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      Terrifying moment MotoGP rider is crushed under rival bike in high-speed crash but incredibly escapes serious injury

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      MOTOGP stars Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia miraculously escaped serious injury at the Aragon Grand Prix on Sunday.The two riders collided at Turn 13 with six laps to go and slid off the track.Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia collided and suffered a horrific crashCredit: APBoth riders somehow escaped without serious injuryCredit: RexBagnaia said the blame was on MarquezCredit: RexMarquez appeared to cut across the back of Bagnaia while they were going shoulder-to-shoulder into the turn.They both subsequently came off their bikes and slid across the gravel at high speed.Bagnaia got crushed under the Spaniard’s bike as a result, but somehow avoided serious injury.A statement from his team later confirmed that he was okay.Read More in FootballIt read: “Bagnaia is back in the garage after undergoing a medical check-up. He has sustained contusions but no fractures and has been declared FIT.”Bagnaia was left furious after the race and claimed the crash was entirely Marquez’s fault.He said: “It’s not that I have to explain a lot of things. The dynamic is what it is. It’s worrying that there are riders who do certain things.”When I was on the inside I felt a hit of gas, and he didn’t stop accelerating until he threw me off.Most read in MotorsportMarquez said it wasn’t his faultCredit: Rex”The worst of all, what makes me most angry is the data. The telemetry reveals that, after the contact, [Marquez] went from accelerating 40% to 60%. It’s dangerous to race with someone who does these things.”Normally, one tries to avoid contact, although the data shows that there are people who do not see it that way.”However, Marquez disagreed and said: “Nothing is going to change what happened.”If anyone could avoid contact it was him, who knew I was there. I had no knowledge that [Bagnaia] was on the outside.”The only thing I told the Race Direction members is that, if he had left a little more space between us and had not traced to the inside, nothing would have happened.”FIM MotoGP stewards announced no further action would be taken following the collision.Marquez’s brother, Marc, went on to win the race. More

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      Lando Norris blows huge chance to close lead on Max Verstappen as Brit chokes pole position once again

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      LANDO NORRIS choked again at the start of the Italian Grand Prix to put a major dent in his title hopes.Charles Leclerc roared “Mamma Mia!” as he tasted victory in the home of the Ferrari faithful with his second win of the season.Ferrari star Charles Leclerc won the Italian Grand PrixCredit: AFPMax Verstappen extended his winless streak to six racesCredit: RexLando Norris choked again at the Italian Grand Prix to put a dent in his title hopesCredit: GettyIt was the same old story for Norris though who started in pole position but failed to finish the opening lap in first-place for the fourth time this season.Oscar Piastri left his McLaren team-mate for dust by passing the pole-sitter on the opening lap by the second chicane.The Australian driver was relentless throughout and finished in second while Norris nipped into third with five laps to go ahead of fourth-place Carlos Sainz.Lewis Hamilton had to settle for fifth while Max Verstappen stretched his winless streak to six races – his worst run of form since 2020.Read More on F1It was a disastrous start for George Russell who veered off the track in his Mercedes and into the run-off area, leaving him in seventh despite starting in third.The British driver was left with a damaged wing which forced him to pit on lap 11 for a new front-wing and a fresh set of tyres.The pressure was clearly getting to Norris who hit a BOLLARD on his way into the pit lane on lap 15 as he tried to slow down.Title rivals Verstappen and Norris began an epic battle for fourth as the Dutchman coolly held off the McLaren driver on lap 40.Most read in MotorsportBut Norris hit back strongly and eased past the Red Bull driver on the main straight just one lap later.To the delight of the Monza fans it was a Ferrari one-two from lap 39 until lap 48 with Leclerc nine seconds clear in front.Watch Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton’s tense exchange after Hungarian Grand Prix as fans hint at ‘underlying issue’ The McLaren drivers weren’t going out without a fight though and Norris passed Sainz on the second attempt.Piastri was snapping at Leclerc’s heels on fresher tyres but the six-second gap between them with two laps to go felt like a stretch before Leclerc crossed the line. More

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      Savage sackings that prove F1 is world’s most cut-throat sport – including star axed by email from PA… on his birthday

