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      F1 star Charles Leclerc launches left-field side hustle ahead of linking up with Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

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      FERRARI driver Charles Leclerc has shown off his musical talent playing piano by releasing four new tracks.The Formula One star is set to become teammates with Lewis Hamilton in 2025 – who recently announced he was leaving Mercedes.
      Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has released an album showing his talent for playing pianoCredit: Reuters
      Leclerc has produced four new tracks with French pianist Sofiane PamartCredit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
      Leclerc is set to become teammates with Lewis Hamilton in 2025Credit: AP
      Leclerc has shared his artistic work over the winter break with long-term pal French pianist Sofiane Pamart.
      The 26-year-old has taken his love of music and released an Extended Play consisting of four songs onto Spotify with Pamart.
      The pair have called the EP ‘Dreamers’ featuring tracks called, ‘Focus’, ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Limitless’ and ‘The Dream Continues’.
      In a post on his Instgram story, Leclerc announced the exciting news giving fans just a 12-hour warning to prepare for the Monegasque sweet, mellow tunes.
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      Leclerc said: “I have enjoyed every second of this moment.
      “During the off-season I got in a studio for two days together with Sofiane and we worked on four songs that will be released tonight at midnight.
      “I’m soooo proud of the result. We’ll also be releasing vinyls that you can pre-order on the link below, for a limited time only.
      “We’ll also release the piano scores of the songs. I hope you will love all of it.”
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      In the past, the F1 ace has shared his piano-playing talent through popular tracks including ‘MON23’, ‘MIA23’ AND ‘AUS23’.
      But the special feature is sure to envy his soon-to-be team-mate Lewis Hamilton who has also expressed his love for music.
      ‘World’s first supercar’ Mercedes to become most expensive antique motor EVER
      The seven-time world champion has even contemplated following his passion after he retires from the tracks after featuring in Christina Aguilera’s music video in 2018.
      The Mercedes driver is set to leave the Silver Arrows at the end of the upcoming season to join Ferrari due to the expiration of his contract.
      Leclerc shared he worked on the new music over the winter breakCredit: Instagram @charles_leclerc More

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      Red Bull chief reveals how Max Verstappen reacted to F1 rival Lewis Hamilton’s shock Ferrari switch

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN’s reaction to Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell Ferrari switch announcement has been revealed.Red Bull ace Verstappen dethroned Hamilton as Formula One’s top dog in 2021 when he won the title in controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi.
      Lewis Hamilton announced a shock move to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 seasonCredit: AP
      Max Verstappen’s reaction to the bombshell news has been revealedCredit: Splash

      Since then the Dutchman has been relentless behind the wheel, putting in record-breaking back-to-back title-winning seasons.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton has struggled to keep pace thanks to Mercedes falling way behind their rivals as a new era of car design was introduced.
      Following two seasons of struggle, the seven-time world champion dropped the huge bombshell that he would be ending his time at Mercedes to fulfil a “childhood dream” to drive for Ferrari from 2025.
      The news broadsided much of the world of F1, including the driver he will replace at the Scuderia Carlos Sainz.
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      Reigning champion Verstappen has not reacted publicly to the news, but has now had his reaction revealed by senior Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
      On Verstappen’s reaction, Marko told OE24: “He was just amused.”
      Ferrari driver Sainz was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in the 2023 F1 season.
      And it was development shown in the second half of the season which Marko believes was a contributing factor to Hamilton’s decision to make the switch.
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      WHO COULD REPLACE HAMILTON AT MERCEDES? Mercedes will have a vacant seat for 2025.
      Here, SunSport’s F1 correspondent Ben Hunt looks at FIVE potential candidates who could replace him and partner George Russell in the Silver Arrows.
      Oscar Piastri – McLaren have sewn up Lando Norris to a new long-term contract that should (in theory) put him out of Mercedes’ reach. However, they are yet to tie down his teammate Piastri, 22. The Aussie has an excellent record and won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles before spending a year on the sidelines with Alpine and getting his chance in F1 with McLaren. He impressed on his debut season last year and has the potential to be a world champion.
      Daniel Ricciardo – The experienced driver’s future remains in doubt as he bides his time at Red Bull’s B-team. Ricciardo would be low-hassle and offer some stability but by that time he would be 35. It seems unlikely that they would opt for him at this point in his career, but if he has a good season this year, he could come into the reckoning.
      Kimi Antonelli – You may not have heard of the Italian, but he is mustard. Still only 17, he has won at all the junior categories and has been part of the Mercedes young driver programme since 2019. This season he has been promoted from F4 to F2, where he has been tipped to shine. A good debut season in F2 could sway Mercedes into taking a risk on him for 2025. Antonelli and his family are close to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
      Mick Schumacher – Wolff has always been so incredibly supportive of Schumacher and spoken highly of him, that you’d at least expect him to come into consideration. He knows the team from his role as reserve driver and consequently would get up to speed. But speed is also the problem. He was shocking at Haas and if he really was THAT good, he’d still be driving in F1.
      Alex Albon – A more-sensible choice would be the London-born Albon. A great guy who is also very quick. He has a fantastic relationship with Russell and would be the low-maintenance quick partnership similar to Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas that swept to successive titles. Albon would take little convincing to join from Williams and Mercedes would not need to pay him half of the £50million they were dishing out to Hamilton.

