Formula 1 teams wrapped up the 2025 season with exciting tests at Yas Marina. They tried new ideas for 2026 cars. There was a scary crash, cool wing tech, special test cars, and a young driver who stole the show. Fans are buzzing about F1 Abu Dhabi Tests highlights.
The two-day event started right after the final race. Teams used “mule cars” — old models changed to fit 2026 parts. This helped check tires and aero designs early. Pirelli brought slimmer tires for next year. They are 25-30mm narrower in tread and 10-15mm smaller around. Rims stay 18 inches.
Mercedes led the way with 157 laps. Their young driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, tested a smart front wing. It lifts up on fast straights to cut drag. A hydraulic system makes it move, like DRS but on both wings from 2026. “This is the future of F1 aero,” said a team source. Ferrari showed a similar setup too. They tested it quietly with Pirelli before.
But not all went smooth. Ryo Hirakawa from Toyota had a big scare. He spun out and hit the wall hard. The red flag stopped the session. Luckily, he walked away fine. It was a reminder of how tricky these new parts can be.
Haas had a tough time. Esteban Ocon dealt with engine trouble and did the fewest laps. They even used three cars to keep going.
The real talk of the town? Jak Crawford, a 20-year-old reserve for Aston Martin. He topped the timesheets with a quick 1:23.766 lap. That’s faster than many big names. Paul Aron from Sauber was second, and Luke Browning from Williams third. Crawford’s speed surprised everyone. “He’s a gem for the future,” one expert said.
Alpine finished low. Pierre Gasly was 20th, and rookie Kush Maini 22nd. Still, the team gathered good data for 2026.
A total of 25 drivers hit the track, including new faces like Isack Hadjar for Red Bull and Arvid Lindblad for Racing Bulls. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri drove for McLaren, while their reserve Pato O’Ward got a turn too. Franco Colapinto skipped it to work on simulators back home.
Pirelli’s Mario Isola explained the speed rules. Teams without active wings had to cap at 300 km/h to save tires. But those with the new tech could go full out. “The FIA let teams build systems to match the lower downforce,” Isola said. “No speed limit needed then.”
These F1 Abu Dhabi Tests set the stage for big changes next year. Active aero will make races faster and smarter. Watch for Crawford — he might be the next big thing in F1.