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      How the 2024 F1 grid could line up with NO Lewis Hamilton, fresh face at Mercedes and new team-mate for Max Verstappen

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      THE Formula One grid in 2024 could look hugely different to what it does now. There are a number of teams who have drivers with expiring contracts.
      Lewis Hamilton may have retired by the start of the 2024 seasonCredit: Getty
      While Sergio Perez may seal a shock move elsewhereCredit: Getty
      It is also not out of the realms of possibility for a team to pick up a driver from an underperforming team.
      So with that in mind, how might the grid look by the start of the 2024 season?
      Red Bull – Verstappen and Tsunoda
      The first big shock would come at Red Bull, where Max Verstappen could be joined by a surprise new team-mate in Yuki Tsunoda.
      A recent report suggested Christian Horner was considering promoting Tsunoda from sister team AlphaTauri.
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      This would naturally lead to Perez’s departure, despite having a contract running to 2024.
      The current relationship between Verstappen and Perez has grown increasingly tense, with the latest from it seeing Verstappen snatch the fastest lap point away from an unhappy Perez in Saudi Arabia.
      Mercedes – Russell and Norris
      In the event Lewis Hamilton decides he has had enough of F1 and decides to allow his contract to expire at the end of the season, Mercedes will need some very capable hands to take his seat.
      There are fewer drivers more capable than McLaren’s Lando Norris, and with his team’s current underperformance, he may be tempted to try and grab a more competitive seat.
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      Indeed, despite being in an inferior car, Norris was the only driver outside of Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari to score a podium in 2022 and break the 100-point mark.
      Despite reports suggesting his contract extension with McLaren could pose difficulties, with Norris the Brackley-based team would keep their all-British line-up as he partners George Russell.
      Ferrari – Leclerc and Sainz
      Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have contracts which run until 2024 and both are performing well despite the team’s performance and reliability issues.
      It is difficult to see any changes coming for the Scuderia before next season.
      Aston Martin – Alonso and Stroll
      In a similar sense to Ferrari, both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are unlikely to leave Aston Martin.
      Alonso has scored three back-to-back podiums this season, and Stroll’s dad Lawrence is the owner of the team. And he is desperate to give his son a car capable of winning titles.
      McLaren – Piastri and Perez
      With Norris gone, McLaren chief Zak Brown could bring Perez back to McLaren for a chance at redemption.
      Perez replaced Hamilton in 2013, but flopped as he was slammed by team-mate Jenson Button for his “unnecessary” aggressiveness.
      However, with a more mature mindset and far more experience under his belt, Perez could be brought back to ensure McLaren maintains a competitive edge over the rest of the midfield.
      Perez was always a consistent performer when with midfield teams as well.
      Alpine – Ocon and Gasly
      Despite having a less-than-desirable relationship in the past, both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly will likely remain at Alpin for the 2024 season.
      Both have contracts running until 2024, and a French team with two French drivers would be expected to keep the line up barring an exceptional change in stance between now and the season’s end.
      Haas – Hulkenberg and Ricciardo
      Despite rejecting a seat with the team for this year, team principal Guenther Steiner has remained optimistic about potentially landing Daniel Ricciardo.
      He previously said: “Everybody is wanting to speak with Danny after a year off.”
      Ricciardo would be partnering former Renault team-mate Nico Hulkenberg – with the pair shooting to fame on Drive to Survive – as Kevin Magnussen’s replacement.
      The Dane has one year left on his current deal and could be in line for an extension if he performs well, but a big name like Ricciardo may be too tempting to turn down for Haas.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year
      Alfa Romeo – Bottas and Pouchaire
      If Alfa Romeo opts to drop out-of-contract Zhou Guanyu at the end of the season then their likely replacement will be Theo Pourchaire.
      The Frenchman was second in the F2 championship last year, and is once again sitting in second in the junior formula this year.
      The 19-year-old would represent the natural next choice given how he is already the team’s current reserve driver.
      Valtteri Bottas has a deal running until 2025, so the Finn is not likely to be moving on anytime soon.
      AlphaTauri – De Vries and Iwasa
      Japanese driver Ayumu Iwasa currently leads the F2 championship and is next in line to be given an F1 nod by Red Bull.
      This is likely to see him head to AlphaTauri, where Red Bull send their up-and-coming stars to give them handy experience before potentially making the step up to the main team, as seen with Alex Albon and Gasly.
      Nyck de Vries has a contract running until 2024.
      Therefore, like Bottas he is unlikely to be heading elsewhere before next season.
      Williams – Albon and Schumacher
      Albon could have ANOTHER new team-mate at Williams by the start of 2024 with Mick Schumacher making his return to the F1 grid.
      Schumacher is the current reserve driver at Mercedes, and with Williams using the Mercedes engine it may give them a way to strengthen their relationship further.
      Read More on The Sun
      Schumacher was dropped by Haas after a poor showing in his first two seasons. And in a similar sense the same may happen to rookie Logan Sargeant.
      The American has a one-year contract at the team and unless he performs well he could be cut in favour of Schumacher, who has said it is his “goal” to return to the grid in 2024. More