      He said: “Mercedes was overtaken by Ferrari in the second half of 2023, and McLaren was also faster.
      “Maybe Hamilton noticed something that the outside world doesn’t yet know.
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him
      “That doesn’t change anything for us, except that I see it as weakening Mercedes.
      “Whether it strengthens Ferrari remains to be seen. Overall, this has an incredible impact, right down to the stock market prices.”
      The lights go out for the new F1 season with the first race on March 2.

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      Lewis Hamilton spotted in public for first time since Ferrari switch shock as Mercedes unveil new car for 2024 F1 season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has spoken about his decision to leave Mercedes after unveiling the team’s challenger for the 2024 season.Hamilton stunned F1 to announce that he was quitting Mercedes after 11 years to join Ferrari in 2025.
      Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about his decision to leave MercedesCredit: Getty
      Mrecedes have revealed their car for the 2024 seasonCredit: Instagram / @mercedesamgf1
      The W15 is the team’s standard black and silver liveryCredit: Instagram / @mercedesamgf1
      Toto Wolff (C) says Mercedes ‘have a mountain to climb.Credit: AFP
      He broke the shock news to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over breakfast at the Austrian’s home in Oxford last month.
      Hamilton, 39, will now see out his contract with Mercedes and says he is still committed to helping them get back onto the top step of the podium.
      Speaking at Silverstone ahead of the team’s shakedown with teammate George Russell, Hamilton said: ‘It’s obviously been emotional.
      “It’s very surreal to be here. I came here in 2013, 11 years with the team, this is the start of my 12th.
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      “The focus through the whole of winter training is getting the team back to where we once were.
      “We have had these difficult couple of years which have been really grounding for us.
      “It is such a privilege to work with people to see the work they’re doing over the winter.
      “This is the most exciting part of the year. To know everything underneath the hood, that George and I will be able to experience on the track. It’s exciting.”
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      Mercedes unveiled their challenger for 2024 on Wednesday, with Wolff admitting they “have a mountain to climb”.
      Hamilton and Russell took part in a special filming day to give the W15 car its first on-track test run at Silverstone.
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him
      It comes after the team won just one race in the previous two years, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has dominated the sport.
      After designing two dud cars, Wolff is now hopeful that their latest creation will deliver them back to the top step of the podium.
      He said: “We know we have a mountain to climb to fight at the very front. There are no miracles in this sport.
      “But our ambition and determination are strong. Since charting this new course, development has progressed well.
      “We had several items on our priority list for this car. We will soon see if we’ve made the step we’ve aimed for.
      “As the saying goes: when it stings, it sticks. I believe the previous two years were necessary for us to readjust, recalibrate and reinvent ourselves in certain areas.
      “That root-and-branch approach is never easy. But we’ve made progress and look forward to taking the next step with the W15. It won’t be a linear path, but when we stumble, we will get back up and keep climbing.”
      The season kicks off in Bahrain in two-week’s time in what will be Hamilton’s last before he jumps ship to Ferrari.
      Hamilton will join Ferrari from the 2025 seasonCredit: AP
      Unlike their rivals who made their drivers all readily available, Mercedes opted for a digital-only launch, meaning Wolff and their drivers were unavailable for questions.
      Consequently, their focus was only on the team’s recovery and ambitions for this season.
      In an otherwise drab press release, Hamilton is quoted as saying: “The learnings of the past two years have helped us find our direction.
      “It has enabled us to find our north star. It’s still going to be a work in progress, but we will face whatever challenges present themselves with our heads up, with open minds, and work through diligently.”
      Russell is quoted saying: “We’ve learnt and grown as a team over the past two seasons.
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      “It’s not been plain sailing, but I truly believe the journey we’ve been on will make us stronger in the long run.
      “The whole team has been working incredibly hard and we hope to have made a step with the W15.” More

