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      ‘Looks like he’s about to hit a 9-darter’ – Lewis Hamilton models new Ferrari gear but fans notice ‘hideous’ issue

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      FANS have noticed a “hideous” issue with Ferrari’s new gear after it was modelled by Lewis Hamilton.The British F1 star will be racing for the Italian team this year after his move from Mercedes.Lewis Hamilton has modelled the new Ferrari polo shirtFans spotted a ‘hideous’ issue with the topHamilton, 40, has worn the team’s new polo shirt for a photoshoot ahead of the new season.The fans were not keen on the shirt and the logos splattered all over it.Some had a particular issue with the HP logo that appeared to be larger than the Ferrari one.They flooded social media with their reactions to Hamilton’s new gear.READ MORE ON SPORTOne posted: “Looks like he’s about to hit a nine-darter.”A second commented: “The HP logo bigger than the Ferrari logo.”A third wrote: “Those logos make the kit look hideous.”A fourth said: “The HP logo is bigger than anything else there. It stands out and not in a good way.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAnother added: “Sorry, Ferrari, this isn’t it.”Hamilton has already been behind the wheel of a Ferrari but crashed during his second test run at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia But it could be a good omen as he has won titles at his two previous teams after crashing in pre-season testing.Elsewhere, fans have been left convinced that Hamilton rival Max Verstappen will quit F1.The speculation has come after Ford announced it would be returning to the World Endurance Championship.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 OconUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      Legendary Mercedes driven by five-time F1 champion sold for £42.7MILLION – more than double previous record

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      AN ICONIC Mercedes Formula One car has made history by doubling the record for the most expensive Grand Prix car ever sold.The striking silver Mercedes W196 R Stromlinienwage, chassis number 00009/54, was sold for a staggering £42.7million (€52.92m) by an unnamed buyer.The Mercedes W196 R has been sold for £42.7m at an auction in GermanyCredit: PAThe car was driven in 1955 by F1 icons Juan Manuel Fangio and Sir Stirling MossCredit: Times Newspapers LtdThe striking silver car doubled the record for most expensive grand prix car soldCredit: PAIt is one of only four complete designs builtCredit: PAOne of only four complete versions ever built, it is only one of the most famous racing cars ever made having been driven by five-time F1 champion Juan Manuel Fangio and British icon Sir Stirling Moss.Boasting a top speed of 186mph, the remarkable machine that typifies the “Silver Arrows” nickname claimed victory on its debut in 1955 at the Buenos Aires Grand Prix, but with a cigar shaped open-wheel design.It won five more races that season to win both the driver’s and constructors’ championship.The car was sold by RM Sotheby’s on behalf of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.READ MORE IN F1The previous record for the most expensive grand prix car sold also belongs to a Fangio-driven Mercedes, the 1954 Mercedes W196 which sold at Goodwood, England for £19.6m ($29.6m) in 2013.However, it pales in comparison to the most expensive sports car ever sold.That title belongs to 300SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which was sold in May 2022 for £113m ($140m).The W196 R was donated to the IMS by Mercedes in 1965, and was held for almost 60 years before being auctioned off to raise funds for the museum’s restoration efforts.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSIMS curator, Jason Vansickle, said: “It’s a beautiful car, it’s a very historic car, it’s just a little bit outside our scope window.”We’ve been fortunate to be stewards of this vehicle for nearly 60 years and it has been a great piece in the museum but with this auction and the proceeds raised, it really will allow us… to be better in the future.”Mercedes launch sleek new PureSpeed racer with NO windscreen & 195mph top speedMercedes withdrew from the motorsport in 1955 following a Le Mans 24 Hours disaster which tragically killed 84 people.They eventually returned in 2010, where they have since won eight constructors titles and seven drivers titles – six with Lewis Hamilton and one with Nico Rosberg. More

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      F1 star banned from releasing NUDE calendar as team chief says X-rated pictures are ‘not on’

