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      Meet F1 2025 rookies including star gifted first go-kart by Michael Schumacher and Brit teen who’s already a millionaire

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      FOR the first time since 2010, SIX rookies will grace the Formula One grid this season.The 2025 F1 season is sure to have it’s fair share of dramatic narratives.The F1 2025 grid has six rookies this year, the most since 2010Credit: GettyThese will range from Lewis Hamilton’s first year at Ferrari, McLaren’s bid to win a drivers title for Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri and how Red Bull will recover from their poor season last time out.However, six rookies coming to the grid is one of the most interesting storylines in itself with each of them having bags of talent shown throughout their careers in the junior categories of motor racing.However, they are also as diverse as they come, with some stepping into huge shoes at top teams and others already having F1 racing experience behind them.Below we take a look at each of F1’s 2025 rookies.READ MORE IN F1Kimi Antonelli – Italian born 2006 – MercedesKimi Antonelli is named after F1 royalty and has the nigh-on impossible task of replacing Lewis Hamilton at MercedesCredit: RexKimi Antonelli is the son of former racing driver Marco and was named after former world champion Kimi Raikkonen. He joined the Mercedes junior programme at the age of 11.The teen – who will run the number 12 and says his spirit animal is a lion – only passed his driving test in January of this year, but has impressed in the junior categories. This included a stunning wet Silverstone F3 test which saw him run four seconds quicker than any of his rivals. But his first test in an F1 car during last season’s Italian Grand Prix saw him crash into the barriers.Mercedes have handed Antonelli more than 5,500 miles of private testing to boost his preparation for a move into F1 after being asked to fill the boots of Hamilton at the team.Most read in MotorsportCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsOllie Bearman – Brit born 2005 – HaasOllie Bearman is already a millionaire after three successful sub appearances in F1 in 2024Credit: RexOllie Bearman became the first Brit to race in the Scarlet Red of Ferrari in the 21st century when he finished P7 on his super-sub debut at last season’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.He later made two more substitute appearances for Haas before securing a permanent seat based off of those appearances, although he endured a torrid time in F2 when not showing his pace in an F1 car.Moment Toto Wolff gets set to break Lewis Hamilton promise in behind-the-scenes clip on Netflix’s Drive to SurviveBearman turns 20 in May but is already estimated to have a net worth of more than £1m, as estimated from figures of his firm OBR Management Ltd.He joined the Ferrari academy at the age of 16 and races under the number 87. Bearman also astonishingly failed his driving test the first time he took it. His spirit animal is suitably a bear.Gabriel Bortoleto – Brazilian born 2004 – SauberGabriel Bortoleto is one of only four drivers to win back-to-back F3 and F2 championshipsCredit: RexGabriel Bortoleto arguably has the biggest racing credentials out of any of the 2025 rookies as he is one of only four drivers – with Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Piastri – to win back-to-back F3 and F2 titles.Bortoleto admits his racing career was saved by Fernando Alonso when the two-time world champion sponsored him in 2022 before he was snapped up by the McLaren development programme a year later.They allowed Bortoleto, who says his favourite movie is Interstellar and his favourite TV show is Peaky Blinders, to then join Sauber for this season, with McLaren chief Zak Brown calling him a “great racing driver”.Bortoleto – whose spirit animal is a lion – will race with the number 5 in F1 this season. His father, Lincoln, is the co-founder of one of the biggest Internet providers in world, Americanet following a merger with Vero in 2023.Jack Doohan – Australian born 2003 – AlpineJack Doohan was gifted his first ever go-kart by legend Michael SchumacherCredit: GettyJack Doohan has been placed under an incredible amount of pressure early in his F1 career with reports suggesting a poor start could see him removed from the seat, which has seen team boss Oliver Oakes praise Doohan for his “punchy” response to the speculation.Doohan is the son of five-time MotoGP world champion Mick, who admits he tried to keep him away from motorsport for a year when he was 11 before he was forced to give in.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconHe was gifted his first-ever kart by none other than seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and eventually joined the Alpine Academy in 2022.Doohan, who will race with the number 7 in 2025 and who says his spirit animal is either a kangaroo or koala, replaced Esteban Ocon in last season’s season finale at Abu Dhabi to make his debut.Isack Hadjar – Frenchman born 2004 – Racing BullsIsack Hadjar has already been praised for his ‘god-like’ reflexes in F2Credit: RexIsack Hadjar is different from many of his peers in that his parents do not have any sort of background in motorsport.Born into an Algerian family of physicians and physicists, he only gained an interest in cars because his dad was a kart mechanic and after watching the Pixar animation Cars.Hadjar was praised for his “god-like” reflexes in F2 last year when he managed to avoid a collision in the Monaco tunnel when a car ahead of him was around a blind corner.Hadjar – who says his spirit animal is a gorilla – won more races than any other driver in F2 last season but was pipped to the title by Bortoleto. He will race with the number 6 for this season in F1.Liam Lawson – New Zealander born 2003 – Red BullLiam Lawson’s parents had to sell his house to fund his racing careerCredit: GettyLiam Lawson is a weird case when it comes to being rookie since he already has 11 races in F1 under his belt, yet the Kiwi has never started a season so can be considered a rookie for all intents and purposes.Lawson’s parents had to sell their house to fund his racing career while he never officially finished high school as he went to pursue his dream instead.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe only became a motorsport fanatic after watching his dad race in karts at the age of six, although Lawson actually cried after the first time he fired up a go-kart when the engine started. Like Hadjar, Lawson is huge Cars fan, and will race with the number 30 this season as he attempts to tame the role of being Max Verstappen’s team-mate. More