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      Carlos Sainz reveals heartbreak after being told F1 icon Lewis Hamilton would replace him at Ferrari ‘WEEKS’ ago

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’s move to Ferrari caught the team’s current driver – Carlos Sainz – by surprise.Hamilton stunned the sport last month when it was announced that he was quitting Mercedes to join F1’s most-famous team in 2025.
      Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell move to Ferrari for 2025 took many by surpriseCredit: AFP
      This includes Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, who Hamilton will replaceCredit: Getty
      The Brit, 39, activated a break clause in his Mercedes deal to allow him to join the Italian outfit at the expense of Sainz, who has been shown the door.
      The Spaniard, who was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race last year, was quizzed about Hamilton’s arrival next season.
      Speaking at the launch of this year’s Ferrari challenger, Sainz said: “I was a bit surprised, like everyone in the Formula One world.
      “From my side you can understand I got to know the news a bit earlier than anyone else and I had some weeks to reflect and prepare and some weeks to also get ready for the car launch and the first race of the season.
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      “That gave me a bit of time to digest it and to draw my own conclusions and to focus on the 2024 season.
      “I have had a lot of messages of support which I would like to thank the F1 world for and friends back at home, who have been very supportive and very encouraging.”
      Sainz, 29, will now spend this season looking for a seat for the 2025 campaign.
      He added: “My next team, I don’t know yet and I have time to decide when that happens next. There are plenty of options out there.
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      “I am approaching the most important three or four years of my career and I want to make sure that I am in the right place.
      “I am going to listen to all the options so when I make the decision I have given myself enough time with enough information.”
      Did Charles Leclerc drop secret hint about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari from Mercedes in awkward interview LAST YEAR?
      Hamilton will partner Charles Leclerc who has a new long-term deal with Ferrari.
      And the 26-year-old says he has welcomed the seven-time world champion into the team and – unlike Sainz – was not shocked by the move.
      He added: “This kind of deal is not finalised overnight. It takes time and I was aware of those discussions before I signed my deal so it did not come as a surprise.
      “Obviously, Lewis is an incredible driver, the most successful in history, with a lot of experience which he brings to the team which is a good thing.
      “I have had discussions with Lewis especially when everything was announced and official. We texted each other.
      “Lewis is a great champion with so much success.
      “It is always interesting to have a new team-mate, because you learn different ways of driving and working, and even more so when my new team-mate is a seven-time world champion.”

