Aston Martin rookie Jak Crawford topped Formula 1‘s Abu Dhabi post-season test while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli clocked the fastest lap among the 2026 F1 mule cars as teams made critical preparations for next year’s regulations overhaul.
Held at the Yas Marina Circuit just two days after the season finale, the single-day event marked the last on-track action of 2025, drawing 25 drivers across 10 teams to complete over 2,500 laps in a meticulously structured program.
The test unfolded from early morning under clear desert skies, progressing through morning and afternoon phases into the cooling dusk, with rookie cars on standard 2025 setups, while mule cars were modified with Monza-style low-downforce wings and elevated ride heights to mimic 2026 aerodynamics.
As dawn broke over Yas Marina, teams rolled out their entries in staggered fashion, adhering to the FIA-mandated format where each squad nominated one primary car for rookie duties on conventional rubber and another as a 2026 F1 mule car to validate Pirelli’s narrower, lighter prototype tyres.
Williams junior Luke Browning seized early control, logging a benchmark 1:23.920 during the morning’s opening hours, his 129 laps overall showcasing consistent pace on the high-speed layout’s demanding straights and technical sectors.
Aston Martin’s Jak Crawford shadowed closely, building tyre life data before unleashing his session-best in the evening’s optimal track conditions.
Alpine’s protégé Paul Aron slotted into second just 0.081 seconds adrift after 126 laps, his smooth inputs highlighting potential for a grid slot amid Sauber’s transition.
Mercedes reserve Frederik Vesti took fourth in the spare Silver Arrows machine validating setup tweaks while the primary entry stole the technical spotlight with Kimi Antonelli’s standout mule performance in sixth overall at 1:25.170 from a record 157 laps—the day’s highest.
Antonelli’s impressive performance came as courtesy of an FIA-approved active aero front wing prototype exempt from the 300 km/h speed cap imposed on other 2026 F1 mule cars.
This innovation involves toggling to a low-downforce and low-drag mode along the straights, previewing next year’s overtaking paradigm.
McLaren split their sessions effectively with Pato O’Ward ranking seventh after 127 laps in rookie trim, while Oscar Piastri’s mule stint yielded tenth from 85 laps, prioritizing data over outright pace.
Freshly crowned 2025 Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris donned a special golden helmet for his morning McLaren outing which yielded 12th after completing 71 laps before handing over, his hoarse voice from celebrations no hindrance to precise long-run simulations.
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Ayumu Iwasa completed over 121 laps to take fifth overall while partnering with recently confirmed 2026 Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar who trailed down in 21st, the gap reflective of mule constraints.
Haas’ rookie Ryo Hirakawa was eighth fastest despite damaging his rear wing in Turn 1 shunt, while Ollie Bearman endured 24th from 80 laps despite session challenges.
Ferrari’s Dino Beganovic was ninth fastest as Lewis Hamilton clocked 11th after running over 73 afternoon laps in his scarlet machinery. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc completed 75 laps in 14th.
Williams duo of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz managed 13th and 15th respectively, while Liam Lawson tallied 141 laps for 16th just ahead of incoming 2026 Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad.
Sauber drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg followed in 18th and 19th respectively, while Pierre Gasly’s 144 laps in the Alpine landed 20th, his extensive running aiding the team’s aero mapping.
Alpine rookie Kush Maini mustered 22nd as Stoffel Vandoorne’s Aston Martin mule effort yielded 23rd.
Max Verstappen and George Russell were allowed to skip the Abu Dhabi post-season test.
