The 2025 Method 1 aggressive season could also be over, however observe exercise just isn’t: all 20 automobiles might be in motion in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Every workforce can have one mule automobile pushed by one or each race drivers, that includes Pirelli’s new vary of rubber for the 2026 season, with barely smaller and narrower tyres.
Even the tyres’ building might be considerably completely different attributable to F1’s new technical rules. When Pirelli requested all F1 groups to submit their predicted downforce ranges for the top of 2026, there was a lot disparity between their simulations.
“It was harder for groups to estimate the efficiency of their 2026 automobiles on the finish of the season,” Pirelli’s Mario Isola defined. “However we wanted these simulations as a result of we wanted to design a product that’s lasting for one 12 months. If they simply give us an thought of the automobile efficiency initially of the season, and if we do not know what the speed of growth might be, then it is tough for us.”
Pirelli has subsequently developed a broad spectrum of compounds, in case the real-world downforce ranges change into increased or decrease than predicted by the groups.
The mule automobiles are 2025-spec equipment that has been modified to drop down nearer to subsequent 12 months’s a lot decrease downforce ranges, although it can’t be absolutely correct, partly as a result of the 2026 automobiles will function lively aerodynamics.
“We’ve mentioned some limitations with the groups, primarily based on these first checks,” Isola added. “For instance, we determined to keep away from overloading the tyres on the straights. We have been testing with a pace restrict at 290km/h or 300km/h, as a result of clearly they may have loads much less downforce on the straights subsequent 12 months. So we agreed on some methodologies for testing with the groups. Thanks to those methodologies it was potential to have suggestions from the mule automobiles that was slightly bit extra coherent, extra shut.”
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, Mexico Pirelli Check
Picture by: Pirelli
The check gained’t change the 2026 compounds in any case, because the tyres have already been homologated for subsequent season; it should merely assist Pirelli select the compounds for subsequent 12 months.
The Italian producer has introduced all compounds to Yas Marina Circuit aside from the toughest dry-weather tyre, the C1, and the full-wet.
In the meantime, the opposite 10 automobiles might be pushed by rookies as a part of the standard end-of-season younger drivers’ check. Solely rivals with two grand prix begins or fewer are allowed to participate.
Which race drivers are skipping the check?
Quite a few 2025 race drivers might be skipping Tuesday’s check.
This contains outgoing Crimson Bull racer Yuki Tsunoda in addition to his team-mate Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell, with these groups giving all of the observe time to kids Isack Hadjar and Andrea Kimi Antonelli respectively. Verstappen mentioned he was “very comfortable” to overlook out.
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Alpine will area solely Pierre Gasly, with Franco Colapinto lacking out.
Stoffel Vandoorne would be the solely check driver dealing with a mule automobile, with neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll in motion for Aston Martin – which isn’t any shock so far as the Spanish veteran is anxious, as he was trying ahead to not driving the AMR25 any longer.
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Workforce
Picture by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Photos through Getty Photos
Which rookies might be in motion?
Many groups will area the identical rookie as they did in Free Observe 1.
F2 frontrunners Dino Beganovic, Luke Browning and Jak Crawford will drive for the Ferrari, Williams and Aston Martin squads they’re linked to.
One other F2 driver might be in motion along with his mother or father outfit, Kush Maini at Alpine; the Enstone-based outfit will once more mortgage out Paul Aron to Sauber.
Now racing in IMSA with Cadillac, Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti will drive the Silver Arrow, whereas Toyota WEC driver and Haas reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa will drive the VF-25.
Crimson Bull will entrust its protege Ayumu Iwasa with the RB21 after the Japanese racer gained the Tremendous Method championship. 2025 IndyCar runner-up and long-time McLaren driver Pato O’Ward will deal with the title-winning F1 automobile.
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Most significantly, Arvid Lindblad will acquire essential expertise forward of his commencement to Method 1 with Racing Bulls in 2026.
Entry record for 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi post-season check
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