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    Lewis Hamilton will have to follow strict rule at Ferrari that he hasn’t had to worry about at any previous F1 team

    SIR LEWIS HAMILTON is set to face a very special and STRICT rule at Ferrari, which he is not at all used to.Hamilton, 40, shocked the world of Formula One when he rolled credits on his glittering 11-year stint with Mercedes.Sir Lewis Hamilton is set to face a very special and strict rule at FerrariCredit: PAFerrari don’t have a No1 driver like Mercedes did when Hamilton drove for themCredit: AlamySir Lewis signed with Ferrari last year and and is expected to make his on-track debut on Wednesday.However, the British megastar is set for a completely different style with the Scuderia.It is well known several F1 teams quite openly have a driver hierarchy within the team.For example, Max Verstappen is given priority on strategy for Red Bull and the same applied for Hamilton at Mercedes when he teamed up with Valtteri Bottas.Read More on F1The same, though, doesn’t apply for Ferrari regardless of the names that drive their cars.The team is above all else and thus the notion of having a No1 driver is not considered by the Italian team.Therefore, Hamilton will not be receiving any preferential treatment when he links up with Charles Leclerc.Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur said last year: “I remember perfectly that one year ago in the same room, I had tons of questions about Charles number one and Carlos [Sainz] number two and blah, blah, blah.Most read in Motorsport“It’s not that we have a number one that’s a bigger asset. We have two drivers, they are doing a good job.”That poses as an interesting factor considering Hamilton’s dip in form and Leclerc’s rise.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia Especially considering the Monegasque star has a 100 per cent record of out qualifying his team-mates across a full season. More

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    F1 legend Lewis Hamilton set for emotional reunion with much-loved ex-team member Angela Cullen at Ferrari

    LEWIS HAMILTON is set to reunite with a former team member at Ferrari.The 40-year-old made a visit to the Scuderia factory yesterday and posed for snaps in a stylish suit in front of founder Enzo Ferrari’s house.Angela Cullen is set to join Lewis Hamilton at FerrariCredit: PAHamilton was unveiled at Ferrari yesterdayCredit: PAHamilton, who has penned a two-year deal worth a reported £100million, is set to be joined by his most trusted aid this season.Angela Cullen will be back by his side, with the Daily Mail claiming she is currently staying just down the road from Ferrari’s HQ in Maranello.The 50-year-old right-hand woman is a huge part of Hamilton’s backroom team, but they have not worked together for the last two years.Cullen was at Mercedes for four of the six world titles he won while at the Silver Arrows.READ MORE IN F1The physio from New Zealand has been labelled the driver’s “chief confidante” and “one of the best things” in Hamilton’s life.She was also part of his trusted “bubble” in Covid and speculation recently arose that they were on a skiing holiday together.Hamilton has been full of praise for mum of two Cullen, saying: “Angela and I are naturally incredibly close. We pretty much live together.”She’s the single hardest-working woman that I get to be around.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”She is focused, selfless, and she makes my weekends peaceful.”Every day I wake up, whatever time it is, she is just positive – never a single day has she been negative, so that’s very, very important. Lewis Hamilton jumps out of a helicopter as F1 star snowboards with Olympic champion in incredible video”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.”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 turns up for first day of work at Ferrari as F1 star posts awe-inspiring statement after realising dream

