2025 Formula 1 Season Extended: All Teams Delay Holidays as Pirelli Test Added After Abu Dhabi Finale
The 2025 Formula 1 season will last a little longer than fans and teams initially expected. Despite the assumption that the campaign would wrap up with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it has now been confirmed that the season will officially extend by a few extra days. A final Pirelli tyre test has been scheduled to take place just two days after the last race at the Yas Marina Circuit, requiring the participation of all ten F1 teams.
This development means teams, engineers, and drivers will have to postpone their end-of-season celebrations and holidays, as the mandatory session marks an important part of preparations for the upcoming 2026 technical overhaul.
A Surprise Return of Post-Season Testing
Earlier in the year, there were widespread reports suggesting that the traditional post-season test would be scrapped for 2025. The logic was simple: since the 2026 season will introduce entirely new technical regulations — including overhauled chassis and power unit concepts — testing the current generation of F1 cars seemed redundant. However, Formula 1 and tyre supplier Pirelli have decided otherwise.
The governing body and Pirelli reached an agreement to stage a single-day test at the Yas Marina Circuit on Tuesday, December 9, running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The session will serve two primary purposes: the annual Young Driver Test and a final Pirelli tyre evaluation.
Young Drivers Get Their Chance
The first part of the day will be dedicated to rookie drivers — a key opportunity for emerging talents to experience F1 machinery in a proper test environment. The FIA mandates that every team must field at least one rookie who has taken part in no more than two Grands Prix.
Williams has become the first team to confirm its participation, already naming its young driver for the session. The remaining nine teams are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks. Each rookie will drive the same 2025-spec car used during the main season, offering them valuable track time while giving teams a closer look at future prospects.
This test has historically served as a platform for identifying new stars. Past examples include drivers like George Russell and Lando Norris, who both impressed during their first post-season appearances. For 2025, the event is expected to attract attention from both fans and team scouts, particularly with several academy drivers waiting for their F1 break.
The Pirelli Tyre Test — A Glimpse Into the Future
Alongside the rookie program, Pirelli will conduct its final tyre development test of the year. The Italian tyre manufacturer must homologate the 2026 tyres by December 15, meaning this test represents the final opportunity to collect data before the deadline.
Pirelli will use “mule cars” — modified versions of current F1 machinery designed to accommodate the new tyre specifications intended for the next regulation cycle. These tyres are expected to feature construction and compound changes aligned with the lighter and more efficient 2026 car designs.
While the rookies take part in their own separate test, the main Pirelli session will likely include the current race drivers. This means many of the sport’s top names, including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton, could take to the track for one final run in 2025. However, participation is not mandatory for every lead driver; last year, for instance, Red Bull opted to allow Verstappen to skip the test following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, leaving teammate Sergio Pérez to handle the data-gathering duties.
Extended Workload for Teams and Drivers
The additional test day effectively prolongs the 2025 Formula 1 season, which already includes a record-breaking number of races. Many within the paddock had been looking forward to a brief break before the intense development cycle for the 2026 season begins. With this new schedule, however, engineers, mechanics, and drivers will have to extend their stay in Abu Dhabi, delaying post-season rest and travel plans.
Despite the inconvenience, the test is viewed as vital preparation for next year. Teams will gain firsthand insight into tyre behaviour under the upcoming regulations, data that could prove decisive once the new era of Formula 1 begins.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With the countdown to Formula 1’s next major revolution well underway, every lap on December 9 will carry importance. The test not only allows teams to collect valuable information about Pirelli’s final tyre compounds but also gives rookies a unique opportunity to demonstrate their potential in front of team bosses.
In essence, the 2025 season will not conclude when the chequered flag falls in Abu Dhabi. Instead, it will linger for a few more days — a fitting reflection of the sport’s relentless pace and its drive toward continuous development.