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      Olympian Sarah Lavin in emotional tribute to ‘best friend’ and ‘true love’ Craig Breen following tragic death from crash

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      SARAH LAVIN has paid an emotional tribute to her ‘best friend’ and ‘true love’ Craig Breen following his tragic death.The Irish rally driving star passed away following a testing accident on Thursday, colliding with a pole ahead of the Croatia Rally.
      Craig Breen tragically died following a crash during testing on ThursdayCredit: AP
      Sarah Lavin has paid an emotional tribute to her ‘best friend’ and ‘true love’ Craig Breen following his tragic death.
      Treasured son of Jackie and Ray, the 33-year-old will be sadly missed by his heartbroken sister Kellie, brother-in-law Darragh, godson Bobbie, and his extended family and friends.
      There is Sarah Lavin, who shared a heartbroken tribute to the Waterford-native on social media.
      The 2020 Olympian said: “My best friend, I will miss you forever Craig. Thank you for showing me true love.
      “You were so much more than a driver to so many people. I will love you always, sweet dreams sweetheart ❤️”

      The comments were full of well-wishes to the Limerick athlete during this unbearable time.
      Fellow Olympian Kellie Harrington said: “Thinking of you 💕 rest well Craig 💙” while Thomas Barr and Phil Healy commented: “❤️❤️❤️”
      Team Ireland said: “We are so sorry for your loss Sarah. We’re all thinking of you 💚”
      Hockey World Cup finalist and Olympian Roisin Upton offered: “So sorry Sarah. Sending love 💔🤍”
      Most read in Motorsport

      Police and Breen’s team, Hyundai Motorsport, have confirmed they are both investigating the incident.
      The authorities have confirmed the accident occurred at 12.40pm local time.
      A Hyundai statement read: “Hyundai Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that driver Craig Breen today lost his life following an accident during the pre-event test for Croatia Rally.
      “Co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the incident that occurred just after midday local time.
      “Hyundai Motorsport sends its sincerest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and his many fans.
      “Hyundai Motorsport will make no further comment at this time.”
      NIGHTMARE
      Hyundai teammate Dani Sordo has now paid tribute to Breen after revealing his emotional devastation.
      Sordo posted on social media: “Someone wake me up from this nightmare.
      “I can’t believe the call from a few hours ago, saying you’re leaving us forever.
      “I’m in Germany tomorrow to tune up your Croatia car. It’s not possible.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Rest in peace Craig, friend. You are loved very much and you know it.
      “Good luck to family and friends.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton looks stylish in bright outfit while heading to Coachella as Mercedes star takes break during F1 season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON took time out of his busy schedule for a trip to Coachella. The seven-time Formula One world champion is in the middle of a four-week break between races.
      Lewis Hamilton wore a striking outfit while visiting CoachellaCredit: BackGrid
      Hamilton has been enjoying some down time with familyCredit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/lewishamilton/3080870055734314546/
      The seven-time champion will be racing again on April 30Credit: https://www.instagram.com/stories/lewishamilton/3080870055734314546/
      And he has taken the opportunity to visit the United States ahead of the country’s first race in Miami by taking a trip to Coachella in California.
      Fashion guru Hamilton donned another eye-catching look on his latest outing.
      He could be seen in a matching bright yellow shirt and trousers with both having a flowery orange pattern.
      His fit was completed with red and white shoes, some sunglasses and a bucket hat.
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      Hamilton came within touching distance of winning a chaotic Australian Grand Prix last time out.
      But Max Verstappen and Red Bull once again proved to be too quick as he his second race of the season.
      Hamilton’s P2 result meant he secured his first podium of the season to lift him up to fourth in the driver standings.
      The next race will commence on April 30 at Baku City Circuit, Azerbaijan.
      Most read in Motorsport
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      He will be hoping Mercedes can consolidate the improvement they showed in Australia by continuing to close the gap to Red Bull.
      However, Mercedes, who have admitted their car design is wrong, are not set to bring any car upgrades until May’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
      In the meantime, Hamilton has learned his 2008 F1 title could be under threat after Felipe Massa revealed he is considering legal action over the Crashgate scandal.

