Mercedes-Benz

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Red Bull ‘make offer to Alex Albon’ as F1 market is thrown open by Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move’

      by

      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.
      READ MORE F1 STORIES
      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.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      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

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

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

      by

      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.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES

      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.”

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton revealed plans to join Ferrari in 2015 in Tokyo bar… years before F1 legend signed £100million deal

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON reportedly revealed plans to join Ferrari NINE years before the move was announced. Last week, the seven-time world champion rocked the world of Formula One when he triggered a break clause in his Mercedes contract to head to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
      Lewis Hamilton first revealed his intention to join Ferrari at a Tokyo bar in 2015Credit: EPA
      Hamilton signed a £100m deal to join Ferrari in 2025Credit: PA
      However, it seems these plans have been in the works since 2015 after a chat between Hamilton and Motorsport Magazine’s Matt Bishop was revealed.
      Bishop lifted the lid on a chat between the pair while at F1-favourite Lex Tokyo Lounge Bar in the Roppongi district of Tokyo following the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix.
      Then McLaren’s communications director, he explained how he was drinking some beers with his colleagues and mulling over the race at Suzuka, where McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso had been lapped by race winner Hamilton.
      Hamilton – who had only departed McLaren for the Silver Arrows three years prior – eventually arrived at the bar with Mercedes engineers before heading over to chat with Bishop and co.
      READ MORE IN F1
      The pair soon found themselves in a one-on-one chat, where Hamilton confessed to wanting to drive for Ferrari one day.
      Bishop asked: “Do you think you’ll stay at Merc until you retire?”
      To which Hamilton responded: “Well, what I’d really like to do, one day, is drive for Ferrari…
      “Yeah. That would be a great way to end my F1 career, wouldn’t it? To win championships for McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari?”
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      The bar has since closed down, but Hamilton’s dream to race for the Scuderia clearly never did.
      Hamilton’s multi-year contract at the Prancing Horse could prove to be the final transfer of his F1 career given comments he made in the chat.
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him
      In the chat Hamilton also ruled out ever returning to McLaren, stating: “I don’t know. Never go back, they say, don’t they?
      “Sometimes you just feel you’ve been somewhere too long and you need a change.”
      Alpine driver Pierre Gasly revealed he knew about the move for some time.
      Speaking at the launch of Alpine’s 2024 F1 car, he said: “Obviously, he’s been a long time with Mercedes, but I was aware of some talks with Ferrari.
      “Ultimately, he’s towards the end of his career. So it was either now or never.
      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.

      “I think it was kept secret for quite a long time. I just wish him the best. Obviously, it’s sort of exciting with the driver market, and all of you guys come with it, which is normal.
      “But I think ultimately, for the sport, he is the most successful driver of all time joining a new project, a new challenge. I’m sure everybody will follow that very closely.”
      Hamilton’s deal at Ferrari is said to be worth a cool £100million.
      He will become the 12th British driver to race for Ferrari.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Fresh reports claim that Hamilton’s future team-mate Charles Leclerc was left “shocked and disappointed” by the move to sign the 39-year-old.
      However, this stands in contrast to prior reports claiming he was welcoming to the move and Leclerc naming Hamilton as what he looks for in a team-mate.

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      What the F1 grid could look like in 2025 – with Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari and Max Verstappen set for new team-mate

      by

      THE FORMULA ONE grid could look very different in 2025 with a number of drivers potentially on the move.Racing fans are gearing up for another season of speed and excitement.
      Lewis Hamilton will lead the way for a new-look 2025 in F1 by joining FerrariCredit: AP
      Carlos Sainz will be on the hunt for a new side after being replaced by the BritCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen is set for a new partner with Sergio Perez likely to leave Red BullCredit: EPA
      Alex Albon has been tipped to leave Williams and link up with F1 champ VerstappenCredit: AP
      But the opener in Bahrain on March 2 has already been overshadowed by a major development.
      That’s because Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the year for rivals Ferrari.
      The shock switch is certainly going to have a knock-on effect, as it means there will be a seat free at Mercedes.
      Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is also set to spell the end of Carlos Sainz’s time with the Italians.
      READ MORE ON F1
      His contract is up at the end of the campaign, while teammate Charles Leclerc’s runs into 2025.
      Meanwhile, Alex Albon looks destined for a big move.
      He has been linked with replacing Hamilton at Mercedes.
      But Albon has also been tipped to join champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 
      That would put Sergio Perez back on the market, while there are numerous other drivers out of contract later this year.
      Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg, Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda and Logan Sargeant face uncertain futures in F1 next year.
      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him

