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    Mercedes on verge of naming Lewis Hamilton’s successor after team boss Toto Wolff’s failure to land Max Verstappen

    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

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    Lewis Hamilton lifts lid on amazing behind-the-scenes role in Brad Pitt F1 movie & why he was forced to call ‘bulls***’

    LEWIS HAMILTON has lifted the lid on his consultancy role in Brad Pitt’s new Formula One film.The movie – confusingly titled F1 – saw its first trailer released in July, but was divisive among motorsport fans.Lewis Hamilton has revealed his role in producing the new F1 filmCredit: RexThe movie is starring Brad PittCredit: GettyIt has a star-studded cast with Hollywood A-Lister Pitt starring with Damson Idris as the main cast, and has star power behind the scenes in the form of Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski.Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and composer Hans Zimmer are also playing roles to rev up the film, though it is the involvement of seven-time F1 champion Hamilton whose involvement could be most pivotal to whether it is a flop or bust.Speaking to Esquire, the 39-year-old explained his role as a producer and consultant for the movie and how he had licence to call “bull****” on some elements of the plot from screenwriter Ehren Kruger.He said: “Ehren basically did a ton of research, watched a lot of races, came to a bunch of races, and then went away and wrote up a script. But we would sit and talk about what racing is about.READ MORE IN F1″Then once he wrote the script, I would sit with him and call bulls***, basically, on the things that don’t seem real and are not what F1 is about and try to make sure that it’s as authentic as possible. “Then at the same time, I started a production company, so I’m a producer with these guys.”I’ve been able to be involved in all areas—so making sure the cast is diverse, making sure we’ve got a woman in a pit stop, which we never, ever had at the actual track. “Hans Zimmer was someone I wanted to have doing the [music for the] movie, so we have Hans Zimmer. Joe has been amazing at including me in everything.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWhen asked specifically about what he has vetoed from the script, he added: “It would just be racing scenarios. Technical jargon engineers would talk.”But particularly racing scenarios and sequences between overtakes and pit stops and strategies and all those sorts of things. Watch moment distraught F1 star Lando Norris’ interview is interrupted by Hollywood stars filming ‘fake interviews'”There may have been a crash that was like the car hits the wall and flips and lands on the wheels and keeps going, and that doesn’t happen in Formula 1.”The film’s budget has reportedly swelled to a mega $300million due to delays.In a bid to add to its authenticity, footage from actual F1 weekends has been used, such as Pitt being seen in the media mixed zone following the race.Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.Real F1 returns following the mid-season break this Sunday, where championship leader Max Verstappen will be eager to get back on the top step of the podium at his home Dutch Grand Prix.Hamilton won at the most recent race in Belgium after team-mate George Russell was disqualified when his car was found to be underweight in post-race checks.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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    Lewis Hamilton reveals F1 retirement plan as he admits ‘I don’t know how much longer I can go’ ahead of Ferrari move

    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

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    Iconic F1 track looks unrecognisable as it is demolished and reduced to heaps of rubble just three weeks after race

