Ferrari

F1 CHIEFS have added never-before-seen features to the Las Vegas track to give fans the “best Grand Prix ever”.The event will see an ICE RINK installed above the Paddock Club and the inclusion of the Ferrari Challenge.The Las Vegas GP is scheduled for NovemberCredit: GettyThe Ferrari Challenge has been added to the weekendCredit: AP:Associated PressEmily Prazer claims it will be the ‘best ever’Credit: LinkedInThe race weekend in November will also showcase the F1 Academy, and there is hope of adding the female-only series in the future.An F1 Festival has also been set up to run on the Friday and Saturday which has sold out its 30,000 tickets per day.Chief commercial officer for F1 and Las Vegas Grand Prix Emily Prazer has insisted that they are “excited” about this season’s race.She said: “We know what we have to do before the grand prix this year.READ MORE ON F1″We’re adding Ferrari Challenge. So that will be coming, we’re super excited about it. We took on the feedback last year of not having a support race.”Logistics last year were our number one concern, which again I think everyone understood.”So now we feel much more comfortable being able to extend the operating hours and the track activity.”It was just a year-one confidence thing honestly, and now we’re feeling pretty good about it. Ferrari also brings a crowd that loves Las Vegas as you’d expect.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”So it’s a natural one for us to go after, and they’ve been incredible partners.”Prazer has claimed that the plans are being tied ti make sure it is the “best Grand Prix ever”.Cost of an F1 carSavage 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.She added: “We’re scaling back a bit as we want to focus on actually delivering the best grand prix ever.”The casinos are adjusting what they were doing around the race.”The Wynn, the Bellagio, they all did incredibly well, but the reason we’re doing festivals downtown is to enhance the average person coming to Vegas that weekend and not putting them off.”I think the first year, none of us knew how the racing was going to turn out.”So we wanted to overcompensate because we wanted to make sure that it was a full, until you see those cars go around the track and see what actually happens it’s very hard to just watch it on simulators going ‘oh, it’s going to be a good race’.”We had confidence, don’t get me wrong. But when that came to life obviously for us everybody wanted it to be very Vegas-driven. And so do the partners in Vegas.”They ultimately drive a lot of our mentality, the MGMs, Wynns, Caesars, they’re incredible partners, but you see how they market the destination.”We said, ‘right, let us take it up 15 notches’, which I think we did in year one. But the intent is to scale some of that back.”We felt that we did do too much, the Wednesday night was a one-off.”I will never, ever be allowed to spend that amount of money again on a 30-minute show. We were nominated for an Emmy, but apart from that, it was a project in itself.”Prazner has also spoken about the adding of an ice rink above the Paddock Club in a move that is not seen “anywhere else”.She said: “We talk about Las Vegas within Formula 1 as almost like our little bit of an incubator that we get to try some different things and push the boundaries a bit more, because it’s Vegas.”So we’re putting an ice rink on the roof of the Paddock Club in Vegas this year. You would never see us do that anywhere else.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But the intent is like, ‘how do we create more of an entertainment proposition?’”The idea is, honestly, that if you look at the size of the Paddock Club and making sure that you actually activate all the space, it was one of those of, ‘what do we do?’ It’s a lot of fun.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed the reason he is still competing in Formula One, despite admitting he has had thoughts about retirement.The seven-time world champion has gotten back on the top step of the podium twice this season following a two-season win drought.Lewis Hamilton has revealed what he will need to do after retiring from F1Credit: GettyThe Brit opened up on his retirement plansCredit: RexHamilton, 39, is swapping the silver arrows of Mercedes for the scarlet red of Ferrari at the start of next season after stunning the world by announcing a two-year deal with the Scuderia at the start of the year.After making his debut in 2007, the 2025 season will be his 19th behind the wheel of an F1 car, but Hamilton has now revealed that his thrill-seeker lifestyle has left him unable to step away.He said: “For me personally, when I get strapped in the first time and they start up the car, I get the same bubbly feeling inside. “And then when everyone moves the tyre blankets away and you pull out into the pit lane and drive out into Turn 1 and just do your first lap, I always get a huge thrill.READ MORE IN F1″There’s so many moments that I still pinch myself that I still get to do this. It’s really something I wish you could all feel and experience. “But the cool thing… and it’s probably why I’m still racing, is that it’s not become such the norm that I don’t feel it.”If I was numb to it, that would really suck, and I’d probably be doing something else. But I’d have to fly fighter jets or something… to come anywhere near close.”Hamilton has openly flirted with doing other things after his F1 career ends.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe has already done some acting and had a hand in producing movies, including Brad Pitt’s F1 film scheduled for release next year.But fighter jets, which Hamilton almost worked with when he was asked to star in Top Gun: Maverick, would be a different ballpark altogether.Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for himF1 drivers sometimes surpass 6Gs of lateral force behind the wheel, while fighter jets can sometimes hit as high as 9Gs.That being said, Hamilton said he has no immediate plans to retire, and while speaking to Esquire magazine he added: “There are days I’m like, ‘shoot, I don’t know how much longer I can go.”There are days I’m like, ‘shoot, I’d love a break’ because you don’t get a real big break in the season like other sports. “You’re not really getting a huge amount of downtime. But I do have, mentally, a plan of where I would like to extend to.”I’ve just got to strategise and sequence things. Is there a time when I’m not all in, and I’m just not in love with it anymore? 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 Ocon”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. I want to make sure I really max it out while I can and fully enjoy this sport I’ve done my whole life. There are so many people that have finished their careers early.”And I’ve spoken to many who’ve said they wish they could have just done one more year or two. “And they’re like, ‘Stay in as long as you can!’ But I don’t want to do it if I’m not good.”Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes was confirmed as Kimi Antonelli before the most recent race in Monza, Italy, though the teen suffered a scary crash as he took to the wheel during Free Practice One.Hamilton finished 5th as future Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc expertly pulled off a one-stop strategy to outrun the aggressive two-stop of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and claim victory.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe next race this coming weekend sees F1 return to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.Haas driver Kevin Magnussen has been replaced by teen prodigy Ollie Bearman after picking up too many penalty points on his super licence.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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

