The traditional Pirelli test will be an opportunity for drivers who will change teams: among them Ocon and Hulkenberg, driving for Haas and Sauber, and perhaps also Sainz with Williams.
The championship of F1 2024 is getting ready to close in style, with an exciting triple header that will take the cars from the spotlights of Las Vegas to the heat of Qatar, to then conclude in the suggestive setting of Abu Dhabi where not only the world titles will be awarded – unless Verstappen wins the drivers' title already in Las Vegas – but the classic Pirelli test will also take place, scheduled for Tuesday 10 December. This session represents an important opportunity for drivers and teams, who will have the chance to experiment with the new tyres developed for next season and test new configurations.
It will also be a testing ground for some of the drivers who will change sides in 2025: Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon have been given permission to take part in the tests with respectively Sauber e Haas, anticipating their new sporting adventure with an initial contact with the cars of the new teams. For them it will be an opportunity to collect valuable data and prepare themselves as best as possible for the new season.
Ocon at Abu Dhabi testing with Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon – returning from a fantastic second place in Brazil – will be able to make his first test with Haas as early as Abu Dhabi, thanks to Alpine’s permission to bring forward the switch despite the existing contract. Ayao Komatsu said that the chance to test the current car will allow Ocon to understand how Haas performs on track, identifying its strengths and areas for improvement. With the regulatory stability for 2024, the team expects to gather essential input for the development of the new car, making Ocon’s integration even more strategic.
"It will be the first time we have Esteban in our car, which is important because the regulations will remain stable and, therefore, next year's car will be an evolution of the current one.” The team principal of the Haas team declared, continuing: "That's why it's good that he can get a taste of its characteristics as soon as possible, to understand how it goes on the track and what its strengths and weaknesses are. Then, depending on his feedback, we can continue to work on the development of the next single-seater.".
The possibility of testing the current car, therefore, will allow Ocon to understand how Haas behaves on the track. An advantage for the team and the driver himself, considering the stability of the regulations for 2024. The integration of the Frenchman will be even more strategic: his input will be essential for the development of the new car.
Domino Effect: Hulkenberg in Sauber, Bearman Blocked
Esteban Ocon’s participation in the Abu Dhabi test for Haas in 2025 also means a green light for Nico Hulkenberg, who will move to Sauber-Audi next season. “As far as I'm concerned – added Komatsu in this regard – Nico will already be able to race with Sauber. We have no reason to block him".
However, for Oliver Bearman, the situation is different: his participation in the Brazilian GP caused the young Englishman to loss of rookie driver status (maintained only by those who have run less than 3 races). This means that the 10-year-old will not be able to take part in the tests on December XNUMXth. with the car that teams must necessarily entrust to a rookie.
Bad news both for the driver, who could have further integrated with the team and started to understand the construction of the 2025 tyres (although the rookies will use the 2024 ones), and for the team which will have to find another debutant.
Sainz to Williams?
Another 2025 transfer that could be brought forward to the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi is that of Carlos Sainz in Williams. James Vowles, team principal of the team, has openly expressed the willingness to collaborate with Ferrari to obtain the necessary approval, while being aware of the complexity of the operation, given the contract in place until the end of 2024.
The move is driven by a desire to make the most of Sainz’s experience and technical expertise, which could provide valuable feedback on the potential and areas for development of next year’s car. For the British team, having a driver of Sainz’s calibre behind the wheel in Abu Dhabi would be a rare opportunity to familiarise themselves with him at an early stage, while also giving the Spaniard a chance to get to know the specifics of the car.
The previous
It is worth remembering the precedent of Kimi Raikkonen, who in 2018 took part in tests with Alfa Romeo while still under contract with Ferrari, a similar situation that leaves a glimmer of hope for the possibility of an agreement with Maranello. However, since Sainz's arrival at Williams is external to the "family" dynamics of Ferrari, the Prancing Horse could maintain a more cautious attitude, evaluating the opportunity to release the driver only at the end of the formal contract. Also because it remains to be understood if Toto Wolff gives in to the request of the Maranello team to let Lewis Hamilton debut with the Reds already at Yas Marina, like Ocon and Hulkenberg.
For many teams, this will therefore be an opportunity to start directing their efforts towards the future, refining their strategies in view of next season. The Abu Dhabi test will therefore be the prelude to a 2025 that is yet to be discovered for F1, with particular attention both to the performance of the new tyres and to the ability of the teams to adapt to the new variables in play.
