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      British GP will stay at Silverstone for another TEN YEARS as stunning £300million deal is signed

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      BRITISH GP bosses have agreed a new 10-year deal with Formula One keeping the race at Silverstone.The deal is expected to cost around £300 million and run until 2034 – safeguarding the UK’s home race on the F1 calendar.
      Silverstone have announced a new ten-year deal to stay on the F1 calendarCredit: AFP
      Silverstone attracted a record crowd of 480,000 people in 2023Credit: PA
      Last year the race attracted a record crowd of 480,000 across the weekend with more than 60,000 fans camping in the local area.
      This year’s race will be another sell-out boosted by concerts by Stormzy and Kings of Leon.
      Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of F1, said: “I am delighted to announce that the British Grand Prix will remain on the calendar for ten more years with this agreement.
      “Silverstone is an iconic venue at the heart of F1 history and as it approaches its ninth decade hosting Grands Prix, the event continues to attract fans from around the world for fantastic racing on track and the amazing fan experience off it.”
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      Stuart Pringle, Chief Executive Officer, of Silverstone, added: “This long-term commitment reflects the importance of the British Grand Prix to F1 and their acknowledgement of our ability to deliver a world-class experience for the British fans who are among the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the world.
      “The cheers of support for the home teams, and particularly for the British drivers on the grid, makes the Silverstone atmosphere unique and I am looking forward to harnessing this passion for our sport and taking the event to the next level in the coming decade.”
      The news comes in a busy seven days in which Lewis Hamilton announced his decision to leave Mercedes at the end of this season.
      Meanwhile, Red Bull chief Christian Horner will be quizzed on Friday after an internal investigation into inappropriate behaviour.
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      The Silverstone announcement comes a week after another iconic track, Suzuka, announced a deal to continue hosting F1 races in Japan until 2029.
      Last month F1 also announced the arrival of the Madrid GP to the calendar from 2026 in a ten-year deal.
      The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from Instagram

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      ‘Christian’s done nothing wrong’ Geri Halliwell told pals ahead of Red Bull grilling weeks before their 10th anniversary

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      GINGER Spice Geri Halliwell is adamant her F1 boss hubby has “done nothing wrong”, sources close to the star say.Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner, 50, is due to be probed by a lawyer on Friday over shock allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” towards a female colleague.
      Christian Horner of Red Bull Racing and his wife Geri HalliwellCredit: Getty
      Christian Horner was pictured leaving his Highgate home this morning, in what was the first sighting of him since news of the allegations brokeCredit: Ray Collins
      Sources say Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell is now refusing to speak to ‘anyone’Credit: Getty
      News of the allegations broke on Monday as Horner was locked in preparations for Red Bull’s defence of its championship titles – and just weeks out from Horner and Geri’s 10-year anniversary.
      Geri, 51, has told pals she does not believe the woman’s claims.
      A source close to the Spice Girl said: “Geri has been in floods of tears all weekend while looking after her kids.
      “She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong.”
      Read more on Christian Horner
      The Red Bull F1 boss, who runs the all-conquering team of world champion Max Verstappen and is on an estimated salary of £8million, said: “I completely deny these claims.”
      He broke cover for the first time today as he prepares to face a D-Day grilling over the allegations.
      It is understood the woman complained to the team’s parent company at Red Bull in Austria, which said on Monday: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.
      “This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
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      “The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible.
      “It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
      Spice Girl Geri Horner posts loved-up message to husband Christian as Red Bull F1 boss turns 50
      Former racing driver Horner married Geri at a church wedding in Woburn, Beds in 2015 following a year-long engagement.
      Horner has a seven-year-old son with Geri and a daughter from a previous relationship, while Geri has a 17-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
      The fresh allegations come just weeks out from the 10-year anniversary of when Horner and Geri started dating in March 2014.
      Sources have predicted Horner could be gone by “next week” after “losing support” from his team amid the probe.
      All parties involved in the investigation are understood to want to have reached “a conclusion” before Red Bull’s 2024 car is launched on February 15, The Telegraph reports.
      Red Bull Racing’s Austria-based parent company has reportedly compiled a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding inappropriate and controlling behaviour towards one female staffer.
      Horner immediately denied the allegations, stating on Monday: “I reject these claims entirely.”
      A look at Christian Horner’s life and careerCHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
      1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
      1991 – Wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
      1993-1997 – Competed in a host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000
      1997 – Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden
      1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
      2005 – Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time
      2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
      2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four doubles in a row
      2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
      2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
      2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
      2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
      2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen, beating Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
      2022-23 – Red Bull win the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship two years in a row