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      WITHIN days of smashing his car at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, Logan Sargeant’s career was up in flames too.The Williams driver crashed and burned during practice for the race at Zandvoort, and was swiftly removed from his seat in the team for the rest of the season.Logan Sargeant was axed after crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix last weekendCredit: GettySargeant’s car was badly damaged at the Circuit Park ZandvoortCredit: GettyMagnussen, with his wife Louise Gjorup, was fired by emailCredit: AlamyMick Schumacher, pictured with girlfriend Laila Hasanovic, was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobbyCredit: InstagramOf course, in the savage world of motor racing, Sargeant, 23, is just the latest in a long line of drivers to be brutally axed without warning.Here, we explore the scandalous sackings that prove Formula One is the world’s most cut-throat business – including the racer unfortunate enough to be let go by email on his birthday.Sacked by PA on his birthdayDanish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.”It was a short paragraph explaining that there would be nothing for me in the future,” recalled Magnussen, now 31. “It arrived on my birthday actually.”A year earlier his predecessor Sergio Perez, 34, had been offered a contract, signed the documents and sent them back to McLaren – only to learn he was being dropped in favour of Magnussen.Most read in Motorsport’Crashgate’ scandalWhen Renault decided to axe Nelson Piquet Junior in 2009 it led to one of the biggest scandals to ever engulf the sport.After Piquet, the son a of a three-time F1 World Champion, failed to score any points at all in the first half of the season, team boss Flavio Briatore fired him.Formula One’s Highest EarnersBut Piquet shot back – alleging that Briatore and other members of the management team had ordered him to deliberately crash out of the Singapore Grand Prix to help teammate Fernando Alonso secure a victory.Renault and Briatore launched criminal proceedings, claiming that Piquet was blackmailing them so he could finish the season.Investigations eventually revealed that Piquet’s claims were true, in what became known as the ‘Crashgate’ scandal.Renault were slapped with a two-year suspended ban by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for conspiring to cause a crash.The aftermath of Nelson Piquet’s crash into a wall at the Singapore Grand Prix in September 2008.Credit: Sutton ImagesNelson Piquet leaves FIA headquarters in Paris after hearing at the World Motor Sports Council as part of the “Crashgate” affair in 2009.Credit: AFPItalian Flavio Briatore in October 2008, shortly before firing Piquet from the Renault team.Credit: EPA”The conditions I had to deal with have been very strange to say the least,” said Piquet later. “There are incidents that I can hardly believe occurred myself.”A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you, and provide you with opportunities. “In my case it was the opposite – Flavio Briatore was my executioner.”‘Dumped by text’Red Bull picked up a reputation for being ruthless right from the start.They were said to be tough on all their drivers, even four-time ChampCar winner Sebastien Bourdais, who signed up to partner with Sebastian Vettel at their team Toro Rosso in 2008.Bourdais car flew as he crashed with team mate Sebastien Buemi, Force India’s Adrian Sutil and Renault’s Nelson Piquet the start of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix in 2009.Credit: ReutersSebastien Bourdais and his wife Claire in the pits after the qualifying session of the French Grand Prix in June 2008.Credit: AFPWhen the Frenchman struggled to make progress, he was swiftly dropped in favour of young Spanish driver Jaime Alguersuari.And he later revealed he had been dumped by a brisk TEXT from team boss Franz Tost.”The way they got rid of me was very disappointing,” said Bourdais. “He did not speak with me. He did not call me. “Everything was done by SMS, which to me has no style.”Tost denied the allegations, saying: “I told Monsieur Bourdais personally that he is not going drive anymore and did not write any SMS.”F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: 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 TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconDitched for last race over rantAlthough he almost triumphed in the 1990 World Championship for Ferrari, the following year was a disaster for Alain Prost.He finished in fifth place but openly criticised his car at the Japanese Grand Prix.”After a few laps, the shock absorbers no longer worked and the steering was incredibly hard,” said Prost, now 69.”At the end of the race, I said it was like driving a horrible truck, no pleasure.”Prost with Ferrari’s Sporting Director Cesare Fiorio in Portugal back in 1990Credit: GettyProst retired from the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix after his clutch seized and he spun off the trackCredit: GettyBoss Claudio Lombardi was furious and fired him ahead of the season closer in Australia.Lombardi said later: “The behaviour of Alain Prost during this season has not been at the level that Ferrari would like from a top driver.”His behaviour insider and outside the team meant that Ferrari had to stop the relationship.”Read of sacking on AutosportJolyon Palmer smashed into Romain Grosjean of Haas F1 Team at the Russian Grand Prix in 2017.Credit: EPAPalmer in the pit lane at Silverstone in July 2017.Credit: EPAWhen he was a member of the Renault team in 2017, British commentator Jolyon Palmer, now 33, was replaced by Carlos Sainz.The problem was that nobody had told him and Palmer only realised what was happening when he logged on and saw the news online. “I knew when I read it on Autosport,” he explained.”And then I knew it was true as well, I spoke to some people. “That was it.”Axed by faxHeinz-Harald was supported by wife TanjaCredit: GettyHeinz-Harald crashed into the guard rail during the Monaco time trials in May 1997.Credit: ReutersJordan driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen was axed by the Irish team midway through 2001 – by fax.His contract was unceremoniously torn up following an exchange of views at Silverstone, which resulted in Frentzen taking Jordan to court.The contract dispute was resolved ‘amicably’ at the end of 2002.Mick SchumacherLast year Mick Schumacher was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobby with team boss Guenther Steiner.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe German driver, 25, had failed to secure his seat, and with Haas bringing in veteran Nico Hulkenberg for 2003, he was sacked ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.Steiner told Bild+: “He was certainly suspecting something, he doesn’t live under a rock.”Mick and his partner Laila Hasonovic during the Spanish Grand Prix in June.Credit: GettySchumacher with Haas F1 team’s Italian team principal Guenther SteinerCredit: AFP More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes CONFIRMED as teen star replaces legend despite suffering huge crash in audition

