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      Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari car number confirmed for 2025 as full driver line-up for new F1 season revealed

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has confirmed his car number as he gears up for his debut season with Ferrari.Hamilton, 40, has changed teams after rolling credits on his 11-year stint with Mercedes which led him to seven world championships – a joint-record he shares with Michael Schumacher.Sir Lewis Hamilton’s car number has been confirmed for the coming seasonCredit: RexHamilton will be competing in his signature No44 with FerrariCredit: PAThe British megastar will now be looking to overcome Ferrari legend Schumacher as he prepares for the 2025 season.And Lewis will be competing with his signature No44 plastered on his race car.The Formula One legend has become synonymous with that number as he also used it during his karting days.And back in 2021, Hamilton founded Mission 44, a charity advocating for greater representation, diversity and inclusion in motorsport.Read More on F1Other major F1 stars have also chosen their car numbers ahead of the coming season.Reigning world champion and Hamilton’s archrival Max Verstappen will be competing with No1.Sir Lewis’ ex-Mercedes team-mate George Russell has chosen to compete with No63.And his new Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc will be donning No16 on the track.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSF1 drivers are allowed to choose a number between 2 and 99 when they compete on a professional level.The numbers remain theirs for the duration of their career in the sport. Ferrari urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract by F1 legend after star’s ‘worrying’ admission If they depart car racing for any reason then their numbers would be reserved for two seasons.No1, though, is reserved for the reigning world champion, though drivers are not obliged to use it. More

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      Internet sleuths convinced Lewis Hamilton set for emotional reunion at Ferrari after spotting clue from ski holiday pics

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      FORMULA ONE fans are convinced that Lewis Hamilton could reunite with a much-loved ex-team member when he officially begins life as a Ferrari driver next month.The seven-time world champion announced his departure from Mercedes last February, putting an end to his 11-year stay with the German team.Lewis Hamilton shared a picture of himself enjoying a skiing holiday on his 40th birthday earlier this weekCredit: @lewishamiltonHis former physio and trainer, Angela Cullen, also shared a snap on the slopes, sparking speculation that she could be reuniting with Hamilton in the paddock this yearCredit: @cullen_angelaHamilton and Cullen were almost inseparable during their seven years together at MercedesCredit: Getty Images – GettyFollowing his final race with Toto Wolff and Co in December, Hamilton stepped back from the spotlight to enjoy a well-earned break with his nearest and dearest.But on his 40th birthday earlier this week he shared a picture of himself on a skiing holiday.He wrote: Another one around the sun. Thanks for all the birthday love.”Hard at work already. Talk soon.”READ MORE IN F1Eagle-eyed F1 fans noticed that his former physio and trainer, Angela Cullen, also shared a picture of herself on the slopes at a similar time.Some are now convinced that they could be preparing to reunite at Ferrari this season.One person speculated: “OMG SHE IS SO ON THAT TRIP WITH LEWIS. HOLD ON ANGELA COULD BE BACK!!!!!!!”Another wrote on social media: “Back with Lewis to Ferrari?”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHamilton officially left Mercedes last monthCredit: GettyWhile a third commented: “Getting my hopes up over here.”Hamilton and Cullen were almost inseparable during their seven years together in the paddock.Lewis Hamilton in awkward car journey with George Russell and Carlos Sainz after Las Vegas GPThe ex-Mercedes man was left devastated when she moved on but admitted he was “grateful” to still have her in his life as a close friend.Speaking after the two parted ways ahead of the 2023 season, Hamilton said: “People for sure won’t understand it, naturally, because they see it from a distance, but she has been one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life.”I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of people… and she’s the single hardest-working woman that I get to be around.”She’s focused, selfless, and she makes my weekends peaceful. Every day I wake up, whatever time it is, she’s just positive – never a single day has she been negative, so that’s very, very important.”I think it’s important in life to put positive people around you. You can’t be going around with deadweights, you can’t be going around with people who don’t inspire you to be better and lift you up when you’re down.”You need to be around people who can do that for you, and she’s one of them.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHamilton will step into the Ferrari for the first time next month during pre-season testing.The 2025 F1 campaign gets underway on March 14 in Australia.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 Ocon More

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      Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decade

