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      Mercedes make awkward Lewis Hamilton blunder at F1 testing as staff spotted hurriedly fixing error

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      MERCEDES made an awkward Lewis Hamilton gaffe on the first day of F1 testing.The F1 legend departed the Siver Arrows in December to join Ferrari but his ghost remains at the factory.Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari colours for the first time in testingCredit: RexIt appears some in the team are still getting used to a Mercedes without Hamilton – for the first time in 12 years.In testing at the Bahrain International Circuit a Mercedes staff member had to peel Hamilton’s iconic No44 off a generator.It is a symbolic image which shows Mercedes are very much in transition, with George Russell joined by 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli in testing.Fans reacted to the image with one saying: “This is an amazing picture. So symbolic.”READ MORE ON HAMILTONAnother added: “End of an era.”A third wrote: “Oh my gosh, they hadn’t taken it out yet…”Hamilton, 40, did not have the best start to life at Ferrari as a power cut hit the circuit.The cause of the fault is unknown as the circuit’s lighting system was also extinguished.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe race director red-flagged the session immediately afterwards and the FIA confirmed the action was taken in response to the blackout.The failure struck shortly after 5pm local time and continued for more than an hour.Inside Lewis Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari as he instantly surprises new bosses at first official day of F1 testing The session was scheduled to end at 7pm, with sunset due to fall at 5:40pm.The season kicks off in Australia on March 16, when Hamilton launches his bid for a record eighth world championship. More

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      F1 Testing abruptly halted as garages plunged into darkness during Lewis Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S first day at Ferrari went up in smoke after a power cut hit the Bahrain International Circuit.The electrical connection failed in the teams’ garages and elsewhere in the paddock. F1 Testing abruptly halted as garages plunged into darknessCredit: GettyThe Aston Martin area plunged into darknessCredit: AFPThe torches were out in the Ferrari campCredit: ReutersThe Bahrain circuit’s lighting system was also extinguishedCredit: ReutersLewis Hamilton was keen on making a good impression for his first day at the officeCredit: RexThe cause of the fault is unknown as the circuit’s lighting system was also extinguished.The race director red-flagged the session immediately afterwards and the FIA confirmed the action was taken in response to the blackout.The failure struck shortly after 5pm local time and has continued for more than an hour.The session was scheduled to end at 7pm, with sunset due to fall at 5:40pm.READ MORE F1 NEWSWith the teams’ facilities plunged into darkness, mechanics began working by torchlight.The torches were out in the Ferrari camp, with the Aston Martin area cast into the void.Every minute that passed was bad news for the teams because they want to do as many laps as possible.Hamilton was keen to make a good impression on his first day in the office.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut his debut Ferrari testing has been hit with a bizarre roadblock.The seven-time world champ was fifth quickest in this morning’s session – with a time of 1:31.834 in 70 laps – as he made his full Ferrari test debut at an F1 event. Inside Lewis Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari as he instantly surprises new bosses at first official day of F1 testing Meanwhile, Hamilton’s team-mate Charles Leclerc set the fastest time of the day in his Ferrari, with 1.30.878 in 32 laps.George Russell was leaving the pits in his Mercedes when the track was suddenly went dark.Russell told Sky: “I came out of the pits and thought it was suddenly quite dark out here.”I came on the radio and said I needed to change my visor and I realised there was no floodlights around.”It would have been a bit hectic if this was an hour later when the sun has already set.”Earlier this morning, Hamilton was in bright and early as the second driver to arrive in the paddock, and to many’s surprise he was suited and booted in full Ferrari kit.Hamilton meant business and was so eager to get in the car that he nearly fell off the back of a golf buggy as he was dropped off at the Ferrari garage with Leclerc.The Brit’s iconic No44 has also made the switch and was seen on the side of the red Ferrari car instead of Mercedes’ black and green, where Hamilton spent the last 12 years.The number, which pays tribute to Hamilton’s karting days and his dad, has featured since he was eight as it was his dad’s car registration number.Day one of testing in Bahrain was Hamilton’s first chance to get a true feel of the SF-25 car, after the Brit and Leclerc took part in a shakedown last week at Ferrari’s home track at Fiorano.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt would have been tough for him to get up to speed given the short and tight nature of the Italian circuit.Hamilton will just have 12 hours of running available to him ahead of the first race in Melbourne on March 16. More