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      Ferrari reveal bold design for new look F1 car after announcing Lewis Hamilton will join team in 2025

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      FERRARI are ready to take F1 by storm after revealing their ‘completely redesigned’ new engine for the 2024 season. Just weeks after Lewis Hamilton, 39, dropped the sudden bombshell that he would be moving to Ferrari in 2025, the Scuderia team have turned heads again with their flashy new engine.
      Ferrari’s new car was revealed last TuesdayCredit: PA
      The Ferrari team are all very excited about the new carCredit: AFP
      Engineer Enrico Cardile said: ‘Every area of the car has been redesigned’Credit: Splash
      Charles Leclerc, Fred Vasseur and Carlos Sainz in a photoshoot for the Ferrari 2024 launchCredit: PA
      Charles Leclerc, 26, and Carlos Sainz, 29, uncovered the stunning SF-24 at Ferrari’s factory in Maranello on Tuesday.
      This year will be Leclerc and Sainz’s last season racing together as Hamilton is all set to make the astonishing switch from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025, after triggering a secret contract clause.
      There is hope among the Prancing Horse ranks that with their new engine they can take on last year’s championship winners, Christian Horner’s Red Bull.
      Their rivals were shaken to the core by the recent allegations against boss, Horner, who was accused of engaging in ‘innapropriate behaviour’ towards a female staffer.
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      Ferrari revealed that every aspect of their new car ‘breaks with the tradition’ of the machinery they used in the past two seasons.
      Engineer Enrico Cardile said: “Every area of the car has been redesigned.”
      Leclerc himself is buzzing about the teams renewed chances in the race for the championship.
      He said: “I like the look of the car a lot. This season the aim is to be front runners all the time.” 
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      With regard to the new season, the Italian said: “To win the championship, this is the only target I have.
      “I’m only happy when I win, second place is not my target. 
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him
      “You need to give yourself realistic targets as well, as much as we are always optimistic and try to do the best job possible. 
      “We all want to win but looking at where we are starting from from last year, Red Bull had a big advantage.
      “So now we need to close the gap as much as possible.
      “So we will do absolutely everything to try and, and do the step that, that is our goal in order to challenge.”
      Team boss Fred Vasseur, a vital force in persuading Hamilton to jump ship, agreed with Leclerc and said: “This year, we must start off where we left off at the end of last season.
      “When we were consistent front runners, with a view to constantly improving in all areas.
      “The longest ever Formula 1 season awaits us.
      “Charles, Carlos and I all agree, we must be more clinical and effective in how we manage the races, making bold choices, in order to get the best possible result at every Grand Prix.”
      Every aspect of the team looks good to take on Red Bull after Leclerc revealed he had a ‘special bond’ with Sainz, even admitting he sees his team-mate more than his family.
      He said: “We have a very special relationship. We spend so much time.
      “I mean, I see Carlos more than my own family because we’ve got 24 races now.”
      Leclerc admits he has a ‘special relationship’ with his teammateCredit: Supplied
      Both are looking forward to their new hotseatCredit: AFP
      That bond is soon to be broken as Hamilton is welcomed into the Ferrari fold in his hunt for an eighth championship win.
      At 39, the clock is ticking for the Brit, who seeks to go one up on Michael Schumacher’s seven championship wins.
      According to former F1 star Damon Hill, the fact that Hamilton has put his faith in Ferrari is a clear signal that he rates the team’s chances.
      On Sky Sports, Hill said: “Lewis has taken command of his career and his direction.
      “It’s not like Mercedes have said to him, ‘Oh, we’ve signed someone else’, which is what happened with me.
      “I think that, [with] this decision, we know it’s a given [regarding] the Ferrari benefits of the brand – the romance and the history and all of that.
      “But I think there’s more to this, which is [that] I thought there was evidence that Ferrari were starting to solidify as a competitive package.
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      “They were starting to put together the components and they were starting to get results.
      “And I think if you had a choice between Mercedes giving you the same equipment and Ferrari, I’d rather go to Ferrari and try something different.” More

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      Daniel Ricciardo breaks silence on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari switch with F1 icon coy over ‘silly season’ Mercedes gossip

