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      Charles Leclerc signs £28m Ferrari contract extension as F1 star looks to end Max Verstappen’s dominance

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      CHARLES LECLERC has signed a contract extension with Ferrari worth around £28million a season.The 26-year-old’s current deal was due to expire at the end of this year but Ferrari have signed him up to a new one, believed to run until the end of 2026.
      Charles Leclerc has signed a new deal with FerrariCredit: Getty
      Leclerc came through the Scuderia’s driver academyCredit: X/ScuderiaFerrari
      Leclerc’s deal is believed to run until 2026Credit: X/ScuderiaFerrari
      Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2016 and came through the Italian team’s academy before making his debut for F1’s most famous brand in 2019.
      The Monaco-born racer has taken 30 podiums for Ferrari in 103 races, winning five times.
      He said: “I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come.
      “To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old: I used to watch the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend’s apartment and I would always look out for the red cars.
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      “This team is my second family ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting through thick and thin over the past five years.
      “However, I believe the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race.
      “My dream remains that of winning the world championship with Ferrari and I’m sure that in the years ahead, we will enjoy great times together and make our fans happy.”
      Leclerc finished fifth in the drivers’ championship last season but ended the campaign without a win as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dominated with 19 victories in 22.
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      Ferrari have acted quickly ahead of the new season to kill off any potential interest in Leclerc from Mercedes or Red Bull, who are assessing the futures of Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez respectively.
      Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur added: “Charles’ bond to the Scuderia goes beyond that of just a driver and a team.
      “His values and those of our team are intertwined and so it was natural for us to be in agreement on extending our collaboration.
      “We know him for his incessant desire to push himself to the limit and we appreciate his extraordinary abilities when it comes to fighting and overtaking in a race.
      “We are determined to give Charles a winning car and I know that his determination and commitment are elements that can make the difference in helping us reach our goals.”
      Ferrari, who will launch their 2024 F1 car on February 13th, will now turn their attention to signing Leclerc’s team-mate, Carlos Sainz, to a new deal until 2026.

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year 🏁 
      Leclerc has taken 30 podiums in 103 races at FerrariCredit: X/ScuderiaFerrari
      He has won five races with the iconic constructorCredit: X/ScuderiaFerrari
      Leclerc said he believed the ‘best is yet to come’Credit: X/ScuderiaFerrari More

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      Max Verstappen’s glam Wag Kelly Piquet risks wardrobe malfunction braless in open jacket as fans say ‘girl, you slay’

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      KELLY PIQUET put on the style as she attended a fashion show.Kelly, who is the partner of Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen, was snapped at Couture Week Fashion Week in Paris, France.
      Kelly Piquet stunned while visiting a fashion show
      She could be seen wearing black jacket and top combo
      Her jacket came with a old patterned leaf design finish
      Kelly was attending the Couture Week Fashion Week in Paris, France
      The 35-year-old posted a set of pictures from the event to her Instagram page.
      Kelly, a model and PR professional, could be seen wearing a black jacket and bottoms with no bra.
      Her open jacket top was completed with a golden pattern leaf branch and leaf design.
      The look also came with a small black and golden handbag accessory.
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      Fans rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on the glamorous snaps.
      One user said: “Gorgeous.”
      A second said: “Queeeeeen! ❤️”
      A third said: “Exquisite and perfect.”
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      Kelly is no stranger to sharing glamorous snaps onlineCredit: Instagram @kellypiquet
      She has 1.4 million followers on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/kellypiquet/
      Another said: “Wow. That’s a boss woman outfit for sure.”
      A fifth added: “GIRL YOU SLAY.”
      While a sixth said: “Goddess👏”
      Kelly is no stranger to stunning fans with her beautiful outfits.
      Earlier this month she was seen in a leopard-print dress.
      Before that she was pictured in a striking silver dress for New Years Eve.
      Kelly has dated three-time world champion Verstappen since 2020.
      Kelly has dated three time F1 World champion Max Verstappen since 2020Credit: instagram/@kellypiquet/
      Kelly works as a model and PR professionalCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-wife of Schumacher’s brother is KICKED OFF I’m A Celeb over fears she would reveal stricken Michael’s secrets

