Ferrari

FORMULA ONE legend Nigel Mansell is confident Ferrari’s “magical” team will help Lewis Hamilton to an EIGHTH world title.Britain’s 1992 F 1 world champion is a huge fan of the Stevenage racer, who will end his glittering 12-season stay at Mercedes to join the Italian team next year.Nigel Mansell has revealed why Lewis Hamilton can land a record eighth world title with FerrariCredit: GettyHamilton is leaving Mercedes to join the Scuderia at the start of next seasonCredit: GettyHamilton has signed a two-season mega-bucks deal with the Scuderia and Mansell, 71, is delighted he will now experience the Ferrari magic — just like he did in 1989 and 1990.Mansell said: “Lewis has done some incredible things throughout his career.“And it is absolutely fantastic he is going to drive for Ferrari which, for me, is the most romantic team in the whole of Formula One.“The fans will embrace him and I am sure he will be able to win for them and be a great team-mate for Charles Leclerc.READ MORE IN F1“Lewis has all the attributes to get another world title.“He will have a renaissance in the car because he’s super quick and Ferrari will do a good job for him.”Mansell won his only world title with Williams but ‘Our Nige’ insists he has special memories of driving for Ferrari for two seasons before leaving following a bust-up with team-mate Alain Prost.Mansell said: “It means a lot to me having driven for them.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“It’s close to magical and I do feel fulfilled that I didn’t miss out driving for one of the greatest makes of car in the history of the world.“There isn’t a person in the world who doesn’t love a Ferrari.” Lewis Hamilton celebrates ‘biggest honour of my F1 career’ in front of delighted crowd despite disastrous Brazilian GPHamilton, 39, has won a record 105 grand prix and hopes Ferrari can reignite his career which has stalled in recent seasons as Max Verstappen and Red Bull have dominated Mercedes.His last driver’s title was in 2020, equalling the record of seven set by Ferrari superstar Michael Schumacher in 2004.His move to the Scuderia marks Hamilton as the 13th British driver who will don a scarlet red race suit, and he will be aiming to be the first Brit in 60 years to win the F1 title for Ferrari.Mansell, who now lives in the US, was company founder Enzo’s Ferrari’s last personal signing shortly before he died in 1988.And the man christened ‘The People’s Champion’ by his British followers was also adored by Italian fans.They dubbed him Il Leone — The Lion — for his aggressive driving style which earned him 31 race wins, 32 poles and 482 points during his career.And Mansell celebrated his Ferrari debut in 1989 by roaring to an unexpected victory in the Brazilian Grand Prix.That feat endeared him to everyone in the Italian camp — even though he failed to land them the title he craved.Mansell added: “You have one chance to win your first race for your new team and goodness knows how that car kept going but I won in Rio and that cemented a very, very special relationship.“I feel, as much as I missed out on a number of things in Formula One, I didn’t miss out driving for Ferrari.“OK, I didn’t win the championship for them but I won races for them and had the experience.“The difference is working with the Italians, the Tifosi fans — even the reporters all wear their hearts on their sleeves.“They are so excited. It’s one of those Marmite situations: You love ’em or you hate ’em and I was very fortunate.“I just loved the whole experience and it was reciprocal. They supported me and loved me and I think they still do today.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s wonderful and Lewis will find a different level of feeling comfortable and being supported.“I think he will just embrace it and go from strength to strength.”Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner. More