    THE iconic the Hungarian Grand Prix track looks virtually unrecognisable after being reduced to RUBBLE.Large parts of the the racetrack have been totally demolished just three weeks after McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won his first-ever F1 race there.The home of the Hungarian GP looks unrecognisableCredit: INSTAGRAM @hungaroring_officialMost of the track and grandstands have been demolishedCredit: INSTAGRAM @hungaroring_officialWith works planned to go until 2026Credit: INSTAGRAM @hungaroring_officialOne part of the track had already undergone a successful revamp before the GP three weeks agoCredit: INSTAGRAM @hungaroring_officialWork on the rest of the changes has startedCredit: INSTAGRAM @hungaroring_officialThe Hungaroring, known for its twisty and tight layout, is poised for significant upgrades under new ownership.The renovation comes after the track’s Formula 1 contract was extended until at least 2032.The planned changes include a new control tower, an updated main entrance, and the construction of a new media centre.Drivers will be happy to learn that a brand-new pit lane complex is also being constructed.READ MORE F1 NEWSThe paddock and fan zone behind the main grandstand had already undergone a speculator revamp before the Hungarian GP this year.Hungary’s Department of Defence, the State Secretariat for Sport, took over the ownership of the circuit in 2023.The redevelopment of the circuit will occur in stages, taking place between hosting the Hungarian GP each year until 2026.A total of 1,500 people have been working on the project, with four tower cranes and five mobile cranes in action.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAdditionally, the circuit will undergo modifications to meet the standards required for hosting a round of the MotoGP.Drivers and teams are currently enjoying a summer break and will resume the season at the Dutch racetrack on August 23.I’m a motorsports prodigy aged 18 – I have 1.5m followers on Instagram and already investing my winnings into propertyHamilton was pictured enjoying the Olympics in Paris, while George Russell took a well deserved holiday to the Cayman Islands with girlfriend Carmen Mundt.Last time out, Russell was emotionally stripped of his win at the Belgium GP after the stewards found him underweight in the post race checks.Hamilton, who finished behind Russell in an impressive Mercedes one-two, was handed his second GP win of the season after he lifted the British title for a record ninth time.Oscar Piastri won the Hungarian GP just three weeks agoCredit: The Mega AgencyThe track is known for its twisty and tight layoutCredit: Alamy More

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    Michael Schumacher’s son Mick, 25, set to be offered shock F1 return for 2025 with brand new team

    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

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    Iconic nineties F1 star looks unrecognisable in viral TikTok with his daughter as she tries on his old racing gear