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      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s first day at Ferrari as he instantly surprises new bosses at first official day of F1 testing

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      LEWIS HAMILTON was keen to make a good impression on his first day in the office.The stylish seven-time world champion is known for strolling into the paddock in a couture outfit that looked fresh off the runway.Lewis Hamilton turned up in full Ferrari gearCredit: AlamyHamilton, 40, drove his new carCredit: EPABut on the first day of official testing in Bahrain, Hamilton was in bright and early as the second driver to arrive in the paddock, and to many’s surprise he was suited and booted in full Ferrari kit.He was reunited with his trusted physiotherapist Angela Cullen who was buzzing around the paddock, having left her role as Hamilton’s performance coach in 2023 after seven years together.The 50-year-old from New Zealand was also on site early and was seen delivering breakfast for Hamilton on a tray, with the Brit still following a strict vegan diet.Hamilton meant business and was so eager to get in the car that he nearly fell off the back of a golf buggy as he was dropped off at the Ferrari garage with team-mate Charles Leclerc.READ MORE IN SPORTThe Brit’s iconic No44 has also made the switch and was seen on the side of the red Ferrari car instead of Mercedes’ black and green, where Hamilton spent the last 12 years.The number, which pays tribute to Hamilton’s karting days and his dad, has featured since he was eight as it was his dad’s car registration number.In a previous interview, he said: “I always start with the No44 because that’s the number that I had on my go-kart when I was eight years old.”It was my dad’s car registration number, F44, so each year, it’s just a new chance to rise to the challenge.”Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe seven-time world champion is preparing for his new challengeCredit: RexHamilton ended his full testing debut for Ferrari in fifth and he was one of the first to emerge from the pit-lane with what looked like spiky armour on the outside of his Ferrari.The equipment is called an ‘aero rake’ which is a metal frame fitted with multiple sensors that teams attach to different areas of the car.Lewis Hamilton models new Ferrari gear but fans notice ‘hideous’ issue They are usually behind the front wheels, near the sidepods, or at the rear and they are mounted temporarily during test runs to measure airflow characteristics around the car.Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz said: “I was interested to see that aero rake on Hamilton’s car on his first run, measuring what’s going on with the front wing.”It’s one of the technical talking points of the early part of the year.”Day one of testing in Bahrain was Hamilton’s first chance to get a true feel of the SF-25 car, after the Brit and Leclerc took part in a shakedown last week at Ferrari’s home track at Fiorano.It would have been tough for him to get up to speed given the short and tight nature of the Italian circuit.Hamilton will just have 12 hours of running available to him ahead of the first race in Melbourne on March 16.Most notably, he will have to get to grips with the Ferrari power unit having made the switch from Mercedes.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has only driven with Mercedes power throughout his career, including during his six years at McLaren.F1 commentator David Croft added: “There will be huge attention on Lewis, as there always is. Particularly as he makes his first few laps on Ferrari power. His entire career so far has been powered by Mercedes engines.” More

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      ‘Never going to get out of the hole’ – Max Verstappen told ‘roles have reversed’ with Lewis Hamilton ahead of F1 season

