2025 Formula 1 season extended: all teams postpone their holidays

A few months ago, it very much looked like there would be no annual post-season tests this year. After all, the technical regulations will be completely overhauled starting in the 2026 season, which would make further testing with the current generation of F1 cars unnecessary.

Although there is virtually nothing to be found about it online, a test day has been scheduled for after the final race of the current season, with all F1 teams set to take part. The host venue will be the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, where two simultaneous tests will be held on Tuesday, December 9, from 9 am to 6 pm.

First, there is the Young Driver Test, for which Williams has been the first team to name a driver. The other nine teams must also nominate a rookie who has competed in no more than two Grands Prix in the past. They will all drive the current 2025 F1 cars.

In addition, there will be a final Pirelli test. The 2026 tyres will have to be homologated by December 15, giving the Italian company time to conduct a test after the race in Abu Dhabi. But realistically, the compounds seen on December 9 will be the final tyres for the coming season.

The drivers participating in this tyre test will, in principle, be the current Grand Prix drivers. They will use so-called mule cars: modified cars on which the new-specification Pirelli tyres fit.

This will therefore also be an important test for the F1 teams, as they can run the tyres they will use next season.

It is not yet known which drivers will take part in the test. For example, a year ago Red Bull Racing allowed Max Verstappen to skip the test after the Abu Dhabi GP.

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.