By Barry Guy of RNZ
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson had a busy day at the Formula 1 post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
Lawson drove 159 laps in his RB, the most of any driver on the day, and almost three times the race distance at the weekend.
The Kiwi was 13th fastest, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fastest on the day.
The testing involved both regular team drivers and rookies with each team running two cars over a nine-hour period.
Leclerc’s former teammate Carlos Sainz made his first appearance for Williams, Esteban Ocon got into his new Haas and Kick Sauber had their new pairing of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Lawson’s teammate Yuki Tsunoda got behind the Red Bull for the first time and was 17th fastest.
Sainz was second quickest followed by George Russell in a Mercedes.
Red Bull junior driver Ayumu Iwasa of Japan was in the other RB and was sixth fastest.
The day of testing was also important for tyre manufacturer Pirelli to help with picking compounds for the opening few races next year.
The 2024 season finished at the weekend in Abu Dhabi with McLaren claiming the constructors' championship.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen had previously wrapped up his fourth drivers' championship.
Lawson’s future in F1 is expected to be known in the next week.
The opening race of the 2025 season is in Melbourne on March 16.
The Kiwi is undertaking arguably the hardest job in motorsport.