F1 post-season testing is here in Abu Dhabi as the dust settles on the 2024 season.
Lando Norris secured a dominant victory at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win McLaren their first constructors’ championship since 1998, with Max Verstappen already secure of the drivers’ championship following a tough year for Red Bull.
As Lewis Hamilton prepares to join Ferrari and says his farewells at Mercedes, teams and drivers will be dialling in pace and experimenting ahead of the 2025 season.
Including Carlos Sainz and Williams, with the Spaniard determined to carry over late-season momentum from his own performance after calling time on his spell with the Scuderia. Yuki Tsunoda is also driving for Red Bull, with Esteban Ocon testing for new team Haas.
Follow live updates from the Abu Dhabi post-season test below:
F1 post-season test updates - Latest news from Abu Dhabi
- Carlos Sainz appears for Williams for the first time in the F1 post-season test
- F1 2024 SEASON AWARDS: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
- Esteban Ocon also appears for Haas while Nico Hulkenberg drives for Sauber
- COMMENT: Lewis Hamilton picked his Ferrari moment perfectly – but one man deserved better
- Max Verstappen given F1 ‘community service’ in Rwanda after swearing in press conference
Sergio Perez responds to 2025 Red Bull question marks:
Sunday 8 December 2024 18:44 , Kieran Jackson“Well, at the moment, I don’t know,” Perez said, when asked about his future.
“I just know that I’ve got a contract to race next year. And unless something changes in the coming days, that’s going to be the situation for next year.”
When probed about Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda being strongly linked with his seat, the Mexican said: “I think at the moment all I can say is I got a contract, that I signed up in the middle of the year to race for the team for the next two years. So, we’ll see what happens and how the conversation goes in the coming days.
“We are talking to try to see what’s best moving forward.”
A reminder that Tsunoda is driving the Red Bull in the post-season test this week. Perez, meanwhile, has been linked with an ambassadorial role with the team for 2025 but does have a race contract until the end of next season.
F1 2024 season awards: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
16:00 , Mike JonesBest team
McLaren – It shouldn’t be understated how monumental an achievement this was for the papaya.
After the first four races, McLaren were third in total and already 72 points off Red Bull. But from Norris’ win in Miami onwards, they managed to take the fight to the reigning world champions and surpass them, as well as thwart the late challenge from Ferrari.
Full credit to team principal Andrea Stella and CEO Zak Brown for their hotshot driver line-up selection and their astute mechanical hiring, with ex-Red Bull engineer Rob Marshall playing a leading role in McLaren’s sudden surge in speed, particularly on the straights.
Podium places: Ferrari, Haas
F1 2024 season awards: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
15:30 , Mike JonesBest driver
Max Verstappen – It’s boring, I know. The world champion gets the top gong. But before November, the answer would have been Lando Norris.
Yet the most impressive drive of Verstappen’s life in Brazil – from 17th on the grid to a win margin of 20 seconds – changed that. It virtually sealed the world title and, in the end, he claimed five more victories over the course of the season than the McLaren driver.
Four on the spin. Five in a row – in a Red Bull which no longer looks consistently quick – would put him among the greats.
Podium places: Lando Norris, Nico Hulkenberg
F1 2024 season awards: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
15:00 , Mike JonesThat’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.
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.
F1 2024 season awards: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
Brown praises Norris’ Abu Dhabi performance
14:30 , Mike JonesMcLaren chief executive Zak Brown hailed Norris’ performance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which secured them a first Constructors Championship since 1998, and says the team want to win both titles next season.
“That was the worst two hours of my life, by far,” Brown told Sky Sports. “Lando drove brilliantly. Unfortunate what happened to Oscar at the start but the team was flawless.
“They executed the pit stop great. And I think I was the only one who was ready to have a heart attack for about two hours.
“Lando carried us. To not make any mistakes, he drove flawlessly as he has done. Next season let’s try and repeat and also get the drivers’ – I’ll let Lando and Oscar figure that one out!
“With the momentum Lando is on, I wouldn’t bet against him.”
Norris on Verstappen-Piastri collision
14:00 , Mike JonesWith McLaren fighting for the Constructor’s Championship during Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix they were dealt a blow at the first corner as Max Verstappen collided with Oscar Piastri forcing both cars to spin off the track.
