Formula 1 News: Sainz to Join Williams for Abu Dhabi Tyre Test Ahead of 2025 Debut
In a significant development ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Williams Racing has confirmed that Carlos Sainz will participate in the post-season Abu Dhabi tyre test, courtesy of Ferrari’s permission. This early opportunity will allow Sainz to get accustomed to his new team’s car, the FW46, ahead of his highly-anticipated switch from Ferrari.
Sainz, whose current contract with Ferrari expires at the end of the year, will join forces with Alex Albon at Williams in 2025, forming a formidable driver lineup. Meanwhile, his current seat at Ferrari will be taken over by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will depart Mercedes at the end of the season.
“This early opportunity will allow both Carlos and Williams to begin building their relationship… The test session will provide a valuable chance for Carlos to begin integrating into his new team environment, and he will drive the FW46 for the first time.”
- Williams Racing
As both Sainz and Hamilton are contracted to their current teams until the end of the year, their new teams required permission for them to participate in the Abu Dhabi test. While Hamilton will get his first taste of Ferrari machinery in a Testing of Previous Cars run in early 2025, Sainz will jump straight into the FW46 just two days after the 2024 season finale.
The Abu Dhabi test, organized by Pirelli, will see each team field both cars, with one regular driver or new signing, such as Sainz, and a rookie driver. It remains unclear who will occupy the second Williams seat alongside Sainz, with Franco Colapinto, a Williams junior, having completed more than the maximum permitted two races to qualify as a rookie. Meanwhile, Nico Hulkenberg is set to drive for Sauber, his new team for 2025, in the test.
With Sainz and Albon set to form a strong partnership in 2025, the Abu Dhabi test will be a crucial step in their preparations for the upcoming season.
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