How F1’s 2024 post-season test finished including Carlos Sainz’s Williams debut and Kimi Antonelli’s return

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The final bit of on-track action before the winter break took place for the Formula 1 post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Just two days after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix all the teams took part in the test that enabled them to gather the final pieces of data, before turning their attention to 2025 and beyond.

Split up into two parts, the season regulars took to the wheel to evaluate tyre compounds for Pirelli while the team’s second cars were used for the young driver test.

Carlos Sainz topped the morning part of the session having run in the Williams for a second time this season, after getting installation laps out of his way during a private filming session on Monday.

Several other drivers who will have full-time seats in 2025 also took to the track for their respective teams, including Andrea Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes. Here is a look at all the times from the day session.

Charles Leclerc fastest in the F1 Abu Dhabi post-season test

Charles Leclerc was the fastest driver in the Ferrari in the final test of the year having completed 134 laps, ahead of Sainz in the Williams who was only a tenth and half slower but completed 145 laps.

George Russell was third quickest ahead of Nico Hulkenberg on his debut in the Sauber, while Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top five.

Antonelli made an appearance in the afternoon part of the session despite missing the F2 weekend due to illness, and also confirming he plans to miss his upcoming test in Super Formula at Suzuka.

Esteban Ocon rounded out the top ten times on his debut for Haas, after missing the final round in Abu Dhabi with Alpine to take part in the post-season test.

Lando Norris makes mistake in Abu Dhabi days after victory

While it was a day without any major crashes or incidents on track, there was one brief moment for Norris in the McLaren.

During the morning part of the session, Norris went out on track to complete some laps when he spun at Turn 14 exiting the section of track that goes under the W Hotel.

It was a relatively minor incident for the McLaren driver, who managed to get back underway without damaging his car.

It came just days after Norris won the Abu Dhabi GP and sealed the Constructors’ Championship for McLaren, the ninth in their history.