The 2025 System 1 aggressive season could also be over, however observe exercise just isn’t: all 20 automobiles will likely be in motion in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Every group could have one mule automotive 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’ development will likely be considerably totally different as a result of F1’s new technical laws. 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 yr. If they only give us an concept of the automotive efficiency at the beginning of the season, and if we do not know what the speed of improvement will likely be, then it is troublesome for us.”
Pirelli has subsequently developed a broad spectrum of compounds, in case the real-world downforce ranges grow to be larger or decrease than predicted by the groups.
The mule automobiles are 2025-spec equipment that has been modified to drop down nearer to subsequent yr’s a lot decrease downforce ranges, although it can’t be absolutely correct, partly as a result of the 2026 automobiles will characteristic lively aerodynamics.
“Now we have mentioned some limitations with the groups, based mostly on these first exams,” Isola added. “For instance, we determined to keep away from overloading the tyres on the straights. We had been testing with a velocity restrict at 290km/h or 300km/h, as a result of clearly they may have rather a lot much less downforce on the straights subsequent yr. So we agreed on some methodologies for testing with the groups. Thanks to those methodologies it was attainable to have suggestions from the mule automobiles that was a little bit bit extra coherent, extra shut.”
Valtteri Bottas, Mercdes, 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’s going to merely assist Pirelli select the compounds for subsequent yr.
The Italian producer has introduced all compounds to Yas Marina Circuit apart from the toughest dry-weather tyre, the C1, and the full-wet.
In the meantime, the opposite 10 automobiles will likely be pushed by rookies as a part of the normal end-of-season younger drivers’ check. Solely opponents with two grand prix begins or fewer are allowed to participate.
Which race drivers are skipping the check?
A lot of 2025 race drivers will likely be skipping Tuesday’s check.
This consists of outgoing Purple 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 stated he was “very comfortable” to overlook out.
Alpine will subject solely Pierre Gasly, with Franco Colapinto lacking out.
Stoffel Vandoorne would be the solely check driver dealing with a mule automotive, with neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll in motion for Aston Martin – which isn’t any shock so far as the Spanish veteran is worried, as he was trying ahead to not driving the AMR25 any longer.
Which rookies will likely be in motion?
Many groups will subject 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 will likely be in motion along with his dad or mum 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.
Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Group
Picture by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures
Purple Bull will entrust its protege Ayumu Iwasa with the RB21 after the Japanese racer gained the Tremendous System championship. 2025 IndyCar runner-up and long-time McLaren driver Pato O’Ward will deal with the title-winning F1 automotive.
Most significantly, Arvid Lindblad will acquire essential expertise forward of his commencement to System 1 with Racing Bulls in 2026.
Entry record for 2025 F1 Abu Dhabi post-season check
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