The line-up for F1 test in Abu Dhabi is set with youngsters and some regulars, while Aston Martin names Dani Juncadella as sim driver and Williams inks deal with Santander.
Abu Dhabi Test –
The one-day test will take place at Yas Marina circuit where Pirelli will run the 2025 compound. It will be combined with Young Drivers’ run, as the F1 teams will run two cars simultaneously from early morning – local time – until evening.
There will be handful of regulars in action, as Yuki Tsunoda will get his first taste with Red Bull. As will, Esteban Ocon with Haas and Nico Hulkenberg with Sauber. The same was for Carlos Sainz at Williams, but the Spaniard undertook filming run on Monday.
It was not the same pace as he will do on Tuesday, but he already made his Williams ‘debut’ unofficially. For the likes of Paul Aron and Gabriel Bortoleto will get their first taste of a F1 car as well, with the rest of the youngsters having had at least one test done.
Here’s the line-up –
McLaren: Lando Norris/Oscar Piastri (Pirelli), Pato O’Ward (Young Drivers’)
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc (Pirelli); Arthur Leclerc/Antonio Fuoco (Young Drivers’)
Red Bull: Yuki Tsunoda (Pirelli); Isack Hadjar (Young Drivers’)
Mercedes: George Russell (Pirelli); Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Young Drivers’)
Aston Martin: Felipe Drugovich (Pirelli); Jak Crawford (Young Drivers’)
Alpine: Jack Doohan (Pirelli); Paul Aron (Young Drivers’)
Haas: Esteban Ocon (Pirelli); Ryo Hirakawa (Young Drivers’)
Visa Cash App RB: Liam Lawson (Pirelli); Ayumu Iwasa (Young Drivers’)
Williams: Carlos Sainz (Pirelli); Luke Browning (Young Drivers’)
Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg (Pirelli); Gabriel Bortoleto (Young Drivers’)
Dani Juncadella (as per press release) –
The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team today announced Daniel Juncadella as a Simulator Driver. The 33-year-old has extensive experience in single-seaters and sportscars, where he has most recently competed for TF Sport in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
He commenced his simulator duties in Silverstone last week during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and has been supporting Aston Martin Aramco from the AMR Technology Campus (AMRTC). Daniel has previously worked with the Silverstone-based team as a Reserve Driver during the 2014 season.
Mike Krack, Team Principal, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said: “We are excited to welcome Daniel to the team. The role of a Simulator Driver is an important one as his feedback from the simulator will have an impact on car development and our performances during race weekends. He brings a lot of skill and experience behind the wheel so we have no doubt that he will become a valuable asset for us.”
Daniel Juncadella, Simulator Driver, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team, said: “I’m really happy to be joining Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team as a Simulator Driver. The facilities at the AMRTC are really impressive and I can see the ambition and determination of everybody involved in this project. I look forward to supporting the team from the campus going forward.”
Williams/Santander (as per press release) –
Williams Racing is pleased to announce a new multi-year partnership with Santander that will begin in 2025. One of the world’s leading banks with 171 million customers worldwide, Santander will join the team to complement its series sponsorship as Formula 1’s official retail banking partner which also starts next year.
Santander has chosen Williams as a global platform to connect with customers, offering exclusive experiences with access to the paddock and driver events, and to increase its brand visibility especially in the US where there are three F1 races and the team will showcase Santander’s Openbank brand. Santander or Openbank branding will feature on the FW47, driver helmets and team clothing throughout 2025 when Williams’ challenge will be led by Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz – one of the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid.
To celebrate the announcement of the partnership, Santander branding will feature on the FW46 for this week’s end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi, where Spaniard Carlos Sainz will take the wheel of a Williams for the first time. The announcement continues Williams’ commercial momentum and growth as the team strengthens in all areas in pursuit of future Championship success. Williams has recently announced extended and expanded partnerships with Duracell, Gulf Oil International and Kraken for 2025, and F1’s first autonomous vehicle partnership with robotaxi company Zoox.
James Vowles, Team Principal, Williams Racing: “Williams Racing is proud to add Santander to our growing roster of iconic and innovative partners for 2025 and beyond. Joining forces with a global banking giant trusted by tens of millions of people around the world is another significant step in our transformation and we look forward to working with Santander to engage and excite fans in the years ahead.”
Juan Manuel Cendoya, Global Head of Communications, Corporate Marketing and Research of Santander and Vice Chair of Santander Spain, said: “We are delighted to partner with Williams Racing with a tactical agreement that allows us to keep offering exclusive experiences to our customers and continue to support Carlos Sainz in his new stage. This is one of the most historic teams with the greatest legacy in F1, and complements our role as the official retail banking partner of the competition with a focus on our main markets.”
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