    LEWIS HAMILTON has arrived for his first day of work at Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula One season.Hamilton shocked the world when the deal that would see him ditch Mercedes to drive in the scarlet red of the Scuderia was announced almost 12 months ago.Lewis Hamilton has been pictured on his first official day working at FerrariCredit: Instagram / scuderiaferrariHamilton was seen in a stylish suit as he posed in front of Enzo Ferrari’s houseCredit: PAThis had come following an official visit to the Ferrari factory in MaranelloCredit: GettyHamilton wore a beaming smile as he greeted eager fansCredit: GettyHamilton said he had always dreamed of driving for the ScuderiaCredit: GettyBut after getting back to winning ways with the Silver Arrows last season and taking in a skiing holiday, Hamilton has now headed to Italy for his first day of work with his new employer.Taking to social media, Hamilton was seen in a stylish suit outside the house of the team’s founder Enzo Ferrari.On X, formerly known as Twitter, the 40-year-old said: “New era @ScuderiaFerrari.”However, on Instagram, he wrote a far more detailed post where he said he had always dreamed of driving for Ferrari.READ MORE IN F1Hamilton wrote: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days. “I’ve been lucky enough to have achieved things in my career I never thought possible, but part of me has always held on to that dream of racing in red. “I couldn’t be happier to realise that dream today.”Today we start a new era in the history of this iconic team, and I can’t wait to see what story we will write together.”Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHamilton reportedly arrived at Maranello at 10am local time this morning, where he was snapped for photographs that quickly spread across social media.He was accompanied by several people on his way into the factory with a full day of meetings scheduled as part of a “daylong total immersion programme” to get the Brit integrated.F1 fans convinced Ferrari are changing iconic red livery for Lewis Hamilton’s debut season after week-long teaseShortly after midday local time, the official pictures of the superstar in front of Ferrari’s house were published on social media with Hamilton seen posing with his favourite supercar, the Ferrari F40.A team statement cheekily said the wet weather would help him feel at home with “some typically British overcast skies and drizzle”.He was then given the grand tour of the Fiorano House, including Enzo Ferrari’s office, and the pit garage before visiting different departments ahead of technical meetings tomorrow.He was then mobbed by members of the Tifosi as he showed off a beaming smile outside of the factory.Hamilton will become the 13th British driver to race for Ferrari in F1, following in the footsteps of the likes of Nigel Mansell, Eddie Irvine and John Surtees – the last Brit to win the world title with Ferrari in 1964.Ollie Bearman, who will drive for Haas on the 2025 grid, became the shock 12th-ever British driver for Ferrari at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix and the first in the 21st century.Hamilton’s deal, reported to be worth £363million including salary, bonuses, image rights and sponsorships, will run for the 2025 and 2026 F1 seasons.It will be the first time in his F1 career that Hamilton has not raced backed by Mercedes power, with his time at McLaren coming with a Mercedes engine before joining the main works team in 2013.He is statistically the most successful driver in the history of the motorsport, with a joint-record seven world driver’s titles, a record 105 race wins, a record 202 podiums and a record 104 pole positions.READ MORE SUN STORIESFans will get their first taste of Hamilton in a Ferrari car during pre-season testing in Bahrain in March, while the first race of season commences in Australia on March 16.He will partner Charles Leclerc throughout the season.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’s amazing women, from long-term love Nicole Sherzinger to rumoured romance with actress Sofia Vergara