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      Name of brand new F1 track revealed as venue set to be replaced after hosting races for 35 years

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      PLANS for a brand new Formula One track with a quirky name in Spain have been unveiled.The hybrid street circuit in Madrid, which will take over the Spanish Grand Prix next year, has been given a face-lift. The 2026 Spanish GP has been given a new name at a new trackCredit: autosportRace promoters have announced the track will be named “Madring”.The Spanish Grand Prix has been held in Montmelo, Barcelona, for the last 35 years, but will move to Madrid next year.The name of the urban circuit and the brand image were announced on Monday, merging the city’s name with “ring”.”Ring” is a term often associated with racing circuits in the F1 world, such as in Hungaroring, Nurburgring and Hockenheimring.READ MORE IN F1A statement read: “Formula 1 circuits are typically referred to by the city or region where they are located – Monza, Imola, Interlagos, Spa, Silverstone, Miami, Las Vegas.“However, their full official names are rarely used. For this reason, Madring aims to establish a concise and memorable identity that directly references its host city, is instantly recognisable worldwide, and requires no translation.”Madring will have 5,474 km layout, with 20 corners and an estimated qualifying lap time of 1 minute and 32 seconds.The aim is for a hybrid 3.4-mile circuit featuring street and non-street sections, subject to FIA approval. Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Jarama circuit, north of the Spanish capital, already held F1 races decades ago.The track was originally referred to as the Ifema Madrid Circuit, in reference to the exhibition centre on the same site.Man City legend Sergio Aguero’s new career as a racing driver for PorscheF1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconIt is also very close to the airport and passes right next to Real Madrid’s training facilities.The circuit, however, has been met with some criticism from local residents.Locals are arguing that noise levels will exceed the maximum levels required in the area where the race will take place.New F1 racing regulations and a brand new team will also be introduced in the 2026 season.F1 is due to have two races in Spain next year.The permanent circuit outside Barcelona has one year to run on its contract after this season and is therefore expected to appear on the 2026 F1 calendar.It has held the Spanish GP every year since it opened in 1991.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe new circuit has a 10-year deal to host F1, ensuring the Madring will remain on the calendar until at least 2035. The promoter is reported to have paid almost £427m for the race. More

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      ‘We miss you’ – Emotional moment Michael Schumacher’s son and Sebastian Vettel pay tribute to stricken F1 legend