      But all eyes will be on Hamilton when he lines up for Mercedes in his final campaign with the Germans.
      After signing his Ferrari deal, the seven-time champion said: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.
      “Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old.
      “It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.
      “But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.
      “I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together.
      “I am 100 per cent committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
      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. More

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 fans convinced they’ve worked out who’s replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after social media clue

      by

      F1 FANS are convinced that they know who will be replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.The British driver will be leaving the Formula 1 team for Ferrari next year.
      Fans are sure who will replace Lewis Hamilton at MercedesCredit: Alamy
      Fans spotted a clue on social media about a driver being near Mercedes’ team baseCredit: Instagram @valtteribottas
      The driver is former Mercedes star Valtteri BottasCredit: Getty
      Hamilton, 39, has been with the Brackley-based team since 2013 but will leave after the 2024 campaign.
      Mercedes are now on the lookout for a replacement driver.
      The Silver Arrows have been linked with the likes of Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Oscar Piastri and Alexander Albon.
      However, Valtteri Bottas has got fans thinking he will be the new driver after a social media post.
      READ MORE IN F1
      The current Stake F1 team driver posted a snap of him playing darts on Instagram.
      His followers were quick to point out that the Finnish ace has tagged the location as Brackley, the town where Mercedes’ operations centre is based in.
      Many took to social media to share their theory that Bottas will be lining up alongside George Russell next year.
      One fan posted: “Now Bottas is at Brackley. Oh GARD.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      A second commented: “Bottas babe why are you in Brackley? WHY ARE YOU IN BRACKLEY?”
      A third wrote: “Bottas strolling back into Brackley.”
      A fourth said: “Bottas arriving back at Brackley to replace Lewis at Mercedes.”
      Another joked: “What if Bottas isn’t actually in Brackley and he posted it as a joke.”
      Bottas spent four years at Mercedes as Hamilton’s team-mate between 2017 and 2021.
      He left the team to join Alfa Romeo after coming second in the driver’s championship twice.
      As a result of Hamilton’s move to join Ferrari, the company’s value has skyrocketed to over £3billion.
      The Brit released a statement in which he admitted that the move has made him feel a “range of emotions”.
      He said: “It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.
      “I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream. Driving in Ferrari red.” More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Motorsport

      Top 10 richest F1 drivers in history revealed as Lewis Hamilton dwarfs Max Verstappen… but misses out on top spot

