F1 news - latest: Sergio Perez faces Red Bull decision and Abu Dhabi test updates including Carlos Sainz

Kimi Antonelli has pulled out of a planned Super Formula test at Suzuka on Friday due to illness.

He is due on track for Mercedes in Abu Dhabi today so could feature for the final part of testing at the Yas Marina Circuit but that seems unlikey if he’s already pulled out of a test in three days time.

Red Bull chief Helmut Marko claimed that talks would take place with Sergio Perez on his place in the team but team principal Christian Horner weighed in on the situation.

“There’s no immediate rush,” Horner said about whether Red Bull have decided to depart with Perez for next season.

“All the permutations are available to us internally. So I think the first thing is to sit down with Checo and have that conversation now that the season is completed.”

Put your eyes on this, Yuki Tsunoda is driving for Red Bull during this testing session. He previously clocked a time of 1:25.568 in the earlier session.

That’s a wrap. After a record-breaking 24 races, the 2024 F1 season concluded on Sunday in Abu Dhabi with Lando Norris guiding McLaren to constructors’ glory.

What a topsy-turvy, constantly evolving season it has been. From Red Bull’s dominance on the track and turmoil in the paddock at the start of the season to multiple winners and riveting racing, there has been drama at every turn.

For the first time since 2021, too, we had a genuine title race and while Max Verstappen ultimately claimed his fourth successive world championship, Norris pushed him to the final three races.

Seven drivers won races in total, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri claiming their first F1 victories while Lewis Hamilton broke a near-1,000-day win duck with an emotional victory at the British Grand Prix.

Now, The Independent picks the winners and losers of a 2024 season which has already set the tone perfectly for potentially an all-time 2025 campaign.

Full piece below:

Following his switch to Williams, Carlos Sainz is already making an impression with a strong outing in the post-season tests.

He set the quickest time of the session this morning in Abu Dhabi finishing a tenth of a second ahead of former Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.

Top three:

1. Carlos Sainz (Williams) 1:24.435
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:24.561
3. Lando Norris (McLaren) 1:24.678

The new constructors’ champions McLaren are hoping to back up their victory next season and are getting a jump on testing before they leave Abu Dhabi.

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will share duties as the experienced hands as they look to get a feel for the Pirelli compound tyres that will be used in 2025.

The pair are joined by Patricio O’Ward. He took part in FP1 at the Mexico Grand Prix and was part of the 2021 young driver test at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix kicked off on Friday, Sauber announced their 2025 line-up with COO and CTO Mattia Binotto saying: “This is an important first step for both Nico and Gabriel as they integrate into the team.

“For Nico, this is a chance to get a feel for the car and begin the close collaboration with our engineers ahead of what promises to be a very busy 2025 season.

“For Gabriel, it’s a fantastic opportunity to gain experience, familiarise himself with Formula 1 machinery with its complex procedures, and take the first steps in his development at the highest level of motorsport.

“We’re looking forward to seeing both in action and starting our journey together.”

Kick Sauber post-season testing will be run by their new driver line-up for 2025 with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto going behind the wheel at the Yas Marina Circuit.

Hulkenberg joins the Swiss outfit after spending the last two seasons at Haas with Bortoleto making the jump up from Formula 2.

The pair replace outgoing drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu in preparation for Audi’s 2026 takeover of Sauber, when they hope to take advantage of sweeping regulation changes.

The Formula One 2024 season might be over, but attention turns to 2025 with teams and drivers back out on track for some post-season testing in Abu Dhabi.

Time will be divided up between experienced professionals on the grid and a driver with two grands prix or less, allowing for greater development.

Look out for the likes of Carlos Sainz, who is beginning a new chapter with Williams after closing his time with Ferrari ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s move to the Scuderia.