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      EMOTIONAL tributes have been made to stricken F1 legend Michael Schumacher.The seven-time F1 world champion suffered a brain injury in 2013 after a skiing accident.A touching tribute to Michael Schumacher was made at the Race of ChampionsCredit: GettyThe F1 legend suffered a brain injury in 2013Credit: AFPMick Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel led the tributeCredit: GettyAt the Race of Champions in Sydney, Australia over the weekend, motorsport stars came together to honour the beloved German.Schumacher’s son, Mick, and close friend Sebastien Vettel honoured him at the Accor Stadium.The pair unveiled a banner that read: “Keep fighting Michael – We miss you.”It was accompanied by the website for the “Keep fighting foundation”.READ MORE ON SPORTThe site was set up as part of the charity created by Schumacher’s family in 2017.It promotes health, safety and perseverance.All 20 drivers from the Race of Champions joined in the tribute as they showed their support for the icon.A video was posted on social media and touched the hearts of racing fans.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne posted: “Legendary.”A second commented: “A touching tribute to a true F1 legend. Michael Schumacher’s legacy continues to inspire generations of drivers.”Martin Brundle’s most-awkward Formula 1 grid moments from Cara Delevingne to Ozzy OsbourneThe banner urged Schumacher to ‘keep fighting’Credit: GettyA third wrote: “What a great tribute. Seb is one of a kind.”Another said: “Keep Fighting Michael. Thank you Seb and wish you the best always.”While one added: “Keep fighting Michael never forgotten.”Stars such as David Coulthard, Kurt Busch and Valtteri Bottas were also involved in the touching scenes.Schumacher, 56, is widely considered one of the best F1 drivers of all time.Along with his seven world titles, he held the record for the most Grand Prix wins (91) until Lewis Hamilton leapfrogged him in 2020.READ MORE SUN STORIESSchumacher’s wife recently broke her silence after a sentence was handed out following a £12million blackmail plot against the family.In February, Corina sought to appeal the trial handed down to the ex-bodyguard, Markus Fritsche who was accused of supplying blackmailers with private images. More

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      Former F1 world champion boots toilet door down and has CEILING fall on him after getting stuck in cubicle

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      A FORMER F1 world champion has booted a toilet door down after getting locked inside.Jacques Villeneuve was hit on the head by failing CEILING as he made his daring escape.Jacques Villeneuve found himself stuck in an airport toiletCredit: Instagram @jacques_villeneuve_officialHe had to boot his way out after being locked inCredit: Instagram @jacques_villeneuve_officialVilleneuve, 53, won the world title in 1997 while racing for Williams Racing.However, he was caught in a tricky position while on his travels to Australia.Taking to Instagram, the Canadian former driver revealed that he had got himself stuck in a toilet at the Milano Malpensa Airport.He wrote: “Been stuck in the toilets for the last 20 minutes and security incapable of getting me out.READ MORE ON SPORT”Toilet flushing every 30 seconds. Having a blast. Very impressive.”Good start to the trip to Australia.”The post was accompanied by a selfie picture of himself in the cubicle.Villeneuve updated his followers as he was able to get out of the cubicle after half an hour.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut in doing so he accidentally caused a ceiling block to fall on his head after booting the door open.He added: “Managed to get out after 30 minutes.Everyone can see the F1 car but you have the skills of a top racing driver if you can spot the petrol cans in 12 seconds”Had to kick the door down, and a block from the ceiling fell on my head.”Ready to get down under. Travelling is 😀.”The picture showed the damage the retired driver caused to the cubicle as the door had been kicked off its hinges.Villeneuve’s 73.1k followers found the ordeal hilarious as they flooded the comment section.One joked: “S*** happens….”A second posted: “Have you got a newspaper?”A third commented: “It’s door out and away we go!”A fourth wrote: “Still a better place to be stuck in than the 1999 BAR.”A fifth said: “This is the best story of the week, hands down.”Another added: “Longest pit stop ever.”Villeneuve was the first driver from Canada ever to win the World Championship.The driver left Williams in 1999 as he switched teams to British American Racing for the next four years.He finished his F1 career with a two-year stint at Renault and Sauber between 2004 and 2006.After leaving F1, the Canadian entered NASCAR in the US, winning two races from 23 starts.Throughout his career, he has also written lyrics for songs, and in 2005 he rented a professional recording studio in Paris to hear his music better.The same year he released the song Accepterais-tu, and in 2007 he released the acoustic rock album, Private Paradise.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, the 2025 F1 season start is right around the corner.The first race in Melbourne will be on March 16 for the Australian GP. More

