Pierre Gasly was right back on the right track with Alpine, racking up valuable kilometres as preparations for 2026 quietly get underway. The session offered the chance to further fine-tune set-up, validate the data, and round off the year with a meaningful lap-time on track — an important step in maintaining continuity heading into the interseason.
Even in the paddock, attention shifted to the next generation. Isack Hadjar made his first outing in Red Bull Racing colours, marking a special milestone in his development. Adapting to a new environment, learning the procedures, and building a quick rapport with the engineers are integral parts of these early steps. And Abu Dhabi provided the ideal backdrop to kick-start that integration.
For Kush Maini, the day delivered an extra landmark: his first official Formula 1 session with Alpine. By taking part in the post-season tests, he was able to experience the demands of an F1 programme within a full team, along with a substantial time block at the very top level of the sport.
Even if the times in Abu Dhabi rarely tell the whole story, the test still serves its purpose — closing a chapter while laying the foundations for what comes next. For Gasly, Hadjar and Maini, the year ended on a productive note, with controlled but clear progress towards the next phase.