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      DANIEL RICCIARDO has refused to be distracted by the “silly season” gossip linking him with a move to Mercedes.The Australian has been tipped as one of the potential names to take Lewis Hamilton’s seat in 2025.
      Daniel Ricciardo is remaining coy over ‘silly season’ gossip linking him with MercedesCredit: Getty
      He has been tipped as a potential replacement when Lewis Hamilton joins Ferrari in 2025Credit: AFP
      Seven-time world champion Hamilton is entering his final season with Mercedes after agreeing to join Ferrari next year.
      Meanwhile, Ricciardo will drive for Visa Cash App RB, formerly AlphaTauri, in 2024.
      He returned to the grid in July after replacing Nyck de Vries at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
      Asked about his interest in replacing Hamilton at Mercedes this week, Ricciardo explained: “I’m definitely not looking that far ahead.
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      “At this part of my career, looking ahead feels a bit like a year closer to the end. So it’s more reason for me to be there now and really take it race by race.
      “I guess in their (Mercedes’) position, they are in no rush. So they will judge everyone, how they are doing, the driver market, whatever. So I think this is a good position for them.
      “Part of me is also happy not to be involved in all this crazy stuff, especially this early in the season. So if the silly season happens without me, that’s fine with me at this point.”
      The 34-year-old has also been linked with a possible return to Red Bull.
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      WHO COULD REPLACE HAMILTON AT MERCEDES? Mercedes will have a vacant seat for 2025.
      Here, SunSport’s F1 correspondent Ben Hunt looks at FIVE potential candidates who could replace him and partner George Russell in the Silver Arrows.
      Oscar Piastri – McLaren have sewn up Lando Norris to a new long-term contract that should (in theory) put him out of Mercedes’ reach. However, they are yet to tie down his teammate Piastri, 22. The Aussie has an excellent record and won the Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles before spending a year on the sidelines with Alpine and getting his chance in F1 with McLaren. He impressed on his debut season last year and has the potential to be a world champion.
      Daniel Ricciardo – The experienced driver’s future remains in doubt as he bides his time at Red Bull’s B-team. Ricciardo would be low-hassle and offer some stability but by that time he would be 35. It seems unlikely that they would opt for him at this point in his career, but if he has a good season this year, he could come into the reckoning.
      Kimi Antonelli – You may not have heard of the Italian, but he is mustard. Still only 17, he has won at all the junior categories and has been part of the Mercedes young driver programme since 2019. This season he has been promoted from F4 to F2, where he has been tipped to shine. A good debut season in F2 could sway Mercedes into taking a risk on him for 2025. Antonelli and his family are close to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
      Mick Schumacher – Wolff has always been so incredibly supportive of Schumacher and spoken highly of him, that you’d at least expect him to come into consideration. He knows the team from his role as reserve driver and consequently would get up to speed. But speed is also the problem. He was shocking at Haas and if he really was THAT good, he’d still be driving in F1.
      Alex Albon – A more-sensible choice would be the London-born Albon. A great guy who is also very quick. He has a fantastic relationship with Russell and would be the low-maintenance quick partnership similar to Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas that swept to successive titles. Albon would take little convincing to join from Williams and Mercedes would not need to pay him half of the £50million they were dishing out to Hamilton.

      His former team could be looking for a new team-mate for Max Verstappen at the end of the year, with Sergio Perez under pressure to perform.
      Ricciardo has claimed eight wins and 32 podiums from his 239 F1 starts.
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      His last race victory came for McLaren at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.
      The 2024 season is set to get underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sakhir on March 2.

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      F1 fans convinced they’ve worked out who will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after spotting breakfast photo