      This is after comments made by ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone regarding the deliberate crash of Nelson Piquet Jr at the Singapore Grand Prix.
      Piquet has recently opened up on his experience and how Renault treated him “like a dog”.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Watch shocking moment car spins off track mid-race at high speed and crashes into STANDS

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      RACECAR driver Alex Areia survived a brush with death after crashing into the STANDS ahead of the Porsche Sprint Challenge.Practice for this weekend’s race took place at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal early on Friday.

      Alex Areia crashed through the fence during practice for Porche Sprint ChallengeCredit: CLICK DEPORTES
      Areia’s car flew into the stands after skidding along gravel and hitting a tire barrierCredit: CLICK DEPORTES
      But it almost ended in tragedy as Areia lost control of his 991.2-generation 911 GT3 Cup car.
      The Portuguese petrolhead lost control while at full speed in the braking zone of a very tight corner and eventually went into a gravel trap.
      His car skidded along and hit a tire barrier before cannoning through the fence and landing backwards in the grandstand.
      Thankfully, there was no one sitting in the area of the stand where Areia’s car flew into – which would’ve been packed during race day.
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      The wreckage of Areira’s car – which was well and truly written off – had to be lifted out of the stands by a crane.
      Racing fans feared for Areia’s safety after seeing the horrific crash, the tail end of which was caught on camera.
      But he miraculously walked away from the accident with no injuries.
      The speedster addressed the scary crash on Twitter, writing: “It was very angry.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Alex Areia broke his silence on the horrific crash on TwitterCredit: TWITTER
      “I ran out of brakes at the end of the straight, I practically became a passenger.
      Luckily, no one was in that area of the grandstand and I managed to get out of the accident unharmed, thanks to the safety level of that car.
      “Keep strong.”
      One racing fan said of the crash: “That’s insane.
      “In a packed grandstand, there are a dozen or more fatalities and just as many injuries. Wow.”
      Another said: “WOAH. Thank the Lord that this was during a practice session! Hope the driver is ok!”
      And another said: “f we had the stands crowded now we would be talking about 10 dead people.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton hints at career change as he starts new business venture away from F1 in New York

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      LEWIS HAMILTON appears to have a ready-made career lined up for when he leaves Formula One.The Brit has been lacking in success on track in recent times, but Hamilton is seeing his outside business ventures boom.
      Lewis Hamilton could be looking to move away from racing with a new career in fast-foodCredit: Rex
      One of those ventures is his restaurant chain, which is about to celebrate the opening of a new burger joint in NYC.
      The new eatery is named ‘Neat in Nolita’, and is part of the ‘Neat’ brand, of which the seven-time wold champion is an investor.
      The fast-food chain focusses on plant-based diets, and the latest restaurant in the franchise opens its doors in Manhattan on Monday.
      Hamilton has been a huge advocate for veganism since 2017, and the Neat chain fully shares his principles.
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      One of its marketing slogans is ‘0% Cow, 100% wow’.
      The 38-year-old has often talked about how he feels fitter and stronger after ditching meat for vegetables.
      Hollywood star and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio is also a backer of the fast-food chain, which made the location in Nolita permanent after a six-month presence in Urbanspace on Park Avenue.
      Hamilton teased the grand opening of the eatery on his Instagram stories earlier this week.
      Most read in Motorsport
      He had said about the chain previously: “We created Neat Burger to make plant-based eating more accessible to everyone, whether you eat plant-based all the time of just want to add it to your diet every now and again.
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      “The response to Neat Burger since we opened has been incredible.
      “I’m really proud of the boundaries we have been able to push in this space and the plans for expansion are really exciting.”
      Hamilton already has other business ventures to keep himself occupied away from racing, with the F1 icon also part of the ownership group of the NFL franchise the Denver broncos.
      The Neat chain is in partnership with plant-based food company Beyond MeatCredit: Getty
      Hamilton is often seen in New York when he isn’t racingCredit: Getty More