    AN iconic nineties Formula One driver has stunned fans after appearing in a viral TikTok alongside his daughter.The German won three F1 races after coming through the motorsport ranks alongside Michael Schumacher. Lea Frentzen went viral in a clip trying on her fathers 1999 F1 race suitCredit: tiktok @leafrentzenHeinz-Harald Frentzen won three F1 races in the 1990sCredit: EPAThe German now has a defined beard and appears on his daughters social media pageCredit: tiktok @leafrentzenHeinz-Harald Frentzen, now 57, drove for Sauber, Williams, Jordan and Arrows during his F1 career, and managed second and third place finishes in the 1997 and 1999 seasons respectively.But more than 20 years on from his final F1 race, he appears to have found a new lease of life on social media.And he has teamed up with his daughter, Lea to do so.Lea, 24, went viral after posting a TikTok of herself trying on her dad’s old Jordan racing suit from the 1999 season.READ MORE IN F1The yellow suit still had its numerous sponsors plastered across it, with the clip then cutting to Lea zipping up the front of the suit.It remarkably appeared to be a perfect fit, which she confirmed by captioning the post: “It fits.”Other clips on her social media page show her interviewing her father, sporting a very different look from his racing days.In his younger days Frentzen sported a clean shaven face, but has now grown out his facial hair to sport a well-defined beard.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt is a look that has previously caught fans off guard, with a viral pic of Frentzen with his beard doing the rounds in October last year.Frentzen had a remarkable career as an F1 driver, both on and off the track.Greatest F1 track on Earth’ created featuring iconic parts from Silverstone, Spa and SuzukaHe was part of a big push by then F1-chief Bernie Ecclestone to get more German drivers into the sport, and being promoted shortly after Schumacher while driving alongside him and Karl Wendlinger.Earning his first seat in 1994 in the Mercedes-powered Sauber, Frentzen was eyed as a star for the future by team powerhouses at the time.Offers were forthcoming from from Williams – who won the 1993 championship – and McLaren in 1994.The Williams offer came following the death of F1 legend Ayrton Senna at the Imola Grand Prix that year.However, he turned it down out of loyalty to Sauber who had given him his big break.The latter went a very different way, coming directly from ex-McLaren CEO Ron Dennis before a harmless joke saw the move collapse.Frentzen said on the Beyond the Grid F1 podcast: “You know why I never got a chance at McLaren? In 1994 in Adelaide, my manager came to me and said then I had a call, Ron Dennis wanted to see me…”So, Ron Dennis came to me and said, ‘Hey Heinz, how is your English?’, and he said, ‘there might be some improvement in your English’.”And then I said for fun, ‘and how is your German?’, because we knew that Mercedes was coming to McLaren [as an engine supplier]. ‘You have to learn German as well’, I said.”He had a stone face. I was thinking I was funny, and my manager just pushed my arm like ‘what the f*** did you say that for?’. And I saw the face of Ron Dennis, and he never ever spoke again with me. He competed with Michael Schumacher for the F1 world championshipCredit: ReutersHe was surprisingly sacked by Jordan F1 team in 2001Credit: AP:Associated Press”He was so upset that I made this joke. And that’s why I never really had a chance at McLaren, because Ron Dennis for some reason didn’t like my sense of humour.”Frentzen won his first F1 race in 1997 when he also scored podiums in seven other races to finish second in the Championship.Despite a race win season and finishing second in the championship, there was a massive drop in performance in 1998, one Frentzen cannot explain to this day.In 1999, Frentzen headed to Jordan in a straight swap with Ralf Schumacher and came within touching distance of landing the title. Two race wins had put him on the path to glory despite a run-in with Schumacher at the Canadian GP when the Ferrari accelerated out of the pits and onto the racing line, causing Frentzen to spin out when he was poised to take the lead.Retirement at the European Grand Prix due to overlooking the anti-stall system later in the season would be the final nail in the coffin for his title hopes.Things did not get better for Frentzen at Jordan. In 2001 events came to a head when team principal Eddie Jordan sacked Frentzen halfway through the season.Frentzen claimed he had discussed terms with Jordan with a promise to sign him onto the team for next season, before learning he would not be signing a new deal.Frentzen said: “I was really upset and the team was upset that I was upset. It was a very bad situation… since then it [the relationship] was never the same again.”We arrived to Malaysia but everything was different. I have no explanation (to where the performance of the car went). “It was like someone was pulling a plug. Something was not running round anymore (in the car).READ MORE SUN STORIES”Then Eddie sacked me. There was no reason, it was just out of the blue with this letter from a lawyer and informed me, so that was a big shock… Eddie was getting a little stranger each race.”Frentzen eventually left F1 in 2003, later competing in Speedcar series, Le Mans 24hr and GT racing until 2014.Fans have been caught off guard by his new lookCredit: X heinz Harald Frentzen🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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    Lewis Hamilton WINS Belgian Grand Prix as team-mate George Russell is DISQUALIFIED hours after F1 race ends

    LEWIS HAMILTON has won the Belgian GP in dramatic style 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.Race winner George Russell was stripped of the Belgian GP after his car was found to be underweightCredit: GettyHe was left distraught with the decisionCredit: RexHamilton was celebrating even before the result was changed after team-mate’s Russell’s ‘victory’Unfortunately George has been disqualified for his car being below the minimum required weight. Here’s Toto’s reaction. pic.twitter.com/a3qJLyrwr8— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) July 28, 2024

