Two days after the end of the 2025 season, F1 teams turn all focus to the new era of 2026. The traditional post-season test at Yas Marina Circuit serves a dual purpose this time around.
Each team takes a mule cart onto the track to test Pirelli’s new 2026 tires. The mule car is still a ground-effect machine, but has been modified to mimic next year’s downforce levels – mainly by changing wing levels (Monza style) and ride height. Another 10 cars were allocated to young drivers testing rookies.
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In the Dutchman’s own words, Max Verstappen and George Russell were “lucky” to be allowed to skip playoff testing. Instead, Red Bull put Isack Hadjar on the mule cart to give him a first feel for the 2026 race, with Ayumu Iwasa serving as a rookie. Arvid Lindblad, who will make his F1 debut next year, has been given his chance with sister team Racing Bulls.
All regular McLaren and Ferrari drivers were present and each completed a half-day run. Andrea Kimi Antonelli handled the entire Tuesday session for Mercedes – the team that attracted the most attention in the pits after the green light came on.
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New Mercedes front wing makes F1 2026 debut
Mercedes has tested active aerodynamics on its front wing for the first time, providing a preview of what’s to come in 2026. The Silver Arrows use a prototype that has been approved by the FIA, allowing Antonelli’s front wing to switch to low-downforce and low-drag mode on the straights, exactly as it will be next year.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
The differences between the mule cars and the rookie cars – which in addition to running more downforce and still running on 2025 tires – meant the young drivers locked in the fastest times. Luke Browning led the morning with a time of 1m23.920s in his Williams. This target time lasts until the sun has almost set in Abu Dhabi and the temperature has dropped.
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Aston Martin junior Jak Crawford made the most of the cooler weather to reach the top in 1:23.766. The American beat Alpine’s Paul Aron and Browning, with Paul Aron this time aboard Sauber. Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti and Iwasa rounded out the top five.
Antonelli finished sixth and became the fastest mule driver. His best lap time was 1.25.170 seconds, almost a second and a half slower than Crawford. The Italian was also nearly a second faster than second-placed mule rider Oscar Piastri, finishing 10th.
Thanks to Antonelli’s active aerodynamics, he does not have to adhere to Pirelli’s 300 km/h straight-line speed limit, as the load on the tires on the straights will be different next year. Antonelli was also the most efficient driver of the day, completing 157 laps.
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Apart from Ryo Hirakawa’s collision, the test was run without any major issues. His incident at Turn 1 resulted in a red flag and damaged the rear wing, although the Japanese driver was quickly back on track. Esteban Ocon completed just four laps in the afternoon due to apparent technical issues at Haas.
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