Image Credentials: Image Title: Abu Dhabi Post-Season Test: Jak Crawford Tops Timesheets as Teams Trial 2026 Tyres Source: (sora.openai) Date: December 2025. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle Staff
The 2025 Formula 1 season officially drew to a close at the Yas Marina Circuit on Tuesday with a nine-hour post-season test. While many eyes were on the fresh faces in new team gear, the day was dominated by technical preparation for the 2026 regulations, with Aston Martin’s Jak Crawford ending the day at the top of the leaderboard.
Testing the Future: Pirelli’s 2026 Compounds
The primary objective of the session was the evaluation of Pirelli’s 2026 tyre range. To simulate the lower downforce levels expected under the upcoming technical overhaul, several teams utilized “mule cars.” Mercedes drew significant attention in the morning session by trialling a unique, experimental front wing design on their W15.
Crawford and the Young Guns Impress
Jak Crawford set the benchmark for Aston Martin with a 1m23.766s, completing a robust 119 laps. He was closely followed by Alpine’s Paul Aron and Williams’ Luke Browning, both of whom finished within two-tenths of the top spot.
Kimi Antonelli was the busiest driver on track, logging a staggering 157 laps for Mercedes to finish 6th fastest. Meanwhile, 2025 World Champion Lando Norris completed 71 laps in the morning before handing over to Oscar Piastri. Notable absentees from the cockpit included Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso, who elected to sit out the day’s running.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Integration
The test also provided further track time for Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari SF-25. Running a program focused on long-run data in the afternoon, Hamilton finished 11th fastest. His teammate Charles Leclerc and new Mercedes recruit Carlos Sainz also logged significant mileage as they continued to adapt to their respective new environments for the upcoming year.
2025 Abu Dhabi Post-Season Test Results
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jak Crawford | Aston Martin | 1m23.766s | 119 |
| 2 | Paul Aron | Alpine | 1m23.847s | 126 |
| 3 | Luke Browning | Williams | 1m23.920s | 129 |
| 4 | Frederik Vesti | Mercedes | 1m24.568s | 145 |
| 5 | Ayumu Iwasa | Racing Bulls | 1m24.925s | 121 |
| 6 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1m25.170s | 157 |
| 7 | Pato O’Ward | McLaren | 1m25.418s | 127 |
| 8 | Ryo Hirakawa | Haas | 1m25.463s | 121 |
| 9 | Dino Beganovic | Ferrari | 1m25.720s | 122 |
| 10 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1m26.099s | 85 |
| 11 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1m26.138s | 73 |
| 12 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1m26.142s | 71 |
| 13 | Alex Albon | Williams | 1m26.289s | 92 |
| 14 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1m26.417s | 75 |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz | Mercedes | 1m26.454s | 76 |
| 16 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1m26.505s | 141 |
| 17 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 1m26.419s | 139 |
| 18 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber | 1m26.767s | 78 |
| 19 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber | 1m27.004s | 76 |
| 20 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1m27.433s | 144 |
| 21 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 1m27.515s | 111 |
| 22 | Kush Maini | Alpine | 1m27.544s | 128 |
| 23 | Stoffel Vandoorne | Aston Martin | 1m27.743s | 108 |
| 24 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1m27.827s | 80 |
| 25 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1m31.407s | 4 |