      The investigation is, according to sources, going to focus on the complainant’s concerns about Horner’s strict work regime and does not relate to any sexual impropriety.
      An F1 source told The Sun: “Christian had concerns about her conduct and made it clear he was unhappy.
      “She went on to make a complaint about his ‘controlling’ behaviour, which detonated this crisis for the team.”
      Formula One’s longest-standing team principal could be replaced by Red Bull team manager Jonathan Wheatley on an interim basis if required, insiders allege.
      A pal close to Horner yesterday said he is confident the F1 boss will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
      The source told the Daily Mail: “Christian is speaking privately and says that he will clear his name and come through this.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      It comes as Horner’s team, steered by world champ Max Verstappen, prepares for the start of the 2024 season, with the first race to kick off in Bahrain on March 2.
      Red Bull has won seven F1 world drivers’ championships and six world constructors’ titles since Horner took over as team principal in 2005.
      Horner will fight to save his career on Friday
      Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell pose after the F1 Grand Prix of Italy in 2014Credit: Getty More

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      Five candidates who could replace Christian Horner at Red Bull amid probe into allegations of inappropriate behaviour

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      RED BULL boss Christian Horner is set to face a hearing into allegations of inappropriate behaviour on Friday.The fall-out could have huge ramifications on the 50-year-old who has been with the team since January 2005.
      Christian Horner is facing an inquest into allegations of inappropriate behaviourCredit: Splash
      Here SunSport looks at the five candidates who could replace him, if he leaves his position.
      Oliver Oakes
      Oliver Oakes is currently team boss of the Hitech GP teamCredit: Getty
      Oakes would be a ready-made replacement and interestingly has a similar career path to Horner.
      The Brit, 35, is a former racing driver turned team-owner in the lower formulas, just like Horner.
      However, Oakes is also a former Red Bull junior driver so has strong links with the race team and company’s HQ in Austria.
      READ MORE ON CHRISTIAN HORNER
      He is currently team boss of the Hitech GP team that had applied to join F1 in 2026, only for their bid to be rejected.
      Hitech GP compete in Formula 2 and Formula 3 and run drivers from the Red Bull young driver programme.
      Jonathan Wheatley
      Jonathan Wheatley is the current Red Bull Racing Team ManagerCredit: Getty
      The 56-year-old currently serves as Red Bull Racing’s Sporting Director.
      Wheatley started in F1 with Benetton as a junior mechanic working his way up to become the chief mechanic until he joined Red Bull in 2006.
      Most read in Motorsport
      He has held the role of team manager and is now responsible for the operation of the team with many feeling his work has been a major factor behind the team’s success.
      Wheatley shot to prominence as a result of his radio messages with former race director Michael Masi at the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP where Max Verstappen controversially beat Lewis Hamilton to the title.
      Christian Horner admits Mercedes ‘f***ed up’ with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen won F1 title thanks to cramp
      Guenther Steiner
      Gunether Steiner has previously worked with Red BullCredit: Getty
      The colourful Italian is out of work after being ditched by the Haas team over the winter.
      Steiner has bags of F1 experience and is a popular figure in the paddock although has never taken charge of a team capable of fighting for wins.
      However, his previous spell working at Red Bull as a technical manager was littered with problems of poor performance and overheating issues with the car.
      Oliver Mintzlaf
      Oliver Mintzlaff previously worked in football with RB LeipzigCredit: Getty
      The German businessman is currently serving as part of a three-man management team of Red Bull.
      He previously held the role working as CEO of Red Bull Leipzig and as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer.
      The former long-distance runner, 48, has also worked for sportswear giants, Puma.
      While he has no experience of running an F1 team, he would offer the energy drink a safe pair of hands until they found a permanent replacement.
      Jos Verstappen and Helmut Marko
      Jos Verstappen and Helmut Marko would be a controversial choiceCredit: Getty
      A double-act of Max Verstappen’s father and Red Bull’s advisor would be a controversial choice.
      Both are aligned with the current world champion and would see the team effectively be wrapped around the Dutchman.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      That would not bode well for Sergio Perez, who is in the other seat.
      Both Marko and Verstappen are former F1 drivers but in the interests of rebuilding harmony, it would be an unthinkable suggestion. More