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      FORMER F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya isn’t convinced Max Verstappen’s dominance will continue in 2025.Red Bull driver Verstappen, 27, is hoping to win a fifth consecutive Drivers Championship this season.Juan Pablo Montoya has given his bold prediction ahead of the new F1 seasonCredit: GettyMax Verstappen is chasing a fifth consecutive F1 title this seasonCredit: GettyMontoya believes Lewis Hamilton (pictured) will dominate for FerrariCredit: RexThe Dutchman’s was pushed hard by Lando Norris last season and will now renew his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton, who has moved to Ferrari from Mercedes.The seven-time world champion, 40, has penned a two-year, £78million deal with the Italian giants. Both Ferrari and McLaren went toe-to-toe with Red Bull on the track last season.And Montoya – winner of seven F1 Grand Prix races – believes Verstappen will be “no problem” for Hamilton in 2025.READ MORE ON F1The Colombian said: “Verstappen is not going to be a problem for Lewis this year. “I would be surprised if Red Bull came out to fight like in recent years”.Red Bull finished third in last season’s Constructor Standings.Verstappen won nine races on his way to a slender title win over Norris – ten fewer than his all-conquering championship season in 2023.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMontoya continued: “You just start moving sideways or even backwards. “If you keep going based on wrong principles, you’re never going to get out of the hole. And that hole can be very deep, that’s the problem. Lewis Hamilton models new Ferrari gear but fans notice ‘hideous’ issue “Max doesn’t like to lose, and Max is a guy who would rather crash than let himself be beaten.”We saw it at the end of last year, when he did things that surprised people. We were wondering: ‘Why did he do that?’ “When he went up against Lewis [to end Hamilton’s dominance] and took no prisoners, everyone thought: ‘Oh, great. Finally someone is standing up to Hamilton.'”Now the positions are reversed.”Hamilton will make his first Grand Prix appearance for Ferrari next month. The 2025 F1 campaign kicks off in Melbourne, Australia on March 16 with Albert Park staging its first season-opener since 2019.Hamilton is set to debut with Ferrari during the official test drives in Bahrain this week.But he admitted he’d been enjoying the Italian food a little too much over the offseason.The Stevenage native laughed: “I have to watch my diet. But that will be difficult. “I have to be careful and I can’t eat pizza all year round. Otherwise I won’t fit in the car anymore.’READ MORE SUN STORIES”Oh God. I’ve eaten so many pizzas in the last few weeks. But funnily enough, I’ve lost weight. “Last week alone I had three pizzas. I love Italian food. Penne a la Arrabbiata is still my absolute favourite dish.” More

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      ‘I won’t fit in the car anymore!’ – Lewis Hamilton admits to eating THREE pizzas a week at Ferrari and reveals fave dish

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      LEWIS Hamilton fears not being able to fit into his Ferrari now that he’s eating THREE pizzas a week.The Brit, 40, has opened up on his diet since joining Ferrari and his love for Italian food.Hamilton joked that he has concerns about fitting in his car for the 2025 seasonHamilton attended a F1 event in London with Charles Leclerc and Frederic Vasseur last weekHamilton is beginning a new chapter in his career by joining Ferrari, one of the most storied teams in F1.The move ended his 12-year stint with Mercedes, where he became a seven-time world champion, clinching most of his 103 race victories and amassing his 104 pole positions.Hamilton is set to debut with Ferrari during the official test drives in Bahrain this week.And the Brit has highlighted his excitement at the new chapter of his F1 career.READ MORE F1 NEWSHe said: “I have to watch my diet. But that will be difficult. “I have to be careful and I can’t eat pizza all year round. Otherwise I won’t fit in the car anymore.'”Oh God. I’ve eaten so many pizzas in the last few weeks. But funnily enough, I’ve lost weight. “Last week alone I had three pizzas. I love Italian food. Penne a la Arrabbiata is still my absolute favourite dish.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHamilton has a deep-rooted connection with Italy that dates back to his karting days. He first cut his teeth in motorsport at the age of 13, racing in Italy with his first mechanic, Luca del Fante.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia This included his time with the MBM team in the Open Italian Championship in 2000 and 2001 alongside Nico Rosberg, who later became his team-mate at Mercedes.Hamilton added: “I still remember going into town with Nico every evening to buy pizza and ice cream. We ate so much pizza.”Luca, my first mechanic, and his mother always made me an incredible lasagne. “I have never forgotten that lasagne to this day.”Ferrari’s hopes are pinned on Hamilton and his new teammate Charles Leclerc, who has confirmed his contract with Ferrari beyond 2024.The pair will look to end Ferrari’s long-standing title drought since Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 crown.The driver market has been shaken by Hamilton’s move, leading to changes like Carlos Sainz’s departure from Ferrari to Williams. F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      ‘Reached an unacceptable level’ – Drivers demand showdown talks with FIA president over controversial new ban