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      THE ex-wife of Michael Schumacher’s brother has been kicked out of I’m A Celebrity over fears she would reveal secrets about the F1 legend’s health.Cora Schumacher, 47, was married to Michael’s brother Ralf for almost 15 years and was dumped from the German spin-off reality show after only three days in the jungle.
      Cora Schumacher, ex-wife of Schumacher’s brother, was booted out of the German version of I’m A CelebrityCredit: RTL
      Cora was married to Ralf Schumacher, pictured right, for almost 15 yearsCredit: EPA
      TV bosses at RTL were reportedly worried Cora would reveal secrets about Michael’s health conditionCredit: PA:Press Association
      TV bosses were concerned that the OnlyFans model was too chatty and might reveal the guarded secrets about the stricken driver during a live show, German media reported.
      Any indiscretion would violate an implicit ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ between broadcaster RTL and the racing driver’s family not to pry into the driving champion’s personal life, BILD reports.
      Cora was close with Michael and his wife Corinna throughout her marriage to Ralf.
      The two women are said to still have a “respectful but not close” relationship with one another.
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      Ralf congratulated his ex-wife on joining Ich Bin Ein Star and revealed that they had often discussed her role on the reality TV show.
      He told BILD that the pair was on good terms and that he did not think she would make any revelations.
      “I think that she wants to find her own topic with the jungle camp and won’t, for example, take up our shared past. After all, it was all a long time ago,” he told the German news outlet. 
      Ich Bin Ein Star – the German version of I’m A Celeb – announced Cora’s exit on social media.
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      Producers informed that she had said the phrase to “get out of the jungle” shortly before the third live episode.
      An official statement read: “Cora suffers from a severe cough and decides that she no longer feels healthily fit for the jungle adventure. We wish her all the best!”
      Cora is said to suffer from long Covid, and was struggling to breathe due to the smoke coming off of the campfire.
      The 47-year-old, who is also a racing driver herself, sobbed as she explained her reason for leaving, saying:”‘I want to go home. I cannot stand this anymore. 
      “I can’t do this anymore with the smoke, everything is burning. I can not anymore. I want to get out of here now. Now, now, now!”
      It comes after Schumacher could be set to attend his daughter’s wedding after spending the last 10 years hidden from the public.
      The location of the wedding has finally been revealed as fans of the former F1 legend eagerly wait to see if he will turn up.
      December 29 marked a full decade since the seven-time world champion crashed while skiing in Meribel, France, later staying 250 days in a medically-induced coma.
      Since 2013, his wife Corinna has been creating a private world around Michael as he continues his recovery – including forming a tight knit group of people allowed to see the great man and those who can’t.
      Corinna has cut out certain people for a plethora or reasons including keeping the families privacy a priority and for the sake of Schuey.
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      Michael’s wife – who he described as his “guardian angel” – has done her best to keep their life private including reportedly slimming down his £500m business empire and selling prized assets such as his private jet and Norwegian home.
      She has even converted part of their £50million home into a hospital where 15 doctors and a team of masseurs give him 24-hour care and the surrounding forest and security fences kept him away from anyone not welcome.
      Cora and Michael’s wife Corinna (left) are said to are said to still have a ‘respectful but not close’ relationshipCredit: AFP
      The OnlyFans model pictured at Frankfurt Airport before heading to Australia , only to quit three live episodes inCredit: Getty
      Cora and Ralf Schumacher on their wedding dayCredit: AP:Associated Press More

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      Max Verstappen’s Red Bull sign ‘groundbreaking’ deal that will bring ‘new look’ team to F1 grid in 2024

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      RED BULL RACING’s B-team has been renamed as Visa Cash App RB for the new F1 season.The Italy-based team were formerly known as AlphaTauri, the soft drink’s clothing range, and before that Toro Rosso – Italian for ‘Red Bull’.
      AlphaTauri has been renamed to Visa Cash App RBCredit: Reuters
      Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo will stay with the team for 2024Credit: Getty
      The move will see the Visa logo on the Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB cars for the new season however, fans are critical of the name change.
      Peter Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of the newly named Visa Cash App RB team said: “It’s fantastic to reveal the new identity and to welcome new partners as we embark on the next phase of the team’s F1 story.
      “Faenza is entering a new era of racing, staying true to our roots as a hothouse for talent but now with an even greater focus on competing for the biggest prizes in F1.
      “We have a bold vision for the team lead by myself and team principal, Laurent Mekies and having future-focused partners such as Visa and Cash App alongside us on that journey is hugely exciting.”
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      Visa Cash App RB Drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo will unveil the new car livery during a special event in Las Vegas on February 8th ahead of the new season, which kicks off in Bahrain on February 29th.
      However, the rebranding has drawn criticism, with F1 website The Race calling “Visa CashApp RB the worst team name in F1 history and would be an embarrassment to Red Bull and F1 as a whole” for its lack of imagination.
      McLaren chief executive Zak Brown called for a ban on common ownership in Formula One last month.
      Although he did not directly mention Red Bull and AlphaTauri, they are the only two teams in F1 with shared owners.
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      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year 🏁 
      In an open letter, Brown argued that “there is an opportunity to improve some of the other processes in Formula 1 to strengthen the values of fairness and competition.”
      F1 icon Damon has backed the McLaren chief’s point, saying he “agrees 100 percent”. More