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      Lewis Hamilton revealed plans to join Ferrari in 2015 in Tokyo bar… years before F1 legend signed £100million deal

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      LEWIS HAMILTON reportedly revealed plans to join Ferrari NINE years before the move was announced. Last week, the seven-time world champion rocked the world of Formula One when he triggered a break clause in his Mercedes contract to head to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
      Lewis Hamilton first revealed his intention to join Ferrari at a Tokyo bar in 2015Credit: EPA
      Hamilton signed a £100m deal to join Ferrari in 2025Credit: PA
      However, it seems these plans have been in the works since 2015 after a chat between Hamilton and Motorsport Magazine’s Matt Bishop was revealed.
      Bishop lifted the lid on a chat between the pair while at F1-favourite Lex Tokyo Lounge Bar in the Roppongi district of Tokyo following the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.
      Then McLaren’s communications director, he explained how he was drinking some beers with his colleagues and mulling over the race at Suzuka, where McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso had been lapped by race winner Hamilton.
      Hamilton – who had only departed McLaren for the Silver Arrows three years prior – eventually arrived at the bar with Mercedes engineers before heading over to chat with Bishop and co.
      READ MORE IN F1
      The pair soon found themselves in a one-on-one chat, where Hamilton confessed to wanting to drive for Ferrari one day.
      Bishop asked: “Do you think you’ll stay at Merc until you retire?”
      To which Hamilton responded: “Well, what I’d really like to do, one day, is drive for Ferrari…
      “Yeah. That would be a great way to end my F1 career, wouldn’t it? To win championships for McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari?”
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      The bar has since closed down, but Hamilton’s dream to race for the Scuderia clearly never did.
      Hamilton’s multi-year contract at the Prancing Horse could prove to be the final transfer of his F1 career given comments he made in the chat.
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him
      In the chat Hamilton also ruled out ever returning to McLaren, stating: “I don’t know. Never go back, they say, don’t they?
      “Sometimes you just feel you’ve been somewhere too long and you need a change.”
      Alpine driver Pierre Gasly revealed he knew about the move for some time.
      Speaking at the launch of Alpine’s 2024 F1 car, he said: “Obviously, he’s been a long time with Mercedes, but I was aware of some talks with Ferrari.
      “Ultimately, he’s towards the end of his career. So it was either now or never.
      WHO COULD REPLACE HAMILTON AT MERCEDES?Mercedes will have a vacant seat for 2025.
      Here, SunSport’s F1 correspondent Ben Hunt looks at FIVE potential candidates who could replace him and partner George Russell in the Silver Arrows.
      Oscar Piastri – McLaren have sewn up Lando Norris to a new long-term contract that should (in theory) put him out of Mercedes’ reach. However, they are yet to tie down his teammate Piastri, 22. The Aussie has an excellent record and won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles before spending a year on the sidelines with Alpine and getting his chance in F1 with McLaren. He impressed on his debut season last year and has the potential to be a world champion.
      Daniel Ricciardo – The experienced driver’s future remains in doubt as he bides his time at Red Bull’s B-team. Ricciardo would be low-hassle and offer some stability but by that time he would be 35. It seems unlikely that they would opt for him at this point in his career, but if he has a good season this year, he could come into the reckoning.
      Kimi Antonelli – You may not have heard of the Italian, but he is mustard. Still only 17, he has won at all the junior categories and has been part of the Mercedes young driver programme since 2019. This season he has been promoted from F4 to F2, where he has been tipped to shine. A good debut season in F2 could sway Mercedes into taking a risk on him for 2025. Antonelli and his family are close to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
      Mick Schumacher – Wolff has always been so incredibly supportive of Schumacher and spoken highly of him, that you’d at least expect him to come into consideration. He knows the team from his role as reserve driver and consequently would get up to speed. But speed is also the problem. He was shocking at Haas and if he really was THAT good, he’d still be driving in F1.
      Alex Albon – A more-sensible choice would be the London-born Albon. A great guy who is also very quick. He has a fantastic relationship with Russell and would be the low-maintenance quick partnership similar to Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas that swept to successive titles. Albon would take little convincing to join from Williams and Mercedes would not need to pay him half of the £50million they were dishing out to Hamilton.

