Williams Rookie Browning Tops Abu Dhabi Post-Season Test Amid Rookie-Dominated Session

Williams reserve driver Luke Browning stunned the paddock by topping the Abu Dhabi post-season test's opening session with a 1:23.920 lap, leading a surprise rookie-dominated top four. The British driver's pace—nearly half a second clear of Aston Martin's Jak Crawford—showcased Williams' strong preparation for evaluating 2025 contenders during F1's mandatory rookie running.

Why it matters:

This session serves dual critical purposes: teams assess potential 2025 race or reserve drivers while Pirelli gathers data for next year's tire compounds. With seven teams fielding drivers confirmed for 2025 seats—including Norris and Piastri at McLaren—the contrast between rookie performances and established stars' tire-testing work reveals strategic priorities heading into the off-season. Browning's pace particularly signals Williams' aggressive approach to securing their 2025 lineup after struggling with driver continuity this season.

The details:

• Rookie dominance: Browning's time led Crawford (Aston Martin), IndyCar's Pato O'Ward (McLaren), and Stake F1's Paul Aron—marking the first time rookies swept the top four in post-season testing since 2019.
• Pirelli focus: Lando Norris, hours after clinching the 2024 drivers' title, ran fifth while evaluating prototype 2025 slick tires, followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in dedicated tire-testing roles.
• Workload leaders: Mercedes junior Frederik Vesti completed 88 laps—the session high—demonstrating Stake F1's focus on reliability checks, while Dino Beganovic managed just 22 laps for Ferrari amid reported cooling system adjustments.
• Red Bull debut: Isack Hadjar, confirmed for 2026, placed 12th in his first run since the promotion announcement, focusing on baseline setup work rather than lap time.
• Incident: Haas' Ryo Hirakawa triggered a red flag after spinning into Turn 1's barrier, though repairs allowed him to complete 53 laps before noon.

What's next:

The afternoon session will see established drivers like Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz take over primary tire-testing duties, with Pirelli particularly monitoring thermal degradation across different compounds. Teams will now cross-reference morning rookie data with afternoon performance metrics to:

• Finalize 2025 reserve driver contracts (Williams and Stake F1 face urgent decisions)
• Validate tire construction changes ahead of February's pre-season test
• Assess whether rookie pace translates to race-day consistency—a key factor in Williams potentially promoting Browning over veteran Logan Sargeant

While single-lap pace rarely predicts next season's hierarchy, Browning's performance has immediately intensified speculation about Williams' driver market moves. With team principal James Vowels confirming "no decisions made" on 2025 seats, this test could prove pivotal in determining whether the squad sticks with experienced hands or gambles on youth for their rebuild.