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      Iconic Spanish Grand Prix MOVED amid fears for Barcelona track’s future with new F1 race on stunning circuit

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      FORMULA ONE chiefs have signed a ten-year deal with Madrid to become the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix.It will replace Barcelona’s out-dated Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the schedule, which has been a key venue for the sport since 1991.
      Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya faces an uncertain futureCredit: GETTY
      The drivers will race next to Real Madrid’s training baseCredit: Getty
      Madrid’s track will be built around the Ifema exhibition centre
      F1 will return to the capital from the 2026 season for the first time since 1981’s race at Circuito del Jarama.
      Spain’s new circuit will mix street and non-street sections.
      F1 chiefs officially revealed that the 5.47km circuit will feature 20 corners and it is going to join the calendar on a long-term deal until 2035.
      It will be located near Barajas airport and next to Real Madrid’s training base Ciudad in the suburb of Valdebebas.
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      The track will be built around the Ifema exhibition centre.
      And itwill incorporate a premium paddock building with a new race tower, office spaces, VIP hospitality and entertainment areas.
      The venue will have capacity to host more than 110,000 fans per day across grandstands, general admission, and VIP hospitality.
      There are also plans to increase the capacity to 140,000 per day, making Madrid one of the largest venues on the F1 calendar.
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      The track is also committed to reaching “Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and plans to be the most sustainable event of the season”.
      All buildings will use renewable energy and any temporary structure will be made of recyclable materials.
      Stefano Domenicali, F1 president, said: “Madrid is an incredible city with amazing sporting and cultural heritage, and today’s announcement begins an exciting new chapter for F1 in Spain.
      “I would like to thank the team at Ifema Madrid, the Regional Government of Madrid and the city’s Mayor for putting together a fantastic proposal.
      “It truly epitomises Formula One’s vision to create a multi-day spectacle of sport and entertainment that delivers maximum value for fans and embraces innovation and sustainability.”
      Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, added: “Modern F1 cars racing on a new circuit in the Spanish capital city of Madrid is an enticing prospect.
      “As is customary, the proposed circuit will be subject to FIA homologation and safety checks and calendar approval by the World Motor Sport Council.”
      Meanwhile, Barcelona track bosses are still hopeful of holding F1 races at their venue in the future, alongside the Spanish GP.
      Drivers will go past Real Madrid’s training base and Ifema exhibition centre
      Coming up next season…
      Max Verstappen lifted his third World Championship title in 2023 as he won 19 out of 22 races.
      Next season gets underway in Bahrain on March 2.
      McLaren beat their rivals to revealing their livery for 2024 with a bold new design.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      And Mercedes have re-hired technical director James Allison, who oversaw Lewis Hamilton win five World Championships as they look to close the gap on Red Bull.
      Hamilton, 39, has no plans to retire just yet, having signed a £100m contract in August that sees his spot on the grid nailed for both the 2024 and 2025 season. More

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      Mercedes’ two-man shortlist to replace F1 legend Lewis Hamilton including 17-year-old wonderkid

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S succession plan is reportedly already in the works at Mercedes. Hamilton, 39, has been an ever-present figure on the Formula One grid since 2007, yielding seven titles in the most glittering career ever seen by a driver.
      Mercedes have lined up potential successors for Lewis HamiltonCredit: Splash
      But Mercedes chiefs know Hamilton will not stay in the fast lane forever.
      While the Brit signed a mega £100million contract that will take his F1 career into his 40s in the summer, Mercedes has wasted no time in earmarking his potential replacements.
      One of these is a name already familiar with F1 and Mercedes in Esteban Ocon.
      Gwen Lagrue, head of the Silver Arrows driver programme, revealed to The Race the Alpine driver was still managed by Mercedes.
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      He said: “He’s still very linked to us. He’s an Alpine driver and he’s fully committed to Alpine, but we’re still managing his career.
      “We have a very good relationship with Alpine and with others.
      “And we always try to find the best solution to work together in the best interest of the team and the driver.”
      The other driver lined up as George Russell’s potential next partner is 17-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
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      The Mirror suggest that come 2026 Antonelli could be the ideal long-term candidate for a provisional Mercedes seat.
      The Mercedes junior driver was afforded the chance to skip F3 and move straight into F2 with Prema for the upcoming 2024 season.
      Toto Wolff, who himself signed a new Mercedes contract extension earlier this month, has tipped the Italian to be able to win a seat.
      Wolff said: “His track record in karting was already impressive and then he moved up to the junior formulas and won every single season in his rookie year.
      “But we have to be careful because there is a lot of hype around Kimi.
      “Bringing him into F2 is a big step because these cars are heavier and have a lot more power.
      “If we give him time and don’t expect him to surpass everything in his first season, I think he can become a great in this sport.
      “We’ll see how things go in F2. They have new cars there, which is an advantage for him.
      “But there are some great competitors who are contesting their second Formula 2 season this year and are also highly rated.
      “He has to show that he is ready for a place in F1. And first, we have to concentrate exclusively on F2.”
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      The new F1 season kicks off in Bahrain on March 2.
      Hamilton will be hoping to break his two-plus year wait for an F1 race win.
      Esteban Ocon is an F1 race winner who is still managed by MercedesCredit: Getty
      Andrea Kimi Antonelli has skipped F3 entirelyCredit: Getty More