      “I think it was kept secret for quite a long time. I just wish him the best. Obviously, it’s sort of exciting with the driver market, and all of you guys come with it, which is normal.
      “But I think ultimately, for the sport, he is the most successful driver of all time joining a new project, a new challenge. I’m sure everybody will follow that very closely.”
      Hamilton’s deal at Ferrari is said to be worth a cool £100million.
      He will become the 12th British driver to race for Ferrari.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Fresh reports claim that Hamilton’s future team-mate Charles Leclerc was left “shocked and disappointed” by the move to sign the 39-year-old.
      However, this stands in contrast to prior reports claiming he was welcoming to the move and Leclerc naming Hamilton as what he looks for in a team-mate.

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      Christian Horner breaks cover as he ‘could be gone from Red Bull next week’ as he’s ‘lost support’ from team amid probe

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      RED Bull chief Christian Horner broke cover for the first time today as he prepares to face a D-Day grilling over allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” towards a female staffer.Horner, 50, will fight to save his career at headquarters on Friday as sources allege he could be gone by “next week” after “losing support” from the team amid the probe.
      Christian Horner was pictured leaving his Highgate home this morning – the first sighting since news broke over the allegationsCredit: Ray Collins
      The Red Bull chief is facing a formal investigation over his conduct towards a female colleague and sources say he has ‘lost support’ in the teamCredit: Getty
      His wife Geri Halliwell is ‘standing firm by his side’ through the scandal that could allegedly see him gone by ‘next week’Credit: PA
      His future at the team could be decided next week as all parties are understood to want a conclusion reached before the launch of Red Bull’s 2024 car on February 15, The Telegraph reports.
      Former F1 driver Giedo van der Garde backs Horner leaving his championship-dominating team before the RB20 unveiling.
      The Ex-Sauber driver thinks the nature of non-yet disclosed allegations are a “blemish” on Red Bull.
      “Horner is, of course, controlled internally by Red Bull. Believe me, when that presentation comes next week, there is no way Horner will be there presenting,” Van der Garde said on his DRS: De Race Show podcast.
      read more on christian horner
      “For Red Bull this is obviously dramatic and then they also have those presentations next week….  but this is a bit of a blemish on the name, but also the team,” he added.
      Formula One was rocked on Monday by the news that the sport’s longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull Austria.
      The parent company said that after being informed of “certain recent allegations” it had hired an “external, specialist lawyer” to probe the claims.
      It has allegedly compiled a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” towards one female staffer, The Telegraph reports.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Horner issued an immediate denial on Monday, stating: “I reject these claims entirely.”
      However, a report in Motorsport-Magazin claimed that Horner had “lost support” within Red Bull amid the ongoing probe.
      Insiders alleged that the team principal could be replaced by Red Bull team manager Jonathan Wheatley on an interim basis if he were to step down.
      “Whether the Thai side, which is traditionally close to Horner and holds 51 percent of Red Bull, can save the Briton will probably depend on the results of the independent investigation,” the report stated.
      Sources say the investigation is set to centre on the employee’s concerns about Horner’s strict work regime and does not relate to any sexual impropriety.
      An F1 source told The Sun: “Christian had concerns about her conduct and made it clear he was unhappy.
      “She went on to make a complaint about his ‘controlling’ behaviour, which detonated this crisis for the team.”
      Yesterday, a pal close to Horner said he is confident he will be cleared of wrongdoing.
      “Christian is speaking privately and says that he will clear his name and come through this,” the source told the Daily Mail.
      Horner – who is on an estimated salary of £8million at Red Bull – has been preparing for the start of the 2024 season with his all-conquering team steered by world champion Max Verstappen.
      The first race kicks off in Bahrain on March 2.
      Since Horner took over as team principal in 2005, Red Bull has won seven F1 world drivers’ championships and six world constructors’ titles.  
      ‘Power struggle’
      His defenders have reportedly claimed the accusations are part of a plot to oust him within the team amid an internal power struggle.
      Rumours of the unrelated internal issues within the team’s leadership have swirled since the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
      After the billionaire’s death, Red Bull drafted in a new board of directors to oversee the business.
      Former RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff was appointed chief executive.
      Despite Red Bull enjoying its most successful season in F1 history in 2023, there was speculation of a rift between Horner and Helmut Marko – Red Bull GmBH’s motorsport advisor.
      Rumours even went as far as to suggest Horner was determined to get rid of Marko, 80, from the team, reports the Telegraph.
      However, the recent report in Motorsport-Magazin said: “The internal power struggle that Horner had instigated against Dr. Helmut Marko is said to have nothing to do with the affair.
      “Head of Motorsport Dr. Marko is said to have no ambitions to take over the post in Milton Keynes.”
      Respected F1 journalist Joe Saward also speculated over the future of Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey amid the Horner controversy.
      He wrote on X/Twitter: “It has long been believed that Christian Horner and Adrian Newey have contracts that protect one another. If one leaves the other can as well.”
      A look at Christian Horner’s life and careerCHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
      1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
      1991 – Wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
      1993-1997 – Competed in a host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000
      1997 – Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden
      1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
      2005 – Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time
      2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
      2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four doubles in a row
      2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
      2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
      2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
      2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
      2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen, beating Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
      2022-23 – Red Bull win the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship two years in a row

