Kimi Raikkonen has played down any sadness ahead of his final race with Ferrari this weekend in Abu Dhabi.

The 2007 world champion will head to Sauber next season to make way for Charles Leclerc, ending his second stint with the Italian team after re-joining in 2014.

Admittedly, however, it is the fact Kimi has left Maranello once before that means this time there's little reason to be upset.

“I have practice from leaving them once already, so it’s not a new thing,” Raikkonen said in Thursday's press conference.

“I’m not sad because I don’t see why we’d need to be sad. Well still see a lot of each other in the paddock, so not an awful lot changes.

“I’m going for a new thing and that’s exciting."

Last month, the 39-year-old in many ways capped off his time at Ferrari with a victory in Austin and does still expect to remain close.

“Obviously I had good times with the team, with great people but we also had some difficult times too but that’s part of the business, how it goes sometimes…it can be a little bit hard," Kimi continued.

“I’ve won the championship with them as a driver, also we’ve won twice as a team. I was very happy to be a part of it and we had some great times too.

“We’ll happily go different ways and not too far from each other. We’ll keep doing what we’re doing and it will be good.”

Also Read:

• Raikkonen draws Lotus comparison ahead of 2019 Sauber move

 There is a little piece of business for Raikkonen to attend to at Yas Marina with a three-way battle for third in the Drivers' Championship between himself, Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen.

“I don’t think it’s changing my world,” he shrugged.

“I’ve heard that if I get that third place I’ll have to go and get that prize giving wherever it is, that’s the negative thing, more travelling. If it comes to it, so be it.”

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McLaren CEO Zak Brown admits Fernando Alonso will be on "speed-dial" if a situation required a replacement driver in the future.

This Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marks the Spaniard's final race in Formula 1 after a 17-year career which has seen him score 36 wins and of course, his two world titles.

Despite regularly admitting his frustration at the current state of the sport, Alonso insists it is the challenges that he has away from F1 that have motivated his decision.

However, should the British team need to replace either Lando Norris or Carlos Sainz next year, Brown claims the 37-year-old will be the first on the list.

“We certainly wouldn’t hesitate,” he told Reuters. “If we needed a driver that’s not one of our current two, to have Fernando be the first on the speed-dial list.

“[Michael] Schumacher came back, [Alain] Prost came back. I wouldn’t rule that out.

“We’re very happy with our driver line-up for the future. That’s what we are very focused on at this moment but never say never.

“He’s certainly driving at the top of his game.”

Also Read:

• Alonso suggests the 'time has come to move on' from F1
• Alonso: F1 no longer the sport that made me want to race

Alonso himself has sent mixed messages over whether he would want to return to F1, however, an interview with ESPN seemed to offer his clearest position yet.

"I don't think so," he said. "I think at that time, 2021, it will be a little bit too late.

"I don't know for certain because it's difficult to know how you will feel in two weeks' time, so I don't know in two years' time, but to have the energy to start back up and to put full dedication and full commitment to something when you're 39 or 40 years old ... it's going to be more difficult than now.

"I am not planning that."

To commemorate Alonso's final race, McLaren will run a special livery with his racing colours over the years at the back of his car.

Romain Grosjean wants the FIA to rethink the use of 'sausage' kerbs following Sophia Floersch's scary crash at Macau last weekend.

The German Formula 3 racer was launched into a photographers bunker by such a kerb after colliding with another car on the run to Lisboa Bend.

Five in total were injured and Floersch had successful surgery for a spine fracture on Monday, however, Grosjean believes now is the time for action.

"I believe Sophia was very lucky to escape," the Haas driver said ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"The news [of her recovery] is very encouraging, which is great, it's lucky that the guy who was on the apex didn't get hit, but the sausage kerb didn't really do any favour to that shunt.

"Tracks should have grass or gravel. Obviously you can't in a city but most of the time we talk about track limits if there was gravel or grass there would be no more discussions.

"The sausage kerb in Spa, Monza, a few places, it just doesn't fit and isn't right."

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• FIA to investigate Floersch Macau GP crash

In his role of director at the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, Grosjean revealed discussions were held in a WhatsApp group about the kerbs, installed to try and prevent drivers from cutting corners.

"It's very similar to Belgium GP3 a few years ago [when Konstantin Tereshchenko was sent airborne at the Bus Stop chicane], the sausage kerb on the inside has just launched the car.

"I raced in Macau three times and I remember that corner. I don't know why there's a sausage kerb there, to be fair.

"There's no need, there's a wall. So if you cut the corner you're in the wall. A flat kerb was a good idea.

"Monza Turn 1, if anything wrong happens in Formula 1 and you get the sausage kerb you end up in the centre of Milan."

Following the confirmation of Robert Kubica as a 2019 Williams driver, Sergey Sirotkin's backers have revealed they pulled their support from the British team.