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      THE 2025 Formula 1 season will see a huge change in partnerships as TAG Heuer has stepped in as the official timekeeper, replacing Rolex. TAG Heuer’s return comes as the first individual partner as part of F1’s 10-year deal with luxury goods company LVMH. TAG Heuer has stepped in as the official timekeeper, replacing Rolex this yearCredit: RexThe deal, which started on January 1 this year, ends Rolex’s decade-long partnership that began in 2013.It means that the traditional view of a Rolex clock ticking onto the race start time – signalling the drivers to head on the formation lap – will be changed.It’s not clear if this long-standing race feature will be ditched entirely, or simply changed from a Rolex to a Tag Heuer branded clock.The partnership continues a long legacy for TAG Heuer in Formula 1, having first appeared as a sponsor in the sport 56 years ago. The brand already partners with Red Bull Racing and the Monaco Grand Prix.F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali: “I am delighted to welcome TAG Heuer as the Official Timekeeper of Formula 1 as they start the next stage of their long history in our sport,“With their focus on innovation, accuracy and excellence, they are a natural partner, “And I am excited to see how our intertwining heritage can tell new stories for the future as we celebrate our 75th year.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSavage sackings in F1THE world of F1 can be savage, with employees discarded like used tea bags.Danish 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.Read more tales of F1’s brutal world including one boss who was labelled an ‘executioner’ and a driver dumped by a brisk TEXT.LVMH agreed to a whopping $1billion 10-year global partnership at the rate of more than $100m a season, which was announced in October. As part of the deal champagne will return to Grand Prix podiums as part of the deal with LVMH, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton.Moet & Chandon is a key brand in the company and is set to be sprayed as part of post-race celebrations, with champagne not featuring in the sport in three-years. Family-owned Italian sparkling wine-makers Ferrari Trentino have been on Grands Prix podiums since 2021.Then-Liberty president Greg Maffei said at the time of the deal being announced: “LVMH and Formula 1 are two global brands that consistently push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, values core to Liberty Media.” More

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      F1 star Carlos Sainz’s dad, 61, rescued by team-mate after FLIPPING car during brutal Dakar Rally race

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      CARLOS SAINZ SNR has been left stranded in the desert after flipping his car during the Dakar Rally.The highly experienced rally driver – dad of Formula One star Carlos Sainz – crashed during Stage 2 of the epic race on Sunday. Carlos Sainz Snr crashed his Ford during Sunday’s Dakar Rally stageCredit: APThe 62-year-old flipped the M-Sport Raptor during the drive through Saudi ArabiaCredit: APSainz Snr is a rallying legend and has won on the sand four timesCredit: APSainz Snr was racing through dunes in Saudi Arabia when he lost control of his Ford M-Sport Raptor. The 62-year-old has previously won two World Rally Championships and four Dakar Rally titles. Terrifying footage showed the aftermath of the flip, which left heavy damage to the high-tech Ford.The rear half of the vehicle was seen strewn across the dunes following a heavy impact. READ MORE ON F1Fortunately, both Sainz Snr and his co-driver Lucas Cruz emerged from the wreckage unharmed. The pair were left stranded following the remote crash, which occurred 327km into the near-1000km Stage 2.He was forced to wait in blistering heat for team-mate Mitch Guthrie to arrive and offer assistance.The wait cost Sainz Snr a total of 23 minutes, leaving him 20th in the Ultimate car category. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSainz Snr became the oldest winner of the Dakar Rally last year.Driving for Audi, he won his fourth title after navigating the near-8,000km drive at the age of 61. Carlos Sainz Sr interview at the Dakar Rally 2025Following his epic win, Sainz Snr said: “To be here with my age and to stay at the level, you need to work a lot. “It’s not coming just like that. It shows that when you work hard, normally it pays off.”But he’s also had his fair share of scares, including being airlifted to hospital after a terrifying crash in 2023.Hoping to live up to his dad’s legacy, F1 star Sainz Jr enjoyed a strong season in 2024 for Ferrari. Sainz Jr (right) has joined Ferrari for the upcoming 2025 F1 seasonCredit: GettyThe 30-year-old finished 5th in the Drivers Championship, winning the most races in an F1 season since joining the ranks in 2015.READ MORE SUN STORIESSainz will join up with Williams next year after Ferrari replaced him with legendary Brit driver Lewis Hamilton. Last summer, the team announced the Spaniard had signed a two-year deal with an option to extend. More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s bold fashion statement bizarrely slammed as ‘strange and inappropriate’ by ‘sad’ former F1 team-mate

