Sainz makes McLaren F1 bow as Kvyat returns to Toro Rosso

Carlos Sainz Jr. made his first appearance as a McLaren Formula 1 driver on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi as former teammate Daniil Kvyat returned to Toro Rosso after over a year away.

After being released from his Renault F1 contract early following his final race start for the team on Sunday, Sainz hit the track for McLaren in the MCL33 car on the second day of post-season testing at the Yas Marina Circuit on Wednesday.

Sainz has replaced Fernando Alonso at McLaren for 2019 after signing a two-year deal with the team, which will also see him leave the Red Bull motorsport umbrella after eight years.

Nice colours, @Carlossainz55. #AbuDhabiTest pic.twitter.com/dbdCAFtSHC

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 28, 2018

@Carlossainz55.#AbuDhabiTest pic.twitter.com/B018kHwY6b

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) November 28, 2018

One man returning to the Red Bull fold on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi was Kvyat, who enjoyed his first running with Toro Rosso since his last appearance for the team at the United States Grand Prix in October 2017.

Kvyat was in the paddock on Tuesday ahead of his first run in the STR13 car, re-embedding himself within Toro Rosso after a year away. The Russian hit the track for the first time on Wednesday morning, wearing an all-black helmet.

Kvyat’s recently-announced 2019 teammate, Alexander Albon, has also been present in Abu Dhabi for the last two days, but has not conducted any testing.

Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly enjoyed their first official tests as race drivers for Ferrari and Red Bull respectively on Wednesday, as did Antonio Giovinazzi for Sauber.

First day at the new office: @Charles_Leclerc leaves the @ScuderiaFerrari garage #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/rgEvjp4hmL

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 28, 2018

Artem Markelov has been continuing his development with Renault, driving its R.S.18 car, while Louis Deletraz is completing his maiden F1 test with Haas.