    HE’S sport’s most eligible bachelor – and once again he’s been linked to one of the world’s most beautiful women.The man in question, F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, 40, is now reportedly dating a Hollywood actress.Stunning actress Sofia Vergara is the latest beauty to be linked with Lewis HamiltonCredit: GETTYVergara and Hamilton were spotted on a dinner date in New York CityCredit: instagram/sofiavergaraThrough the year, eligible bachelor Hamilton has been linked to the world’s most beautiful womenCredit: AP Photo/Frank AugsteinThe seven-time world champion was spotted on a dinner date in New York City with Modern Family beauty, Sofia Vergara.The couple looked smitten and oh-so-flirty as they enjoyed a meal together, according to TMZ.They sat next to one another at a table by a window, with onlookers revealing that Sofia was spellbound by the racing driver.According to onlookers, Sofia was so deep in conversation with Lewis that she “barely touched her food”.Read more on Lewis HamiltonThe pair were joined by some pals, before flirting outside the eatery until Sofia headed off.Sofia, 52, isn’t the first glam woman to be linked with Hamilton.SunSport looks at his romances through the years – starting with his most recent.ShakiraBack in 2023, Hamilton struck a romance with Colombian singer Shakira, after she split from former Barcelona footballer Gerard Pique.Most read in MotorsportLewis was spotted on a boat ride in Miami with the pop sensation.Ferrari urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract by F1 legend after star’s ‘worrying’ admission That came days after they enjoyed dinner together, although The Sun understands the relationship never went past the friend zone.She was last seen cheering Hamilton on at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona back in the summer.Shakira was linked to Hamilton in 2023Credit: GettyLewis Hamilton and Shakira enjoyed a boat ride in Miami together after her split with Gerard PiqueCredit: The Mega AgencyNicole SherzingerThe Pussycat Dolls beauty is often referred to as the love of his life.After meeting at the MTV VMA’s, their on/off romance spanned seven years.However, they finally called it quits in 2016 with reports claiming Sherzinger, 46, was unhappy that he hadn’t proposed to her.Amusingly, Hamilton once admitted he preferred his cars to his dates.”My cars are my babies,” he revealed.”I used to say, when I had a girlfriend, ‘I’m taking one of the girls out, so you can come if you want, but you come second when it comes to the cars.”Nicole Sherzinger was Hamilton’s longest romanceCredit: Solmaz SaberiScherzinger and Hamilton parted company in 2016Credit: Getty – ContributorRita OraIf his dalliances were like races, this one might have been his fastest lap.In 2016, Hamilton dated You Only Love Me singer Ora, 34, for a brief minute.Reports suggested she was infatuated with him and they even went into a studio to record some music together in 2017.She cheered him on at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the weekend of his 31st birthday, but they never confirmed they were an item.Rita Ora had a quick fling with the F1 aceOra and Hamilton enjoyed London Fashion Week together in 2017Credit: Getty – ContributorRihannaAnother one, perhaps, to put in the friends category.In 2015, Hamilton and the Umbrella singer were inseparable – taking in the delights of Barbados and New York City together.Although, the Mercedes driver was quick to shoot down the rumour mill.”You know, I’ve known Ri for a long time,” he told E!”We’ve been friends for a while. We get to hang out every now and again…”Reports suggested he was willing to take their relationship to the next level, but Rihanna, 36, didn’t want to commit.Pop sensation Rihanna was linkedRihanna and Hamilton were once inseparableCredit: Splash NewsBarbara PalvinAs supermodels go, Palvin is as glam as they get.A Victoria’s Secret Angel and an Armani Beauty ambassador, she was once rumoured to be dating Brazil superstar Neymar.In 2017, the 31-year-old Hungarian beauty was spotted partying with Lewis after the Monaco Grand Prix.A year later, Lewis shared a video on Instagram of the pair walking down a hotel corridor in Budapest.Supermodel Barbara Palvin caught Hamilton’s eyeCredit: Calzedonia SwimwearNeymar with rumoured ex Barbara Palvin and Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty – Contributorread more sport featuresCamila KendraBack in 2021, Hamilton was said to be a in hush-hush courtship with Instagram beauty Camila, 29.She sparked rumours the pair were more than friends by sharing a picture taken in his home wearing his shirt in an Instagram post.The Dominican Republic stunner was previously in a relationship with Tyler Cameron, a reality TV star off US show The Bachelor.Last year, she was spotted holding hands with Chelsea footballer Ben Chilwell, although their romance soon fizzed out.Stunning Camila Kendra was linked to Hamilton in 2021Camila was spotted wearing Hamilton’s shirt on InstagramCredit: InstagramDanielle LloydDanielle and Lewis have stayed close friends, well after their split.They got together a few years before she was crowned Miss England in 2002, after meeting at celebrity haunt 10 Rooms.But their six-month romance petered out because of the long-distance between them.She later married former Spurs star Jamie O’Hara in 2012, but they divorced two years later.Danielle, 41, has been seen cheering him on Silverstone in the recent years, proving there’s no hard feelings.Danielle Lloyd was a former flame of Hamilton’sCredit: Unleashed Talent Management – Make up by Amanie GrewalLloyd and Hamilton began a romance when she was entering beauty pageantsCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdLotta HintsaA former Miss Finland ticked all the boxes for Lewis.Lotta, 36, is the daughter of former McLaren doctor Aki Hintsa, who passed away in 2016.Hamilton and Lotta were inseparable in the paddock and it was suggested they were an item.She played it more candid, insisting they were just mates.Former Miss Finland Lotta Hintsa was rumoured to have had a fling with HamiltonHintsa’s dad was a team doctor for McLaren, where her paths with Hamilton crossedSofia RichieStyle is important to Lewis, who is a regular at Paris Fashion Week every year.It was no surprise to see him hook up with Sofia, the daughter of crooner Lionel Richie, in 2017.They were regularly spotted together, after she split with his pal Justin Bieber.The 26-year-old has since married British record executive Elliot Grange.Sofia Richie was said to be in a romance with Hamilton in 2017Richie and Hamilton both share a love of fashionWinnie HarlowThe supermodel, who suffers from skin condition vitiligo, was spied getting cosy with Hamilton in 2016 at the GQ Awards in London.READ MORE SUN STORIESCanadian stunner Winnie, 30, and Lewis then stepped out together at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York in 2018.Again, Lewis has said they’re friends – but the flirting in public said otherwise, according to reports.Winnie Harlow is one of the world’s leading supermodelsCredit: GettyHamilton and Harlow are said to be good pals More