      Geri’s shock
      Horner’s Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell, 51, is said to be devastated by the bombshell allegations – but will firmly stand by her husband, who she married in 2015.
      Another source said: “[She is] not talking to anyone at the moment. Geri seems to be simply too upset to engage with anyone. Just lots of tears.
      “She will stand by him and be at his side just as much as she always has been. She never misses a race and that will not change.”
      Mum-of-two Halliwell reportedly turned her phone off on Monday due to streams of cruel messages online, with fans demanding she leave her husband.
      The glamorous couple got married in Bedfordshire in 2015 and have one child together, Montague, aged seven.
      The racing boss is also stepdad to Halliwell’s daughter Bluebell Madonna, 17, and has another daughter, Olivia, 10, from a previous relationship with ex-partner Beverley Allen.
      Another source told The Mail: “She is committed to him with every fibre of her being.”
      However, the scandal engulfing her husband has blown a “Grand Canyon-sized crack” right in the middle of her “super-perfect, super-posh life,” they claimed.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      It followed reports that Geri had been in “floods of tears” last weekend as she looked after her kids.
      A source close to the singer told The Sun: “She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong.”
      Horner will fight to save his career on Friday
      The Spice Girl is said to be committed to Horner with ‘every fibre of her being’
      Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s death in October, 2022 allegedly sparked a power struggle at Red Bull
      Sources say the Ginger Spice star is refusing to speak to ‘anyone’ after news broke of the allegations More

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      Charles Leclerc left ‘shocked and disappointed’ by Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari and F1 star ‘blindsided’ by decision

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      CHARLES LECLERC has been left “shocked and disappointed” by Ferrari’s move to sign Lewis Hamilton, according to reports. Last week it was announced that seven-time Formula One champion Hamilton would be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025.
      Charles Leclerc is said to have been left ‘shocked and disappointed’ by Ferrari signing Lewis HamiltonCredit: AFP
      Leclerc is also said to have had no idea about the move before signing a new Ferrari dealCredit: 2019 Getty Images
      The Hamilton news came one week after Ferrari signed Leclerc down to a new multi-year contract.
      However, according to a sensational report from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Leclerc and his entourage were unhappy about the move.
      The report claims the Monegasque has been left “shocked and disappointed” and had no idea the move was in the works.
      He is said to have kept quiet about his feelings until now to not “reveal a weakness”.
      READ MORE IN F1
      This feeling is said to come from the 26-year-old feeling under threat in his position as Ferrari’s No1 driver.
      Since joining the team in 2018, Leclerc has established his position against Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.
      The claims contradict earlier reports in Italian media which suggested Leclerc was welcoming of Hamilton joining Ferrari.
      Counter reports in Spain say he was in fact aware of the move, with F1 journalist Sergio Rodríguez saying Leclerc was informed of the arrival before renewing his contract.
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      Hamilton broke a number of records while at Mercedes
      Despite talk of their future rivalry, Piero Ferrari – the son of Ferrari founder Enzo and a board member – has said: “Charles is the champion of the future, Ferrari believes in him and has proved it, I think.
      “Hamilton is Hamilton. I don’t see why they should fight.”
      Did Charles Leclerc drop secret hint about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari from Mercedes in awkward interview LAST YEAR?
      In June, Leclerc fuelled rumours that Hamilton was set to move to Ferrari when he was asked what he looked for in a team-mate while in a press conference alongside the Brit, responding by looking at the 39-year-old and saying “Hello Lewis”.
      The Hamilton announcement helped see Ferrari’s market value increase by £3billion.
      Hamilton will become the 12th British driver to race for the Prancing Horse as he looks to become the teams first British champion for 60 years.
      With only eight drivers nailed down to contracts in 2025, there could be widespread change on the grid in 12 months time.

