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FORMULA 1

Huge Ferrari announcement that will have major impact on Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is ‘imminent’

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Ferrari could be set to make a huge signing announcement that could reshape the landscape of Formula 1 for years to come.

The Italian team have already made a major signing in 2024, as they announced that Lewis Hamilton would be joining Charles Leclerc as their driver lineup for 2025 onwards, with Carlos Sainz being released.

Canadian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton backs Max Verstappen will pass race wins record

Hamilton and Leclerc joining forces will be one of the strongest lineups in the history of the sport, but team principal Fred Vasseur could be set to make an even bigger signing in the coming days/weeks.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vasseur has met with departing Red Bull chief engineer Adrian Newey ahead of move to Ferrari.

The report reads: “Fred Vasseur has met with Adrian Newey in London and it is likely that Newey will be joining Scuderia Ferrari. An official announcement is imminent. He may start working for the team as soon as 2025 in preparations for the 2026 regulations.”

Hamilton: Verstappen can break my wins record but 'I'm working on slowing him' · RaceFans

Newey is arguably the most influential man in all of F1, having designed the most dominant car in F1 history last year for Red Bull, and his 2024 car appears to be just as far ahead as last season.

With new regulations set for 2026, Newey’s departure is a disaster for Red Bull as they will have to significantly change their car design without the genius of the legendary designer.

This could also push Max Verstappen out of the team, with Mercedes set to offer the world champion a ‘world record contract’ to replace Hamilton.

Red Bull announced Newey would be leaving the team on Wednesday morning following growing speculation the 65-year-old would be joining Ferrari.

Adrian Newey- Getty

The team released the following statement: “The Team announces that Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey will leave the Red Bull Technology Group in the first quarter of 2025.

“The engineering supremo will step back from Formula 1 design duties to focus on final development and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar, the hugely anticipated RB17.

“He will remain involved in and committed to this exciting project until its completion. We’d like to thank Adrian for our achievements in the time that we have worked together so far. He has been instrumental for us in achieving a remarkable seven Formula One Drivers’ and six Constructors’ Championship titles – totaling 118 victories and 101 poles including the STR 2007 pole and victory,” They concluded.

Newey also is expected to have interest from the likes of Aston Martin and McLaren, but Ferrari remain the firm favourites to land the Brit’s signature.

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FORMULA 1

Ferrari told they made a mistake over Lewis Hamilton as Fred Vasseur faces regret

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Frederic Vasseur has been warned that he may live to regret bringing Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has been warned that he may have jumped the gun by ditching Carlos Sainz in favor of Lewis Hamilton. The Brit will partner Charles Leclerc from next season onwards, leaving Sainz without a drive for 2025 despite being one of the best performers on the grid this year.

Sainz has finished on the podium in every race he has competed in this season, claiming third place in Bahrain before winning the Australian Grand Prix. His victory came just two weeks after he was forced to sit out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where he was replaced by Oliver Bearman after undergoing surgery to remove his appendix.

Hamilton, meanwhile, is enduring his worst start to a season in recent memory having finished no higher than seventh after the opening three races. Former F1 driver Christian Danner has warned that Sainz’s impressive form is ‘messing everything up’ at Ferrari, who he believes might live to regret their decision to replace him with Hamilton.

Hamilton has endured his worst start to an F1 season in 2024
Hamilton has endured his worst start to an F1 season in 2024

“If you want Hamilton, you’ve kept the wrong one because he [Sainz] is faster, but that’s highly political,” Danner told MotorsportMagazin. “He [Vasseur] should have waited a little longer. It wasn’t a necessity. I wouldn’t blame Lewis for stumbling at the moment, but one thing is clear.

“Sainz in this kind of form, when he has Leclerc under control like this, you can say that he [Vasseur] perhaps made his decision too early. Sainz is approaching it with a commitment, a joy and an aggressiveness. I really like that. It also requires a fervent attitude: ‘Now it’s me and no one else’.

“You can see it not only in his eyes, but in every corner and at the moment, Carlos Sainz is messing everything up at Ferrari. First of all, you’ve signed the wrong driver for next year. Hamilton is behind, he’s [Sainz] much better.”

Sainz will be replaced by Hamilton next year no matter what he does this season
Sainz will be replaced by Hamilton next year no matter what he does this season

Sainz is likely to attract plenty of interest from other teams ahead of next season thanks to his impressive start to the current campaign. He has already been linked with a move to Stake, who will become the Audi works team in 2026, but it has also been speculated that he could join Red Bull if Sergio Perez is relieved of his duties.

Christian Horner refused to rule out the possibility of moving for Sainz after his impressive victory in Australia, saying: “We want to field the best pairing we can with Red Bull Racing so sometimes you have got to look outside the pool as well.

“The market is reasonably fluid in certain parts. I mean, based on a performance like that, you couldn’t rule any possibility out so I think we just want to take the time.”

