Jak Crawford set the quickest time of the day of the Pirelli tire check in Abu Dhabi, as Mercedes and Ferrari ran programs to assist replicate the aerodynamic modifications in 2026.
All groups have been allowed to develop a system that may assist them perceive the doubtless steadiness and efficiency modifications that may be induced by the lively 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 completely different entrance wings, with Mercedes operating 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 modifications meant the 2 groups have been exempt from a 300kph (186mph) velocity restrict that was imposed by Pirelli to scale back downforce, making certain 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 have been probably 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 certainly one of 15 race drivers for 2026 collaborating, utilizing mule automobiles.
Norris was sporting a particular gold model of his helmet design after successful his maiden title on Sunday, in addition to touches of gold on his racing boots as effectively. He confirmed no ill-effects of his huge celebrations on Sunday night time, logging 71 laps by the morning session.
Piastri took over from Norris within the afternoon session, with Ferrari additionally splitting operating between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, Williams utilized each Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, Sauber giving observe 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 whole earlier than an engine difficulty ended his afternoon.
Purple Bull had Isack Hadjar within the automotive for your complete day as its tire tester forward of his step as much as the staff in 2026, and that allowed Racing Bulls to be the one staff to run its full driver lineup for subsequent yr throughout its two automobiles. Groups are permitted to run race drivers within the Pirelli tire check mule automotive, and one rookie within the different as a part of the Younger Driver Check, however with Hadjar’s alternative Arvid Lindblad additionally a rookie, he was in a position to put together with a day’s operating 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 automotive utilizing 2025 tires, with the American posting a 1m23.766s within the afternoon session. That meant he completed slightly 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 check day was a wonderful 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 mentioned. “In the course of the improvement checks organized by Pirelli all through this season, the groups individually ran completely different variations of the prototypes, in numerous phases of improvement – from simply the brand new building to a variety of choices for a similar compound.
“Right this moment was the primary time that they’d your complete vary at their disposal on observe, which gave them the prospect to extra absolutely perceive the traits of the brand new tires. Through the use of the identical mule automobiles as in the course of the improvement checks, with the identical velocity limits, groups have been simply in a position to examine the information captured in Yas Marina with that from the person check days over the previous few months.
“For our engineers, this check was basic to substantiate the efficiency gaps between the compounds and the degradation ranges, which has been the main target of our work all year long. Analyzing the brand new tires, which have a smaller footprint in opposition to the floor, has additionally allowed us to test their publicity to graining and overheating: two results that may doubtlessly improve as a result of smaller floor space.
“Now we have now to attend till the top of January to see these newest tires in motion on the Barcelona check on the brand new technology of automobiles.”