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      FORMULA ONE star Valtteri Bottas is set to be banned from releasing nude photos. The 35-year-old has re-joined Mercedes ahead of the new season as a reserve driver.Valtteri Bottas will have to ditch his nude calendarsThe Mercedes reserve driver is no stranger to stripping offCredit: @valtteribottasBottas’ calendar was called ‘Botass 2024’Credit: SplashToto Wolff wants to keep him ‘authentic’Credit: RexBottas is no stranger to stripping off, having shown off his bum in ‘cracking’ Netflix documentary Drive to Survive and he has posted snaps of himself swimming naked in a river online.The Finnish icon also released a nude calendar last year, hilariously titling it “Botass 2024”.All cash made was donated to Prostate Cancer Research and he reportedly raised £121,000 for the good cause.But Bottas now needs to keep his kit on as Mercedes chief Toto Wolff suggested it is time for him to reign it in.READ MORE IN F1He told R365: “We are Mercedes, so maybe the nude calendar is not on anymore.“So we have said that, but we need to keep him authentic.”Wolff added with a smile: “If he wants to keep the ugly mullet, then he should.”Bottas’ Mercedes return is a homecoming for the veteran, who twice came second in the standings to team-mate Lewis Hamilton in 2019 and 2020.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe has spent the last three seasons with Alfa Romeo and Sauber respectively, going from wearing nothing to scoring nothing across the whole of last term.George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli are on the grid for Mercedes.Valtteri Bottas hits the tattoo parlour to get inked The Italian is set to debut at the Australian Grand Prix and become the third-youngest driver in Formula One history at 18 years and 203 days oldF1 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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      Why Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari crash is a good omen for record F1 world title hopes… but not this year

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      LEWIS HAMILTON suffered an unfortunate crash for Ferrari on Wednesday.The 40-year-old, driving in just his second testing session for his new team, lost control of his car in the final part of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.Lewis Hamilton suffered a crash while driving for Ferrari on WednesdayCredit: RexHamilton suffered similar crashes against with Mercedes and McLarenCredit: Getty Images – GettyAnd it may outline when Hamilton could win his next F1 titleCredit: GettyHis car – Ferrari’s 2023 Formula One challenger – is said to have sustained “significant” damage to its suspension and some aerodynamic parts.Fortunately, Hamilton walked away unharmed and with an improved understanding of the hardware he will use throughout the season.However, his crash could actually be an omen for when he will win his next F1 title.The last Briton to win the title at Ferrari was John Surtees in 1964, while no driver has ever won an eighth world title before.READ MORE IN F1Michael Schumacher is the only other driver to match Hamilton’s tally of seven, winning five of his seven titles with the Scuderia between 2000 and 2004.And Hamilton could now be counting the stars towards title number eight following his crash.That is because the Stevenage-born racer has ended up winning the title with each of his two previous teams after crashing in pre-season testing.Hamilton first crashed his car during his rookie season with McLaren in 2007 after losing control and skating across the gravel and into the wall at 186mph during testing in Valencia.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe then repeated this unfortunate event in 2013 after moving to Mercedes as he suffered a brake failure at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain.However, in both cases, Hamilton then went on to win the title in his second season with the team.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia Hamilton picked up his maiden F1 World Driver’s Championship in 2008 after going agonisingly close in 2007, while he also picked up the first of his six titles with the Silver Arrows in 2014.History appears to have repeated itself at his third team with his debut season testing crash happening in Spain.Ferrari finished second in 2024’s Constructor’s Championship, and will consequently have precious extra time testing aerodynamics in their wind-tunnel compared to winners McLaren.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 OconThat could give the Scuderia a vital edge to winning one of the two titles in 2025.Should the stars align for Hamilton once again, he should land the World Driver’s Championship in 2026, rather than the upcoming season.But that just so happens to be the year new F1 technical regulations hit, with smaller cars and more efficient engines present which could disrupt the playing field.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 2025 season gets underway on March 16 in Melbourne, Australia.Every team will reveal their car liveries at the same time on February 18 at the O2 Arena in London to celebrate F1’s 75th anniversary. More

