Title: Jak Crawford Shatters Records at Abu Dhabi F1 Test, While Mercedes Unveils Groundbreaking Technology!
In a stunning display of speed and innovation, the F1 world turned its gaze to the Yas Marina Circuit just days after the 2025 season wrapped up. The post-season test wasn’t just a routine event; it marked the dawn of a thrilling new era as teams prepared for the 2026 season. With the stakes higher than ever, each team rolled out a mule car, specially modified to mimic the aerodynamic demands of the upcoming season while testing Pirelli’s brand-new 2026 tyres.
These mule cars, while still grounded in the current ground-effect design, sported significant alterations to their wings and ride heights to reflect a Monza-style configuration aimed at enhancing downforce. The excitement was palpable as teams took to the track, and the rookie drivers were eager to prove their mettle in the young drivers’ test. Notably, Max Verstappen and George Russell opted out of the proceedings, leaving Red Bull to showcase Isack Hadjar in their mule car, giving him a prime opportunity to familiarize himself with the 2026 rubber.
As the sun dipped lower in the Abu Dhabi sky, the temperatures cooled, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown. The day belonged to Aston Martin junior Jak Crawford, who seized the moment to clock an impressive lap time of 1m23.766s, edging past Alpine’s Paul Aron and Williams’ Luke Browning, who had initially set the pace with a morning time of 1m23.920s. Crawford’s performance not only highlighted his burgeoning talent but also solidified his position among the top contenders as the season approaches.
Meanwhile, Mercedes captured the spotlight in the pit lane, showcasing their innovative active aerodynamics for the first time. Andrea Kimi Antonelli took the wheel, pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible in F1. With a prototype front wing approved by the FIA, Antonelli’s car could seamlessly transition between low-downforce and low-drag configurations on straights—a game-changing preview of what fans can expect in 2026.
Despite being the fastest mule car driver with a time of 1m25.170s, Antonelli found himself nearly 1.5 seconds off Crawford’s blistering pace. Nevertheless, he outperformed fellow mule car drivers, including Oscar Piastri, who landed in P10. Notably, Antonelli’s testing was unencumbered by the 300km/h speed limit imposed by Pirelli, allowing him to fully exploit the capabilities of the active aerodynamics system.
The test day was not without its hiccups. A crash involving Ryo Hirakawa at Turn 1 brought out the red flag, causing minor damage to his car but thankfully allowing him to rejoin shortly after. On the flip side, Esteban Ocon faced a frustrating afternoon, managing only four laps due to persistent technical issues with Haas.
As the dust settles on this momentous day at Yas Marina, the intrigue surrounding the upcoming 2026 season intensifies. With Crawford leading the charge and Mercedes unveiling groundbreaking technology, F1 fans are in for an electrifying season ahead. The stage is set, and the countdown to the next era of Formula 1 has officially begun!