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      DRIVERS are demanding showdown talks with the FIA over a controversial new ban on swearing.Formula One stars will have to watch their words in the 2025 season after a ban on rude words was introduced.Drivers want talks with Mohammed Ben Sulayem after the FIA banned swearingCredit: RexRally star Adrien Fourmaux has already been fined £24,000Credit: AFPDrivers roundly criticised it at last week’s F1 75 car launch at the O2 Arena in London.But it’s not just F1 aces who have been affected by the FIA’s rule change.Rally star Adrien Fourmaux has already fallen foul of the rule while racing in Sweden.He was fined £24,000 for saying “f**k” during an event earlier this month.READ MORE IN F1It ended up being £8k, with £16k suspended for 12 months.But the punishment has not gone down well with the World Rally Drivers Association (WoRDA).Officials have now written to the FIA criticising the rule change.And chiefs are eager to hold a meeting directly with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to express their concerns.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSA statement read: “WoRDA has always recognised our responsibilities and commitment to collaborate in a constructive way with all stakeholders, including the FIA President, in order to promote and elevate our outstanding sport for the benefit of all.“In recent months, however, there has been an alarming increase in the severity of the sanctions imposed for minor, isolated and unintentional language lapses. This has reached an unacceptable level.Christian Horner brutally booed at F1 75 launch event a year on from sext scandal“We strongly believe that: Common colloquialism cannot be considered and judged as equal to genuine insult or an act of aggression.“Non-native speakers may use or repeat terms without full awareness of their meaning and connotation. Seconds after an extreme adrenaline spike, it is unrealistic to expect perfect and systematic control over emotions.“Moreover, the exorbitant fines are vastly disproportionate to the average income and budget in rallying. We are also concerned with the public impression these excessive sums create in the minds of fans, suggesting that this is an industry where money doesn’t matter.“This also raises a fundamental question: where does the money from these fines go? The lack of transparency only amplifies concerns and undermines confidence in the system.“Surely, the negative impressions surrounding these penalties far outweigh the impact of any language lapse. We call for direct communication and engagement between the FIA President and WoRDA members to find a mutually agreeable and urgent solution.” More

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      ‘It is totally unacceptable’ – Max Verstappen’s dad Jos says F1 champ will BOYCOTT events held in England after booing

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN’s dad has insisted that the F1 champ could BOYCOTT future events in England.The Red Bull Racing star was booed at Formula One’s season launch party.Max Verstappen was booed at the Formula One’s season launchCredit: GettyFather Jos has claimed he could boycott events in EnglandCredit: GettyVerstappen, 27, and team principal Christian Horner both received frosty receptions at the O2 Arena in London last week.The event saw all 20 drivers and ten teams celebrate F1’s 75th birthday.They all unveiled their liveries for the 2025 season which begins at the Australian GP in March.Jos Verstappen has spoken to his son and revealed that he was less than impressed with the response of the crowd.READ MORE ON F1He told RaceXpress: “Max doesn’t feel like being booed in front of 25,000 people.”He also says: ‘If this is in England again next year, they certainly won’t see me there,’ and I completely agree with him.”Jos insisted that the booing was “unacceptable”.He added: “You are there for Formula 1 to promote the sport a little bit and all.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Then you are booed by the public. I think that is unacceptable. “Look, I understand it.Christian Horner brutally booed at F1 75 launch event a year on from sext scandal”Max is the only one who puts the English drivers under pressure and who tells it exactly how it is, but I think it is unacceptable and a real disappointment what happened there.”In itself, I thought it was a reasonable set-up, but I thought it was embarrassing what happened there with Red Bull Racing, that Horner was booed so much.”Despite the many boos that could be heard, there were also cheers coming from the crowd.Horner mentioned the reception as he took the microphone on stage.He said: “Is that (booing?)… well, it’s fantastic to be here in the O2 anyway.”So I hope you’re all having a good evening.”Verstappen goes into the new campaign having won the four last World Drivers’ Championships. More