Of the incident Lando Norris said: “I saw in my mirrors what happened in turn one. It definitely made me a bit more nervous than I would have liked.
“The pressure was certainly on from that point but I knew what I was capable of. I’m sure there were a lot of nervous people on the pit wall and back in the factory.
“We have done enough and that is because we have done enough for the rest of the season compared to our competitors. So an amazing win for us.”
‘I have what it takes to be world champion'
13:30 , Mike JonesLando Norris believes he can become world champion next season after his Abu Dhabi Grand Prix victory secured McLaren their first constructors’ championship since 1998.
“I certainly know that I have got a lot of what it takes,” Norris told Sky Sports, “There’s no doubt about that and I am confident in saying that. This year I have proved that not everything is where it needs to be.
“But even since those moments I feel like I have improved a lot in the second half of the year.
“I have confidence in myself which is not a common thing. I’m never going to go around screaming that kind of thing. I have confidence that I can fight against Max and Charles and all of these other drivers.
“I have what it takes. Yes I need to improve in areas. I am going to work hard over the winter to improve on them. I’ll do that and we’ll fight.”
Lewis Hamilton receives heartfelt message from Toto Wolff ahead of Ferrari move: ‘You should win’
13:00 , Mike JonesToto Wolff sent a heartfelt message to Lewis Hamilton after the Brit’s final race for Mercedes, saying ahead of his move to Ferrari: “If we can’t win, you should win.”
Hamilton, who started 16th in his final race for the Silver Arrows in Abu Dhabi, surged through the field and with a last-lap overtake on teammate George Russell, the 39-year-old finished just outside the podium in fourth.
Full story below:
Lewis Hamilton receives heartfelt message from Toto Wolff ahead of Ferrari
Fernando Alonso jokes he should claim ‘bonus’ after McLaren win Constructors’ title
12:30 , Mike JonesFernando Alonso has joked that he deseres a bonus after helping McLaren win the Constructors’ title.
After spending five years of his 21-year career with McLaren, the Spaniard worked alongside CEO Zak Brown in Woking.
Brown is “a very good friend of mine,” said Alonso, with experience alongside Andrea Stella during their time together at McLaren in 2015, meaning the former world champion has influenced both men on their journey to deliver a title for the papaya.
“Yes,” Alonso said when asked if should be included in the bonus scheme. “I should be part of his bonus.”
Lewis Hamilton in ‘two minds’ over missing Ferrari run at Abu Dhabi test
12:00 , Mike Jones“Look, I know Fred wanted it to happen. For me, I was in two minds,” said Hamilton. “Driving the red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi does not excite me. In a perfect world, you get to drive it, not be seen, and do the first rollout next year.
“When I did raise it, obviously with Toto [Wolff], they had all these plans that I’ve got to go and see some of the sponsors and say their farewells. So I don’t think it was ever going to actually be allowed, even if I had asked to have done it, because I’m contracted to the team until December 31st and that’s totally fine. But it doesn’t bother me again because I wasn’t going to do the test.
“It’s not what I wanted to do. I told Fred that’s not what I wanted to do. Am I missing out on something? For sure. It definitely delays the process and makes the start of the year harder, but we’ll do our best to recover.”
Tsunoda on potentially racing for Red Bull next year
11:27 , Mike JonesYuki Tsunoda spoke to the media about how he has viewed his year, and what he is expecting from testing out the Red Bull RB20.
“As I always said throughout the season, I made a pretty good statement and it started first Bahrain,” he said, “I made a consistency in terms of how I was able to extract the performance from the car every race compared to my teammates.
“So yeah, obviously some tests will be for sure, some maybe details I can give extra on top of what they’re thinking, but it’s up to them in the end what they decide. But it’s pretty clear what I’ve done this year.”
COMMENT: Lewis Hamilton picked his Ferrari moment perfectly – but one man deserved better
11:11 , Kieran JacksonThree years on from the toughest day of Lewis Hamilton’s career in Abu Dhabi, this final lap at the Yas Marina Circuit was altogether sweeter. There was no dodgy interference here; just pure racing.