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FORMULA 1

Lewis Hamilton could bring Mercedes staff member with him to Ferrari as ‘terms agreed’

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One Mercedes employee could be about to follow in Hamilton’s footsteps towards Maranello.

A key Mercedes staff member is reportedly in talks to follow Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari from the beginning of the 2025 season.

Hamilton shocked the F1 world by signing a multi-year contract with the Scuderia in January, in a move which will see him team up with Charles Leclerc at the Italian team from 2025.

He agreed a new two-year contract with Mercedes last year, but it was revealed that the second year was only an optional extension that the seven-time world champion could choose not to exercise.

Mercedes are thus far yet to announce Hamilton’s replacement, with Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz among those linked with taking the soon-to-be vacant role.

PlanetF1 reported that Hamilton’s Ferrari contract contains a ‘no-poaching clause’, which means the Englishman cannot directly approach members of his own team to join him at the Scuderia.

While the Silver Arrows have not confirmed this publicly, a source told PlanetF1 that the existence of the clause was ‘accurate’.

However, such a clause doesn’t entirely stop a Mercedes team member moving across to Maranello – and it is claimed that one significant figure is close to completing a move in that direction.

According to Motorsport.nextgen-auto.com, sources claim that Mercedes driver development director Jerome d’Ambrosio has been in talks with the Scuderia over potentially joining the team in 2025.

It is also claimed that ‘terms have been agreed’ on a deal that would see d’Ambrosio join the team after completing a period of gardening leave.

D’Ambrosio is a former F1 driver, having raced for the Marussia Virgin Racing team in the 2011 season. He also deputised for Romain Grosjean at the 2012 Italian Grand Prix after the Frenchman received a one-race ban.

After retiring, the Belgian became team principal of Formula E team Venturi Racing before taking up his post at Mercedes.

Last season, D’Ambrosio filled the duties of regular team principal Toto Wolff at two Grands Prix after the Austrian was forced to undergo knee surgery.

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FORMULA 1

Sir Lewis Hamilton explains his move to Ferrari: The stars aligned

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The seven-time world champion admits he has never been to Maranello, nor has he spoken Italian since his youth

Sir Lewis Hamilton spoke for the first time today about his planned move to Ferrari in 2025, and, more importantly, his change of heart after renewing his two-year deal with Mercedes just a few months ago.

Lewis Hamilton

“In the summer we signed and obviously I, at the time, saw my future with Mercedes. But an opportunity came up in the new year and I decided to take it,” he told the press in Bahrain.

“It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life after 26 years of Mercedes supporting me and we’ve had this absolutely incredible journey together. We’ve made history and it’s something I’m very proud of.

“But I think ultimately I’m writing my story and I felt it was time to start a new chapter.”

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What does Hamilton hope to achieve with Ferrari?
Although Fernando Alonso wryly underlined his surprise at Lewis’ change of allegiance from Mercedes ambassador to ‘Ferrarista’, Hamilton has been a fan of the Italian team since he was a boy.

“Of course, I think for all drivers growing up, looking at history, they see Michael Schumacher at his best…. Definitely, even as a kid, I used to play Michael in that car, so it’s definitely a dream and I’m very, very excited about it,” he continued.

“I think we probably all sit in our garage and see the screen come up and you see the driver in the red cockpit and you wonder what it would be like to be surrounded by red.

“You go to the Italian Grand Prix and you see the tifosi and it just blows you away.”

Lewis knows he is coming to try and break the 17-year championship drought that has plagued Maranello, but he is ready for the challenge.

“It’s a team that hasn’t had much success recently, since 2007, and I saw it as a big challenge. I’ve had a great relationship and communication with Fred Vasseur since we raced together in F3 and GP2, and I think this really wouldn’t have happened without him, so I’m very grateful and very excited about the work he’s doing there,” Hamilton concluded.

“When he joined Ferrari, I was happy for him and I think the stars aligned.”

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FORMULA 1

Lewis Hamilton issues new statement on ‘leap of faith’ move to Ferrari

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Lewis Hamilton has posted on social media for the first time since his shock move to Ferrari from Mercedes was confirmed.

The 39-year-old is set to make a “leap of faith” and leave Mercedes after 11 years to begin what he called a “childhood dream” by racing for Ferrari.

RED BULL RING, AUSTRIA - JULY 02: Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 F1 W14 prior to the F1 Grand Prix of

Two days after his announcement was confirmed, Hamilton took to his Twitter account to post a heartfelt message to Mercedes as well as describe his rationale behind departing.

Lewis Hamilton fulfils ‘childhood dream’ as Mercedes departure reasons given
Hamilton had not spoken since a statement given via Mercedes on Thursday but has now posted a longer message onto his personal Twitter account.

The seven-time World Champion described joining Ferrari as his dream and said he wanted to “start a new chapter in my life.”

“It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions,” he said.

“But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Ferrari in 2025.

Lewis Hamilton's first words as he explains decision to leave Mercedes team : PlanetF1

“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.”