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’s Mercedes replacement has been announced.Kimi Antonelli, who only drove a Formula One car competitively for the first time this weekend, will take the seven-time world champion’s seat in 2025.Kimi Antonelli will take the Silver Arrows’ hot seat next seasonCredit: RexLewis Hamilton’s Mercedes replacement has been revealedCredit: GettyAntonelli made his F1 debut in FP1 of the Italian Grand PrixCredit: GettyHamilton announced the bombshell news he was leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025 at the start of the season.It led to rampant speculation about who might replace the 39-year-old F1 great, which included ambitious plans to poach world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull.However, Mercedes junior and F2 driver Antonelli had been among the names in the discussion from the very start. And the 18-year-old has now been named as the driver to partner George Russell from next season.READ MORE IN F1A Mercedes statement said: “Introducing to the stage… Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.”Today, the team is announcing its 2025 driver line-up, with 18-year-old Italian Kimi joining multiple Grand Prix-winner George behind the wheel for next season.”Kimi will make the step up from F2 and graduate from the team’s junior programme, just like a certain George Russell, who made the jump up to F1 in 2019 after a superb two-year junior spell with us.”Antonelli suffered a heavy crash when taking the seat of George Russell’s car around the Monza circuit on Friday in FP1 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Italian driver had looked extremely quick on his lap, but was caught out at the famous Curva Parabolica corner, where the safety car had also crashed a day earlier.He has won one feature race and one sprint race in F2 this season and stands 7th overall in the driver’s championship standings.F1 Aston Martin safety car crashing at ParabolicaOn the news, Antonelli said: “It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025.”Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. “I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team.”He will be the first Italian to drive for the F1 team since Piero Taruffi in 1955.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: 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 TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconToto Wolff said of the decision: “Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed.“We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership.“Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent.“George has proved that he is one of the very best drivers in the world. He is not only fast, consistent, and determined, but has also developed into a strong leader within the team.Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.“Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport. “We know it will be another big step up, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will be supporting him every step of the way in the learning process.“In George, he has an experienced team-mate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field.”The move now means there are just two open grid slots for 2025, with Australian Jack Doohan recently being announced for Alpine.Who is Kimi Antonelli?Antonelli was born in Bologna on 25 August 2006.His father, Marco, is a former racing driver and is the owner and team principal of AKM Motorsport – a team which has had motorsport success in many categories.Antonelli’s full name is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with his middle name being given to him by a family friend of his father, who wanted him to have a “foreign” name after Andrea.Marco originally wanted his son to become a footballer but moved him into karting when he showed more passion for motorsport.He has won single-seater championships in Italian F4, the ADAC Formula 4 Championship and 2023 Formula Regional European Championship for Prema and the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship with Mumbai Falcons.Mercedes boss Wolff has supported Antonelli since his days in karting.Before announcing him as a Mercedes driver, Wolff admitted he was guilty of “talking too much” about the prodigy – who was granted permission to skip F3 and jump straight into F2.Hamilton said he was “really excited” to see him progress.He said: “I said a long time ago that I think that’s who the team should choose moving forwards.”Time will tell what they end up deciding to do. He’s one of those young, super-talented kids that’s come through, he’s a young adult now but he’s only 18.“I think it would be good for people to remember he is just turning 18. He’s got a bright future ahead of him, and I’m really excited to see and watch his progress.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I saw a picture earlier on of us back in, I think, 2018 and he was one of the grid kids and I’m shaking his hand at the front of the grid! “It reminds you of how old you are when you have those experiences! But [I’m] looking forward to seeing his growth and his journey through into Formula 1.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Watch Lewis Hamilton’s potential successor Antonelli fail Mercedes audition with HUGE blunder in Italian GP practice