LEWIS HAMILTON admits he cannot keep his pedal to the metal forever.The F1 great, 39, is set to join Ferrari next season.Lewis Hamilton admits he has a plan in place to call it a dayCredit: AFPThe Brit is joining Ferrari next seasonCredit: RexYet before making his debut for The Prancing Horse, he is already planning his dismount.Asked if he had a timeframe by Esquire, he said: “I definitely do.”There are days I’m like, shoot, I don’t know how much longer I can go. “There are days I’m like, shoot, I’d love a break, a proper break, because you don’t get a real big break in the season like other sports.READ MORE MOTORSPORT NEWS”You don’t finish until mid to late December, and then you’re back into training already in January, and that’s two times a day you’re training.”There are another couple of hours of therapy that you’re doing during that time as well. So you’re not really getting a huge amount of downtime.”And in February, you’re flat out running until December.”But I do have mentally a plan of where I would like to extend to.Most read in MotorsportFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSInside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.”I’ve just got to strategise and sequence things. 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? Watch Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton’s tense exchange after Hungarian Grand Prix as fans hint at ‘underlying issue’ “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.”Hamilton won the Belgian GP in dramatic style last month after team-mate George Russell was disqualified hours after the race had finished.The stewards found that Russell’s car – which ran a one-stop strategy – was underweight after it was drained of fuel during the usual post-race checks.It was Hamilton’s second victory in three races going into F1’s summer break, with Max Verstappen topping the standings.The Dutch Grand Prix will see the competition resume next weekend.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this 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 TBCMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and TBCRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

MICK SCHUMACHER is set to be offered a Formula One return with Sauber – soon to be Audi – next year, according to reports.The 25-year-old, son of seven-time F1 world champion Michael, was dropped from the motorsport in 2022 after two tough years at Haas. Mick Schumacher could be given an F1 contract for 2025 by Sauber, soon to be AudiCredit: Mick SchumacherSince then he has performed as Mercedes’ reserve driver and has also raced for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship this year.Four seats remain up for grabs in F1 for 2025 at Mercedes, Alpine, RB and Sauber, who will be replaced by Audi from 2026.And according to reports from Germany, it is Sauber who are set to offer Schumacher a chance at redemption.It comes following the appointment of former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, who oversaw Schumacher in the Ferrari driver academy for three years – as chief technical officer at the Swiss team.READ MORE IN F1Their project has also seen them land Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley as their team principal from 2025.Nico Hulkenberg – who is seeing out the 2024 season at Haas – has already been confirmed as one of Sauber’s two new drivers for next season.German publication Auto Motor Sport reports the team missed out on its two preferred candidates, with Carlos Sainz going to Williams and Esteban Ocon going to Haas.With the available experienced heads of the current field – Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen – also not putting in inspired displays this season, Sauber are considering a younger candidate.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSYet another problem comes into play here as well, with only 20-year-old Zane Maloney in the team talent pool.Meanwhile, Schumacher is viewed as a “relatively low-risk” option, since they would be able to easily look for a replacement in 2026 if he fails to perform.Rebecca Donaldson’s Glamorous Getaway with F1 Star Carlos Sainz Other drivers the team are considering are Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson and F2 championship leader Isack Hadjar.F1 is currently in the middle of its summer break, with racing not returning until the Dutch Grand Prix on August 25.Three-time world champion Max Verstappen currently leads the drivers championship by 78 points from McLaren’s Lando Norris.However, the Red Bull drivers has achieved just one podium in the last four races, with George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton all coming home to take race wins in his place.Seven-time world champion Hamilton has taken two of these, with his latest at the Belgium GP only coming after Mercedes team-mate Russell was cruelly stripped of the win after his car was found to be underweight.Verstappen, 26, will be hoping to get back to winning ways at his home race of Zandvoort.Valtteri Bottas and Kevin Magnussen have also been linked with the vacant seatCredit: RexF1 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 TBCMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and TBCRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More