Charles Leclerc led former teammate Carlos Sainz to mark the end of 2024 F1 season in Abu Dhabi Test, as Ferrari firms deal with General Motors.
Abu Dhabi Test –
The long day started with firsts for many drivers whether getting their shot in F1 and or switching teams from the recently concluded 2024 season. Starting from the top, Yuki Tsunoda got his first chance in a Red Bull machinery, as Paul Aron had his first chance in a Formula 1 car with Alpine.
Likewise Gabriel Bortoleto got his first F1 taste with Sauber, as did Nico Hulkenberg switching over from Haas. The American outfit had Esteban Ocon in their car for the first time alongside Ryo Hirakawa, who moved over from McLaren to start a new journey under the programme with Toyota.
Even though Sainz had his first go with Williams in filming run on Monday, it was his first official run with his new team on Tuesday. The day was largely trouble-free apart from few odd moments for selected drivers, as the drivers got a huge amount of laps done during the course of the day.
Sainz headed for large part before McLaren’s Pato O’Ward showed up but it was C Leclerc who ended up on top with a 1m23.510s lap over former teammate Sainz (1m23.635s) and Russell (1m23.789s). The trio were undertaking Pirelli tyre test run, as Hulkenberg was fourth – also doing the tyre test.
Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli made his presence felt in the afternoon after missing the two races in F2 due to illness and also skipping the scheduled Super Formula test in Japan. He took part as under the Young Drivers’ scheme ahead of Visa Cash App RB’s Ayumu Iwasa and O’Ward – on the same trial.
Alpine’s Jack Doohan was eighth, taking part in the tyre test ahead of Aron, who was on Young Driver duty. Ocon rounded out the Top 10 in full gear with Haas, undertaking the tyre test, with Williams’ Luke Browning (Young Drivers’) in 11th from the other Haas of Hirakawa (Young Drivers’).
Visa Cash App RB’s Liam Lawson (Pirelli) in 13th did the most number of laps with 159, as he led Ferrari’s Arthur Leclerc (Young Drivers’), who drove in the afternoon. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar (Young Driver) was 15th from McLaren’s Lando Norris (Pirelli), who drove the title-winning car in the morning session.
Sauber’s Bortoleto (Young Drivers’) was 18th to separate the two McLaren drivers, with Oscar Piastri (Pirelli) in 19th. The Aston Martin pair of Jak Crawford (Young Drivers’) and Felipe Drugovich (Pirelli) were 20th and 21st, as Mercedes’ Frederik Vesti and Ferrari’s Antonio Fuoco rounded out the 23 runners – both as part of Young Drivers’ scheme, drove in the morning hours.
Time sheet via MsportXtra:
Ferrari/Cadillac –
As widely reported, Ferrari announced a power unit and gearbox deal with General Motors/Cadillac from 2026 F1 season onward when they enter the championship. Interestingly, the Italian manufacturer mentions ‘Andretti Formula Racing LLC’ despite Cadillac name in previous documents.
Ferrari is due to lose Sauber as partner from2026 onward when they join hands with Audi, and so Cadillac comes in an opportune time but the deal is likely to run for only two seasons, considering General Motors’ intent to run its own power unit from 2028 F1 season.
“Ferrari today announces a multi-year agreement starting from 2026 with Andretti Formula Racing LLC, regarding the supply of power unit and gearbox to the racing team led by TWG Global and General Motors, subject to Andretti Formula Racing LLC receiving written confirmation from the FIA – F1 that its entry to the 2026 FIA Formula One Championship has been accepted and approved,” said a small statement.
UPDATE: In an interesting move, Ferrari shared a revised statement about their deal with Cadillac by removing any mention of Andretti. In the new version, they had added quotes from both Frederic Vasseur and Graeme Lowdon.
“Ferrari is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with General Motors and TWG Global to supply the Cadillac Formula 1 Team with its power unit and gearbox starting in 2026,” said the statement from the team.
“It’s great to see the commitment of another American team, backed by one of the most highly respected marques in the motor industry, at a time when Formula 1 is increasing in popularity in the United States,” said Vasseur.
“We are delighted therefore that we will be supplying the team with our power unit and gearbox as the basis of this technical collaboration. It means we will continue to have two “customer teams” in the championship with all the benefits this brings in terms of technical development within Ferrari.”
And Lowdon added: “We are thrilled to partner with Ferrari as the power unit and gearbox supplier for our Cadillac team, bringing together two remarkable legacies. Choosing the right power unit partner is crucial, and we trust in Ferrari’s passion, excellence and the exceptional capabilities of their people.”
Here’s news on Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon
Here’s news on Cadillac entry
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