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Formula 1’s final track race of the year was a two-day test in Abu Dhabi after the Grand Prix, including young drivers.
Two days after the final grand prix of the year at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, F1 continues its two-day testing on the track.
The test was mainly run on Pirelli tyres, but the team also needed to send a “young driver” along with their tyre test car on one of the days.
Details of the planned driver lineup are shaky at this early stage, but there are already some confirmed plans.Among them was Fernando Alonso’s first chance to drive an Aston Martin, while Mercedes to field junior driver Frederick Westy Duty for their young drivers on opening day.
Here’s what we know so far…
Red Bull: The world champions have yet to finalize their playoff testing plans, either in terms of tire testing or junior drivers. However, Liam Lawson will be driving Max Verstappen’s RB18 in FP1 on Friday of the Grand Prix weekend, meaning Kiwi could be the young driver’s choice.
Mercedes: Merc junior driver Frederik Vesti will be driving the W13 on the first day of testing (November 22), fulfilling the team’s requirements for young drivers. Details about its tire testing program have not been confirmed.
Ferrari: Details of its test plan have not yet been confirmed, but Robert Shwartzman in FP1 For the Scuderia, he could very well be their nominee’s young driver obligation.
McLaren: The Aussies don’t seem very much considering Oscar Piastri’s signing ends up in arbitration at the Contracts Recognition Board as McLaren battles Alpine for his services May get an early release to allow him to test with McLaren in Abu Dhabi (watch this space there!).
IndyCar star Pato O’Ward was in FP1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and he is likely to be the face of the junior drivers taking part in the test. The Woking-based team has yet to confirm their plans for a tyre test driver.
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso takes over Sebastian Vettel’s AMR22 on opening morning Abu Dhabi Test (November 22) with Lance Stroll taking the seat for the afternoon run. New junior signing Felipe Drukovic will meet their junior driver obligations – the exact details of the team’s running plans are yet to be confirmed.
Alpine: Pierre Gasly is expected to make his debut for the team he will race in 2023, taking over from Alonso. The team has yet to confirm when he will play. F2 driver Jack Doohan has emerged as the team’s top youth following his drama with Oscar Piastri earlier this season – meaning he will likely be in charge of the youth programme .
Alpha Taurus: Nyck de Vries, who they signed for 2023, has been confirmed for testing and his participation is under the obligation of the young driver. Team boss Franz Tost confirmed the Dutch driver’s participation during the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, but details about their tyre testing programme have yet to be released.
Alfa Romeo: There’s absolutely no sign of Alfa Romeo’s testing program. The team has fulfilled their FP1 junior driver requirements and ran Theo Pourchaire for that session at the United States Grand Prix. Given that Formula 2 races in Abu Dhabi on the same weekend as F1, Pourchaire will be there if Alfa Romeo invites him to test.
Williams: The British team’s plans for 2023 currently revolve around Logan Sargent earning enough Superlicense points to qualify as an F1 driver for next season. To that end, the American driver will also take part in the Young Drivers Test, following Friday’s presentation of his FP1 with the team at Yas Marina. Details about its tire testing have yet to emerge.
Haas: As the only team yet to confirm its full driver line-up for 2023, it’s no surprise that the team has yet to announce their testing plans. Haas will reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi for Friday’s FP1 race, so it would be a logical assumption to test the Brazilian racer as their young driver.
Read more: Has Red Bull overstepped the bar with testy Sky F1 boycott?
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