LEWIS HAMILTON has reportedly already planned his Formula One retirement. The seven-time world champion will join up with Ferrari from next season on a multi-year £100million contract. Lewis Hamilton is switching to Ferrari from Mercedes next seasonCredit: GettyThe 39-year-old has yet to reveal when he plans to step away from F1Credit: SplashHamilton announced his shock switch to the Italian giants in February. The 39-year-old has been with Mercedes since 2013 after a move from McLaren.Hamilton said earlier this year: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.”The Brit driver will race for Ferrari in 2025 and 2026, but his long-term future remains uncertain. READ MORE ON F1Author Matt Whyman, who has written a book on the history of Mercedes, spoke with Hamilton ahead of his Ferrari switch.And he claims the Stevenage native has a “very clear plan” on when he will step away from racing. Whyman told The Mirror: “I asked him directly what was going on and he just said, ‘It is every kid’s dream who gets involved in motor racing to race a Ferrari, and that is it – I did not want to get to the end of my career and look back and go, what if?’”He says he knows when the end of his career will be, he has got this very clear plan ahead of him.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”He said it is really meaningful to him, the fact that he has won all these races with Mercedes and he has been on this journey.”The one thing he had not done and he just thought, ‘I do not want to walk away and go, I wish I had done that’.”Mercedes made ‘clear mistake’ that ‘ruined’ Lewis Hamilton’s chances in Singapore GP and left him ‘so angry’Hamilton has racked up 105 wins in F1 since making his debut way back in 2007. He admitted earlier this season he “will know” when it’s finally time to step out of the car.Asked if he had a timeframe for retirement by Esquire, he said: “I definitely do.”There are days I’m like, shoot, I don’t know how much longer I can go.”I’ve just got to strategise and sequence things.Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.”I’m very much about sequencing, like looking at brands that I collaborate with, companies that I’m essentially starting, how I manage my time between all those, and how I’m able to dedicate myself to this job still.”Is there a time when I’m not all in and I’m just not in love with it anymore?READ MORE SUN STORIES”That’s the moment that hopefully never happens, in the sense that I’ve fallen out of love with it.”But I will know when I need to stop.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON will race the final three Grands Prix of the year after rumours suggested otherwise, according to a Mercedes insider.The seven-time world champion had sensationally hinted that he could leave Mercedes early after a “disastrous” weekend in Brazil. Lewis Hamilton will not leave Mercedes early, according to a Mercedes insiderHamilton made cryptic comments to his team after he finished 10th in an action-packed race at Interlagos.The 39-year-old expressed gratitude to his engineers after suggesting it could be the “last time” he drives for the Silver Arrows.With his blockbuster move to Ferrari on the horizon, Hamilton gave a brutally honest message as he earned a point after starting at P16.He said: “That was a disaster of a weekend guys. That is the worst the car has ever been.READ MORE ON F1″But thank you for continuing to try. Great job from the guys at the pitstop.”If this is the last time that I get to perform, its a shame it wasn’t great, but grateful for you.” Speaking after the race, Hamilton even suggested that he would “happily” take the rest of the year off despite three rounds remaining.But Sky Sports F1 reporter Craig Slater has squashed the rumours surrounding an early exit.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “It is far fetched and it isn’t correct. He is going to be finishing the season with Mercedes.”People are putting two and two together and saying maybe, if Lewis wants to go, this could give Antonelli an early start in F1 to ground him for his first full season. It’s not the case. F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? “Not entirely clear exactly what he meant on the radio, but I’ve been in touch with a senior figure at the Mercedes team who has told me that Lewis Hamilton will be completing the season with the team.”And it was pointed out to me that in some other interviews, he talked about the kind of car he hoped Mercedes would give him in these last three races.”I have it on very good authority that there’s no way he’s going to step aside before the season’s end.”I don’t think the team want to dignify this kind of thing with an official statement.”In fact, Hamilton’s message was likely aimed at team members working in Sao Paulo who will not be at the final three rounds of the season.Hamilton has just three races remaining with Mercedes before joining Ferrari – in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.Kimi Antonelli, 18, will join up with George Russell at Mercedes next year.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 Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

LEWIS HAMILTON sensationally hinted he could leave Mercedes early after a “disastrous” weekend at the Brazil Grand Prix.The seven-time world champion finished 10th on Sunday following an action-packed race at Interlagos.Lewis Hamilton was left dejected following the Brazil GP on SundayCredit: RexThe Mercedes man gave a brutally honest message to his team after the raceCredit: Sky SportsHe struggled with car issues throughout the weekend – which were not helped by a series of heavy rain showers.And by the time he reached the chequered flag, the Mercedes man was left completely deflated.With his blockbuster move to Ferrari on the horizon, Hamilton gave a brutally honest message to his team in the garage.He even suggested it could be the “last time” he drives for the Silver Arrows.Read More in F1He said: “That was a disaster of a weekend guys. That is the worst the car has ever been.”But thank you for continuing to try. Great job from the guys at the pitstop.”If this is the last time that I get to perform, its a shame it wasn’t great, but grateful for you.”Speaking after the race, Hamilton even suggested that he would “happily” take the rest of the year off despite three races remaining.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe told Sky Sports: “We were just slow. The car was really, really tough.”The team could have won also today, so at least one car was behaving a lot better.F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? “It’s like a plank of wood. It’s like, no suspension.”It’s bouncing on the tyres everywhere and you can’t get on the power anywhere.”It’s just the worst ride, I think the worst ride that we’ve definitely ever had, particularly through corners. It’s just so stiff.”But hopefully we won’t have any more bumpy tracks. I think the last three aren’t so bumpy. But yeah, I could happily go and take a holiday.”Hamilton has just three races remaining with Mercedes before joining Ferrari – in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.Kimi Antonelli will replace Hamilton at Mercedes next year.The 18-year-old will drive alongside George Russell next season having impressed in F2 having come through Mercedes’ junior programme..🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More