      by

      FORMULA ONE is well known as a glamour sport where vast riches can be both acquired and shown off.And the top drivers in the sport can amass wealth that rivals any of the highest-earning athletes in the world.
      Max Verstappen has the biggest salary in Formula OneCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton has a huge portfolio that has earned him a staggering amount of wealthCredit: PA
      The likes of Jenson Button remain key figures behind the scenes in F1Credit: Rex
      The 2023 grid – which has remained the same for the upcoming 2024 season – saw drivers earning huge sums topped out at a whopping £45million for reigning champion Max Verstappen.
      But over the course of an F1 career the figures are even more staggering, with the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher reaching mega-wealth status.
      Accounting for the huge salaries some drivers command, plus sponsorship deals and property portfolios, net worths are in the region of hundreds of millions.
      Below we take a look at the top ten F1 drivers in history with the highest net worth, according to figures compiled by Planet F1 and GQ Australia.
      READ MORE IN F1
      10. Eddie Irvine – £92.5million
      Eddie Irvine battled it out for an F1 title in the 1990sCredit: Getty – Contributor
      He owns a property empire said to include 40 properties
      He flogged a plush Irish mansion for £2.6m in 2021
      A four-time race winner in F1 who battled it out with the likes of Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in the late 1990s.
      However, Eddie Irvine never managed to get his hands on an F1 drivers title.
      Instead, much of his wealth comes from investment into an estimated 40 properties worldwide, including an Irish mansion he sold to Matt Damon in 2021.
      According to the Sunday Times Rich List in 2006 this made him the fifth richest person in Northern Ireland.
      Most read in Motorsport
      9. Mario Andretti – £100.1million
      Mario Andretti is one of three racers to win races in F1, Indycar, Nascar and the World Sportscar ChampionshipCredit: X @MarioAndretti
      Andretti owns a stunning 18,513 square foot property in Pennsylvania, USACredit: X @MarioAndretti
      An icon of motorsport, Andretti is one of three drivers to win races in F1, Indycar, Nascar and the World Sportscar Championship.
      Some of his wealth includes an 18,513 square feet property in Nazareth, PA, USA, that features four bedroooms, 15 bathrooms and an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.
      He has seen corners on streets and race tracks alike named after him and is now gearing up for a team move into F1.
      So his inclusion in this list should be little surprise.
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      8. Sebastian Vettel – £107.9million
      Sebastian Vettel’s F1 career earned him a fortuneCredit: Splash
      Since retiring Vettel has invested in green projectsCredit: Getty
      Vettel has a stunning car collection including the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMGCredit: tomhartleyjnr.com
      Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel is a name synonymous with motorsport despite keeping a fairly low profile away from the track which has included a visit to a top German medical clinic.
      Green-fingered Vettel commanded one of the highest salaries in the sport during his time with Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin.
      Vettel also has a stunning car collection including the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG worth £175,000.
      Since retiring he has invested in green projects in a bid to tackle climate change.
      7. Jenson Button – £115.6million
      Jenson Button has amassed a huge fortuneCredit: Instagram
      Jenson Button married Brittny Ward in 2022Credit: brittny/Instagram
      Button’s car collection includes a 2015 McLaren P1 GTRCredit: SWNS
      Shock 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button continues to be a familiar face in the sport thanks to his TV appearances and recent role in the Brawn documentary as well as being a senior adviser to Williams F1.
      Button, who finished third on his Daytona 24 hours debut, has a large property portfolio and was reportedly one of F1’s biggest earners even before he landed his one and only title.
      He has also taken a liking to cars and has owned a stunning garage, with which he can chaperone wife Brittany Ward around in.
      These have included a McLaren P1, a Bugatti Veyron and Ferrari 275 GT.
      6. Kimi Raikkonen – £140.6million
      Kimi Raikkonen was one of F1’s best paid drivers during his time on the gridCredit: Instagram @mintturaikkonen
      Raikkonen owns a stunning ‘Bond villian-like lair’ which houses an impressive motor collectionCredit: Instagram @kimimatiasraikkonen