Sure, it didn’t really matter. Hamilton does not compete in F1, a month before his 40th birthday, to finish in fourth. Who even knows how bothered his teammate was in defence? But swooping around the outside of George Russell in the Marina section of lap 58 reminded the world – even if television coverage did excruciatingly cut away – why Ferrari pursued the Briton for half a dozen years.
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton picked his Ferrari moment perfectly – but one man deserved better
Antonelli pulls out of test
10:40 , Mike JonesKimi 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.
Horner has says on Perez situation
10:20 , Mike JonesRed 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.”
Tsunoda testing for Red Bull
10:00 , Mike JonesPut 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.
No, you are not dreaming. That's Yuki Tsunoda in a Red Bull 🤯 pic.twitter.com/cGYdSSYXuf
— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) December 10, 2024
F1 2024 SEASON AWARDS: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
09:58 , Kieran JacksonThat’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:
F1 2024 season awards: Best driver, biggest shock and worst race
Carlos Sainz tops time sheet
09:40 , Mike JonesFollowing 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:
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) 1:24.435
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:24.561
- Lando Norris (McLaren) 1:24.678
Who’s driving in the post-season tests?
09:35 , Mike JonesThe 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.
Mattia Binotto talks Sauber changes
09:25 , Mike JonesBefore 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.”
Hulkenberg and Bortoleto running Kick Sauber tests
09:15 , Mike JonesKick 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.
F1 post-season test updates
09:03 , Jack Rathborn
F1 post-season test updates in Abu Dhabi
08:59 , Jack RathbornThe 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.
Lewis Hamilton picked his Ferrari moment perfectly – but one man deserved better
Monday 9 December 2024 20:00 , Mike JonesThree years on from the toughest day of Lewis Hamilton’s career in Abu Dhabi, this final lap at the Yas Marina Circuit was altogether sweeter. There was no dodgy interference here; just pure racing.
Sure, it didn’t really matter. Hamilton does not compete in F1, a month before his 40th birthday, to finish in fourth. Who even knows how bothered his teammate was in defence? But swooping around the outside of George Russell in the Marina section of lap 58 reminded the world – even if television coverage did excruciatingly cut away – why Ferrari pursued the Briton for half a dozen years.
It also marked the final time his race engineer, Peter “Bono” Bonnington, said his iconic catchphrase, instructing his driver to push flat-out.
Lewis Hamilton picked his Ferrari moment perfectly – but one man deserved better
Lewis Hamilton’s farewell at Mercedes ends the greatest era in F1 history – but not in the way you think
Monday 9 December 2024 19:00 , Mike JonesThe bemusement reverberated across the paddock. It is difficult not to overemphasise the brutal reaction the cut-throat Formula One circus – whether it be media, ex-drivers or fans – had in September 2012 when, to the astonishment of everyone, Lewis Hamilton decided to leave McLaren for Mercedes.
Even the wishes of his father and manager, Anthony, were ignored. As Jeremy Clarkson put it so tactlessly on a 2012 episode of Top Gear: “Is that not a bit like moving from Manchester United to West Ham?” And sorry Hammers fans – it was not a compliment.
Yet six world championships, 12 years and 84 grand prix victories later, Hamilton’s bold plunge into unchartered waters was his best-ever decision.
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes farewell ends the greatest F1 era – but not how you think
Isack Hadjar stalls at start in ‘worst moment of my life’ as Gabriel Bortoleto wins F2 title
Monday 9 December 2024 18:30 , Mike JonesPlenty of drama from the F2 season finale in Abu Dhabi, read all about it:
Hadjar stalls at start in ‘worst moment of my life’ as Bortoleto wins F2 title
Lewis Hamilton in ‘two minds’ over missing Ferrari run at Abu Dhabi test
Monday 9 December 2024 17:30 , Mike Jones“Look, I know Fred wanted it to happen. For me, I was in two minds,” said Hamilton. “Driving the red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi does not excite me. In a perfect world, you get to drive it, not be seen, and do the first rollout next year.
“When I did raise it, obviously with Toto [Wolff], they had all these plans that I’ve got to go and see some of the sponsors and say their farewells. So I don’t think it was ever going to actually be allowed, even if I had asked to have done it, because I’m contracted to the team until December 31st and that’s totally fine. But it doesn’t bother me again because I wasn’t going to do the test.