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S potential successor Andrea Kimi Antonelli suffered a huge crash in the Mercedes car during a practice session at the Italian Grand Prix.Italian Antonelli, 18, is on the verge of being announced as George Russell’s team-mate next year after impressing in the Silver Arrows’ junior set-up.Andrea Kimi Antonelli spun out during the first practice session at the Italian GPCredit: X @SkySportsF1He swerved towards the wall just 10 minutes into P1Credit: X @SkySportsF1Antonelli smashed into the wall but was able to climb out of the carCredit: X @SkySportsF1He apologised to the team after the crashCredit: X @SkySportsF1Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed earlier this month Max Verstappen will not be signing for them next year, leaving the door open for the young prodigy.But Antonelli’s bid to seal his seat suffered a massive blow on Friday afternoon when he crashed during his stint in the first practice session at Monza.He spun out just 10 minutes into P1 and crashed into the wall as a red flag was waved.Antonelli got out of the car and walked away seemingly unscathed after apologising to the team on the radio.READ MORE IN F1In response, Wolff replied: “Kimi, all good. All good, Kimi.”Antonelli, who has been with Mercedes since he was 11 years of age, was touted as one of a number of candidates to replace Hamilton after the seven-time champion announced he would be joining Ferrari in 2025.Driving the Mercedes car in front of his home fans will have been a special moment for the teenager.And Wolff said: “Qualifying with Kimi in Monza will be emotional because we have followed him since he was 11.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁”Having an Italian kid in a competitive car, everybody in Italy can be  proud.”Antonelli began karting at the age of just seven and won the CIK-FIA Karting European Champion in both 2020 and 2021.Watch Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton’s tense exchange after Hungarian Grand Prix as fans hint at ‘underlying issue’ He then made his debut in single-seaters for Prema Racing in the Italian F4 Championship three weeks after turning 15.He has a number of wins to his name in F4, along with the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship.Antonelli is also currently contesting the Formula 2 Championship for Prema.Wolff has said of him: “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.” More

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      F1 chaos as safety car CRASHES during test laps in never-before-seen accident at Italian Grand Prix

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      THIS is the shocking moment the F1 safety car SMASHED into barriers at high speed ahead of the weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.The car was taking part in its usual high-speed pre-race tests on Thursday afternoon ahead of Sunday’s race at Monza.The safety car looked worse for wear after colliding into the barrierCredit: GettyDriver Bernd Maylander, thankfully, managed to walk away from the crash unharmedCredit: GettyBut it unexpectedly skidded off the track during one of its runs and SLAMMED into the barrier.Driver Bernd Maylander lost control before one of the turns, which led to the motor skidding onto the gravel.Thankfully for Maylander, he managed to keep the car on all four wheels.But he was unable to prevent it from scudding into the barrier at high speed.READ MORE F1 NEWSThe green Aston Martin was nigh-on totalled after its high-speed crash.Maylander, however, managed to walk away from the crash without any serious injuries.Footage of the crash spread like wildfire on social media.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.One F1 fan commented on X: “Not something you see every day.”Most read in MotorsportAnother said: “I have witnessed everything this year.”F1 star Logan Sargeant’s car goes up in flames after scary 110mph crash in Dutch GP practiceAnd another: “He was just testing how the barriers were, don’t panic guys.”One jokingly remarked: “Unsafety car.”Another chimed in: “Logan Sargeant testing the Safety car.”F1 chiefs won’t be scrambling for a new safety car as there are two more on standby at Monza.Defending champion Max Verstappen goes into the Italian Grand Prix leading the chasing pack with 295 points – 75 points ahead of Brit Lando Norris.The Dutchman will be looking to seal his THIRD successive first-placed finish on Sunday afternoon.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      F1 driver brutally AXED with immediate effect after horror crash as replacement drafted in for remainder of season