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      Lewis Hamilton enjoys night out with Cristiano Ronaldo’s ex Irina Shayk days after her cosy dinner date with Tom Brady

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      LEWIS HAMILTON enjoyed a Parisian night out with Irina Shayk – just days after she was papped with Tom Brady.The F1 legend was spotted heading to a luxury venue with the stunning Russian model on Friday night.
      Lewis Hamilton stepped out for a night out in Paris with Irina Shayk on Friday nightCredit: BACKGRID
      Russian model Shayk donned an all-black outfit for their night on the tilesCredit: BACKGRID
      The pair were spotted heading into a luxury vehicleCredit: BACKGRID
      Hamilton donned an oversized and puffy cream hoody with baggy brown trousers and black sunglasses as they headed for a night on the tiles.
      Shayk, 38, also went for the oversized look – completing her all-black outfit with a large black leather trench coat.
      But she made sure to add some colour to her chic look with a bright but small red clutch bag.
      Shayk’s Paris rendezvous with Hamilton comes just days after she was spotted on a dinner date with NFL icon Tom Brady in New York.
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      The pair have been romantically linked for some time, although Shayk has refused to be drawn on rumours they’re an item.
      When recently probed on their rumoured romance, the ex of footie icon Cristiano Ronaldo said: “No comment.
      “I share my work stuff because I decided to keep my personal life personal.”
      Seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady is said to have not dived head-first into a relationship with Shayk due to all of his business commitments.
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      A source close to the 46-year-old reportedly told The Daily Mail: “If Tom had more time for love, he would be all about it and would likely still be dating Irina.
      “He really thinks she is great.
      “But Tom is keeping himself busy with his businesses.
      “Being a part of the sports teams he owns, getting ready for his commentating job next year, and being a father.
      “Everything he does, he wants to give it 110 per cent.
      “He knew he wasn’t able to give his full attention and time to Irina and she is such a good person, that he didn’t want her to feel less than in his world.
      “Maybe they will find each other in the future, but right now, it is easier for them to be friends.”
      Shayk is one of the world’s top modelsCredit: Mega
      Irina Shayk was recently spotted out on a dinner date with NFL legend Tom BradyCredit: Getty More

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      Mercedes re-hire chief who oversaw Lewis Hamilton’s success in desperate bid to bring back F1 glory

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      MERCEDES have followed up Toto Wolff’s new three-year deal by signing technical director James Allison to a new long-term contract.Wolff, who is three-way owner of the team along with Mercedes-Benz and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has recently committed his future to the team.
      James Allison has committed his future to MercedesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lewis Hamilton is bidding to return to winning ways next seasonCredit: Rex
      And now the Silver Arrows have moved to tie-down his chief designer ahead of another major rule change planned for 2026.
      Wolff said: “I am thrilled that James has committed his long-term future to the team.
      “Put simply, he is the most impressive technical leader in our sport.
      “His gladiator spirit, along with his knowledge, experience, and determination, make him second-to-none. His influence and impact, however, goes so much further than that.
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      “Since joining in 2017, he has been a key ally and sparring partner for me personally.
      “We can challenge each other openly and honestly; an embodiment of the ‘tough love’ culture of the team that is vital in helping us all perform at our very best.
      “Most importantly though, James is a true friend you can rely on, not only in times of success but in difficult moments too.
      “It has been a pleasure to work with him over the past seven years and I look forward to doing so for many more to come.”
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      Allison joined the team in 2017 as technical director and oversaw Lewis Hamilton’s successful spell with the team where he won four drivers’ titles and five consecutive constructors’ championships.
      After a brief spell working on INEOS’ America’s Cup project he returned to the F1 team in April last year to cure the team’s dreadful performance.
      He has now been ringfenced for the F1 operation as Mercedes try to catch runaway leaders, Red Bull.
      Allison said: “F1 has brought me a lot of good fortune, but none greater than answering Toto’s call to join Mercedes in 2017.
      “It is a great privilege to continue this adventure, working alongside brilliant colleagues and fighting together for championship success.”
      Toto Wolff is thrilled to have tied Allison down to a longer dealCredit: PA More