Hamilton went on to thank Mercedes, in particular Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda, as they became the most successful driver-team partnership in F1 history.

“Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve ever had to make,” Hamilton, who has driven with Mercedes engines all his career, said.

“I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together and I’m very grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone I have worked with over the years and of course Toto, for his friendship, guidance and leadership. Together we have won titles, broken records and become the most successful driver-team partnership in F1 history. And of course I cannot forget Niki who was a huge supporter and who I still miss everyday.

“I must also share my huge appreciation to the whole of the Mercedes-Benz board and everyone at the company in Germany and around the world for supporting me over these 26 years.

“But the time is right to make a change and take on a new challenge. I still remember the feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown when I first joined Mercedes in 2013. I know some people didn’t understand it at the time but I was right to make the move then and it’s the feeling I have again now. I’m excited to see what I can bring to this new opportunity and what we can do together.

Lewis Hamilton to leave Mercedes after 'amazing 11 years' and move to Ferrari | UK News | Sky News

“However, right now, I’m not thinking about 2025. My focus is on the upcoming season and getting back out on track with Mercedes.

“I am more driven than ever, I am fitter and more focussed than than ever and I want to help Mercedes win once again. I am 100% committed to the job I need to do and determined to end my partnership with the team on a high.

“Thank you to all of you who have been on this journey with me, you have all lifted me up as I chase my dreams and I hope I can continue to make you proud. As always, sending you my love and positive energy.”

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FORMULA 1

Lewis Hamilton set to move to Ferrari in bombshell switch, less than a year after he denied £40m talks

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Lewis Hamilton has shocked the sporting world by lining up a surprise switch from Mercedes to rivals Ferrari.

Mail Sport understands the seven-time world champion has secured a seat to drive for the Italian firm who have been reportedly offering him a £40million incentive to sign up for the 2025 season.

Hamilton's dream of racing for the Italian manufacturer appears on the brink of reality
Hamilton’s dream of racing for the Italian manufacturer appears on the brink of reality

Today’s development confirms Mail Sport’s world exclusive of last May that Ferrari were in talks with Hamilton – even though this was strenuously denied at the time.

Sir Lewis is currently on £50million-a-year at Mercedes, where he has won six of his seven world championships – and previously expressed his desire to remain with them for the rest of his time in the sport.

But Ferrari chiefs have stepped up their efforts to tempt him across, after Hamilton expressed frustration in recent seasons over under-performing by Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton is set to sign for Ferrari next year in a bombshell move from Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton is set to sign for Ferrari next year in a bombshell move from Mercedes

A source in Italy said today of those conversations in late spring: ‘They were pushing like mad.

That story of a potential move was denied by all parties last year, including Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur.

But now the Italian press has stated Hamilton, 39, is wanted to replace Spaniard Carlos Sainz, whose contract negotiations ground to a standstill in December.

Hamilton is contracted to Mercedes until the end of 2025, a bind that requires some unpicking but not one that is not insuperable because of an ‘escape clause’.

Ferrari have tried persistently to get Hamilton to join them, including an offer last year

Driving for Ferrari has been an obsession nagging in Hamilton’s head all his career.

There have been flirtations between the two parties for a while, and he has driven red road cars off the forecourt of their Beverly Hills dealership, as well as visited the factory in Maranello.

Mail Sport understands that John Elkann, the company president, has led the initiative to bring in Hamilton for what, if the move materializes, would likely be the last chapter of a glittering career.

Elkann is attracted by Hamilton’s superstar status as the only Formula One driver with truly transcendent fame across the world.

Nothing would cap his successes than winning an eighth title at Ferrari – a milestone that eluded even the great Michael Schumacher, the team’s most decorated champion.

Hamilton shares a joke with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur in Azerbaijan last year
Hamilton shares a joke with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur in Azerbaijan last year

Hamilton won six of his world titles with Mercedes in the space of seven years between 2014 and 20.

However, the team have since fallen off the pace and Hamilton has not won a race since narrowly missing out on a record eighth world championship in 2021.

Hamilton began his Formula One career with McLaren and won his first world title with them in 2008 before switching to Mercedes in 2013.

In terms of race wins, he is the most successful driver in the sport’s history with 103 – 12 ahead of Schumacher, with whom he shares the record for the most world titles.

Fred Vasseur, pictured here with Lewis Hamilton at Monte Carlo in Monaco in May 2006, last year denied a potential Ferrari move for the British driver
Fred Vasseur, pictured here with Lewis Hamilton at Monte Carlo in Monaco in May 2006, last year denied a potential Ferrari move for the British driver

Sky Sports’ F1 lead commentator David Croft tweeted in response to today’s reports: ‘Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari! Always thought it would happen one day, finally it will and it seems as early as 2025.

‘Seismic move just as it was when Lewis joined Mercedes and like then I don’t see the negatives.

‘But wow, undoubtedly the biggest transfer on transfer deadline day!’

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