It was a strong test 12 months ago in Abu Dhabi plus financial support from SMP Racing which gave the Russian the nod over the Pole for this season.

However, after what is set to be Williams' third worst year in their history in terms of points scored, that money was withdrawn for 2019.

“We took the decision not to continue participating in the Formula 1 world championship in the joint project with the Williams Martini Racing team,” said SMP Racing chief Boris Rotenberg.

“We were unpleasantly surprised by the team’s performance level at the start of the season, and the car’s development rate also turned out to be not high enough.

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have hailed the news Robert Kubica will return to Formula 1 at Williams in 2019.

Officially confirmed on Thursday in Abu Dhabi, it marks a remarkable comeback for the Pole, whose career appeared to be over following his rally crash in early 2011 which left him with a partially amputated right arm.

Always considered one of the best of his generation before his accident, the five-time F1 champion re-emphasised his great respect for Kubica.

“I think it’s great for Robert. I raced him from karting so I’ve known him for long, long time and he was always one of most talented drivers I raced against," he said.

“He’s had a really difficult time over the last years and it’s great to see he’s got the opportunity.

“I hope he works hard on his strength and getting his mind back into gear it’s exciting for the sport to see him back in action.”

Hamilton also welcomes back the 34-year-old for a slightly more cheeky reason.

“Is Robert older than me?” he quipped. “Perfect! So I’m happy he’s coming back because Fernando’s leaving and I was going to be second oldest, but now I’m third oldest again.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am about that."

Also Read:

• Kubica: F1 return 'one of the greatest achievements of my life'

As for Alonso, he has previously stated his belief that Kubica was the best driver coming through at the same time as Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.

The Spaniard even hand-picked Robert to replace him at Renault in 2010 and looking ahead to next year, he has just one hope.

“He’s one of the great talents that this sport has and it’s great to see him come back to race,” he stated.

“It remains to be seen what will be the performance of the car and his performance, I only saw a couple of tests but if he’s at 100 per cent he will be amazing to watch so I’m happy for him.”

Daniel Ricciardo has opened up on his decision to leave Red Bull for Renault in 2019, admitting right now it's "f***ing terrifying".

The Australian will bring to an end a 10-year association with the Austrian drinks giant and a five-year stay at their senior team, picking up seven wins along the way.

There is a wide range of opinions being given about Ricciardo's call to take what is likely a step back into a current midfield team, but for the 29-year-old, the reasons are clear.

“I needed to listen to my heart, I needed to go it alone and make my own decision,” he told The Player’s Tribune.

“Change is scary – it’s f***ing terrifying, and I know the next part of my journey won’t always be easy, but I had to take this step to try to be the best version of me.

“That’s all it was. It was the next step, the next leap, a new challenge. I’m going to Renault next year, and I’m going with an open mind and a full heart.

“Nobody has a crystal ball, or can predict the future or the results of my decision, but nonetheless a decision was made.”

Also Read:

• Hulkenberg: Renault must unlock the same 'mystery' as top three teams
• Ricciardo: 2014 debut with Red Bull 'set the tone' for my F1 career
• Ricciardo: Abu Dhabi podium would be 'fitting end' to Red Bull career
• Coulthard sure Ricciardo will avoid an Alonso-style fate with Renault

Before that though comes a difficult goodbye with this Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the final time Ricciardo will step into a Red Bull car.

"For now I want to end this year strong. It’s not going to be easy, mentally. I know that," he said.

“Each lap I turn in the car will mean one lap closer to my last in a Red Bull race suit and when I get out for the final time in Abu Dhabi, I think I’m going to have a right good cry.

“Maybe a few of ’em. Then winter will come, I’ll go meet my new Renault friends, and I’ll start anew,” the Honey Badger concluded.

Almost two weeks after their coming together in Brazil, Max Verstappen maintains he did nothing wrong with his post-race pushing of Esteban Ocon.

The two drivers collided while the Dutchman was leading at Interlagos, costing him the victory and was then seen confronting the Frenchman in the weighing area in parc ferme, earning himself two days public service.

On Thursday, Verstappen and Ocon were back in the same room ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Red Bull driver had no intention of backing down over his actions.

“It’s easy to say I should have done something different, but I don’t expect to crash with a backmarker," Max claimed.

“I honestly don’t understand what I should be doing different, with the emotional side of it you have not been a racing driver or you have not been in this position where there is a lot to play for.

“We are all here to win and you are in that position, then it gets taken from you. It’s not nice.

“Emotions can then take over and I think it is really normal [to react like that].”

The 21-year-old stated that something Ocon said in the weighing area caused his reaction, pushed on what that was, Verstappen wouldn't be drawn.

“Something I wasn’t expecting to hear,” he replied. “It doesn’t matter what it is was, at the end of the day.

“It clearly p***ed me off as straightaway I was expecting an apology. Maybe with the adrenaline still kicking in from the race then maybe you don’t get the right answer.

