All 21 drivers in the F1 Abu Dhabi post-season test as Hamilton and Verstappen miss out

The post-season test in Abu Dhabi gives teams an annual chance to collect final data on their cars for the campaign just passed, and to see how their most talented young drivers get on in F1 machinery. and are both set to be absent in 2024, but there are many interesting names on the programme.

The test is split into two parts. The tyre test is typically completed by a more experienced hand, although reserve drivers are permitted. The young driver segment can only feature racers with two Grand Prix starts or fewer.

Express Sport takes a look at the 21 (correct, 21) drivers taking part in 2024’s post-season test.

McLaren

/Oscar Piastri, Pato O’Ward

are the only team on the grid with three drivers on site in 2024. Norris and Piastri are splitting duties between the morning and afternoon tyre test sessions, while IndyCar star O’Ward follows up his FP1 appearance in Mexico City with a drive in the young driver slot.

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc, Antonio Fuoco

Fresh from the heartbreak of losing out on the Constructors’ Championship title, Leclerc must take to the wheel of the SF-24 one last time in Abu Dhabi. He’ll be joined in the garage by World Endurance Championship (WEC) star Fuoco, who was one-third of the team’s line-up for the remarkable 24 Hours of Le Mans triumph earlier this year.

Red Bull

, Isack Hadjar

Neither Verstappen nor the under-fire will be present on Tuesday. Instead, Tsunoda will get the chance to impress engineers in an audition for a seat in 2025. Joining him is Formula Two vice champion Hadjar, who is in line for a promotion into if opts to move on from the reigning world champion’s incumbent team-mate.

Mercedes 

, Kimi Antonelli

With Hamilton heading to and Mick Schumacher’s exit confirmed last month, Russell will complete post-season testing duties for . Antonelli missed both Formula Two races in Abu Dhabi through illness but should be fit enough to take part in the young driver test.

Aston Martin

Felipe Drugovich, Jak Crawford

Like , Aston Martin’s incumbent drivers are skipping post-season testing duties, so long-serving reserve driver Drugovich will step behind the wheel of the AMR24. Joining him is American starlet Crawford, who has been touted as a potential option for Cadillac when they join the grid in 2026.

Alpine

Jack Doohan, Paul Aron

Doohan made his Grand Prix debut on Sunday after replacing Haas-bound and will get more experience behind the wheel when he completes the tyre test on Tuesday. He’ll be joined by former junior starlet Aron, who has signed on as the team’s new test and reserve driver after finishing third in Formula Two in 2024.

Haas

, Ryo Hirakawa

Ocon relinquished his seat at Alpine one race early in exchange for the chance to drive the VF-24 in Abu Dhabi. The Frenchman is partnered by WEC star Hirakawa, who recently made his FP1 debut with . Oliver Bearman has already raced twice in 2024, so is therefore ineligible to take part as the young driver.

VCARB

Liam Lawson, Ayumu Iwasa

While Lawson is the favourite to replace Perez at this winter, it was team-mate Tsunoda who got the nod to drive for the senior team in the test, so the New Zealander will complete the Faenza-based team’s duties on Tuesday. He is partnered with Iwasa, who spent the 2024 campaign competing in Japan’s Super Formula series.

Williams

, Luke Browning

Fresh from Sunday’s title decider, Sainz will make his first session appearance for new team Williams, giving the day off in Yas Marina. In the other car, Formula Two prospect Browning will follow up his first FP1 appearance with an extended run in the FW46.

Sauber

, Gabriel Bortoleto

Sauber’s line-up for the post-season test will mirror their driver pairing for the 2024 season. With both Valtteri Bottas and gone, Hulkenberg steps in, while newly-crowned Formula Two champion Bortoleto will get his first experience of F1 machinery.