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      F1 team ‘planning to race under TWO names to avoid huge fine’ in history-making decision

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      THE new Stake F1 team could use TWO names to escape a huge fine.The Sauber outfit’s sponsorship from crypto casino operator Stake has created a dilemma with Swiss authorities.
      The Stake F1 Team face another saga after unveiling their new carCredit: AP
      Stake’s C44 was loved by some fans but rated ‘awful’ by othersCredit: AP
      And PlanetF1 suggest the team has come up with an innovative solution ahead of the 2024 season, starting in Bahrain on March 2.
      The official name of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber will be cut to the more relaxed “Stake F1 Team” for most venues.
      But where gambling advertising is banned, an even more colloquial name will be used – the Kick F1 Team.
      It’s a far more serious matter than the lively debate on social media earlier this week over the dramatic look of Sauber’s new car for this year.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      The C44’s brash, lime design was compared to a cross between a Ninja Turtle and The Transformers.
      Now the sponsorship saga is proving a headache for the team, which was backed by Alfa Romeo in the past and will be rebranded as Audi from 2026.
      Sauber’s home country Switzerland is one of the nations with strict controls over gambling ads.
      Such sponsorship is only allowed if the company has a licence – which Stake does not.
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      Other problems include the fact Stake does not advertise to its country’s consumers and is not even accessible there.
      It’s understood breaching the rules can mean a fine of 500.000 Swiss francs – about £460k.
      Swiss publication SRF quote Zurich-based Patrick Krauskopf, Head of the Centre for Competition and Commercial Law as saying: “Sponsorship would be permitted.
      DJ reveals amazing track using sounds from electric motorsport
      “In this case, however, the Stake and Sauber brands are so closely linked and the term Stake is so strongly imprinted in the minds of viewers that we have probably crossed the red line into unauthorised advertising.”
      It means the Swiss Federal Gaming Board is probing Sauber’s general agreement with Stake – but PlanetF1.com believes this is just a routine check. More

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      Christian Horner vows to pals he’ll ‘clear his name’ in probe ahead of D-Day Red Bull talks with Geri ‘standing by him’

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      RED Bull chief Christian Horner has privately vowed to “clear his name” ahead of a D-Day grilling over claims of “inappropriate and controlling behaviour”.Horner, 50, will fight to save his career at a hearing at team headquarters on Friday following the allegations made by a female colleague.
      Christian Horner is facing a formal investigation over his conduct towards a female stafferCredit: Getty
      His wife Geri Halliwell is standing firm by his side through the scandalCredit: AFP
      Sources say the Ginger Spice star is refusing to speak to ‘anyone’ after news broke of the allegationsCredit: Getty
      A pal close to the F1 boss and his Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell, 51, revealed that Horner believes he will be cleared of wrongdoing.
      “Christian is speaking privately and says that he will clear his name and come through this,” the source told the Daily Mail.
      Halliwell is said to be devastated by the bombshell allegations – but will firmly stand by Horner, who she married in 2015.
      Another source said: “[She is] not talking to anyone at the moment. Geri seems to be simply too upset to engage with anyone. Just lots of tears.
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      “She will stand by him and be at his side just as much as she always has been. She never misses a race and that will not change.”
      Formula One was rocked on Monday by the news that the sport’s longest-standing team principal had been placed under investigation by Red Bull Austria.
      The parent company has allegedly compiled a “dossier of incriminating material” regarding inappropriate and controlling behaviour towards one female staffer, The Telegraph reported.
      Horner issued an immediate denial on Monday, stating: “I reject these claims entirely.”
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      It is understood that the Red Bull principal will be quizzed by an independent lawyer appointed to examine the unnamed woman’s claims at the crunch meeting on Friday.
      Sources say the investigation is set to centre on the employee’s concerns about Horner’s strict work regime and does not relate to any sexual impropriety.

