Farewells abound at F1 season finale in Abu Dhabi
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel will be saying farewell to Ferrari in Abu Dhabi on Sunday while Mexican Sergio Perez faces an uncertain future despite being Formula One's newest race winner.
After six seasons at Maranello, the German is taking Perez's place at a Racing Point team that will be renamed Aston Martin next year.
“Together we have learned so much,” Vettel said of his time in red. “There have been ups and downs and we have been close to winning the title twice, but it was not to be. I am happy that we have won 14 races together but for sure we wanted more.”
Perez, a popular first-time winner in his 190th start in Bahrain last weekend, could be making his last appearance on the starting grid until 2022.
His only hope of returning next year is a Red Bull seat, with the former champions considering whether to retain Thailand's Alexander Albon alongside Max Verstappen.
“I already have some good options for '22, so my best option is obviously to keep going on next year, but if I have to stop, then it's not a disaster,” he said.
There will be others saying “thank you and goodbye” too, with Australian Daniel Ricciardo bowing out of Renault before a move to McLaren — whose Spanish driver Carlos Sainz is taking Vettel's place at Ferrari.
Denmark's Kevin Magnussen heads for the exit after being replaced at Haas, whose other departing driver Romain Grosjean has already gone home after his miracle escape from a fiery crash in Bahrain.
Russian Daniil Kvyat could also be set for a final outing, with Japan's Yuki Tsunoda tipped to replace him at Honda-powered AlphaTauri next season.
With both titles won by Mercedes, there is nothing at stake, but the big question is whether seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be able to race after contracting COVID-19.
Fellow Briton George Russell, his standout replacement last weekend in a race he might have won but for a tire mix-up and late puncture, is waiting for the nod from Mercedes.
“Lewis' condition is improving, but we won't know until closer to the time if he will be driving,” said team boss Toto Wolff.
“We'll do everything we can to get him in the car and we know he's determined to be back as soon as possible. But his health is our main priority, so we will see what the situation is and then make the call.”
Mercedes will still be the favourite for a 14th win from 17 races.
Ferrari, in contrast, will be happy to see the back of 2020.
Without a win all season, the team is certain to end up sixth — its lowest position since 1980, when it finished 10th.
MERCEDES ACTS TO FIX RADIO PROBLEMS
Mercedes has fixed a radio problem that caused pit stop confusion in Bahrain last weekend and wrecked its race, team boss Toto Wolff said on Wednesday.
Mercedes put Valtteri Bottas' front tires on race leader George Russell's car when both drivers pitted during a safety car period at Sakhir.
The mistake meant Russell, standing in for Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time champion tested positive for COVID-19, had to pit again.
He ended up ninth after a late puncture dealt a further setback.