Sainz Shines at Yas Marina Testing Session

Carlos Sainz impressed during the 2024 post-season testing at Yas Marina, where he clocked a best time of 1m24.435s for Williams Racing, ultimately finishing second to Charles Leclerc of Scuderia Ferrari, who topped the session with a time of 1:23.510. Lando Norris of McLaren rounded out the top three. This testing session saw several drivers making their debuts with new teams, including Jack Doohan for Alpine and Esteban Ocon, who finished last representing Haas. Notably absent were established drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Fernando Alonso.

As the testing progressed, Sainz showcased his adaptability with Williams, initially setting a solid time before improving to 1m24.345s on the final day. The event was a critical opportunity for teams to evaluate their line-ups ahead of the upcoming season. Other standout performances included George Russell and Nico Hulkenberg, along with rookie drivers Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes and Ayumu Iwasa for Red Bull, all of whom contributed to a lively atmosphere filled with competition and speculation about driver placements for the next season. Esteban Ocon faced difficulties, ending up last amid heavy-fuel running strategies. This blend of emerging talent and seasoned competitors added depth to the insights gained during the testing.