High fever resticts Antonelli to afternoon running only

Having missed the F2 races last weekend due to very high fever, Lewis Hamilton replacement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has only completed the afternoon running of the post-season Pirelli tyre test, and the Italian will also miss the Super Formula test.

Prema Racing driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who will make his F1 debut next year as the replacement of Lewis Hamilton, missed the Sprint and the Feature Formula 2 Race of the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, having battled from high fever.

The Bologna-born driver , who completed his first F1 outing in the opening practice at the Italian Grand Prix, was due to drive uin the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Having still felt unwell, the Italian missed the the morning session, but managed to take part in the afternoon running.

The Italian was due to travel to Japan for a test in a Super Formula car, which would have allowed him to familiarize himself with the Suzuka circuit. However, he has elected against taking part in the Super Formula test, and will concentrate on his health instead.

Reflecting on his one-year F2 career with Prema, Antonello took to the social media to thank the Italian outfit for their partnership: “Unfortunately, I [was ]not able to race [on Sunday] because of illness. It hurts because it is not the way I wanted to finish my last weekend with Prema.

“A massive thanks to them for this incredible journey we had together. Now eyes on the future,” concluded the Italian.