“It’s not what I wanted to do. I told Fred that’s not what I wanted to do. Am I missing out on something? For sure. It definitely delays the process and makes the start of the year harder, but we’ll do our best to recover.”
Lewis Hamilton receives heartfelt message from Toto Wolff ahead of Ferrari move: ‘You should win’
Monday 9 December 2024 16:30 , Mike JonesToto Wolff sent a heartfelt message to Lewis Hamilton after the Brit’s final race for Mercedes, saying ahead of his move to Ferrari: “If we can’t win, you should win.”
Hamilton, who started 16th in his final race for the Silver Arrows in Abu Dhabi, surged through the field and with a last-lap overtake on teammate George Russell, the 39-year-old finished just outside the podium in fourth.
Full story below:
Lewis Hamilton receives heartfelt message from Toto Wolff ahead of Ferrari
F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2024
Monday 9 December 2024 15:30 , Jack Rathborn
McLaren boss determined to ‘refuse the poison biscuit’ to secure long-term success
Monday 9 December 2024 15:00 , Jack RathbornAndrea Stella maintains McLaren “refusing the poison biscuit” to remain united as a team and claim the Formula 1 world constructors' champions.
“The time I joined McLaren to now, end of the season, celebrating a championship, means that we’ve gone through a circle,” the team principal said. “I often mention to the team the fact that the first race in 2015 in Australia, [the gap] between our lap in Q1 and pole position was five seconds.
“We have gone all the way thanks to great resilience, thanks to great belief and I would like to thank in particular Zak, Paul Walsh [executive chairman of the McLaren Group], all our shareholders for their faith in the change that gradually they have implemented and that has put McLaren in a solid position. From a management point of view, when you are solid from a management point of view, you are trusted. When you start to deliver on the investment that was necessary, then you can compete at the top.
“I think the final bit of this circle came through the people; unlocking the people. I am not sure if it is something that [others] can appreciate what it means if you are not seeing such rapid progress of 1,000 people, but that is what has happened. You cannot achieve this standard, this operation, this reliability without every one of the 1,000 people to operate at a very high level.
“That’s what we’ve gone through at McLaren and hopefully this is not the end point but the starting point for the future.”
Max Verstappen apologises to Oscar Piastri after Abu Dhabi GP:
Monday 9 December 2024 14:30 , Mike Jones“Launch was good, and then I tried to grab the inside and I quickly realised, once I committed to it, that the gap was closing and I wanted to try and get out of it, because I didn’t want to, naturally, of course, crash with Oscar,” Verstappen explained to media including PlanetF1.com.
“But unfortunately, we still clipped each other – but I already apologised to Oscar.
“It’s not what you want to happen, and especially not with him. He’s a great guy, but it happened. It’s just bit unfortunate.
“Honestly, I don’t want to talk about it. I’m just happy that the season is over. For me, the most important thing that I had to do was just apologise to Oscar, because I have nothing to gain, nothing to lose – I went for it, it didn’t work out.
“Especially also for him, you know that we both spun. It’s not nice. He’s a friend of mine, so I don’t want to have any, like, weird feelings or whatever going into the break.”
F1 2024 prize money
Monday 9 December 2024 14:00 , Jack RathbornThe projected team prize money after the 2024 season has been reported by Autosport, with Sergio Perez’s lacklustre season likely to cost Red Bull in the region of $18m.
1. McLaren: $140m
2. Ferrari: $131m
3. Red Bull: $122m
4. Mercedes: $113m
5. Aston Martin: $104m
6. Alpine: $95m
7. Haas: $87
8. RB: $78m
9. Williams: $69m
10. Sauber $60m
Lewis Hamilton on hearing ‘hammertime’ for final time from trusted Mercedes colleague
Monday 9 December 2024 13:30 , Jack Rathborn“I noticed that today,” Hamilton said at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after hearing ‘Hammertime’ from race engineer Pete ‘Bono’ Bonnington one final time in a Mercedes. “When he told me, I was like ‘I can’t even remember the last time he told me hammertime’.
“I remember I told Bono to say hammertime back in the first year together. I was like, ‘Don’t just tell me to go faster, tell me it’s hammertime and I know what it is’.
“What a rollercoaster ride I’ve had with Bono,” Hamilton added. “He’s been one of my closest friends for many years.