      An F1 source told The Sun: “Christian had concerns about her conduct and made it clear he was unhappy.
      “She went on to make a complaint about his ‘controlling’ behaviour, which detonated this crisis for the team.”
      Another source said: “It’s an awkward situation but it’s unavoidable until the air is cleared and this matter is resolved.”
      Mum-of-two Halliwell reportedly turned her phone off on Monday due to streams of cruel messages online, with fans demanding she leave her husband.
      The glamorous couple got married in Bedfordshire in 2015 and have one child together, Montague, aged seven.
      The racing boss is also stepdad to Halliwell’s daughter Bluebell Madonna, 17, and has another daughter, Olivia, 10, from a previous relationship with ex-partner Beverley Allen.
      Another source told The Mail: “She is committed to him with every fibre of her being.”
      However, the scandal engulfing her husband has blown a “Grand Canyon-sized crack” right in the middle of her “super-perfect, super-posh life,” they claimed.
      It followed reports that Geri had been in “floods of tears” last weekend as she looked after her kids.
      A source close to the singer told The Sun: “She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong.”
      Horner – who is on an estimated salary of £8million at Red Bull – has been preparing for the start of the 2024 season with his all-conquering team led by world champion Max Verstappen.
      Red Bull is said to want the issue sorted out before the first race kicks off in Bahrain on March 2.
      Since Horner took over as team principal in 2005, Red Bull has won seven F1 world drivers’ championships and six world constructors’ titles.
      A look at Christian Horner’s life and careerCHRISTIAN Horner is among the most well-known names in Formula One having helped build Red Bull into one of the biggest teams in the sport.
      1973 – Born in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
      1991 – Wins a Formula Renault scholarship after impressing in karting races
      1993-1997 – Competed in a host of competitions including British Formula Three, British Formula Two, and Formula 3000
      1997 – Founded and developed the F3000 team Arden
      1999 – Retired from driving and continued developing the Arden team
      2005 – Appointed head of Red Bull team, becoming the youngest ever team principal at that time
      2009 – Wins his first races as team principal with Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber
      2010 – Wins the Constructors’ Championship and Drivers’ Championship with Vettel – the first of four doubles in a row
      2013 – Has a daughter with ex-wife Beverly Allen shortly before the couple split
      2014 – Gets engaged to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell
      2015 – Marries Halliwell in Woburn, Bedfordshire
      2017 – Horner and Halliwell welcome their son
      2021 – Wins another Drivers’ Championship with Max Verstappen, beating Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the season
      2022-23 – Red Bull win the Drivers’ Championship and Constructors’ Championship two years in a row

      His defenders have reportedly claimed the accusations are part of a plot to oust him within the team amid an internal power struggle.
      Rumours of the unrelated internal issues within the team’s leadership have swirled since the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
      After the billionaire’s death, Red Bull drafted in a new board of directors to oversee the business.
      Former RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff was appointed chief executive.
      Despite Red Bull enjoying its most successful season in F1 history in 2023, there was speculation of a rift between Horner and Helmut Marko – Red Bull GmBH’s motorsport advisor.
      Rumours even went as far as to suggest Horner was determined to get rid of Marko, 80, from the team, reports the Telegraph.
      Red Bull Austria said on Monday: “After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation.
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      “This process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister.
      “The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
      Red Bull’s golden boy Max Verstappen poses with Horner after winning the Qatar Grand Prix at the end of last season
      Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s death in October, 2022 allegedly sparked a power struggle at Red BullCCredit: AFP
      The Spice Girl is said to be committed to Horner with ‘every fibre of her being’Credit: Getty
      The star-studded pair married in 2015 and share one daughterCredit: Splash News More