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      Why Geri wasn’t ‘blindly standing by’ Christian Horner as pal reveals how she REALLY dealt with his F1 text scandal

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      DRIVING along happily through the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside in their 4×4 Geri Horner turns to hubby Christian and says: “You never know what life’s going to bring.”The former Spice Girl couldn’t have been more prophetic.Geri and Christian Horner went through a year from hell in 2024Credit: GettyThe couple are pictured before the bombshell news on Drive to SurviveCredit: NETFLIXChristian is captured the moment a slew of alleged private texts messages is anonymously leakedCredit: NETFLIXThe ironic moment – caught on camera for Netflix’s Drive to Survive show last year – reveals how the couple were blissfully unaware that the coming Formula 1 season would threaten to turn their whole lives upside down.Soon after the clip was filmed, Horner, 51, was accused of alleged “coercive behaviour” towards an anonymous employee, sparking two independent investigations over the following year, which ultimately cleared him.But just a day after the allegations were first chucked out, a tranche of text messages and photographs were sent from an anonymous email to dozens of journalists and key F1 figures.Some of the messages were allegedly of a sexual nature – including requests for selfies – and the bombshell leak, which had been timed to coincide with the first race of the season last March, soon became the talk of the circuit.”It was a shock to both of them when the allegations blew up – they never saw it coming,” one friend told The Sun.Red Bull star driver Max Verstappen’s dad Jos called for Horner’s head saying the team would “explode” if he stayed on as the allegations threatened to derail both his job and his marriage.“There is tension here while he remains in position, Verstappen Snr said back in March”The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode.”The 51-year-old known as “Jos the Boss” during his racing days was even forced to deny being the source of the leak after he and Christian reportedly had a blazing row in Horner’s paddock office.Meanwhile there were reports Geri was distraught and in “floods of tears” after reading the messages and that the fairytale couple were heading for divorce.Moment Toto Wolff gets set to break Lewis Hamilton promise in behind-the-scenes clip on Netflix’s Drive to SurviveBut despite the furore, loyal Geri flew to Bahrain to be at her husband’s side and was pictured hand in hand with him at the paddock.Dressed in her signature all-white outfit, she posed at the podium ceremony, all smiles as they celebrated a 1-2 victory for Verstappen and fellow Red Bell driver Sergio Perez.  The couple even shared a kiss in full view of the cameras just before lights out at the track.It was a show of unity and defiance by the pair – although some criticised Horner for parading Geri around the paddock so shortly after the news broke.Geri and Christian appeared hand in hand at the Bahrain Grand Prix after the scandal brokeCredit: GettyThe couple embrace despite the drama unfolding off the trackCredit: PAThe couple share a kiss after Red Bull win the raceCredit: BackGridMax Verstappen’s dad Jos hit out at Horner after the texts were leakedCredit: GettyOne outspoken F1 pundit, former driver Christijan Albers, called the move “a farce and an absolute nonsense”.A body language expert told The Sun at the time Geri appeared “awkward” and as if she was on a “denial mission” as she posed for cameras alongside her hubby.Others wondered how she could back her man so soon after that shock leak.But while some might have thought Geri was burying her head in the sand and standing by her man friends say she is absolutely no pushover and had lots of questions for Christian, who was cleared once again of wrongdoing in August after an appeal to the original findings was dismissed.’Secret to their marriage’“People think Geri was just blindly standing by her man through the whole thing but it’s not like that at all,” a friend said.