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      FORMULA ONE fans are convinced Fernando Alonso will join Mercedes after his manager was spotted at breakfast with chief Toto Wolff.Lewis Hamilton will depart the Silver Arrows at the end of the upcoming season to join rivals Ferrari at the start of 2025.
      Fernando Alonso’s manager Flavio Briatore was spotted with Toto Wolff at breakfastCredit: Instagram / @briatoreflavio
      F1 fans think the meeting means Alonso will join MercedesCredit: Splash
      Lewis Hamilton announced he will leave Mercedes at the end of next season to join FerrariCredit: AP
      The seven-time world champion, Hamilton recently dropped the bombshell that the secret clause in his contract to sign the £100million deal with Ferrari has been triggered.
      This leaves one of the best seats in F1 open for the taking.
      And a pic of Alonso’s manager Flavio Briatore with Mercedes boss Wolff on Instagram at Pasticceria Cova Montecarlo pastry shop in Monaco on Monday has got fans speculating.
      One fan said: “They are up to something. Fernando’s name is the center of the conversation.”
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      While another added: “Fernando to Mercedes 🙂.”
      A third then put: “FLAVIO NOOO.”
      Alonso, 42, might be two-time world champion but he has not won a race since the 2013 season.
      He’s flying at the moment though, finishing fourth in the championship after eight podium finishes.
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      His contract with Aston Martin expires this year and he seems to rate his chances for a shot elsewhere, saying: “I know that I am attractive to other teams. 
      “Let’s see what the options are. I am aware of my situation which is very unique. 
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      “On a move to Mercedes, there has been nothing at all. 
      “I know the driver market has started earlier this year, but this will not affect me in terms of preparing for the season.
      “If I want to keep racing beyond this year, the first and only talk at the beginning will be Aston Martin. 
      “I trust this project and that will be my first priority.”
      The new F1 season is set to get underway with pre-season testing taking place in Bahrain on February 21 as teams prepare to show off their new liveries for the first time.
      The first race of the term will begin on March 2 in the West Asian country. More

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      Lewis Hamilton rival Fernando Alonso takes swipe at F1 star over Ferrari move and hints he could be Mercedes replacement

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      FERNANDO ALONSO has raised doubts about Lewis Hamilton’s claim that driving for Ferrari had been a “childhood dream”. Hamilton recently dropped the bombshell that he would be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025, leaving one of the best seats in F1 open for the taking.
      Hamilton and Alonso were team-mates in 2007Credit: Rex
      The pair had a mighty fall outCredit: Alamy
      Alonso has since admitted a begruding respect for the seven-time world championCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The seven-time world champion reportedly triggered a secret clause in his contract to sign the £100million deal with Ferrari.
      Hamilton subsequently claimed driving for Ferrari had been a long-term ambition, saying: “I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream – driving in Ferrari red.”
      Alonso evidently did not buy this and used the new launch of his new Aston Martin car to vent his frustration, saying: “It was not his childhood dream 12 months ago, no?
      “Or two months ago, I guess. It was a different dream.”
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      He went on to add: “I hope he enjoys the experience. I think it’s a very special team. 
      “But it’s more special when you win. It’s few years already [since] they have a very fast car and they were fighting for big things.
      “Maybe Lewis can bring that extra to fight for the championship because the car is there.”
      It’s not the first time the F1 world has seen sparks flying between the pair.
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      In Hamilton’s first season, 2007, the then McClaren team-mates had a mighty fall-out and Alonso’s contract was subsequently terminated.
      Tensions have subsided since with Alonso even admitting a begrudging “respect” for the Brit. 

      Only last year he said of Hamilton: “I have a lot of respect for him.
      “After all, we have rarely coincided in our careers in the same place.”
      But there could be a change in store as Alonso has now been tipped for Hamilton’s soon-to-be-vacated seat at the Silver Arrows. 
      Alonso, 42, might be two-time world champion but he has not won a race since the 2013 season.
      He’s flying at the moment though, finishing fourth in the championship after eight podium finishes.
      His contract with Aston Martin expires this year and he seems to rate his chances for a shot elsewhere, saying: “I know that I am attractive to other teams. 
      Alonso and Hamilton are no longer such fierce enemiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “I will not stay in Formula One just to have fun. I am not that kind of person and not that kind of driver. 
      “Let’s see what the options are. I am aware of my situation which is very unique. 
      “There are only three world champions on the grid and I am the only one available for 2025, so I am in a good position.”
      He added: “On a move to Mercedes, there has been nothing at all. 
      “I know the driver market has started earlier this year, but this will not affect me in terms of preparing for the season.
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      “If I want to keep racing beyond this year, the first and only talk at the beginning will be Aston Martin. 
      “I trust this project and that will be my first priority.” More