Post-Season Test 2024
The last day of track action to close the 2024 Formula 1 season took place on Thursday December 10th in Abu Dhabi. The Yas Marina Circuit hosted the usual end-of-season test, which has been a tradition for several years following the final Grand Prix. All ten teams participated, each fielding two cars and focusing on different objectives. One car from each team was driven by a “rookie driver,” defined by the FIA as someone who has not competed in more than two Grands Prix. The other car had no such restrictions, with some drivers already working with their new teams for the upcoming season.
The tires available for these groups were also different. Rookies ran the same 2024 compounds that were used during last weekend’s Grand Prix, while the other cars tested the homologated compounds that Pirelli will supply next season, developed in collaboration with the teams over the past year. The one exception was the C1 compound, which was not used as it is unsuitable for this track.
Each young driver had eight sets of tires: two C3, four C4, and two C5. Other drivers were allotted ten sets: one C2, three each of C3 and C4, two C5, and one C6, the latter being a new ultra-soft compound added to the 2025 range, presumably for use on street circuits. Unlike the "in-competition test" conducted during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, Pirelli did not mandate a standardized program for the 2025 compounds, allowing teams to run them as they saw fit to gather critical data for next year’s car development. Finally, as mandated by the FIA, no car was allowed to use any components that had not already been run during a race weekend.
The day featured nine intense hours of testing, with only one brief interruption toward the end. A total of 2,578 laps were completed, covering 13,614.418 kilometers (8,460.81 miles). All tire types were utilized; some teams even ran rain or intermediate tires for installation laps or aerodynamic measurements, usually performed at the start of the session.
Charles Leclerc topped the time sheet, taking his Ferrari around in 1:23.510. Second was Williams’ new signing, Carlos Sainz (1:23.635), while George Russell was third for Mercedes (1:23.789). While the former Ferrari teammates set their best times on the C5 compound, Russell achieved his on the C6. Among the rookies, the fastest was Italy’s Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) with a time of 1:23.873. The drivers who completed the most laps were Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls, 159), Carlos Sainz (Williams, 146), and Felipe Drugovich (Aston Martin, 146).
That brought the 2024 season to an end. Pirelli’s Formula 1 team will return to the track in late January at Magny-Cours for the first test session of the year, focusing on developing the 2026 tires.
Excerpts of this article provided by Pirelli S.p.A.