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S sartorial choices have been criticised by former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.The pair engaged in a fierce rivalry while team-mates with the Silver Arrows.Lewis Hamilton wore a striking red outfit, or Ferrari colours, in the Abu Dhabi paddockCredit: GettyThe Brit, 39, was competing in his final race for MercedesCredit: GettyHamilton and Nico Rosberg famously didn’t always see eye-to-eye while team-matesCredit: Bongarts – GettyThe German, 39, twice finished as runner-up to Hamilton – before pipping him to the title in 2016 and subsequently retiring.Earlier this month, Hamilton competed in his final race with Mercedes.Next season, the seven-time world champion will begin a new adventure with Ferrari.Signifying his upcoming switch, Hamilton wore vibrant outfits, in a Ferrari-like red, during race weekend in Abu Dhabi.READ MORE LEWIS HAMILTONPer Marca, Rosberg was disappointed by his former team-mate’s outfits.He reportedly said: “I see the decision as something very strange and inappropriate. It’s a shame. It’s his day and his choice, so it’s fine.”On Hamilton’s dynamic with team principal Toto Wolff, Rosberg added: “They appreciate him and they still have a good relationship, but it is a small detail that makes me sad.”F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali recently revealed that Hamilton has been learning Italian ahead of his big switch.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAs quoted by Autoracer, he said: “He will bring great interest.”He is learning to speak Italian and understand how to integrate into our culture.Lewis Hamilton demands to RETIRE in meltdown at Qatar Grand Prix as time at Mercedes heads for sad ending“I told him, it is also essential for him to be able to do this. In Ferrari, he will find a different environment than before.”Hamilton is set to partner Charles Leclerc at the Prancing Horse next season.Ferrari finished second in this year’s Constructors’ championship – just 14 points behind McLaren.Mercedes, meanwhile, ended up fourth, also behind Red Bull.Hamilton and Toto Wolff won several Championships togetherCredit: Getty More

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      F1’s quickest stars of 2024 revealed with unemployed 21-year-old leaving Verstappen, Hamilton and Co in his dust

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      THE FASTEST driver of the 2024 Formula One season has been revealed.Earlier this month saw the end of the thrilling 2024 F1 season, with the drivers championship title going to Max Verstappen and the constructors title going to McLaren.Max Verstappen was the F1 world champion again but was left behind when it came to top speedCredit: RexIn fact, Williams Franco Colapinto clocked the top speed of the seasonCredit: The Mega AgencyBut the 21-year-old is without a seat next yearCredit: RexThe season featured seven different race winners and 10 different drivers on the podium, while three rookies made unexpected debuts after the field had originally remained the same from 2023.The first of these was Ollie Bearman, who will be joining the grid next season as a permanent addition after three sub appearances.Franco Colapinto and Jack Doohan both transferred in to replace Logan Sargeant at Williams and Esteban Ocon at Alpine respectively.Despite his good work, Colapinto failed to earn a seat as one of six rookies for the 2025 season – the others not already mentioned being Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto and Liam Lawson.READ MORE IN F1Yet remarkably, 21-year-old Colapinto is the star who topped the speed charts for the 2024 season.He secured the quickest top speed of the season at the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a pace of 356.4km/h (221.5mph).In second place for the season with 353.5km/h (219.7mph) was Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso at the Italian Grand Prix at the suitably nicknamed Temple of Speed.In third was another driver who is unemployed for the 2025 season in the form of Daniel Ricciardo, who ran out with a score of 353.2km/h (219.5mph) also at Italy’s Monza circuit.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever, Colapinto’s speed pales in comparison to the qualifying record set by Valtteri Bottas in 2016 at the European Grand Prix when he was clocked at a staggering 378 km/h (234.878 mph).However, top speed alone is not enough to convert into race points.F1 sensation, 21, who is poised to be Max Verstappen’s team-mate now dating Wanda Icardi’s 32-year-old former love rival Following his top speed achievement during qualifying in Vegas, Colapinto would later crash out by smashing into a wall.Pole position in that race was eventually won by Mercedes’ George Russell with a time of 1:32.312, while Colapinto’s quickest lap time was 1:33.746 set in the first session.That being said, most pole positions for the season were shared by Verstappen and Lando Norris with eight each.Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton failed to win a single pole position, but did earn the award for the fastest lap in a race twice.The winner of this metric was Norris, who lapped the quickest lap during six races.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 Ocon More

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      Lewis Hamilton learning to speak ITALIAN after Ferrari move following stark warning from F1 chief

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is learning to speak Italian ahead of his move to Ferrari.The F1 star is joining the Italian team for the 2025 season after finally calling time on his career at Mercedes.Lewis Hamilton is learning to speak Italian ahead of his switch to FerrariCredit: GettyHamilton, 39, signed a two-year deal with Ferrari worth £100million.The team activated a clause in his Mercedes contract to bring an end to his time there after 11 years.Ahead of joining Ferrari, the British driver is learning Italian to help him adapt to his new team.F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has insisted that the seven-time world champion needs to speak the language in order to “integrate”.READ MORE ON F1As quoted by Autoracer, he said: “He will bring great interest.”He is learning to speak Italian and understand how to integrate into our culture.“I told him, it is also essential for him to be able to do this. In Ferrari, he will find a different environment than before.” Hamilton will be the team-mate of Charles Leclerc when he finally joins Ferrari.Most read in MotorsportHe will be the third team-mate of the Monégasque driver after the stints of Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDomenicali has insisted that the two drivers share a mutual respect for each other.He added: “Charles will, of course, have to accept that someone like Lewis is not an easy team-mate.Lewis Hamilton demands to RETIRE in meltdown at Qatar Grand Prix as time at Mercedes heads for sad ending”Lewis will definitely have the ability to convey his positivity in his efforts to achieve his record.”They respect each other a lot, and I hope they will continue to do so at the end of the year.”It is believed that Hamilton has been granted permission to live in Enzo Ferrari’s old house while he stays at Maranello, Italy.Earlier this month, Ferrari were urged to RIP UP Hamilton’s contract by ex-F1 team owner Eddie Jordan.Jordan’s call came after Hamilton made the admission that he is “not fast anymore”.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 Ocon More