“She’s been in the spotlight for the majority of her life, so she knows what it’s like to be at the top of your game and the pressures that brings, and it takes a lot to faze her. She is a strong and intelligent woman. “When the allegations first came out, she of course had questions.“They talked through it and since then he has been cleared twice following two independent investigations by two separate KCs (King’s Counsels).“Good communication is one of the secrets to their marriage.”It was a shock to both of them when the allegations blew up – they never saw it coming and a lot of people were spreading hurtful rumours, but it was all untrue, they are in a really good place right now.”When Horner was cleared of wrongdoing back in August, he said he was “relieved” to put the whole saga behind him.Behind the scenes But the new Netflix show captures some of his candid behind-the-scenes reaction to his the texting allegations.The excruciating moment he first faces the world’s media and other team bosses after the texts had been leaked is caught on camera on the new show.McLaren boss Zak Brown addresses a press conference with the cutting remark: “These are not the type of headlines Formula 1 wants or needs.”Cameras cut to defiant Christian walking through the corridors saying “You find out who your friends are” before quipping: “Zak is a p***k.” Christian and Geri showed another united front at the Saudi Arabia Gran Prix last MarchCredit: EPAHorner celebrating the Red Bull Racing Team’s win in JapanCredit: GettyLater, after the second practice session at Bahrain, cameras catch the exact moment the text bombshell drops – with phone alerts pinging and Horner holding his head in his hands in disbelief.It sends the world of Formula 1 into a frenzy. However, despite the controversy off the track, Horner has the last laugh as Red Bull wins the Bahrain Grand Prix in dramatic scenes.”That’s the best way to f*** all of them. Shut the f*** up,” he’s filmed saying to another Red Bull Racing team member.As Red Bull continues to dominate the season Horner says: “In Formula 1 there’s winners and w*****s and you don’t want to be in the “w****r category”.Rivals plot In other parts of the show, he says that the motive behind the leaks was obvious – his rivals wanted him ousted.”The higher you rise, the sharper the knives,” he says.”I’ve reached the top of my game and I never thought in a million years I’d have a challenge like this in my career.”It was obvious that the end goal was for me to leave Red Bull.”It’s a crucial time of year, in a job that I do, you’re the front face of the organisation.”You can either hide away or you can get out there and face it.”It was a dramatic year from hell for the couple – although it ended on a high with Horner picking up a CBE from Prince Charles for his services to motor sports.Horner also reportedly built bridges with Verstoppen’s dad. Happy families And the couple put on a loved up display at the 2024 FIA awards in December in Kigali, Rwanda.And while the new season of Drive to Survive might contain some uncomfortable memories for the pair, the insider said they are not interested in reliving the past at all and are focused firmly on the future and their blended family which includes Bluebell, 18, Olivia, 11 and Monty, eight.Christian and Geri on their wedding day in 2015Credit: Doug Seeburg – The SunChristian and Geri Horner with their children Bluebell, Monty and OliviaCredit: Getty Images – GettyTheir marriage has weathered the storm – and they and the F1 team are “stronger than ever”. “Geri and Christian just want to put this whole episode behind them,” the pal said. “Their marriage is stronger than ever, they just got back from a trip to the States together and had a great time.  “Their priority is their family and they are fiercely protective over their kids and the time that they have to be a family despite their busy schedules. “The [Red Bull] team are stronger than ever too – everything is good.”They are not fazed at all about the new Netflix show and are just focused on the future.  “Yes it was a difficult time for them but they are both very resilient.”A rep for Red Bull declined to comment. More