      A one-time F1 title champion like Button, “The Iceman” could command one of the highest salaries in the sport during his peak and famously almost bankrupt Lotus during his time with the team.
      Like some of his former rivals, Raikkonen is a property investor – including a $24m Swiss villa – and he is now helping his son Robin with his own motorsport career.
      The villa in question has been dubbed a “Bond villian-like lair” which houses an impressive collection of motors including a £$360,000 Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge and a $3.6million Ferrari Enzo.
      Raikkonen is also said to own three homes in Finland, and have properties in Dubai and Thailand.
      5. Niki Lauda – £154.1million
      Niki Lauda played an integral role in Lewis Hamilton joining MercedesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lauda ran airlines after retiring from the sportCredit: Reuters
      The three-time World Champion was the only man to win the title at both Ferrari and Mercedes.
      After retiring from F1, he founded and ran three successful airlines, Lauda Air, Niki and Lauda.
      He also stayed in and around the paddock with his former teams, Jaguar and owned 10 per cent of Mercedes Motorsport.
      Lauda passed away aged 70 in 2019.
      4. Max Verstappen – £165.5million
      Verstappen is dating Kelly PiquetCredit: instagram/@kellypiquet/
      Verstappen lives in Monaco and has invested in his own GT team
      Verstappen’s car collection includes an Acura NSX Type S worth around £122,000Credit: Acura
      At present, Verstappen has commanded the most lucrative F1 contract for the past two seasons when accounting for bonuses.
      Verstappen has invested in his own GT team, is an ambassador for EA Sports and has a host of personal sponsors, all of which helped him earn a place in Forbes’ 2023 list of sports top young earners.
      He also has a great affinity for cars, with his collection worth around £2.3m.
      Verstappen also lives in Monaco, which is not exactly on the cheap end of the property market.
      3. Fernando Alonso – £205million
      Fernando Alonso is F1’s most experienced driverCredit: Splash
      The Spaniard naturally has a Ferrari in his collectionCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs0iZ8Cor2q/
      Alonso also owns a McLaren P1Credit: INSTAGRAM @fernandoalo_oficial
      F1’s most experienced driver, and also one of its best, it should come as no surprise to see two-time champion Fernando Alonso high on the list.
      As well as commanding huge contracts, Alonso has invested into the next generation with his Alonso Sports Complex in his native Asturias which features a museum and a karting track.
      Like many others in this list the Spaniard owns a number of supercars.
      These include a McLaren P1, Aston Martin DBX luxury SUV and Ferrari 599 GTB Fernando Alonso Edition.
      2. Lewis Hamilton – £224.7million
      Lewis Hamilton has invested in a wide array of projects
      Hamilton often jets around the world during the off seasonCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Hamilton invested in the Denver Broncos in 2022Credit: https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/
      Hamilton was recently labelled a “brand” due to his involvement in so many projects.
      Expected to earn £50million at Mercedes during the 2024 season, Hamilton is a cool earner salary wise.
      Hamilton has investments in property, cars, fashion and initiatives encouraging wider representation in sport and even teams, with Hamilton investing in NFL side Denver Broncos in 2022.
      Luckily a wide range of sponsors including the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, IWC and Bose allow him to fund this far reaching influence which has landed on him on the Sunday Times Rich List.
      1. Michael Schumacher – £462.5million
      Michael Schumacher is top of the F1 driver rich listCredit: AFP
      Schumacher owns a Ferrari Enzo
      An era defining driver for many fans of motorsport, the seven-time F1 champion was named the highest-paid athlete by Forbes in 1999 and 2000 and even predicted to be the first billionaire athlete in 2005.
      In 2017, he was named as the fifth-highest athlete of all time in terms of career earnings, but he has not been seen publicly since his life-changing skiing accident in 2013.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The German was well-known for his charitable donations, including a £39.5m donation to UNESCO during his final five years of racing.
      Predictably, Schumacher and his family have a worldwide real estate portfolio, while Schumacher also earned a staggering amount through brand endorsements, including a £8.5m deal to wear a shell hat and show its logo in nearly all public appearances.

