F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Driver lineup for Abu Dhabi post-season test - day 1

Kimi Raikkonen has ditched his red overalls and is back in Sauber overalls for today's post-season test at Yas Marina Circuit.

Raikkonen retired from Sunday's Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, but just two days later he's back in action at the same track as all 10 teams stay on to carry out tyre testing for Pirelli.

It's the first time everyone will be trying out the manufacturer's 2019 compounds at the same time. And it's also the first opportunity for several drivers - like Raikkonen - who are changing teams over the winter to get their first taste of their new home.

Here's the complete line-up for Tuesday, November 27, the first of two days of testing at the 21-turn, 5.554km track. Lewis Hamilton set a time of 1:34.794s in qualifying at the weekend with Sebastian Vettel's 1:40.867s proving to be the fastest lap in the race itself.

Abu Dhabi post-season test - day 1

Mercedes: Valtteri Bottas
Valtteri Bottas missed out on a win in 2018 and is getting a head start on next year's campaign. With the Silver Arrows driver line-up one of few that are remaining unchanged, the Finn will be at the wheel of the Mercedes for both days of the test

Ferrari: Sebastian Vettel
After finishing runner-up on Sunday and in this year's championship, Sebastian Vettel takes charge of the Ferrari for day 1, but his new team mate for 2019 Charles Leclerc will take over tomorrow for the first time since his promotion from Sauber was announced.

Red Bull: Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen will be at the wheel for Red Bull on Tuesday. He also has a new team mate coming in next season, and Pierre Gasly will get his chance in the car on Wednesday. Departing driver Daniel Ricciardo will not be in action this week for either Red Bull or Renault.

Force India: Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll
Sergio Perez is first up for Force India on Tuesday morning, but he'll hand over the keys in the afternoon to Lance Stroll. The Canadian is yet to be formally announced as the team's driver for 2019 but it's just a matter of time. Stroll will have the car to himself on Wednesday

Williams: George Russell, Robert Kubica
Williams is one of the teams having a total clear-out on the driver front, and Tuesday is their first opportunity to try its all-new line-up for 2019. F2 champion George Russell takes the car in the morning with Robert Kubica taking over after lunch. They'll both be back again on Wednesday, too.

Renault: Nico Hulkenberg
Showing no lasting ill-effects from his roll at the start of Sunday's race, Nico Hulkenberg will be testing for Renault on Tuesday. With his 2019 team mate Daniel Ricciardo contractually unable to take part, Wednesday's test will be handled by the team's development driver Artem Markelov.

Toro Rosso: Sean Gelael
The team finally confirmed Alexander Albon in their 2019 line-up, but the British-Thai driver won't be in action for them this week. Instead, Tuesday's test will be the responsibility of F2 Indonesian driver Sean Gelael, with Daniil Kvyat returning to the team on Wednesday.

Haas: Pietro Fittipaldi
The Haas team has given its regular drivers the week off and is giving an opportunity to its two young test and development drivers instead. Pietro Fittipaldi makes his test debut with the team on Tuesday, with F2 driver Louis Deletraz on deck for Wednesday's session.

McLaren: Lando Norris
Lando Norris is no stranger to the McLaren cockpit, having served as the team's test and development driver for the past year. But Tuesday will be the first time at the wheel as their official full-time Formula 1 driver, with his 2019 team mate Carlos Sainz getting his chance on Wednesday.

Sauber: Kimi Raikkonen
Its' a case of deja vu all over again for veteran Formula 1 star Kimi Raikkonen, who returns to the team where he began his F1 career in 2001. Tuesday will be his first outing in a Sauber in 17 years, and on Wednesday it will be the turn of his new team mate Antonio Giovinazzi.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.

Recent Posts

Colapinto cleared to race in Las Vegas GP after heavy crash

Williams rookie Franco Colapinto has been given the green light to compete in tonight’s Las…

1 hour ago

Perez says Vegas qualifying bust rooted in ‘fundamental issue’

The neon-lit grandeur of the Las Vegas Strip offered no solace to Sergio Perez, as…

12 hours ago

Las Vegas Speed Trap: Who was the fastest of them all?

Formula 1 teams set up shop in Las Vegas this week with the benefit of…

14 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Friday's action in pictures

From the outset, Mercedes has been on top form in Las Vegas, and George Russell…

15 hours ago

Hamilton says botched Q3 due to sudden ‘loss of stability’

Lewis Hamilton was left to reflect on a frustrating qualifying session under the Las Vegas…

16 hours ago

Sainz: Ferrari ready to roll the dice in Vegas to challenge McLaren

Carlos Sainz says Ferrari has thrown down the gauntlet in its battle against McLaren for…

17 hours ago