Carlos Sainz: Williams signing to make early debut in post-season Abu Dhabi test for new team
Williams' 2025 signing to make an early debut for the team, driving their 2024 car in the Abu Dhabi test on December 10; Lewis Hamilton not driving for Ferrari due to Mercedes sponsor commitments; F1 returns with Las Vegas GP on November 22-24, live on Sky Sports F1
Friday 15 November 2024 15:43, UK
Carlos Sainz will drive a Williams car for the first time in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi on December 10.
Sainz, who has lost his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton for next season, is joining Williams to partner Alex Albon, and Williams confirmed on Friday that the Scuderia are allowing Sainz to begin preparations with his new team immediately after the current campaign ends.
The one-day test at the Yas Marina Circuit takes place on the Tuesday after the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP with teams running two cars, one for Pirelli tyre-testing purposes with experienced drivers and the other for young drivers to gain valuable miles on track.
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"This early opportunity allows both Carlos and Williams to begin building their relationship together ahead of next term," read a Williams statement.
"The test session at Yas Marina Circuit will provide a valuable chance for the Spaniard to start integrating into his new team environment, when he drives the FW46 for the first time."
Teams are not obliged to release departing drivers to appear in the test for their new team given they are contracted to them until the end of December.
Hamilton will not be driving for Ferrari in the test due to pre-planned activities with Mercedes sponsors in the week after his final race with the team.
The seven-time champion's first outing in red appears likely to be in one of Ferrari's older cars in the weeks before pre-season testing for the 2025 season, which takes place in Bahrain on February 26-28.
Formula 1 returns with the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 22-24, live on Sky Sports F1 where Max Verstappen could seal the championship. Get Sky Sports F1 to watch every race and more live
