Sainz and Doohan discover F1 test outings

Carlos Sainz will have to wait for his first taste of Williams' 2025 F1 machinery at the sole pre-season test in Bahrain this week.

Sainz joined Williams over the winter after being released by Ferrari at the end of last year following the Scuderia's decision to sign seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Spaniard, who recently became a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, has spent the last few weeks integrating himself into his new surroundings and with his new team.

But it is new team-mate Alex Albon who will initially savour the FW47 at the Bahrain International Circuit on Wednesday, with Sainz taking to the wheel for the afternoon session.

Sainz will then spend the entire day on Thursday acclimatising to his new car before Albon follows suit on the final day on Friday.

At Alpine, rookie Jack Doohan will be first out on track in the A525-05 as he embarks on what could be a truncated campaign if media reports are to be believed in recent weeks.

Doohan was confirmed as Esteban Ocon's replacement midway through last season, and took over the car from the Frenchman for the final race in Abu Dhabi.

But Alpine's signing of Franco Colapinto as a reserve driver this year has prompted speculation the Argentinian, who drove in the final nine races of last season after replacing the axed Logan Sargeant, could also replace Doohan after five or six races of this season.

Doohan's team-mate Pierre Gasly will drive in the afternoon session on Wednesday. The duo will continue to undertake split-shift duties on Thursday and Friday, with Doohan in the car on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, and vice versa for Gasly.