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    Lewis Hamilton jumps out of a helicopter as F1 star makes most of break amid romance rumours with Sofia Vergara, 52

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been enjoying his winter holiday… by jumping out of a HELICOPTER.Seven-time Formula One champion Hamilton will be in unfamiliar territory when he returns to the paddock after ditching Mercedes to join Ferrari.Lewis Hamilton shared a video of himself snowboardingHamilton was seen in the colours of Ferrari ahead of his first season with themHe captured the footage while using a selfie stickHe was dropped to the location by a helicopterHamilton was joined for the trip by three-time Olympic champion Shaun WhiteHamilton sparked romance rumours after he was seen in New York with actress Sofia VergaraCredit: GettyBut before the season gets underway in March, the 40-year-old has enjoyed some time off by hitting the slopes.Taking to his Instagram story, Hamilton shared of video of himself heliskiing.In the video he was seen being dropped off at a location by a helicopter before enjoying some snowboarding alongside three-time Olympic half-pipe snowboarding champion Shaun White.Hamilton, suitably seen in the red colours of his new team, captured some of the footage with a selfie stick.READ MORE IN F1The video was captioned: “Mountain man,” and had the song “Protect Ta Neck by Wu-Tang Clan over the top.Hamilton is making the most of the break and was recently romantically linked with Sofia Vergara.The Modern Family actress, 52, set tongues wagging after she was spotted on a flirty date with the Stevenage-born ace.Hamilton often takes the chance to globe-trot when he is not behind the wheel of an F1 car.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSDuring the summer break the Brit opted to visit Paris for the Olympic Games.Other excursions have seen him take trips to Africa, South America, Mexico and the Carribbean.F1 season to launch with never-before-seen event in London Hamilton will continue to drive with his signature number 44 at Ferrari.He will be partnering Tifosi darling Charles Leclerc for the upcoming season, taking the seat of Carlos Sainz who has in turn joined Williams.Ferrari finished second in the constructors championship last year, while Hamilton individually came seventh in his Mercedes, which was often the subject of experimental setups.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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    Star of Netflix’s Drive to Survive in major career change as he quits F1 with emotional post saying ‘racing is my life’