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      I was at centre of one of F1’s most controversial moments ever but then my team sacked me and treated me like a dog

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      CRASHGATE remains one of Formula One’s most controversial moments. Nelson Piquet Jr was told to crash his Renault into the barriers at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, a move which ultimately helped team-mate Fernando Alonso win the race.
      Crashgate is one of F1’s most controversial momentsCredit: Formula One
      Nelson Piquet Jr. has opened up on his experience after the scandal was revealedCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/CplSDxMAk1w/
      Felipe Massa is now set to bring legal action after comments made by Bernie EcclestoneCredit: AFP
      Which could see Lewis Hamilton stripped of his first-ever F1 titleCredit: AP
      As well as deciding the race winner, it also proved pivotal in who won the title.
      Lewis Hamilton was among those who inadvertently benefited from the crash and he would go on to win the first of his seven F1 crowns by a single point, pipping Brazilian Felipe Massa.
      But with Massa now considering a legal challenge after comments made by ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, which could see Hamilton stripped of his title, the driver at the centre of the ordeal has opened up on his experience.
      Piquet Jr, son of the disgraced Nelson Piquet Sr, has revealed how Renault cast him aside when the scandal was revealed and treated him “like a dog”.
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      Speaking to On the Tracks Podcast, he said: “We stayed for 2009 and then the story came out about what had happened.
      “They ended my contract, something they weren’t supposed to do. I was going to race all year and all of a sudden I was told, ‘Now, it’s [Romain] Grosjean that’s going to take your place.’
      “And I told them, ‘You can’t do this to me.’
      “They treated me like a dog. And that’s when I told them, ‘Since they’re treating me like I’m rubbish, I think we’re going to have to clear things up.’
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      “That’s when everyone got to know what had happened, which to me was horrible. It was very traumatizing. It still is today.
      “A lot of people don’t understand and a lot of people judge without understanding history.”
      They treated me like a dogNelson Piquet Jr
      But Piquet has insisted he only followed the order to crash due to having his career threatened by Renault team principal Flavio Briatore and having a lack of help around him at the time.
      He added: “The race came to Singapore and they put me psychologically up against the wall, I had no escape.
      “A lot of people still ask me, ‘Would you do it again?’ My answer is always, ‘No, obviously not.’
      “But at that age and under so much pressure… There was no one with me, except that grotesque Briatore, who was always bullying and was always complaining, pressuring me and warning me: ‘This is your last chance’.”
      For their part in crashgate, Piquet Jr. and Briatore were handed lifetime bans from the sport.
      He continued: “What I would not do again was to enter Formula 1 alone.
      “The psychological state of a driver when he enters Formula 1 becomes very sensitive. You have to feel very confident.
      “When you lose that confidence it becomes something very difficult to recover. Someone who wants the good of the pilot.
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      “That’s the most important thing I didn’t have. It destabilized me in such a way that people still today cannot understand what I went through.
      “The pressure and the horrible situation they put me in.”
      Falvio Briatore (left) was banned from F1 for life while Bernie Ecclestone’s (right) recent comments reopened old woundsCredit: EPA
      Fernando Alonso would go on to win the race for RenaultCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Piquet Jr crashed his car on purposeCredit: Reuters More

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      Meet 16-year-old Mercedes prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli who’s ‘ticking all the boxes’ to become a future F1 champ