“It’s something I didn’t expect to have because he worked with Michael Schumacher, he’s worked with great drivers and for the longest time he’s stood by me.
"For an engineer to stick by someone, as frustrating and painful as it can sometimes be – he’s stood by me every single day without fail.”
Martin Brundle takes swipe at ‘unfair’ Max Verstappen
Monday 9 December 2024 13:00 , Jack RathbornMax Verstappen enjoyed a fine start to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but soon got into trouble and was hit with a 10-second penalty after a collision with Oscar Piastri at Turn 1.
And Martin Brundle claims the Red Bull star and four-time world champion was “wholly at fault” for his Turn 1 crash with Oscar Piastri.
The Dutch driver was livid and shouted over his radio: “Could we ask for 20 seconds? Stupid idiots.”
But Brundle too exception, stating on Sky Sports: “You can’t say that, that’s just not fair – they’re applying the regulations,” said the former F1 driver. “You don’t run into other people, then you won’t get the penalties.”
Fernando Alonso jokes he should claim ‘bonus’ after McLaren win Constructors’ title
Monday 9 December 2024 12:30 , Jack RathbornFernando Alonso has joked that he deseres a bonus after helping McLaren win the Constructors’ title.
After spending five years of his 21-year career with McLaren, the Spaniard worked alongside CEO Zak Brown in Woking.
Brown is “a very good friend of mine,” said Alonso, with experience alongside Andrea Stella during their time together at McLaren in 2015, meaning the former world champion has influenced both men on their journey to deliver a title for the papaya.
“Yes,” Alonso said when asked if should be included in the bonus scheme. “I should be part of his bonus.”
Christian Horner drops hint over Sergio Perez future: ‘you can see the importance of two drivers scoring on a regular and collective basis’
Monday 9 December 2024 12:00 , Jack Rathborn“We’ll sit down and reflect on this season and how we move forward,” Christian Horner says on the decision around Sergio Perez’s future.
“There’s no immediate rush. 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.
“I think you can see the importance of having two drivers scoring on a regular and collective basis in the Constructors’ Championship is crucial.
“Ferrari will be strong with their lineup next year, and McLaren has a strong lineup. Mercedes will have an inexperienced driver in one of their seats. For us, it’s very important that both of our drivers are delivering and there’s not a significant gap.”
Christian Horner provides update ahead of Sergio Perez 2025 decision
Monday 9 December 2024 11:30 , Jack Rathborn“Obviously, those discussions will happen between Checo [Perez] and the team,” Christian Horner said.
“Now we’ve got the season out of the way, we’ll sit down with him and reflect on the season, and obviously, where it’s gone wrong.
“Collectively, we will work out what is the right and appropriate way forward. Checo has been a great servant of this team.
“Thinking back to this race in 2021 – the contribution that he made, the 2022 and ’23 Constructors’ World Championships, five race victories, second in last year’s Drivers Championship… he’s done an awful lot for this team.”
Isack Hadjar stalls at start in ‘worst moment of my life’ as Gabriel Bortoleto wins F2 title
Monday 9 December 2024 11:00 , Jack RathbornBrazilian driver Gabriel Borteleto claimed the 2024 F2 championship at the season finale in Abu Dhabi after title rival Isack Hadjar dramatically stalled at the start.
While Bortoleto cruised into the lead at lights out from second on the grid, French driver Hadjar (starting in third) failed to get off the mark.
Hadjar, who is in contention for an F1 seat at Red Bull’s sister team RB in 2025, was wheeled back into the pits but did manage to get going again. However, he was two laps down in the 33-lap feature race.
Bortoleto, 20, ultimately finished in second place, while Hadjar finished a lap down. Bortoleto becomes the first driver since Oscar Piastri to win F3 and F2 back-to-back.
“Yeah I stalled, I need an explanation, man,” Hadjar said at the start. “I can’t believe all this hard work for that. The worst moment of my life, right now.”
Hadjar stalls at start in ‘worst moment of my life’ as Bortoleto wins F2 title
Max Verstappen given F1 ‘community service’ in Rwanda after swearing in press conference
Monday 9 December 2024 10:30 , Jack RathbornMax Verstappen will undergo his community service in the capital of Rwanda later this week, as a punishment for swearing.
