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      F1 chiefs add never-before-seen features including an ICE RINK to Las Vegas track to deliver ‘best Grand Prix ever’

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      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

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals he’ll have to fly FIGHTER JETS when he retires from F1 as Brit legend reveals retirement plan

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      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

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      Lewis Hamilton receives fashion advice from Vogue editor Anna Wintour as they watch US Open Final

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      VOGUE US editor Anna Wintour serves up some fashion advice for F1 star Lewis Hamilton as they watch the tennis together.The pair greeted each other before seeing Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, beat America’s Jessica Pegula at the women’s singles final of the US Open in New York.Anna Wintour serves up some fashion advice for Lewis Hamilton as they watch the tennis togetherCredit: AFPThe pair greeted each other at the final of the US Open in New YorkCredit: ReutersThey watched Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula at thewomen’s singlesCredit: ReutersLewis, 39, and Anna are huge tennis fans and last watched a game together at Wimbledon in 2018.Anna, 74, is thought to have advised him on his fashion deals — including with Tommy Hilfiger.Lewis was invited to her annual Met Gala event for the first time in 2015 and said: “That was a very overwhelming experience. “There’s just so much glitz and glamour.”Read More on ShowbizNaomi Campbell may have made a major mistake this week by bad-mouthing Anna on stage – in a room of fashion’s biggest movers and shakers.During a speech at a New York Fashion Week ceremony for Harlem’s Fashion Row, the Vogue editor-in-chief – who is famous for her dark glasses – referred to Naomi’s notorious lateness.She told the audience: “I am a very punctual person, and I have the honour of presenting tonight to someone who is often late.”But Naomi, who wore a black gown and had a bandage on her knee, lived up to her reputation and was so late that Anna eventually left.Most read in MotorsportHarper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr presented her with the Fashion Icon Award.From Stella McCartney’s feud with an icon to Anna Wintour slamming Kate Moss – how the fashion industry exploded in 90s More

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      Savage sackings that prove F1 is world’s most cut-throat sport – including star axed by email from PA… on his birthday

