Sainz takes his first drive in a Williams

Carlos Sainz has driven for Williams for the first time as part of a filming day at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The Spaniard is joining Williams in 2025 but has been released by Ferrari to take part in the Pirelli tire test for his new team this week, with the test itself taking place on Tuesday following this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, to get Sainz more comfortable in the car and to check his seat fit and pedal position, Williams has been able to make use of a filming day it had yet to complete in order for him to drive on Monday. Within 24 hours of finishing second for Ferrari in the final race of the season, Sainz was on track in the FW46 on demonstration Pirelli tires. Wearing a plain white helmet but carrying his normal race number of 55, Sainz completed a number of laps late in the afternoon at the Yas Marina Circuit, including a practice start as he familiarized himself with Williams procedures. Sainz will be one of a number of race drivers testing for their 2025 teams on Tuesday, with Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Esteban Ocon at Haas, Jack Doohan at Alpine and Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto at Stake. Williams also announced a new sponsor on Monday, with Spanish-based banking giant Santander continuing to back Sainz as he makes the move from Ferrari.