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      F1 legend Martin Brundle reveals awkward encounter with huge music star at event after car crash viral interview

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      FORMULA One’s Martin Brundle came face to face with Machine Gun Kelly this week – 15 months on from their car crash viral interview at the São Paulo Grand Prix.The broadcaster, 65, and the American music star, 34, didn’t exactly hit it off on the grid moments before the drivers battled it out on the Brazilian circuit.Martin Brundle walked the red carpet at F1 75 Live this weekCredit: GettyHe had a brief encounter with grid adversary Machine Gun KellyCredit: GettyThe frosty encounter got off to an awkward start when MGK failed to grasp Brundle’s relatively straight forward opener.Having been welcomed to the grid, MGK paused for what felt like an eternity before replying: “I had no idea what you said, but thank you.”Things didn’t get any better when Brundle then asked the rocker about his career, to which he responded: “I don’t think about my career.”Excruciatingly, MGK then played air guitar and tried getting a reluctant Brundle to join him.READ MORE ON MARTIN BRUNDLEThe awkward ordeal ended with MGK giving the camera a thumbs down and storming off when Brundle politely tried to move on down the grid. They both attended last night’s F1 75 Live at London’s O2 and briefly crossed paths on the red carpet.When asked if they caught up about their viral moment, Brundle exclusively told The Sun: “I saw him earlier on and he didn’t recognise me, thank God.”The former race driver then admitted he “hates” watching his grid walks back, even though they’re wildly popular with viewers.Most read in MotorsportHe continued: “I’m one sentence away from the end of my career at all times, or being cancelled.”I’m terrified of the whole thing, because it’s live and it’s just pure car crash television.Watch Rowan Atkinson ‘do Martin Brundle impression to Martin Brundle’ without Sky Sports F1 reporter having a clue”Machine Gun Kelly, Megan Thee Stallion, I don’t know, getting knocked about by security guards. They’re the ones that people like.”And then I meet some really lovely, fascinating, world-class people, politicians and royalty and movie stars, and I’m very privileged with the people I meet on the grid.”Often celebrity guests admit to knowing nothing about the sport, something that drives die-hard fans who could only dream of being amongst the drivers on race day up the wall.”I understand that,” said Brundle. “Because we watch Formula 1 year in, year out, racing ourselves, and they’re on the grid and they actually don’t know anything about it, and quite clearly don’t really want to be there.”They’re just selling a movie or something. I get that, but for Formula 1, they are A-listers.”The racing veteran, who spent 12 years as an F1 driver from 1984 to 1996, said that there are occasions when many lucky enough to be on the guest list don’t even turn up, with the new Las Vegas track a particular victim of no shows. The pair didn’t hit it off at the São Paolo Grand Prix in 2023Credit: Twitter @SkySportsF1MGK stormed off after Martin told him he needed to interview someone elseCredit: Twitter @SkySportsF1He said: “I get a list through on it, race morning, with 70 people on it. Half of them don’t turn up, but you get through and you’re like, ‘I’ve not heard of many of those’. Oh, 65 million followers on Instagram. Oh, 140 million followers on Instagram.”How did I not hear of these people? Clearly somebody has. I think it’s all part of the incoming tide, all the boats float higher. That’s part of why something like this works today, and it hasn’t happened in the past.”Last night’s celebration of the sport’s 75th anniversary saw all 10 F1 teams unveil their 2025 liveries ahead of the new season.READ MORE SUN STORIESA spectacular production gave each team their moment in the spotlight to show off their driver partnerships and new look cars.Host Jack Whitehall brought the laughs, while the likes of Machine Gun Kelly, Kane Brown and Take That provided music. More