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      WITHIN days of smashing his car at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, Logan Sargeant’s career was up in flames too.The Williams driver crashed and burned during practice for the race at Zandvoort, and was swiftly removed from his seat in the team for the rest of the season.Logan Sargeant was axed after crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix last weekendCredit: GettySargeant’s car was badly damaged at the Circuit Park ZandvoortCredit: GettyMagnussen, with his wife Louise Gjorup, was fired by emailCredit: AlamyMick Schumacher, pictured with girlfriend Laila Hasanovic, was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobbyCredit: InstagramOf course, in the savage world of motor racing, Sargeant, 23, is just the latest in a long line of drivers to be brutally axed without warning.Here, we explore the scandalous sackings that prove Formula One is the world’s most cut-throat business – including the racer unfortunate enough to be let go by email on his birthday.Sacked by PA on his birthdayDanish 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.”It was a short paragraph explaining that there would be nothing for me in the future,” recalled Magnussen, now 31. “It arrived on my birthday actually.”A year earlier his predecessor Sergio Perez, 34, had been offered a contract, signed the documents and sent them back to McLaren – only to learn he was being dropped in favour of Magnussen.Most read in Motorsport’Crashgate’ scandalWhen Renault decided to axe Nelson Piquet Junior in 2009 it led to one of the biggest scandals to ever engulf the sport.After Piquet, the son a of a three-time F1 World Champion, failed to score any points at all in the first half of the season, team boss Flavio Briatore fired him.Formula One’s Highest EarnersBut Piquet shot back – alleging that Briatore and other members of the management team had ordered him to deliberately crash out of the Singapore Grand Prix to help teammate Fernando Alonso secure a victory.Renault and Briatore launched criminal proceedings, claiming that Piquet was blackmailing them so he could finish the season.Investigations eventually revealed that Piquet’s claims were true, in what became known as the ‘Crashgate’ scandal.Renault were slapped with a two-year suspended ban by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for conspiring to cause a crash.The aftermath of Nelson Piquet’s crash into a wall at the Singapore Grand Prix in September 2008.Credit: Sutton ImagesNelson Piquet leaves FIA headquarters in Paris after hearing at the World Motor Sports Council as part of the “Crashgate” affair in 2009.Credit: AFPItalian Flavio Briatore in October 2008, shortly before firing Piquet from the Renault team.Credit: EPA”The conditions I had to deal with have been very strange to say the least,” said Piquet later. “There are incidents that I can hardly believe occurred myself.”A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you, and provide you with opportunities. “In my case it was the opposite – Flavio Briatore was my executioner.”‘Dumped by text’Red Bull picked up a reputation for being ruthless right from the start.They were said to be tough on all their drivers, even four-time ChampCar winner Sebastien Bourdais, who signed up to partner with Sebastian Vettel at their team Toro Rosso in 2008.Bourdais car flew as he crashed with team mate Sebastien Buemi, Force India’s Adrian Sutil and Renault’s Nelson Piquet the start of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix in 2009.Credit: ReutersSebastien Bourdais and his wife Claire in the pits after the qualifying session of the French Grand Prix in June 2008.Credit: AFPWhen the Frenchman struggled to make progress, he was swiftly dropped in favour of young Spanish driver Jaime Alguersuari.And he later revealed he had been dumped by a brisk TEXT from team boss Franz Tost.”The way they got rid of me was very disappointing,” said Bourdais. “He did not speak with me. He did not call me. “Everything was done by SMS, which to me has no style.”Tost denied the allegations, saying: “I told Monsieur Bourdais personally that he is not going drive anymore and did not write any SMS.”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 OconDitched for last race over rantAlthough he almost triumphed in the 1990 World Championship for Ferrari, the following year was a disaster for Alain Prost.He finished in fifth place but openly criticised his car at the Japanese Grand Prix.”After a few laps, the shock absorbers no longer worked and the steering was incredibly hard,” said Prost, now 69.”At the end of the race, I said it was like driving a horrible truck, no pleasure.”Prost with Ferrari’s Sporting Director Cesare Fiorio in Portugal back in 1990Credit: GettyProst retired from the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix after his clutch seized and he spun off the trackCredit: GettyBoss Claudio Lombardi was furious and fired him ahead of the season closer in Australia.Lombardi said later: “The behaviour of Alain Prost during this season has not been at the level that Ferrari would like from a top driver.”His behaviour insider and outside the team meant that Ferrari had to stop the relationship.”Read of sacking on AutosportJolyon Palmer smashed into Romain Grosjean of Haas F1 Team at the Russian Grand Prix in 2017.Credit: EPAPalmer in the pit lane at Silverstone in July 2017.Credit: EPAWhen he was a member of the Renault team in 2017, British commentator Jolyon Palmer, now 33, was replaced by Carlos Sainz.The problem was that nobody had told him and Palmer only realised what was happening when he logged on and saw the news online. “I knew when I read it on Autosport,” he explained.”And then I knew it was true as well, I spoke to some people. “That was it.”Axed by faxHeinz-Harald was supported by wife TanjaCredit: GettyHeinz-Harald crashed into the guard rail during the Monaco time trials in May 1997.Credit: ReutersJordan driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen was axed by the Irish team midway through 2001 – by fax.His contract was unceremoniously torn up following an exchange of views at Silverstone, which resulted in Frentzen taking Jordan to court.The contract dispute was resolved ‘amicably’ at the end of 2002.Mick SchumacherLast year Mick Schumacher was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobby with team boss Guenther Steiner.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe German driver, 25, had failed to secure his seat, and with Haas bringing in veteran Nico Hulkenberg for 2003, he was sacked ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.Steiner told Bild+: “He was certainly suspecting something, he doesn’t live under a rock.”Mick and his partner Laila Hasonovic during the Spanish Grand Prix in June.Credit: GettySchumacher with Haas F1 team’s Italian team principal Guenther SteinerCredit: AFP More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes CONFIRMED as teen star replaces legend despite suffering huge crash in audition