The Red Bull driver, who claimed his fourth F1 world championship in a row this year, was punished by FIA stewards in Singapore in September for saying his car “was f*****” in a press conference.
The 27-year-old Dutchman was told to he had to “accomplish some work of public interest.”
Details of this have now been revealed, with Verstappen working with junior competitors as part of a grassroots programme in conjunction with the Rwanda Automobile Club.
An FIA statement read: “Verstappen will travel to the FIA Awards Ceremony which takes place as part of the General Assemblies next week in Kigali, Rwanda to collect his fourth consecutive FIA Formula One World Championship trophy.
Max Verstappen given F1 ‘community service’ in Rwanda after swearing
Lewis Hamilton to test previous version of Ferrari after missing Abu Dhabi test
Monday 9 December 2024 10:00 , Jack Rathborn“I’m not sure that he needs tons of hours of acclimatisation,” Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur told Autosport.
Lewis Hamilton is now set to try out a 2022 or 2023 version of the Scuderia’s car after missing the last available option to try out the 2025 version before pre-season Bahrain test next year.
“He is experienced enough to be quick on the first day, or at least very soon. We’ll have one or two TPC days, plus the test in Bahrain, and that will be enough.”
Lewis Hamilton in ‘two minds’ over missing Ferrari run at Abu Dhabi test
Monday 9 December 2024 09:30 , Jack Rathborn“Look, I know Fred wanted it to happen. For me, I was in two minds,” said Hamilton. “Driving the red car for the first time in Abu Dhabi does not excite me. In a perfect world, you get to drive it, not be seen, and do the first rollout next year.
“When I did raise it, obviously with Toto [Wolff], they had all these plans that I’ve got to go and see some of the sponsors and say their farewells. So I don’t think it was ever going to actually be allowed, even if I had asked to have done it, because I’m contracted to the team until December 31st and that’s totally fine. But it doesn’t bother me again because I wasn’t going to do the test.”
“It’s not what I wanted to do. I told Fred that’s not what I wanted to do. Am I missing out on something? For sure. It definitely delays the process and makes the start of the year harder, but we’ll do our best to recover.”
F1 post-season Abu Dhabi test - who’s driving?
Monday 9 December 2024 09:05 , Jack RathbornEach team will have a tyre test allocation and a young driver allocation:
Alpine: Pierre Gasly, Jack Doohan
Aston Martin: Lance Stroll, Felipe Drugovich/Jak Crawford
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc, TBC
Haas: Esteban Ocon, Ryo Hirakawa
McLaren: TBC, Patricio O’Ward
Mercedes: George Russell, Andrea Kimi Antonelli
RB: Liam Lawson, TBC
Red Bull: Yuki Tsunoda, TBC
Sauber: Nico Hulkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto
Williams: Carlos Sainz, Luke Browning
F1 Abu Dhabi post-season test - Carlos Sainz set to begin Williams chapter
Monday 9 December 2024 08:41 , Jack RathbornWhile the 2024 season is over, F1 will hang around in Abu Dhabi for the post-season test.
It could prove crucial for some drivers, especially the likes of Carlos Sainz who begins a new chapter in his career after linking up with Luke Browning to test the Williams.
Drivers and teams will assemble on Tuesday to experiment around Yas Marina Circuit.
Though Lewis Hamilton will not be present in the Ferrari, that’s because the Briton has committed to a number of farewell procedures and events after an emotional end to his time at Mercedes.
Who could replace Sergio Perez in 2025 F1 seat at Red Bull?
Monday 9 December 2024 08:00 , Kieran JacksonSergio Perez looks set to be on the way out from Formula One and Red Bull after a torrid 2024 campaign.
The Mexican’s seat has been shrouded in uncertainty for some time. His poor form means Red Bull are guaranteed to finish third in the constructors’ championship, despite Verstappen’s drivers’ title triumph.
But who is the leading candidate to replace Perez at Red Bull? Will Christian Horner look within the team’s wider ecosystem or further afield on the grid?