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      Lewis Hamilton CRASHES in second test with Ferrari since £100m deal as incident causes ‘serious damage’ and long delay

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has crashed during Ferrari testing in Barcelona.The seven-time Formula One world champion has been preparing for the new season by getting to grips with his new Ferrari hardware.Lewis Hamilton has crashed out of Ferrari testing in BarcelonaCredit: RexHamilton had been getting to grips with his new hardware ahead of the 2025 seasonCredit: RexAfter his initial introduction at Maranello last week, Hamilton got behind the wheel for the first time at the Scuderia’s facility at Fiorano, where he completed 30 laps.However, during his second test run at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Hamilton did not fare as well.It is understood the 40-year-old suffered a minor crash after he went off at the final part of the circuit – including two high-speed right-hand corners – while driving the 2023 Ferrari F1 car.The damage to the suspension of the car and some aerodynamic parts is said to be “significant”, but thankfully Hamilton is reported to have no injuries and is completely fine.Hamilton was driving the morning session for testing in the SF-23, while team-mate Charles Leclerc was set to gear up for the afternoon running, though the crash is set to delay the Monegasque’s session.The pair shared testing duties during testing on Tuesday.F1 teams are heavily restricted in how much testing they can do with older car models, with just four days per year permitted.Testing restrictions dictate that current race drivers can complete a maximum of 1,000km (621 miles) of what is known as TPC (testing of previous cars) running.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAccording to BBC Sport, Ferrari are giving no specific details of the crash but will reveal their 2025 challenger on February 19.Despite a crash never being a good thing, it may actually be a good omen for Hamilton’s title chances.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia Hamilton suffered testing crashes in his debut seasons with both McLaren in 2007 and Mercedes in 2013 before he would then go on to win the title in his second season in both cars.And if history repeats itself, Hamilton would be en route to win his eighth world title in 2026 – the season the new regulations hit the sport.Hamilton is just the 13th British driver to take the wheel at Ferrari and the second to do so permanently in the 21st century. The last Briton to drive for the Scuderia full-time was Eddie Irvine from 1999 to 2002.However, the last title won by a Brit in scarlet red came more than 60 years ago with John Surtees in 1964.After floundering form at Mercedes, Hamilton stunned the world this time last year by revealing he had agreed to quit Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari in a £100million deal.While Hamilton’s base salary is said to be worth £50m a season, his overall contract once sponsorships and bonuses are included is reported to be worth a staggering £363m.After being revealed in Ferrari colours last week, Hamilton said on Instagram: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today, my first as a Ferrari driver, is one of those days.READ MORE SUN STORIES”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.”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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      F1 star wears budgie smugglers as he competes in race he founded in completely different sport