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’s Mercedes replacement has been announced.Kimi Antonelli, who only drove a Formula One car competitively for the first time this weekend, will take the seven-time world champion’s seat in 2025.Kimi Antonelli will take the Silver Arrows’ hot seat next seasonCredit: RexLewis Hamilton’s Mercedes replacement has been revealedCredit: GettyAntonelli made his F1 debut in FP1 of the Italian Grand PrixCredit: GettyHamilton announced the bombshell news he was leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025 at the start of the season.It led to rampant speculation about who might replace the 39-year-old F1 great, which included ambitious plans to poach world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull.However, Mercedes junior and F2 driver Antonelli had been among the names in the discussion from the very start. And the 18-year-old has now been named as the driver to partner George Russell from next season.READ MORE IN F1A Mercedes statement said: “Introducing to the stage… Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.”Today, the team is announcing its 2025 driver line-up, with 18-year-old Italian Kimi joining multiple Grand Prix-winner George behind the wheel for next season.”Kimi will make the step up from F2 and graduate from the team’s junior programme, just like a certain George Russell, who made the jump up to F1 in 2019 after a superb two-year junior spell with us.”Antonelli suffered a heavy crash when taking the seat of George Russell’s car around the Monza circuit on Friday in FP1 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Italian driver had looked extremely quick on his lap, but was caught out at the famous Curva Parabolica corner, where the safety car had also crashed a day earlier.He has won one feature race and one sprint race in F2 this season and stands 7th overall in the driver’s championship standings.F1 Aston Martin safety car crashing at ParabolicaOn the news, Antonelli said: “It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025.”Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. “I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team.”He will be the first Italian to drive for the F1 team since Piero Taruffi in 1955.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 OconToto Wolff said of the decision: “Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth and out-and-out raw speed.“We are excited about what George and Kimi bring to the team both as individual drivers, but also as a partnership.“Our new line-up is perfect to open the next chapter in our story. It is also a testament to the strength of our junior programme and our belief in home-grown talent.“George has proved that he is one of the very best drivers in the world. He is not only fast, consistent, and determined, but has also developed into a strong leader within the team.Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.“Kimi has consistently shown the talent and speed needed to compete at the very top of our sport. “We know it will be another big step up, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will be supporting him every step of the way in the learning process.“In George, he has an experienced team-mate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field.”The move now means there are just two open grid slots for 2025, with Australian Jack Doohan recently being announced for Alpine.Who is Kimi Antonelli?Antonelli was born in Bologna on 25 August 2006.His father, Marco, is a former racing driver and is the owner and team principal of AKM Motorsport – a team which has had motorsport success in many categories.Antonelli’s full name is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with his middle name being given to him by a family friend of his father, who wanted him to have a “foreign” name after Andrea.Marco originally wanted his son to become a footballer but moved him into karting when he showed more passion for motorsport.He has won single-seater championships in Italian F4, the ADAC Formula 4 Championship and 2023 Formula Regional European Championship for Prema and the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship with Mumbai Falcons.Mercedes boss Wolff has supported Antonelli since his days in karting.Before announcing him as a Mercedes driver, Wolff admitted he was guilty of “talking too much” about the prodigy – who was granted permission to skip F3 and jump straight into F2.Hamilton said he was “really excited” to see him progress.He said: “I said a long time ago that I think that’s who the team should choose moving forwards.”Time will tell what they end up deciding to do. He’s one of those young, super-talented kids that’s come through, he’s a young adult now but he’s only 18.“I think it would be good for people to remember he is just turning 18. He’s got a bright future ahead of him, and I’m really excited to see and watch his progress.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I saw a picture earlier on of us back in, I think, 2018 and he was one of the grid kids and I’m shaking his hand at the front of the grid! “It reminds you of how old you are when you have those experiences! But [I’m] looking forward to seeing his growth and his journey through into Formula 1.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Watch Lewis Hamilton’s potential successor Antonelli fail Mercedes audition with HUGE blunder in Italian GP practice

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S potential successor Andrea Kimi Antonelli suffered a huge crash in the Mercedes car during a practice session at the Italian Grand Prix.Italian Antonelli, 18, is on the verge of being announced as George Russell’s team-mate next year after impressing in the Silver Arrows’ junior set-up.Andrea Kimi Antonelli spun out during the first practice session at the Italian GPCredit: X @SkySportsF1He swerved towards the wall just 10 minutes into P1Credit: X @SkySportsF1Antonelli smashed into the wall but was able to climb out of the carCredit: X @SkySportsF1He apologised to the team after the crashCredit: X @SkySportsF1Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed earlier this month Max Verstappen will not be signing for them next year, leaving the door open for the young prodigy.But Antonelli’s bid to seal his seat suffered a massive blow on Friday afternoon when he crashed during his stint in the first practice session at Monza.He spun out just 10 minutes into P1 and crashed into the wall as a red flag was waved.Antonelli got out of the car and walked away seemingly unscathed after apologising to the team on the radio.READ MORE IN F1In response, Wolff replied: “Kimi, all good. All good, Kimi.”Antonelli, who has been with Mercedes since he was 11 years of age, was touted as one of a number of candidates to replace Hamilton after the seven-time champion announced he would be joining Ferrari in 2025.Driving the Mercedes car in front of his home fans will have been a special moment for the teenager.And Wolff said: “Qualifying with Kimi in Monza will be emotional because we have followed him since he was 11.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁”Having an Italian kid in a competitive car, everybody in Italy can be  proud.”Antonelli began karting at the age of just seven and won the CIK-FIA Karting European Champion in both 2020 and 2021.Watch Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton’s tense exchange after Hungarian Grand Prix as fans hint at ‘underlying issue’ He then made his debut in single-seaters for Prema Racing in the Italian F4 Championship three weeks after turning 15.He has a number of wins to his name in F4, along with 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.” More

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

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      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***’

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      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