Andrea Kimi Antonelli has pulled out of this week's Super Formula test at Suzuka.
The Mercedes Formula 1 driver had been set to travel from Tuesday's Abu Dhabi tyre test direct to Suzuka in Japan for an outing in Japan's top single-seater category on Friday.
Driving for the Rookie Racing outfit, he had been expected to run in the same session as Haas driver Oliver Bearman on the final day of the three-day test which is reserved for rookies.
The idea of both of them running there was to help them learn the Suzuka track, which is home to the Japanese Grand Prix, the third round of next year's F1 world championship.
But Antonelli's end-of-season plans have been impacted by an illness that he picked up over last weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
He had been expected to take part in his final F2 outing of the year, but he was taken unwell on Friday night with a fever – and did not recover in time to compete in either the Saturday sprint event nor Sunday's feature race.
His illness also prompted a change of plan for Tuesday's post-Abu Dhabi rookie test in a bid to give him a bit more time to recover.
Having originally been set to run all day, Mercedes changed its plan at the last minute with its reserve driver Fred Vesti being drafted in for the morning.
Antonelli arrived at the track shortly before lunchtime and was expected to drive in the afternoon to help him learn a bit more about the W15 car.
However, a decision has already been taken for him not to go ahead with the Super Formula test.
On Tuesday afternoon, the organisers of the Japanese championship announced that Antonelli had withdrawn from the test on medical grounds.
A post on X said: "Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who was scheduled to participate in the SUPER FORMULA Suzuka test, will not be able to participate due to poor health."
Antonelli looks set to return home prior to his next appearance, which is the Mercedes Christmas party that takes place on Saturday.
