Seven times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is set for a shock switch from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025 as replacement for Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, according to multiple media reports on Thursday.Mercedes and Ferrari declined to comment on speculation that would be by far the most sensational driver move of the so-called “silly season”.
Sky Sports television said it understood Mercedes principal Toto Wolff would brief the team before a formal announcement later on Thursday. Hamilton, 39, has been with Mercedes since 2013 and won his first title with McLaren in 2008. His contract is due to expire at the end of 2025 and a move to Ferrari would surely extend that into the sport's new engine era in 2026. The Briton has been linked with Maranello repeatedly during his career, particularly when his contract has been up for renewal, but he signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes last August. Despite his loyalty to Mercedes, Hamilton has remained close to Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur after winning Formula Three and GP2 (now Formula Two) championships with the Frenchman's ART team as a junior in 2005 and 2006. Vasseur said last August that he talked to Hamilton at every race weekend. In 2019, Wolff said Hamilton and Mercedes had discussed the possibility of the driver one day racing for Ferrari and such a move would be no drama. “You have to simply acknowledge that probably it’s in every driver’s head to drive at Ferrari one day,” the Austrian said then. “It’s the most iconic, historic Formula One brand out there and I totally respect if a driver has the desire to drive at Ferrari. “Even within the team we have discussed it and with Lewis we have discussed it and we have agreed on the topic.” The most successful Formula One driver of all time, with a record 103 wins and 104 pole positions in a career that started in 2007, Hamilton has not won a race since December 2021 as Mercedes struggled to match Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Verstappen has won the last three titles and starts 2024 as favourite for a fourth. The Dutch 26-year-old has a contract to the end of 2028. Hamilton would join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, with the Italian team announcing a week ago that the Monegasque had signed on for several more seasons. McLaren also ensured Lando Norris, who had been seen by some as a possible future replacement for Hamilton, was off the market by announcing a new deal on Friday. A move to Ferrari would likely be Hamilton’s Formula One swansong and a calculated risk, with the 2026 rule changes leaving everyone entering new territory. The possibility of a record eighth title, if not with Mercedes this season, with a third team would also be a sensational step.
0 Comments
Remember the simplicity and elegance of Toro Rosso? Remember how Red Bull jettisoned that entirely to prop up its designer clothing brand not one person would know about, had it not been emblazoned on their Formula 1 cars? Silly as AlphaTauri was, we all got used to it, but now the Austrian energy drink/motorsports empire has given up on that experiment. We knew the team's name was due to change a third time this coming season, and a recently registered domain has, unfortunately, given fans a view of what to expect. Prepare for Visa CashApp Racing Bulls.
We can all wish it didn't sound like the subject line of a phishing attempt delivered directly to your junk folder, but this is what happens when money starts flowing in fast and free: team names become ever-longer parodies of themselves.If nothing else, Visa CashApp Racing Bulls sounds more identifiably like an F1 crew, I suppose, than Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. And almost anything's better than parading around Saudi Aramco as your title sponsor. I still think Andretti Cadillac would sound pretty badass, but I'd wager the paddock disagrees. The Racing Bulls can recover some good faith if they show up for winter testing with a really sweet livery, as Toro Rosso used to have. But something tells me it's going to be hard to elegantly work in CashApp green, like when Aston Martin was supported by that one water company that has quickly overtaken global motorsport. At least pink goes slightly better with Alpine blue.
The team formerly known as AlphaTauri hasn't yet publicized when it plans to reveal its 2024 challenger, but considering there's an entire brand relaunch wrapped up in there, too, it's possible we hear official word on the team name ahead of the car's introduction. Maybe there's even enough time to give a third payment platform top billing. F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff has stated that she is 'deeply insulted' by allegations aimed at her and Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, after the FIA opened up an investigation regarding a potential conflict of interest. Wolff and her husband are understood to be at the centre of an FIA investigation over a potential conflict of interest that alleges the pair are benefitting from the passing of confidential information to one another in their respective roles. Although neither of the Wolffs, nor Mercedes, have officially been named by the FIA, the team recently posted a statement defending themselves in the light of certain accusations coming to light. On Tuesday, the sport's governing body said: "The FIA is aware of media speculation centred on the allegation of information of a confidential nature being passed to an F1 team principal from a member of FOM personnel. "The FIA Compliance Department is looking in to the matter." And now Susie has taken to social media to hit back any and all allegations that have been made against her, something she believes is rooted in 'misogynistic behaviour'. Wolff denies allegations “I am deeply insulted but sadly unsurprised by the public allegations that have been made this evening,” she penned. “It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such a manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour, and focused on my marital status rather than my abilities. “Throughout my career in motorsport, I have encountered and overcome numerous obstacles and I refuse to let these baseless allegations overshadow my dedication and passion for F1 Academy. “As a woman in this sport, I have faced my fair share of challenges but my commitment to breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations to succeed remains unwavering. “In the strongest possible terms, I reject these allegations.”
The British F1=team Williams have opted to retain Sargeant for a second campaign despite his troubled 2023 season.
The 22-year-old, who scored just one point throughout the season, will race alongside Alex Albon, with the London-born Thai's place already announced. "I am thrilled to be continuing with Williams Racing for the 2024 season," Sargeant said on Friday. "It has been an incredible journey with the team so far and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue developing as a driver within such a talented and dedicated group. "We have exciting plans for the future and I can't wait to contribute to the team's success in the coming year." Sargeant claimed his maiden point in Formula One, the first American to score in the sport since Michael Andretti 30 years ago for McLaren, after Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were both disqualified from the United States Grand Prix in Austin in October. Albon finished the year with an impressive 27 points to help Williams land seventh in the constructors' championship, the team's best result for six seasons. "I am pleased to continue our journey with Logan into 2024," said team principal James Vowles. "Logan has demonstrated immense skill whilst under the pressure of the world stage, making him a perfect fit for our team. "We have great confidence in his abilities and believe that together we can achieve even greater success in the upcoming season." The Formula One season will start in Bahrain on March 2.
2023 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS
2023 Formula 1 World Championship Drivers' Standings
FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2023 - Race Results
FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2023 - Top 10 Qualifying Results
tr>
2023 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS
2023 Formula 1 World Championship Drivers' Standings
FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2023 - Race Results
FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN SILVER LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX 2023 - Top 10 Qualifying Results
2023 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS
2023 Formula 1 World Championship Drivers' Standings
FORMULA 1 ROLEX GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2023 - Race Results
|
Thank you for choosing to make a difference through your donation. We appreciate your support.
This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies. Opt Out of CookiesCategories
All
Archives
April 2024
|