“But we are not robots. We have emotions. We could put robots in the car but I don’t think we want that.”

Also Read:

• Red Bull don't 'condone' violence after Verstappen/Ocon clash
• Verstappen 'still not able to manage his emotions', Brawn claims
• Whiting: Ocon wrong to fight Verstappen though Red Bull could have intervened

As for Ocon, he simply wanted to move on ahead of what is his final race at least for a year at Yas Marina.

“Yeah, I just think we need to move forward from what happened, we can’t change the past,” he commented.

“Even if Max said the opposite and that he would like to come back on what he did after the race, it’s done, we can’t change it and we have to move forward.”

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Robert Kubica will return to a Formula 1 grid for the first time since 2010 next season, after being confirmed as a Williams driver on Thursday.

The news has been widely expected with speculation he was offered a seat two weeks ago in Brazil but it still marks a big moment in the career of the Pole, who will take the place of Sergey Sirotkin.

It's a comeback that was deemed almost impossible when the 33-year-old suffered severe injuries in a rally crash prior to the 2011 season. Indeed, Kubica was left with a partially amputated right arm which it was thought would be the biggest hurdle to ever making a return.

It is the ultimate reward in an effort that began with tests at Renault in mid-2017 before focusing on Williams towards the end of the year, ultimately getting the position of reserve and development driver.

“Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has helped me during what was a difficult period of my life over these last few years," Kubica began.

"It has been a challenging journey to make it back to the Formula 1 grid, but what seemed almost impossible is now beginning to feel possible, as I am excited to be able to say that I will be on the F1 grid in 2019.

“For sure, it has been a long road to get to this point, but as that challenge now comes to an end with this announcement, a new challenge begins working with Williams on track.

"It will not be easy, but with hard work and dedication, both George and myself will work together to try and help the team get in better shape to move further up the grid. This year has been tough, but I have learnt a lot, and I’d like to thank Sir Frank and Claire for this opportunity.

“Being back on the F1 grid next season will be one of the greatest achievements of my life, and I’m sure with hard work and commitment we will be able to help motivate the team to achieve good things together.

"Thank you again to everyone who has supported me and believed in me. I will finally be back on the grid behind the wheel of an F1 car, and I cannot wait to get back racing.”

The decisive factor in the decision is money, however, with the 2008 Canadian GP winner gaining backing from Polish oil company PKN Orlem which for the Grove-based team is vital with the loss of title sponsor Martini and the sponsors brought by Lance Stroll.

Even so, for a driver that was considered in the same league if not better than Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton a decade ago, to get a final chance to prove himself in F1 is one of the best feel-good stories in quite some time.

Carlos Sainz has become the latest driver to be given permission to test with his new team at next week's Pirelli test in Abu Dhabi.

The Spaniard will be hopping behind the wheel of a McLaren for the first time on Wednesday as he leaves Renault, although his replacement Daniel Ricciardo won't be wearing yellow and black after Red Bull blocked a move.

Pierre Gasly will be in the RB14, however, while Lance Stroll is expected in the Force India and newly announced Williams driver Robert Kubica will also take part alongside teammate George Russell.

Kimi Raikkonen and Charles Leclerc also will be completing their swaps to Sauber and Ferrari respectively.

Teams will not be permitted to run 2019-spec parts at Yas Marina, with the two days of running purely focused on gaining an understanding on Pirelli's latest rubber.

Amid growing uncertainty over the race's future, Motorsport UK chairman David Richards believes Silverstone is the "only place" a British Grand Prix can be held.

Recent comments by Liberty chiefs have suggested a deal to keep the event at its historical home post-2019 may not be likely with commercial boss Sean Bratches pointing to how the race has moved before and CEO Chase Carey saying "unattractive" GP's will be dropped.

There is a thought that Formula 1's owners are pushing for a London Grand Prix, based on a similar model to the recent race announced in Vietnam, but Richards, a former F1 team boss, doesn't think it would properly represent the country's motorsport history.

"Silverstone is the only place in my view that can host the race," he told Autosport.

"Putting anything on in a different place like a street circuit is inappropriate because it doesn't leave a legacy and use the infrastructure we have built over the years.

"It's critical in my view, to this country, to motorsport's good health in this country, that we have an F1 race."

Also Read:

• Brawn sure of solution to keep British GP on calendar post-2019

The UK's motorsport body does play a logistical role in the organisation of the British GP and would like to be more greatly involved, but Richards admits it is a little complicated.

"Obviously we are a little bit on the sidelines because the commercial relationship is between the F1 and the BRDC," he explained.

"We can help enable that as best as we can. I attend a number of meetings with politicians at the moment and it's ongoing.

"We are hopeful and feel positively that it will come to a strong conclusion, we certainly don't take it for granted and we [Motorsport UK] have to play our part.

"We have to provide the infrastructure for the race, we provide the officials and the marshals."