The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix brought an end to the most dominant partnership in Formula 1 history.
Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have become synonymous with each other during their times in F1, despite the seven-time world champion winning his first title with McLaren.
McLaren finally achieved their first championship win since Hamilton’s departure by clinching the Constructors’ Championship, but it’s safe to say that the 39-year-old’s initial gamble to head to the Silver Arrows in 2013 has paid off.
Although Hamilton hasn’t won an individual title since 2020, McLaren have been nowhere near challenging at the very front of the grid until this year.
However, in 2025, Hamilton will have an all-new look in the paddock as he heads to Ferrari.
Hamilton gave fans a hint about his move to Ferrari in Abu Dhabi with his fashion sense, although the Brit won’t be taking part in F1’s post-season test with his new team due to contractual obligations with Mercedes.
Mercedes decided that Kimi Antonelli was the man to replace Hamilton going into 2025.
However, writing on Sky Sports F1’s website, Martin Brundle believes that Carlos Sainz should have been a shoo-in for that position based on his current form.
Martin Brundle says it’s a ‘travesty’ Carlos Sainz won’t be driving for Mercedes next season
When Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was confirmed, it left Sainz wondering what he was going to be doing in 2025.
In the end, he agreed a move to Williams, who finished second-bottom of the championship while Ferrari were just 14 points behind eventual champions McLaren.
Talking about Sainz’s performance and his tricky F1 seat conundrum, Brundle said: “Sainz was an impressive second as he is now obliged to depart the team for the incoming Lewis Hamilton, and Leclerc did make his way to a mighty third place from the back row of the grid.
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“Sainz has a perfect attitude and mindset about heading to current midfielders Williams, but it’s a travesty that he’s not in either a Mercedes or Red Bull next season.”
Mercedes were linkd with signing Sainz but in the end they decided to promote from within.
Unfortunately, Antonelli’s start to life as Mercedes’ second driver hasn’t gone to plan.
How Carlos Sainz and Kimi Antonelli have started 2024 F1 post-season testing in Abu Dhabi
The 2024 season may have officially ended, but the teams at the track in Abu Dhabi can’t go on holiday just yet.
Hours after crossing the line after his final race for Ferrari, Sainz was preparing for next season with Williams.
Sainz’s initial lap times for Williams were nothing to call home about, but he’s still getting a feel for the car rather than trying to match his times from qualifying on Saturday.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage
Antonelli was absent from post-season testing on Tuesday morning having failed to sufficiently recover from illness.
It ruled him out of the final round of the Formula 2 season, but it’s not like the Italian teenager doesn’t have plenty of testing miles under his belt already this year.
Antonelli has been testing old Mercedes’ F1 cars all year, but he’s rarely had the opportunity to run in their 2024 car.
He was run in two FP1 sessions, where one of those practices ended after just two laps following a big crash at Monza.
Brundle has described Antonelli as the luckiest driver ever, and his comment is no slight on the 18-year-old.
But it does seem a shame that Sainz won’t be regularly battling for pole positions, podiums and wins next year.
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