Ferrari has agreed with Williams to allow Carlos Sainz to complete a filming day with the team ahead of the Formula 1 post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
Sainz has already been confirmed to be participating in Tuesday’s post-season test with Williams, ahead of his full debut with the Grove-based outfit in 2025.
However, according to Autosport, Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has also agreed to let the Spaniard participate in a filming day on Monday at the Yas Marina Circuit at the wheel of the FW46.
That gives Sainz 35km of running ahead of the post-season test, and due to contractual ties with Ferrari running until December 31, 2024, the Spaniard will wear plain race overalls with no sponsors for his two days of Williams activity.
Speaking to select media including Motorsport Week at the Qatar Grand Prix, Williams’ Senior Race Engineer Dave Robson detailed how Sainz’s run plan will work in the test.
“[There are] two big items for that day, one is obviously Carlos, the other is the 2025 tyres,” he said.
“So main thing will be to make sure he’s comfortable in the car and knows his way around, and what we need to change ahead of the real work starting with him and the FW47 in February, so that’s one thing, that’ll probably consume a reasonable part of the day, and on top of that we’ll probably put him through a full set of tyre tests that’s good for him and good for us in terms of understanding Pirelli’s 2025 product.
“Beyond that we’ll see what he’s got to say.
“Obviously he can’t tell us what Ferrari’s up to but he can give us a first impression of where the current car is, and Alex [Albon’s] feedback during the race weekend, and decide based on that if and what we do ahead of February.”
Browning accompanies Sainz
Joining Sainz at Williams in the post-season test will be the Grove outfit’s Academy Driver Luke Browning.
Browning finished third in this year’s FIA Formula 3 World Championship and made his Formula 2 debut at the Azerbaijan GP in Baku.
An impressive rising star, Abu Dhabi will be his first taste of the Williams FW46, whereby the Briton will also contest FP1 during the GP.
“It’s an honour to be driving a Williams F1 car for the first time in Abu Dhabi,” Browning said.
“To have the chance to not only take part in the Young Driver Test but also Free Practice is incredibly special.
“A huge thank you to everyone at Williams Racing for supporting my development as part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and entrusting me with the FW46. I’ll be working hard to prepare and make the most of the opportunity.”
In addition, Williams Sporting Director Sven Smeets said: “Luke has had an impressive Formula 3 season and has taken the transition to Formula 2 in his stride, performing well from his first outing in Baku.
“Throughout this year, he has made important contributions to the team through his development work and has demonstrated rapid progress in his understanding, maturity, and race craft.
“We are now looking forward to giving Luke the opportunity to drive the FW46 in Abu Dhabi as the next step in his development as a Williams Racing Academy driver.”
READ MORE – Williams confirms Carlos Sainz 2024 F1 post-season test appearance
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