    DRIVE TO SURVIVE star Will Buxton has announced a major career change for the 2025 motorsport season.Buxton is one of the most recognisable stars outside of the racers and team principals who feature on the hit Netflix show Drive To Survive, which documents behind-the-scenes of the Formula One season.A Drive To Survive star has announced a major career changeWill Buxton has worked on F1TV for seven yearsCredit: GettyBut he has announced he is joining Fox for their coverage of a rival motorsportCredit: GettyHowever, the veteran broadcaster has announced a major career change that will see him leave his main role at F1TV.Taking to Instagram, he announced following a seven-year career with F1TV he would be moving to Fox to headline its coverage of Indycar.In an emotional statement, he said: “I have always loved Indycar, always been enthralled by the excitement of its racing and stunned by the skills of its incredible drivers. “And while I always hoped that one day I might, I never imagined that I ever actually would have the opportunity to join the series full time. READ MORE IN MOTORSPORT”That I will get to do so in the role and with the responsibility that I do in 2025 is a tremendous honour. And while I am unbelievably excited, I am only too aware of the enormity of the task I am undertaking, and the trust placed in me…”Racing is my life. My deepest passion. Its drivers are my heroes. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had a job for the past two decades that revolves around telling their stories…”I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone at F1TV for seven incredibly happy years. “I’m so proud of all we created and all we built and I’m excited to watch 2025 shake out, admittedly, for now at least, from my couch.”Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBuxton – a New York Times best-selling author – will present Fox’s inaugural season coverage of NTT Indycar alongside James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell.He had featured on NBC as a pit-lane reporter for Indycar from 2013-17 before Liberty Media’s acquisition of F1 saw him move in-house to F1TV in 2018. Lewis Hamilton jumps out of a helicopter as F1 star snowboards with Olympic champion in incredible videoThe first race of the 17-event season will commence with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, FL, USA on March 2.Indycar as a racing series is actually quite similar to F1 in that the cars are open-top and race around tracks with a variety of shapes.However, unlike F1 which has a global fanbase, Indycar is most popular in North America.In 2023 it averaged 1.4 million viewers across a 14-race season but had a stuttering viewer count in 2024 for the final year of a 16-year partnership with NBC.It is not yet clear whether this move will impact Buxton’s involvement in the 2025 series of the Netflix documentary.Will Buxton leaves F1TV after seven yearsRead Will Buxton’s full statement below:A decade ago I reported on my first Indycar races, including my first visit to IMS. I fell in love with the place immediately. The history, the passion, the emotion that whips through the air as the cars rocket past you, sucking the air from your lungs, breathing tradition and understanding into your soul. On my final day, I was presented with a Culver block, one of the bricks that once lined the entire speedway. It was at the time, and remains today, the most humbling gift.I have always loved Indycar, always been enthralled by the excitement of its racing and stunned by the skills of its incredible drivers. And while I always hoped that one day I might, I never imagined that I ever actually would have the opportunity to join the series full time. That I will get to do so in the role and with the responsibility that I do in 2025 is a tremendous honour. And while I am unbelievably excited, I am only too aware of the enormity of the task I am undertaking, and the trust placed in me.Racing is my life. My deepest passion. Its drivers are my heroes. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had a job for the past two decades that revolves around telling their stories. And beyond that, a job that I’ve always believed is about taking the fans on a journey, whether through the page or through the screen, to the heart of the racing world. To make them a part of the sport they love. That has been and will always be why I do what I do.I want to take the opportunity to thank everyone at F1TV for seven incredibly happy years. I’m so proud of all we created and all we built and I’m excited to watch 2025 shake out, admittedly, for now at least, from my couch.My year and my racing season will begin in St Pete.I’m so grateful to Fox for this once in a lifetime opportunity, so thankful to everyone at the NTT Indycar Series for the warm welcome they’ve already extended, and so invigorated for the years ahead. Indycar stands at the gates of one of the most exciting and important periods in its history.Alongside Hinch, Townsend and the world class team behind the scenes at Fox, I can’t wait to get started and to present to you all, the fastest racing on earth. More

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    Aston Martin deny sensational claims they are targeting Max Verstappen in stunning £1billion deal from Red Bull