    After confirmation from the stewards, Russell’s disqualification meant team-mate Hamilton was crowned the race winner after finishing second at Spa.Hamilton – whose two pits caused him to drop in behind Russell – originally formed an impressive Mercedes one-two after the team ditched their updates on Friday.But the Silver Arrows’ one-stop strategy likely wore down the rubber on Russell’s tyres and is being citied as the main reason the car came in underweight.The W15 weighed in at 796.5kg, 1.5kg beneath the minimum weight required by the sport’s regulations.READ MORE ON F1The car had initially weighed in bang on the 798kg limit, but once the remaining fuel was drained in accordance with the rules, it fell below.The decision gives Hamilton a second victory in three races going into F1’s summer break, with Max Verstappen topping the standings.Mercedes told the stewards that “there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team”.Russell reacted to his disqualification with an Instagram post, writing: “Heartbreaking… We came in 1.5kg underweight and have been disqualified from the race.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We left it all on the track today and I take pride in crossing the line first. There will be more to come.”The stewards’ ruling said: “Car 63 was weighed on the FIA inside and outside scales with both scales showing the same result of 796.5 kg. “The calibration of both scales was confirmed and witnessed by the competitor.”The Stewards determine that Article 4.1 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty for such an infringement needs to be applied.””The car was weighed again on the FIA inside and outside scales and the weight was 796.5 kg.”How the race went for RussellRussell managed to hold off the seven-time world champion on 24 laps on ONE SET of hard tyres to claim his second title of the season.He put in an extraordinary drive to run an unusual one-stop strategy in a race that featured battles throughout the leading places.The 26-year-old started three places behind Hamilton in P6.Oscar Piastri came a close third for McLaren after a late overtake on Charles Leclerc.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff believes it could have been the one-tyre strategy that cost Russell his race win.Wolff said: “I would suspect it’s because we ran one tyre throughout for most of the race.”You have to take it on the chin. If the stewards decide against ourselves, a mistake has happened.”A one-two would have been a great result going into the summer break, it couldn’t be any better.”READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile Red Bull team boss Christian Horner claimed that Russell’s car would have lost over a kilo of rubber with the one-stop strategy.He said: “Really sad news as George but obviously a mistake in their calculations.” More

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    George Russell BEATS Lewis Hamilton in F1 Belgian Grand Prix after dramatic late battle with incredible strategy

    GEORGE RUSSELL completed his redemption by battling to a shock victory at the Belgian Grand Prix. The Mercedes man said: “Amazing strategy, you guys are the best” after he fought from sixth in the grid to first after a lacklustre qualifying session. George Russell pipped Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian GPCredit: APRussell’s one-stop strategy paid dividendsCredit: ReutersHamilton led the race from lap three after overtaking future Ferrari team-mate Charles LeclercCredit: AFPMercedes boss Toto Wolff labelled Russell the “tyre whisperer” after the race, given he endured a whopping 34 laps on his tyres before crossing the line. It will be extra special for the British 26-year-old given his petrol nightmare in Hungary when he ran out of fuel in qualifying, leaving him starting in 17th, and having to reitre his car in Silverstone before that. It will be a tough one to take for Hamilton who was snapping at the heels of his teammate by half a second until the very end as Oscar Piastri settled for third. . The seven-time world champion had not won a race for all of last season but has come alive since Barcelona.READ MORE IN F1He nabbed his first podium of the year in Spain with a third-place finish before his Silverstone heroics. Hamilton enjoyed a blistering start in his Mercedes, overtaking Sergio Perez on the first-lap. The seven-time world champion then eased past Charles Leclerc and into the lead on lap three. Lando Norris suffered another miserable start as he slipped from fourth into seventh. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBy lap 22 Max Verstappen was battling with his old pal Norris, having bulldozed away from starting in 11th place due to a grid penalty. Small mistakes hurt Norris throughout who had a go at overtaking the Dutchman into the final chicane of lap 24 but locked up and veered off the track. Watch Rowan Atkinson ‘do Martin Brundle impression to Martin Brundle’ without Sky Sports F1 reporter having a clueRussell led the charge with eight laps to go but Hamilton was chipping away at his teammate in second. Oscar Piastri danced around the outside of Leclerc to take third-place as he trailed Hamilton by five seconds on lap 36. 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.Russell, Hamilton and Piastri were separated by a whisker in the final eight laps which was a welcome sight at a track which has been so used to Verstappen’s dominance. The win moved Russell back to within two points of his team-mate in the driver standings, while Piastri leapfrogged Carlos Sainz into fourth.McLaren’s 20-point haul also took a bite out of Red Bull’s lead in the constructors, though this was slightly mitigated by eighth-place Perez winning an extra point for the fastest lap.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 TBCSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and TBCRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More