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      F1 officially confirm 11th team days before 2025 season starts with two drivers already linked to role

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      CADILLAC will join the grid from the 2026 season as Formula One’s 11th team.The General Motors-backed entry was approved by the FIA and F1 on Friday after an initial agreement was announced last November.Cadillac will join the grid from the 2026 season as Formula One’s 11th teamValtteri Bottas returned to Mercedes in 2025 as a reserve driverSergio Perez has been linked with a move to the new Cadillac teamThe new F1 season gets underway next weekend with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.Experienced F1 outcasts Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have already been linked with the new team since losing their respective Red Bull and Sauber seats ahead of this term.Meanwhile, US team Cadillac has spoken about the desire to have one American driver in their first line-up.A short joint statement read: “The FIA and Formula 1 can confirm that, following the completion of their respective sporting, technical and commercial assessments,READ MORE F1 NEWS“The application by General Motors and TWG Motorsports to bring a Cadillac team to the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2026 has been approved.”California-born Colton Herta, 24, who currently drives for IndyCar’s Andretti team and has won nine races in the US-based series, appears to be in the running to drive for Cadillac.F1 president Stefano Domenicali added: “The commitment by General Motors to bring a Cadillac team to F1 was an important and positive demonstration of the evolution of our sport.”It was announced last November that Cadillac had secured an agreement in principle to join the grid.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSIt is part of a revised offering from General Motors in conjunction with US group TWG MotorsportsGeneral Motors is committed to running its own works engine by the end of the decade.Random bus enters F1 testing in Bahrain as Lewis Hamilton and Co are forced to abruptly stop But before that, the Cadillac team has secured a deal to initially run Ferrari’s engine and gearbox from its first season in a deal announced in December.FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “Today marks a transformative moment.”And I am proud to lead the federation in this progressive step for the championship.”The FIA Formula One Championship’s expansion to an 11th team in 2026 is a milestone. “GM/Cadillac brings fresh energy, aligning with the new FIA 2026 regulations and ushering in an exciting era for the sport.”Britain’s Graeme Lowdon, the former sporting director of the Marussia team, is the Cadillac team principal.IndyCar’s Colton Herta has been pipped to drive for Cadillac More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari under FIA investigation after Red Bull complain about 2025 car in huge blow ahead of F1 season

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      LEWIS Hamilton’s Ferrari faces a thorough FIA investigation after Red Bull complained about it’s rear wings, according to reports. The new 2025 F1 season is set to be one of the closest title fights in modern history after a promising pre-season test in Bahrain.Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari team are under investigation by the FIACredit: AFPRed Bull technical director Pierre Wache accused Ferrari and McLaren of still using ‘mini-DRS’ design tricksCredit: RexMcLaren had already changed their rear wing designs once last seasonCredit: GettyBut FIA inspectors will head to Maranello to inspect Ferrari’s latest F1 car after Red Bull’s complaints during pre-season testing. Christian Horner’s team argued Ferrari and McLaren were using a flexible rear wing trick to gain a performance advantage.The FIA has promised to clamp down on it and run checks before the season opener in Melbourne on March 16.F1’s governing body will place rear wings under increased scrutiny at the Australian Grand Prix next weekend.READ MORE F1 NEWSRed Bull technical director Pierre Wache raised fresh concerns last week, and told The Race: “It is still going on. “I think Ferrari and McLaren are doing the mini-DRS stuff still.”The extra investigation will include cameras on the rear wings of all 10 teams, allowing the FIA to monitor any flexibility outside of the regulations.The Scuderia reject Red Bull accusations and don’t believe that they’ll face “too many problems”, according to Italian outlet FUnoAnalisiTecnica. Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAs it stands, all cars with wings that have passed the FIA’s static load checks are deemed to be compliant within the rules.McLaren already changed their rear wing designs once last season after complaints from their rivals. Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeClerc arrive on red carpet at F1 02 car launch in styleRed Bull complained about McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ rear wing trick after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a race won by Oscar Piastri. Although the design was legal, the slot in the wing appeared to open narrowly under load which created an slight advantageous effect.McLaren, who went on to win the constructors’ title, said they had “proactively offered to make some minor adjustments to the wing” after FIA talks. They also made it clear they wanted to governing body to make sure other teams were not using similar tricks.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconThe accusations travelled in multiple directions last term.McLaren called attention to Red Bull’s front-bib device at the United States GP. The front bib is a tool that adjusts the height of the front of a car’s floor.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut FIA officials subsequently clarified that there was no way for the drivers to alter ride height from the cockpit, which would have been illegal.Max Verstappen is the defending drivers’ champion but Lando Norris heads into the season as the title favourite with McLaren. More

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      Abbi Pulling on course to be first woman driver in F1 for 50 years and recalls bizarre first meeting with Lewis Hamilton