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      TOTO WOLFF has hailed young Italian prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli as one of the sport’s hottest prospects.The Mercedes team principal is adamant that the junior driver has a “bright future” in racing.
      Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been hailed as a future star of F1Credit: Instagram kimi.antonelli
      Toto Wolff has been full of praise for the junior driverCredit: Alamy
      Born in Bologna, just 40km from the Imola circuit, Antonelli is only 16 but already has an impressive array of performances under his belt.
      The young driver won the WSK Euro Series and Super Master Series titles in the OK Junior category in 2018.
      He also finished runner-up in the FIA Karting European Championship and came fifth in the World Championship before moving up to the OK class where he also found success.
      In 2021 Antonelli made his debut in single-seaters for Prema Racing in the Italian F4 Championship, only three weeks after turning 15.
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      There, the youngster rapidly worked his way to the top, bagging podium finishes in the final three races.
      Returning for another year, Antonelli dominated the F4 series in 2022, winning both the ADAC and Italian titles with Prema.
      This year the driver will step up again and compete in the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA), and is preparing for a potential move up F3 during 2024.
      His string of racing success attracted the attention of Mercedes, and the German team decided to give Antonelli a place on their driver academy programme in 2019.
      Most read in Motorsport
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      The same programme helped current British star George Russell progress to Formula One, as well as Esteban Ocon, who now drives for Alpine.
      Antonelli will be hoping to make a similar progression to the pinnacle of the sport.
      George Russell made his debut with Williams in 2019, but returned to Wolff and the Mercedes team last yearCredit: Splash
      Antonelli will be hoping to copy the likes of Russell and make his way into F1Credit: Instagram kimi.antonelli
      Speaking to the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, Wolff was full of praise for young driver.
      He said: “Since working together, Kimi has ticked all the boxes.
      “But not only that, I really like him as a boy, and as a personality, and he has a fantastic family environment around him that helps him always keep his feet on the ground.
      “He has a great talent and can count on the important values that come from his family.
      The 16-year-old has impressed with his performances in F4Credit: Instagram kimi.antonelli
      “Kimi is still in the early stages of his journey, and I think he has a bright future ahead of him that will be his if he keeps taking it one step at a time.
      “Besides, it’s just lovely for me to work with him and his father, two people who have their feet firmly on the ground.”
      However, it will be another few years before Antonelli can join the F1 grid, as the minimum age for drivers is now set at 18-years-old. More

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      I’m an F1 legend and Max Verstappen should WALK AWAY from the sport because he’s not having fun

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      F1 legend Damon Hill believes Max Verstappen should consider QUITTING the sport.The former world champion thinks Verstappen is “not having fun” driving in Formula One and should walk away.
      Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill thinks Verstappen should leave the sportCredit: Getty
      Verstappen has admitted he isn’t a fan of the constant changes to the F1 formatCredit: The Mega Agency
      Hill’s comments come after Verstappen threatened to quit F1 if more sprint races are added to the calendar.
      There are six 30-minute sprints scheduled for this season, but the number may be increased as F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali is a big fan of them.
      Hill claimed that if Verstappen isn’t happy he should have a major career rethink.
      Speaking on the Sky Sports podcast, Hill said “Max’s retirement threat is very unusual. It’s kind of strange to hear, isn’t it? I mean, what’s he going to do with himself?
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      “He should stop now, really. Stop now, he’s done it.”
      The 1996 world champion continued: “You mentioned fun. I think that’s a very important point. Is he having fun, because I sometimes think he’s not having fun.
      “I think you have to love what you’re doing, otherwise it’s a grind.
      “I think there’s an element of this with Max with him wanting to not waste his time of superfluous things that really are just invented for novelty reasons.
      Most read in Motorsport
      “I think he’s that kind of person. So I can imagine him just saying it because he just thinks ‘well, I just come here and want to win a Grand Prix. I just want one race to mean something. I don’t want to have a half-value race, what’s the point of that on your CV?’
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      “People are going to go ‘how many Grand Prix have you won?’ Not ‘how many sprints have you won?'”
      During the Australian Grand Prix Verstappen voiced his upset with the overhaul of the traditional three-day format to include the sprint races rather than a practice session on some weekends.
      He claimed that the addition of the races messed with the “DNA of F1”, and that he was “not a fan of it at all”.
      Explaining his stance, the reigning world champion pointed out that the seasons could have 24 or even 25 races, and that adding more is “not worth it for me”.
      This year already has 23 races scheduled, making it the longest season in the sport’s history.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More