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      VALTTERI BOTTAS swapped his Formula One race suit for some budgie smugglers as he went cycling in Australia.Bottas, 35, lost his F1 seat at Kick Sauber last season and has since been signed up as Mercedes reserve driver for the 2025 season.Valtteri Bottas was seen wearing budgie smugglers in AustraliaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/10sportau/It came as he went to start line for a gravel cycling raceCredit: https://www.instagram.com/10sportau/Bottas asked for some sun screen from the crowdCredit: https://www.instagram.com/10sportau/He generously applied it when he got someCredit: https://www.instagram.com/10sportau/Bottas posed with a fan with an identical look who even had his mulletCredit: https://www.instagram.com/10sportau/But before it gets underway in March, Bottas was taking in some sun in Australia.The ten-time Grand Prix winner was seen in nothing but budgie smugglers, glasses and a helmet as he rode to the start line of the Tour Down Under ‘Budgy Beach Shakeout Ride’.As he reached the start line, he could be heard saying, “Morning” to the people behind the cameras.He then asked: “Does anyone have sunscreen,” prompting laughter from the crowd.READ MORE IN F1The Finn managed to get his hands on some sunscreen and was seen generously applying it to his arms.He then posed for some photos with another budgie smuggler-wielding cyclist, who also came with a mullet hairstyle like Bottas’.Bottas – an avid cyclist away from motorsport – founded the TDU with professional cyclist and South Australian Tiffany Cromwell, who is also his partner of five years, and former professional American cyclist Amy Charity.The event sees gravel cycling put into a competitive light.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe actual event gets underway across the McLaren Vale wine region in the Fleurieu Peninsula from Friday 24 January, just 30 minutes from Adelaide’s city centre.  It also offers an experience for new and veteran cyclists with two course distances.F1 star Valtteri Bottas completes Ironman triathlon in his own back garden just days after being axed by SauberThese are from the new e-bike and beginner-friendly Vineyard Route and the signature 108k Blue Course through the Adelaide Hills.Bottas’ former team-mate Lewis Hamilton has been enjoying his first week at Ferrari after having a tour of Maranello and having his first drive in a Ferrari car. More

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      F1 fans go wild as they’re convinced WINDOWS behind Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari unveiling pic have a secret meaning

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      FORMULA One fans are convinced that the WINDOWS behind Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari photo-shoot have a secret meaning.Hamilton drove his new SF-24 for the first time this morning after arriving at Ferrari’s HQ in Maranello.Lewis Hamilton has been pictured on his first official day working at FerrariCredit: PABut fans are convinced that the windows have secret meaningHamilton wore a beaming smile as he greeted eager fansThe Brit posted a photo on social media of him standing outside a red house and next to a scarlet red Ferrari F40 on Monday.But the picture, outside the home of team founder Enzo Ferrari, sparked a bizarre theory online.Fans noted that the house had seven windows – a possible hint towards the number of World Drivers’ championships Hamilton has won.But it was the red door in the middle, with the yellow flag above it, that had F1 enthusiasts excited.READ MORE F1 NEWSPeople proposed that the door may symbolise that his arrival will open the gates to him winning a record-breaking eighth title.Hamilton, who has logged the most race wins in F1 history (105), tied Michael Schumacher’s seven titles in 2020.A year later, his historic title fight with Max Verstappen saw him controversially miss out on breaking the record.Race director Michael Masi was sacked from his role for his “human error” mistake in the final race of the season.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Aussie failed to follow strict safety car rules in the Abu Dhabi GP finale and set up a final lap showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen.The upshot was that Verstappen on fresh tyres was able to pass Hamilton half a lap from the end of the race and win the title. Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decadeHamilton, 40, will hope the iconic red brings him fresh joy and luck on the track this year.One viral X user captioned their post: “7 windows and a door to 8th! 👑♥️.”While another fan said: “Ferrari knew what they were doing with this photo – manifesting some destiny right here.”A third added: “Hopefully Lewis can walk through that eighth door!”Hamilton said he had always dreamed of driving for the ScuderiaHamilton wrote on Instagram: “There are some days that you know you’ll remember forever and today 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.”He becomes the 13th British driver to race for Ferrari in F1.The 40-year-old is following in the footsteps of Nigel Mansell, Eddie Irvine and John Surtees – the last Brit to win the world title in red in 1964.Ollie Bearman, who will drive for Haas on the 2025 grid, became the the first Brit to drive for Ferrari in the 21st century in Saudi Arabia last season.READ MORE SUN STORIESHamilton’s deal, reported to be worth £363million including salary, bonuses, image rights and sponsorships, will run until 2027.The Brit has just over a month to ease into life in scarlet red before pre-season testing commences in Bahrain on February 26.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 will have to follow strict rule at Ferrari that he hasn’t had to worry about at any previous F1 team

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      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