Lewis Hamilton will not be taking part in Ferrari's post-season Abu Dhabi test, unlike other drivers who are switching teams for 2025.
Auto Motor und Sport reports that the seven-time world champion still has commitments with Mercedes after the season finale, including a major event with team sponsor Petronas in Malaysia and farewell visits to Brackley, Brixworth, and even Stuttgart.
Other drivers, like Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon, and the man Hamilton is replacing at Ferrari, Carlos Sainz, will all test for their new teams in Abu Dhabi. However, Hamilton's test debut for Ferrari will have to wait until 2025.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has granted Sainz early clearance to test with Williams, saying with a smile: "If I'm a nice person, they can have him."
Similarly, Alpine has permitted Ocon to get an early test with Haas, and Haas boss Ayao Komatsu has agreed to let Hulkenberg test for Audi-owned Sauber, saying: "If you ask me, Nico can drive for Sauber (in Abu Dhabi). There is no point in blocking him."
Hamilton, however, is bound by his Mercedes commitments, and as a result, will not have his first taste of Ferrari machinery or team gear until the start of 2025.
Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos suggested that Ferrari's impressive performance in Austin might have raised questions about the team's decision to bring in Hamilton. "Hamilton will be happy to see Ferrari's result in Austin," said Doornbos, "but Ferrari may be thinking 'Why are we bringing in Hamilton if Sainz is doing so well?'"
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve also expressed concerns about Hamilton's current form, stating: "He really is not in a good place. He needs to get out of this mindset before he goes to Ferrari."
Villeneuve added that while Hamilton may be looking forward to getting a better car, he currently lacks the sharpness of his earlier career. "He is going to a better car and in that aspect, he has to be happy. But generally, his demeanor indicates he doesn't have the body language of a race winner. He is not the killer we have seen in the past. He needs to get back to his old form and attitude before he moves, because Ferrari is not an easy team to be in."
Meanwhile, Mercedes is preparing for its future without Hamilton, with 18-year-old protégé Kimi Antonelli taking the reins. Following a crash during his official practice debut at Monza, Antonelli is set to get more seat time in Mexico.
Reflecting on Monza, the young Italian said: "In Monza, even if it was unfortunately in a somewhat brutal way, I learned a lot. Here, the time I have available will be even more important. New track for me, dirty layout, and I will have to push more progressively this time." body check tags ::