    ASTON MARTIN have denied they are targeting MAX VERSTAPPEN in a colossal £1BILLION deal.The four-time world champion’s future at Red Bull was the subject of strong speculation throughout 2024 due to the team’s internal power struggles, which even saw Verstappen threaten to quit.Max Verstappen is being targeted in a £1bilion deal by Aston Martin, reports suggestCredit: AlamyAston Martin have ambitious plans to win the world championship but have denied the claimsCredit: Aston MartinThey are backed by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who has already poached Adrian Newey to his teamCredit: PAMercedes were one of the main teams linked to the Dutchman following their own bombshell news that Lewis Hamilton was quitting the team for Ferrari for 2025.But according to Mail Sport, Aston Martin have told potential sponsors that Verstappen will join them as part of their ambitious bid to win the F1 world championship.The reported deal would be worth up to £1bn, making it one of the most lucrative in F1 history.Sources suggest Jefferson Slack, a close confidant of billionaire team owner, Lawrence Stroll, has made pitches to would-be investors claiming the 27-year-old will join them.READ MORE IN F1It is reported a figure as high as £200m a year may be needed to prise Verstappen away from Red Bull.And given his success at Red Bull and the £50million a year deal currently pinning him there until 2028, the claim seems more of a desire than a fact.An Aston Martin spokesperson categorically denied the story.The team also have Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll contracted through to 2026.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWhy snapping up Adrian Newey is such a coup for Aston MartinSpeaking about his future, Verstappen said: “Did I have doubts about my future at Red Bull at that stage? Well, the feeling wasn’t quite 100 per cent. There was a lot going on. “But, on the other hand, I don’t think that if something goes wrong, you can just say: I’m leaving. That’s not how I am.”Verstappen’s future last season was clouded thanks to an internal Red Bull civil war between his father, Jos, and team advisor Helmut Marko in one camp and team principal Christian Horner in the other.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 OconAston Martin has already poached legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey – who left during the power struggle – from Red Bull in a £20m a year deal.It is the final season before a major regulation change in 2026 that will feature smaller cars, 100 per cent sustainable fuel and a redesigned power unit.Verstappen will partner Liam Lawson when the new season gets underway at the Australian Grand Prix in March.He claimed his fourth driver’s title last year but saw his team finish third in the constructors’ championship following a string of poor races by Sergio Perez.Meanwhile, Aston Martin were the best of the rest as the top four teams; McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes hoovering up the top spots across the season.Alonso finished ninth in the driver’s championship with 70 points, while Stoll ended in 13th with 24. More

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    F1 season to launch with never-before-seen event in London as Lewis Hamilton faces awkward reunion at secretive show

    THE 2025 Formula One season will kickstart with a brand new launch event in London next month.For the first time in the sport’s history, all ten teams will come together at the O2 Arena to unveil their new liveries.All 20 F1 drivers will attend the sport’s first-ever season launch event next monthCredit: GettyLewis Hamilton will be there with new team Ferrari for the first timeCredit: GettyThey will also showcase their driver line-ups – many of which will be different to last season’s.Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will be in attendance with new team Ferrari and team-mate Charles Leclerc.Mercedes – Hamilton’s former team – will also be attendance with principal Toto Wolff as well as George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli.Reigning champion Max Verstappen previously hinted that he could pull a sickie in order to miss the event.READ MORE IN F1Asked about it while streaming in November, the Dutchman said: “What is F1 75? What are you talking about?”After being informed about what it was, he continued: “I don’t watch any F1… I hope I’m sick that week.”Should he attend, Verstappen will line up alongside Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and new team-mate Liam Lawson.Lawson was announced as Sergio Perez’s replacement in December.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 34-year-old was axed after finishing eighth in the driver standings.McLaren – who won the Constructors’ Championship last year – will be there with the same line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri as they launch their new papaya livery. Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decadeFans will be able to hear from all 20 drivers and all 10 team principals on the night, with some special guests also promised.The event will also be streamed for those who were unable to get tickets.In another change to the F1 season, Rolex has been replaced as the sport’s official timekeeper.The luxury watch brand has been replaced by TAG Heuer.TAG’s return comes as the first individual partner as part of F1’s 10-year deal with luxury goods company LVMH.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