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      ABBI PULLING is the 21-year-old racing sensation who could one day become the first woman to drive in F1 since 1976.What you see is what you get with the Lincolnshire-born driver, who is keeping it real in what she calls F1’s “billionaire boy’s club”.Pulling was crowned the 2024 F1 Academy championCredit: RexPulling has caught the attention of big brands like makeup company Charlotte TilburyCredit: Instagram @abbipullingPulling is now rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Zinedine ZidaneCredit: GettyPulling won nine race victories out of 14 and a championship-winning margin of 121 pointsCredit: GettyAbbi Pulling was born in the village of Gosberton in LincolnshireCredit: Instagram @abbipullingPulling grew up watching her dad competing in motorcycle endurance events around the UK, but to his relief she opted for four wheels instead of two. She has always been a huge fan of MOTOGP icon Valentino Rossi who is one of the greatest riders in history and a nine-time world champion. Like Rossi, who has competed in rallies and started racing go-karts, Pulling has never been interested in the glitz and glamour of motorsport. She told SunSport: “I’ve watched him throughout my whole life since I was a baby with my dad and I just think his mantra of enjoying the sport is really important.read more in F1″You drive your best when you’re having fun. He plays up to the fans and has done it all from dirt bikes, MOTOGP, a go kart, rallies – he has an appreciation for motorsport. “I’ve taken that and if I could I’d just love to try it all!”Italy’s Lella Lombardi was the last woman to compete in an F1 race, in 1976.Pulling is following in her footsteps, as the first woman to win a race in British F4 at Brands Hatch last May. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSShe is also reigning champ of F1 Academy, an all-female Formula 4 level single-seater racing championship, funded by the F1 Group.Her prize is now a fully funded 2025 seat in the British-based GB3 Championship, a step below Formula 3.Inside Lewis Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari as he instantly surprises new bosses at first official day of F1 testing Pulling says the Academy saved her career, having prematurely ended her 2021 British F4 campaign as she couldn’t afford to continue. When asked about when she thinks F1 will see a woman on the grid, she said: “I don’t think it’s something you can put a number on, I don’t think we should.”We should let it happen and whoever gets there if it’s not me, make sure it isn’t for a box-ticking exercise it’s because they deserve it.”Allow a woman to have the space to keep performing. The media will take over so she needs the right people around her so that doesn’t get in the way.”I’d like to think it will be me but I’ve still got ways to go. “I’m focused on this year and have done a good enough job to get racing in 2026. I’ve got to take it year by year.”Pulling has credited Haas driver Esteban Ocon and Lewis Hamilton for their being allies of the F1 Academy.Women F1 driversOnly five female drivers have ever competed in a F1 Grand Prix.The first was Italian Maria Teresa de Filippis, who drove in five races and finished in tenth place in the 1958 Belgian Grand Prix.Lella Lombardi, pictured, is the only woman who scored points in Formula 1, competing in F1 from 1974 to 1976.Lombardi participated in 17 races and started 12. Her best result came in the 1975 Spanish GP, where she finished sixth.In 1976, British driver Divina Galica tried but failed to qualify for the British GP.South African Desiré Wilson also tried and failed to qualify for the British GP four years later.The last woman to have driven in F1 was Giovanna Amati wo was signed to Brahbham in 1992.She failed to qualify for three races and was replaced by Damon Hill.Seven-time world champion Hamilton was often seen showing support on the Academy grid last season, albeit mostly for Pulling’s competitor Doriane Pin, with both of them at Mercedes at the time.Pulling recalls a bizarre first encounter with Hamilton at the Texas Grand Prix in October 2023.She said: “The first time I met Lewis really plays in my head, I’m like why did I do that?”It was after COTA and he congratulated me and I finished second. “It was the first time he came to F1 academy and I was adamant someone else had jumped their start. “I basically said to him ‘mate she definitely jumped the start’. I shook his hand and everything but didn’t really acknowledge that I was meeting him.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I was like ‘we need to put in an appeal for this jump start.’ It’s actually embarrassing, I wish I made a better first impression.”But he knows all the emotions, he is someone I have a lot of respect for.”Abbi Pulling with SunSport’s Isabelle BarkerPulling follows a strict strength and conditioning programmeCredit: Instagram @abbipullingPulling pictured with her F1 Academy trophyCredit: Instagram @abbipulling More