The Independent takes a look at the candidates to replace Perez at Red Bull:
Lewis Hamilton receives heartfelt message from Toto Wolff ahead of Ferrari move: ‘You should win’
Monday 9 December 2024 07:30 , Kieran JacksonToto Wolff sent a heartfelt message to Lewis Hamilton after the Brit’s final race for Mercedes, saying ahead of his move to Ferrari: “If we can’t win, you should win.”
Hamilton, who started 16th in his final race for the Silver Arrows in Abu Dhabi, surged through the field and with a last-lap overtake on teammate George Russell, the 39-year-old finished just outside the podium in fourth.
Full story below:
Lewis Hamilton receives heartfelt message from Toto Wolff ahead of Ferrari
Valtteri Bottas on F1 swansong: ‘This year has been the toughest of rides’
Monday 9 December 2024 07:00 , Kieran JacksonExclusive interview:
Valtteri Bottas on F1 swansong: ‘This year has been the toughest of rides’
Lewis Hamilton’s farewell at Mercedes ends the greatest era in F1 history – but not in the way you think
Monday 9 December 2024 05:00 , Kieran JacksonThe bemusement reverberated across the paddock. It is difficult not to overemphasise the brutal reaction the cut-throat Formula One circus – whether it be media, ex-drivers or fans – had in September 2012 when, to the astonishment of everyone, Lewis Hamilton decided to leave McLaren for Mercedes.
Even the wishes of his father and manager, Anthony, were ignored. As Jeremy Clarkson put it so tactlessly on a 2012 episode of Top Gear: “Is that not a bit like moving from Manchester United to West Ham?” And sorry Hammers fans – it was not a compliment.
Yet six world championships, 12 years and 84 grand prix victories later, Hamilton’s bold plunge into unchartered waters was his best-ever decision.
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes farewell ends the greatest F1 era – but not how you think
Max Verstappen apologises to Oscar Piastri after Abu Dhabi GP:
Monday 9 December 2024 03:30 , Kieran Jackson“Launch was good, and then I tried to grab the inside and I quickly realised, once I committed to it, that the gap was closing and I wanted to try and get out of it, because I didn’t want to, naturally, of course, crash with Oscar,” Verstappen explained to media including PlanetF1.com.
“But unfortunately, we still clipped each other – but I already apologised to Oscar.
“It’s not what you want to happen, and especially not with him. He’s a great guy, but it happened. It’s just bit unfortunate.
“Honestly, I don’t want to talk about it. I’m just happy that the season is over. For me, the most important thing that I had to do was just apologise to Oscar, because I have nothing to gain, nothing to lose – I went for it, it didn’t work out.
“Especially also for him, you know that we both spun. It’s not nice. He’s a friend of mine, so I don’t want to have any, like, weird feelings or whatever going into the break.”
WATCH: George Russell’s eight-word takedown of Max Verstappen in furious F1 feud
Monday 9 December 2024 02:00 , Kieran JacksonChristian Horner hits back at Toto Wolff: ‘I’d rather be a terrier than a wolf’
Monday 9 December 2024 00:00 , Kieran JacksonChristian Horner has responded to Toto Wolff’s insult amid a feud between their drivers Max Verstappen and George Russell.
The Red Bull Team Principal hit out at the Mercedes driver for being “hysterical” at the Qatar Grand Prix, with Verstappen hit with a one-place demotion on the grid for blocking the Briton during qualifying.
And Wolff was left incensed by the remark and criticism of his driver, hitting back on a fiery Thursday at Yas Marina Circuit to label his colleague “a yapping little terrier”.
But Horner has laughed off the comment and claimed he would rather be a terrier than a wolf.
Christian Horner hits back at Toto Wolff: ‘I’d rather be a terrier than a wolf’
Lewis Hamilton receives heartfelt message from Toto Wolff ahead of Ferrari move: ‘You should win’
Sunday 8 December 2024 16:56 , Kieran JacksonToto Wolff sent a heartfelt message to Lewis Hamilton after the Brit’s final race for Mercedes, saying ahead of his move to Ferrari: “If we can’t win, you should win.”
Hamilton, who started 16th in his final race for the Silver Arrows in Abu Dhabi, surged through the field and with a last-lap overtake on teammate George Russell, the 39-year-old finished just outside the podium in fourth.
Full story below:
Lewis Hamilton receives heartfelt message from Toto Wolff ahead of Ferrari