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Motorsport

      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s bombshell Mercedes exit as Toto Wolff reveals how F1 star went to his house to break news

      by

      TOTO WOLFF felt like he has been “punched in the nose” after Lewis Hamilton dropped the bombshell he was quitting Mercedes to join Ferrari.Mercedes boss Wolff says he had heard rumours of Hamilton’s defection for the 2025 season but did not want to believe them.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari next seasonCredit: Alamy
      And revealed he only discovered Hamilton was off after the Brit told him over breakfast on Wednesday.
      Wolff says it is at a loss to understand what has convinced the 39-year-old to jump ship after only agreeing a two-year deal last summer.
      Wolff said: “What happened is that we got together for coffee at my place in Oxford when he was returning to the factory and he said to me that he had decided to race for Ferrari in 2025.”
      Wolff added: “The surprise was that I’d heard the rumours a couple of days earlier but wanted to wait for the breakfast we had planned.
      Read More on F1
      “It was Wednesday morning and this is when he broke the news…once he said this is what I wanted to do, I didn’t try to convince him otherwise.”
      Hamilton and Wolff have struck up a great friendship during their 11 years at Mercedes but admits he was stunned to discover his star driver is off to their rivals.
      The move is particularly upsetting given that Wolff is also chums with Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur who has persuaded Hamilton to change teams.
      Wolff added: “I have great respect for Fred, not only as a racing manager, but also as a longtime friend.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      “On the relationship. It is a tough competition, a cutthroat environment and as much as I try to do the best for our group, he will do that for Ferrari.
      “It’s a little bit like rugby. We punch each other in the nose, but we are able to get off the pitch and have a respectful relationship.”
      Hamilton only agreed a two-year deal last summer and Wolff says his discussions with the Brit over the winter were only focussed on Mercedes.
      And the Austrian says he is at a loss to understand what has caused Hamilton to change his mind.
      He said: “I cannot tell you exactly [what caused Hamilton to change]. I only know that we were very aligned when we went into the Christmas period.
      “We’ve said that in public and in the team. You need to ask Lewis why he changed his mind.

      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff learned of Hamilton’s exit during breakfastCredit: Getty
      “How he framed it to me was that he needed a new challenge and that he was looking for a different environment and it was maybe the last possibility to do something else.
      “We totally respect that. You can change your mind and switch to Ferrari maybe for the last gig in his career, maybe rolling the dice a bit.”
      Wolff will now turn his attention to picking Hamilton’s replacement to drive alongside George Russell.
      With Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris both signing new long-term deals at Ferrari and McLaren respectively, he admits his options are more-limited.
      He added: “Some drivers will be coming available, others just signed a few weeks ago, so these would have been opportunities six weeks earlier.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “But it is what it is. In 2025 and beyond the driver market is very interesting and we need to look out to the future.
      “Who is it that we can partner with George? What’s the best combination? There’s a variety of options and I want to take my time.”
      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. More

    • 175 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut ‘leaked’ in cryptic hint at major shakeup to F1 calendar

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON’S first race as a Ferrari driver has been “leaked” by an iconic Formula One track.Hamilton, 39, rocked the world of motorsport by yesterday signing a shock deal with Ferrari from the 2025 season.
      The venue of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut may have been leakedCredit: AFP
      The Australia Grand Prix posted this graphic on their page before deleting itCredit: X @ausgrandprix
      He will become the 12th British racer to drive a Ferrari in F1 as he bids to win a record eighth world title.
      The official Australia Grand Prix account posted a graphic suggesting Hamilton’s Ferrari debut would be at Albert Park in 2025 rather than in Bahrain where the season starts this year on March 2.
      However, the post was swiftly deleted.
      There has been no confirmation yet on the venue of the 2025 season opener.
      READ MORE IN F1
      It would be a major shakeup to the calendar not seen for six years.
      Australia previously hosted the season opener for F1 seasons between 2011 and 2019.
      Before Melbourne, Adelaide was Australia’s resident F1 circuit from 1985 to 1995, though Adelaide was never a track which kick started an F1 season.
      This run came to an end when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, with Austria taking over the mantle that season.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Bahrain have hosted each of the opening races since 2021.
      Between 1996 and 2019, Albert Park in Melbourne played host to F1 season openers in all but two years.
      Hamilton will pocked £100million to join Ferrari in a switch that has shocked F1.
      The seven-time world champion agreed to drive for F1’s most famous team in 2025 and 2026.
      In a statement issued by Mercedes, Hamilton, 39, said he was committed to finishing the season with Mercedes before taking on a new challenge.
      He said: “I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together.
      “Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old.
      “It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make.

      “But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership and I want to finish on a high together.
      “I am 100 percent committed to delivering the best performance I can this season and making my last year with the Silver Arrows, one to remember.”
      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.

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More