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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 breaks silence on Mercedes exit and reveals ‘surreal’ atmosphere ahead of final season with F1 team

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      LEWIS HAMILTON says he is determined to sign off his time with Mercedes with a bang and reckons he is fitter and hungrier than ever.Hamilton stunned F1 by announcing that he was quitting Mercedes after 11 years to join Ferrari in 2025.
      The seven-time Drivers Championship winner will join Ferrari in 2025Credit: AFP
      The seven-time Drivers Championship winner will join Ferrari in 2025Credit: AFP
      Hamilton plans to end his final season with Mercedes with a bangCredit: INSTAGRAM@LEWISHAMILTOJ
      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.
      He said: “I feel the most motivated and focused I’ve ever been. Every year you come back and you’re like ‘I’m fitter than ever’ and all these things.
      “However, I genuinely feel that I have put in more work and more time and more focus to prepare for this year.
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      “I never thought that at this point in my life I would have hunger like I do right now.
      “And to finish on the high with the team, it would be a dream.
      “We’ve gone through a whole heap together, so to finish on a high would be the greatest honour and to help them get back to the top.”
      Speaking at Silverstone ahead of the team’s shakedown with teammate George Russell, Hamilton added: ‘It’s obviously been emotional.
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      “It’s very surreal to be here. I came here in 2013, 11 years with the team, this is the start of my 12th.
      “The focus through the whole of winter training is getting the team back to where we once were.
      Did Charles Leclerc drop secret hint about Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari from Mercedes in awkward interview LAST YEAR?
      “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.”
      Meanwhile, Wolff says his team “have a mountain to climb” after winning just once over the past two years.
      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 added: “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.
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      “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.”
      Sir Lewis Hamilton feels fitter than ever ahead of his final season with Mercedes More

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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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      Mick Schumacher, son of F1 legend Michael, reveals he’s ‘perfect match’ for Mercedes as he targets Lewis Hamilton’s seat

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      MICK SCHUMACHER has put himself forward as the perfect candidate to fill in Lewis Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes.The seven-time World Champion recently dropped a bombshell that he will be departing the Silver Arrows at the end of the upcoming season.
      Mick Schumacher has put himself forward as the perfect ‘match’ to succeed Lewis Hamilton at MercedesCredit: Reuters
      Hamilton has announced he will move to Ferrari at the end of the upcoming seasonCredit: Getty
      As the new F1 season approaches son legend Michael Schumacher, Mick has thrown his name into the hat of drivers ready to take over Hamilton’s spot.
      The 24-year-old has raced in F1 for two years with Haas but lost his seat at the end of 2022.
      Last season he spent the year on the sidelines at Mercedes as a reserve driver and will continue that role this term alongside his endurance racing.
      But in 2025 when Hamilton heads off to Ferrari Schumacher thinks he is the right “match” to succeed the Brit.
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      He said: “It is of course a position that brings a lot of pressure.
      “But in terms of feeling, I’m a match for the team. But it’s not my decision. My chance is here.”
      Schumacher’s is hoping to follow the footsteps of his father Michael who competed in Formula One for Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
      Schumacher has a joint-record of seven World Drivers Championship titles – tied with Lewis Hamilton.
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      And at the time of his retirement in 2012 he had the record of most wins (91) which has since been broken by Hamilton.
      Meanwhile, Mick has signed to Alpine’s hypercar programme and is competing at the World Endurance Championship (WEC) – he is also taking part in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans .
      Lewis Hamilton ‘in advanced talks’ to join Ferrari as shock clause in Mercedes star’s contract emerges
      And a good performance in the WEC could persuade Mercedes to pick the German driver.
      But it is still completely unclear who will take over Hamilton’s cockpit.
      Alongside Schumacher, early front-runners for the Mercedes seat include Alex Albon, who has drawn the attention of many top teams with his performances for Williams.
      Also Alpine racer Esteban Ocon is another candidate to take on the role at the German garage. More

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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. 
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him
      “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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      Red Bull ‘make offer to Alex Albon’ as F1 market is thrown open by Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move’

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      RED BULL have made an offer for Williams driver Alex Albon to replace Sergio Perez.The after effects of Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell Ferrari announcement are being felt with a re-shuffle of Formula One’s top seats already in the works.
      Alex Albon previously drove for Red Bull in 2019 for 18 monthsCredit: EPA
      There is plenty of new opportunities following Lewis Hamilton’s announcementCredit: Splash
      According to Autosport, Red Bull are keen to secure a first option on Albon.
      The 27-year old partnered with Christian Horner’s team for an unsuccessful 18-month spell in 2019, but Red Bull have offered Albon another shot following a strong spell at Williams.
      If he agrees, Red Bull will be welcoming him back to the fold for three years in 2027, when his contract with Williams expires.
      It’s an appealing option for the Anglo-Thai, but it will cut off any chance of a move to Mercedes.
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      Hamilton’s impending departure has left more doors open than ever for ambitious drivers gunning to climb the greasy pole.
      At the 2024 Williams launch, Albon hinted at what had been going on behind the scenes, saying: “I would be denying it if I said that there haven’t been questions and general chats surrounding around that.
      “But truthfully it’s not really personally my area, that’s more my management.
      “My focus is on driving.
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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.

      “My whole focus is on Williams and that’s where I see myself.”
      Albon added: “I feel like I’m very close to my peak.”
      The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from Instagram
      He is contracted to Williams for the 2025 season, but team principal James Vowles made comments suggesting he would not deny Albon a move away from Williams, were an opportunity to present itself.
      He said: “Should any decision go that way, it’s because I’ve made decisions that are correct for the team’s long-term goals and not the short term.”
      When pressed, Vowles did not provide a direct answer, saying: “Let’s see. Time will tell.
      “But my focus is on 2024, let’s keep it like that.
      “Realistically I want to be with the team.
      “If the team are where I want them to be, it will be a long-term contract.
      “We’re gonna go all the way or nothing.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s secret clause in Mercedes contract ‘revealed’ after F1 legend signs £100million Ferrari deal

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      LEWIS HAMILTON reportedly had a secret clause in his contract with Mercedes which could affect his time at Ferrari.The British driver will join the Italian team for the 2025 season after activating a break clause in his Mercedes deal.
      Lewis Hamilton will not be able to poach anyone from MercedesCredit: Rex
      He had been linked with bringing Peter Bonnington to Ferrari with himCredit: AFP
      Hamilton, 39, signed a two-year deal with Ferrari worth £100 million.
      This will bring an end to his 11-year association with the Brackley-based Silver Arrows.
      However, he will not be allowed to bring anyone with him to Maranello.
      PlanetF1.com have claimed that Hamilton had a “no-poaching” clause in his deal to prevent him from doing that.

      Hamilton had been linked with a move to take race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington with him.
      But Mercedes are said to have said that the existence of the clause was “accurate”.
      This type of clause is not uncommon in F1 as Sebastian Vettel, 36, had a similar one when he was at Red Bull.
      The German was unable to take race engineer Guillaume ‘Rocky’ Rocquelin with him when he joined Ferrari in 2015.
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      Hamilton’s move to Ferrari shouldn’t come as a surprise, as he admitted in 2015 that he was keen to drive for the Italians before retiring.
      He will become the 12th Brit to get behind the wheel and race for Ferrari.
      The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from Instagram
      Former world champion Jenson Button reckons Fernando Alonso would be the ideal candidate to replace Hamilton at Mercedes.
      Button told Sky F1: “I might have a bit of a man-crush on my ex-team-mate, but I would love to see Fernando Alonso. 
      “He is 42 now, but the hunger is there. And if the hunger is there, the fitness is there.”

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