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      LOGAN SARGEANT has been AXED by Williams after his crashing before last weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.The 23-year-old has been given the boot after the collision during practice for last weekend’s race at Zandvoort.Logan Sargeant has been removed from his Williams seatCredit: GETTYThe American has been axed after crashing in practice for last weekend’s Dutch Grand PrixCredit: APHe’s been replaced by Argentina’s Franco ColapintoCredit: GETTYAnd Williams have decided to remove the American from his seat for the remainder of the season and replace him with Formula One newbie Franco Colapinto.A Team statement read: “Williams Racing announces that Franco Colapinto will race with the team for the remainder of the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season and will compete from the Italian Grand Prix alongside Alex Albon.”He will use the race number #43.”Franco is a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and made his FP1 debut in this year’s FW46 at the British Grand Prix.”Franco is a member of the Williams Racing Driver Academy and made his FP1 debut in this year’s FW46 at the British Grand Prix.READ MORE F1 NEWS”His F2 campaign this year has seen him secure a race win in Imola and podiums in the Barcelona and Austria Feature races, as well as seven further points-scoring outings.”The 21-year-old will become the 49th Grand Prix driver for Williams Racing, is the first Argentine driver in F1 for 23 years and the second Argentine to drive for the British outfit, following his countryman Carlos Reutemann.”Argentine Colapinto knows replacing Sargeant won’t be an easy task but is excited to have been thrown in at the deep end midway through the season.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “It is an honour to be making my Formula 1 debut with Williams – this is what dreams are made of.Most read in Motorsport”The team has such amazing history and a mission to get back to the front which I can’t wait to be part of.”Coming into F1 mid-season will be an enormous learning curve but I am up for the challenge.”And I’m fully focused on working as hard as I can with Alex and the team to make it a success.”Sargeant lost control of his car at nearly 110mph at turn four and collided with the barrier.The car immediately burst into flames but Sargeant, thankfully, escaped unharmed.Williams Team Principle James Vowles said of Sargeant’s axing: “To replace a driver mid-season is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe this gives Williams the best chance to compete for points over the remainder of the season.”We have just brought a large upgrade to the car and need to maximise every points-scoring opportunity in a remarkably tight midfield battle.”We also believe in investing in our young drivers in the Williams Racing Driver Academy.”And Franco is getting a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate what he is capable of across the final nine rounds of the season.”This is undoubtedly incredibly tough on Logan, who has given his all throughout his time with Williams, and we want to thank him for all his hard work and positive attitude.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Logan remains a talented driver and we will support him to continue his racing career for the future.”I know that Franco has great speed and huge potential, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in Formula 1.”Williams haven’t completely parted with Logan Sargeant’s servicesCredit: Getty More

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      Mercedes on verge of naming Lewis Hamilton’s successor after team boss Toto Wolff’s failure to land Max Verstappen

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      KIMI ANTONELLI is on the verge of being confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes.He will drive for the team in Friday’s practice session at the Italian Grand Prix — just five days after turning 18.Kimi Antonelli is set for an ’emotional’ drive in Italian GP practiceCredit: GettyLewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes for Ferrari next yearCredit: GettyAntonelli gets the nod to succeed Ferrari-bound Hamilton after team boss Toto Wolff gave up on his efforts to entice Max Verstappen away from Red Bull.It was Wolff’s failure to land teenager Verstappen at Mercedes a decade ago that made him fast-track Antonelli into the team for next season.At 17, Verstappen was the rising star but Wolff already had Hamilton and Nico Rosberg and could not offer him a race seat for 2015.Wolff said: “Qualifying with Kimi in Monza will be emotional because we have followed him since he was 11.READ MORE TOP STORIES“Having an Italian kid in a competitive car, everybody in Italy can be  proud.”Antonelli has been part of the Mercedes junior team for five years.And he began karting at the age of just seven.That peaked with winning the  CIK-FIA Karting European Champion in both 2020 and 2021.Most read in MotorsportFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAntonelli then made his debut in single-seaters for Prema Racing in the Italian F4 Championship only three weeks after turning 15.And despite his youth, he’s already won a bonnet-full of trophies.Watch Max Verstappen get slammed as ‘CHILDISH’ by his own team on radio after smashing into F1 rival Lewis HamiltonThat includes F4 crowns as well as the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship.Antonelli is also currently contesting the Formula 2 Championship for Prema.Wolff has said of him: “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.”Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner. More