Sainz set for earlier than expected Williams F1 debut

Carlos Sainz is set for an earlier than expected debut run for Williams, Autosport has learned.

The Spaniard had been anticipated to get his first taste of the Williams car during Formula 1’s post-season Abu Dhabi test that takes place on the Tuesday after the 2024 season finale.

However, it has emerged that Williams has elected to book the Yas Marina track for the day after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after using up the second of its allowable filming days for the season.

Although a filming day limits Sainz to just 200 kilometres of running, which is around 35 laps of the circuit, that will be enough to ensure he is comfortable in the cockpit and has sorted his driving position so he can hit the ground running for the actual test on Tuesday.

Sainz’s early run with Williams has been made possible because Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has agreed to release him from contractual duties for those days – even though he remains a driver for the Scuderia until 31 December.

As part of the agreement reached with Williams, Sainz will run in a standard team race suit but without any of the typical sponsor logos.

Williams has already confirmed that its young driver Luke Browning will join Sainz at the Abu Dhabi test, fulfilling the rookie element of the two-car test.

The former Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award winner, who has recently stepped up to Formula 2, will also make his F1 weekend debut in Abu Dhabi as he drives for Williams in the first free practice session.

While Ferrari agreed to let Sainz drive for his 2025 team in the Abu Dhabi test, the Italian outfit failed in its efforts to get hold of the Spaniard’s replacement Lewis Hamilton.

Although discussions did take place between Ferrari and Mercedes over Hamilton’s availability, a sponsor commitment for Mercedes title partner Petronas on the day of the Abu Dhabi test has ruled the seven-time champion out completely.

It means that Hamilton’s first run for Ferrari will be in a previous car, most likely at Fiorano in January.