Several drivers were getting an early taste of their new, 2019 teams on Tuesday, as this week’s two-day, post-race Pirelli tyre test commenced in Abu Dhabi. Not least among them was Kimi Raikkonen, back at the wheel of a Sauber for the first time since his F1 debut with the Swiss squad in 2001.
Raikkonen, whose final Grand Prix with Ferrari ended in retirement at Yas Marina on Sunday, will race for Sauber next year alongside Italian rookie Antonio Giovinazzi. The Finn completed his first laps in the C37 sporting an unbranded race suit and a black and white helmet design.
Williams will field an all new race line-up for 2019 and both newly-crowned F2 champion George Russell and returning former Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica are expected to be in action for the British team on Tuesday.
Race driver for Williams this year, Lance Stroll will be making his first appearance for Force India, the team for whom he’s expected to compete next year following their recent takeover led by Stroll’s father.
