This take a look at day was a superb alternative for all of the groups to check out the definitive 2026 tires, with the compounds set to be formally confirmed on Monday,” Pirelli motorsport boss Mario Isola stated. “In the course of the growth exams organized by Pirelli all through this season, the groups individually ran totally different variations of the prototypes, in varied phases of growth – from simply the brand new development to a spread of choices for a similar compound.
“Immediately was the primary time that that they had the complete vary at their disposal on monitor, which gave them the possibility to extra absolutely perceive the traits of the brand new tires. By utilizing the identical mule vehicles as in the course of the growth exams, with the identical velocity limits, groups had been simply in a position to evaluate the information captured in Yas Marina with that from the person take a look at days over the previous couple of months.
“For our engineers, this take a look at was elementary to substantiate the efficiency gaps between the compounds and the degradation ranges, which has been the main focus of our work all year long. Analyzing the brand new tires, which have a smaller footprint towards the floor, has additionally allowed us to examine their publicity to graining and overheating: two results that may doubtlessly improve as a result of smaller floor space.
“Now we’ve to attend till the top of January to see these newest tires in motion on the Barcelona take a look at on the brand new technology of vehicles.”
