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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

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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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      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