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      Inside Michael Schumacher’s wild parties as former F1 mechanic lifts lid on mad bash with Lewis Hamilton and glam Wag

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      MICHAEL SCHUMACHER was a Formula One party kingpin during his racing days, while Lewis Hamilton once took over a nightclub on a night out.Former F1 mechanic Marc Priestly has lifted the lid on some of the wild antics which happened when the stars hit the bars and clubs.Michael Schumacher was an F1 party supremoCredit: GettyFormer mechanic Marc Priestley lifted the lid on some of the wild parties hosted by the racing iconCredit: ReutersPriestley also revealed how Lewis Hamilton and then-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger stole the show at the 2008 McLaren partyCredit: AFPPriestley, right, is an ex-mechanic turned broadcasterCredit: AlamyPriestly, who was a McLaren mechanic from 2000 to 2009, told Casino Uden Rofus how one of his favourite memories came when he threw a Bacardi and coke into Schumacher’s face.He said: “Throwing a Barcardi and coke in Michael Schumacher’s face at his birthday party was definitely one of my favourite ever memories of him, purely because he burst out laughing after I did it. “I wasn’t the only one who threw a drink, by the way!”There were loads of moments when Schumacher was in the car that the whole world remembers, but there were plenty of memories outside of the car of him being a fun, nice guy. READ MORE IN F1″Schumacher got very serious when it was time to work, in the car or with the engineers, but outside of that he always knew how to relax and I was always impressed with that.”Schumacher always threw great parties, there were many occasions of doing karaoke in Japan after the final race of the season in Suzuka.”Dancing with his shirt off in nightclubs, he was just a great, fun guy at the end of a season or race weekend. “That’s how F1 should be, because it’s such a high-pressure job, you have to let your hair down sometimes.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSNews broke this morning that the German racer, 55, was set to become a grandad for the first time after his daughter Gina announced she was pregnant – three months after she got married.Reports had emerged suggesting Schumacher had attended the wedding, but this was not confirmed.Michael Schumacher security guard ‘tried to blackmail stricken F1 star for £12million so he could pay off his debts’The legendary driver has been kept away from the public eye by his family since his skiing accident in December 2013.Priestley believes Max Verstappen would have got on well with the seven-time World Champion, but saved special praise for ex-McLaren and Ferrari driver, Kimi Raikkonen.He added: “I can imagine Max Verstappen and Michael Schumacher would had some good fun but I don’t think it would have been anything like the Schumacher and Kimi Raikkonen parties, which I went to a few of.”Raikkonen was a great guy, he took his racing and partying to extreme levels. “He would drive his car amazingly with record lap times, but he would party like crazy. “Raikkonen was like a 22-year-old kid but also, a millionaire. It was the way to be and it was a good time.”Priestley also recalled the 2008 McLaren team party following Hamilton’s first World Drivers Championship title and how his then-girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger helping to show off a different side of him.He explained: “Lewis Hamilton can be great at the parties. I remember when he won his first world championship in 2008, he brought his girlfriend at the time, Nicole Scherzinger. “Hamilton took over the decks at a nightclub we were at and was DJing most of the night. “Scherzinger got onto the mic and started singing, with Hamilton joining in, I’ve seen all sides of him!”However, Priestley believes modern F1 drivers are too conscious about their partying antics potentially being filmed and put onto social media.He continued: “These parties were pre-social media and phones, so it was a close group of friends where you can have fun and not worry about the consequences. “Drivers nowadays would worry if they’re being recorded…”Lots of these drivers coming through now are still very young, like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, but they need to have a bit of fun.”But, awareness of being recorded will always be in the back of their minds, and the old drivers never really had to worry about it. READ MORE SUN STORIES”If a photographer took a picture of something a driver wasn’t supposed to do, they’d ask if the photographer could give them the picture or film and it would never go any further. “Now, if someone takes a picture on their phone, it’s online forever.”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 Ocon More