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Tag: Ferrari

  • Lewis Hamilton Joins Ferrari for 2025

    Lewis Hamilton Joins Ferrari for 2025

    Shocking news announced this morning as Lewis Hamilton will be joining Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

    Many fans of the support are surprised to see this move, however, there have been signs for a while showing that this move may happen. But what does this mean for the rest of the grid moving forward? 

    Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari

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    Lewis Hamilton has been at Mercedes for over 10 years, racing alongside the likes of Rosberg, Bottas and most recently George Russel. He has won numerous championships with the team, cementing him as one of the greats. Unfortunately, his time with the team is coming to an end after the 2024 season with a move to join Charles Leclerc at Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season.

    But why now? Well.. there have been numerous hints of this move over the last few years. Leclerc has wanted Hamilton as a teammate for a long time and Ferrari has been pushing for another championship through the dominant Mercedes and Red Bull era. Right now, it’s unclear how long Lewis will stay at Ferrari but he has said he has a few more years in him yet.

    After a couple of years of poor performance, engine failures, and strategy issues – perhaps Lewis can help Ferrari push for another constructor Championship with two top-tier drivers alongside Leclerc. 

    What about Sainz? 

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    Carlos Sainz (currently at Ferrari) has been rumoured to be joining Audi when they join the grid in 2026 – perhaps he’s looking to take a year out or simply join Mercedes for that interim period alongside Russel. The pair are known to be good friends so this change would make sense. 

    We also received news this week that Formula 1 has declined Andretti and Cadillac’s application to join the grid due to a lack of “added value”. Perhaps they are considering another team to join the grid and add 2 seats for Carlos to jump into alongside a rookie.

    Sainz has shown he is as good of a driver as Leclerc with a similar performance over the 2023 season, unfortunately, Ferrari has decided to stick with Leclerc as their poster boy… for now. 

    The Rest of the Grid

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    With this change, we will likely see a massive shake-up for the rest of the grid. Rumours of Perez’s retirement have been circulating since his “poor” performance last year in comparison to his teammate. 

    We may see Ricciardo take his place and the young Kiwi Liam Lawson jump in a permanent seat after his stellar performance in his few races with Alpha Tauri. 

    There is also plenty of young talent ready for their turn in F1 with F2 champions, third drivers and more patiently waiting to be called into a seat. To name a few, Jack Doohan, Oliver Bearman and Aston Martin 3rd driver Felipe Drugovich all showed great performances during practice sessions towards the latter end of last season.

    Other rumoured changes across the grid include Sargeant, Magnusson and Alonso “expected” to make a departure at the end of 2024 due to retirement – or simply poor performance. However, this is all rumoured. 

    All we know for now is Lewis is off to Ferrari for his last few years in F1.

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    The Singapore Grand Prix was a reminder of the excitement Formula 1 can deliver when the playing field is leveled for Red Bull Racing.

    Was Team principle Christian Horner correct in his insistence that FIA’s clampdown on flexible bodywork had no impact to the team’s performance this weekend? It appears suspicious that such a dramatic decline in pace should come directly following this rule change. Nevertheless, fans were treated to a rare five-car battle for the lead in Sunday’s thriller, nearer to expectations heading into the season. 

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    Red Bull’s rotten week

    It’s fair to say, it was a week to forget for Red Bull, both on and off track. Even before arriving at Marina Bay, the Milton Keynes outfit dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Following Dr. Helmut Marko’s incendiary comments, Red Bull’s Advisor to the Team appeared to blame Sergio Perez’ poor performances on his ethnicity. The FIA were under heavy pressure to act throughout the week, and finally reprimanded the 80-year-old. However, many felt his punishment lacked severity.

    Ryanair Join Debate Surrounding Helmut Marko On Social Media

    Red Bull have been untouchable throughout 2023, but sentiment of this kind threatens to divert attention away from their stellar season. 

    No flexi-wings, no pace

    Christian Horner was staunch in defence of his team’s compliance with F1 rules this weekend. This came following an FIA technical directive ahead of the Singapore to control the flexibility of aerodynamic parts. Horner’s comments were, by and large, echoed by team principles across the paddock.

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    Many appeared to dismiss the idea that Red Bull could suffer such a sudden decline following a small rule tweak. However, fans can be forgiven for thinking the team have been pegged back judging by their weekend performance.

    Related: Relentless Verstappen Bent On Season Dominance

    After both cars failed to make Q3 after electing not to pit under an early safety car, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez found themselves tumbling down the order. Remarkably, Singapore was the first time the Dutchman has been passed on track this season. The true impact of the rule change on Red Bull’s performance won’t be measured until Japan next weekend. Regardless, the Austrian manufacturer can still clinch their second consecutive constructors title at Suzuka.

    Rivals’ gain

    As the top dogs floundered, the chasing pack wasted no time in capitalising. Following a Virtual Safety Car period, Sunday’s race exploded into life, prompting Mercedes to pit both their cars with fresh tyres. As the pressure piled on Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton charged toward the leaders, with the latter the faster of the pair.

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    As Russell struggled to make progress behind Lando Norris, Hamilton was vocal on the radio in his attempts to hurry his teammate along. Pressures of the seven-time champion then saw Russell eventually crash on worn tires during the final lap, after clipping a wall. Sainz cruised home to victory ahead of Norris, as Hamilton trundled home to claim a 196th career podium. Mercedes are now approaching their ideal set-up; inevitably, disharmony between the Brit duo could now appear. The relationship may become truly tested if wins become a more frequent possibility.

     

    Click here for a free bet on Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

    Claim odds of 16/1 with William Hill for Carlos Sainz to repeat his Singapore victory at Suzuka.

     

    Next: Williams’ Albon Thriving In Team Leader Role

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Hope as Chasing Pack Look to Thwart Red Bull

    Formula 1 | Singapore Hope as Chasing Pack Look to Thwart Red Bull

    The Singapore Grand Prix has delivered some thrilling Formula 1 races in recent years and last year’s event was no exception.

    Sergio Perez fought off Charles Leclerc to take victory, capitalising on teammate Max Verstappen’s lowly grid position.

    Looking a little further back in history, 2017’s rain-soaked start saw Sebastian Vettel swerve off the line, colliding with Kimi Raikkonen and Verstappen, to end the race for all three drivers. 

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    The Asian stop has also seen its fair share of controversy too.

    2008 saw Renault instruct Nelson Piquet JR to crash, ultimately allowing teammate Fernando Alonso to pit under the resulting safety car and set himself up for victory. 

    Jumping back to the present, during a season where Red Bull look to sweep the board, the streets of Singapore present an opportunity for the chasers to break the team’s dominance.  

    But who could make a statement in Sunday’s Grand Prix?

    Hungry Hamilton

    Four-time winner in Singapore, Lewis Hamilton, returns eager for another victory to back up his season form.

    The seven-time champion has fond memories of Marina Bay and 2018 saw the Briton deliver one of his most complete pole laps in a struggling Mercedes that weekend.

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    Hamilton, one race win from equalling the record for Singapore victories, will be keen to play on the strengths of his Mercedes. 

    Related: Mercedes’ Hamilton Keen to Continue Season Momentum

    High downforce circuits have seen the team’s most competitive performances this season.

    Hamilton claimed pole in Budapest and was P2 in Barcelona – a double podium for the Silver Arrows. 

    At a circuit he thrives on, the Stevenage driver will hope to break his on-going and rather thorny drought.

    Leclerc lurks

    Charles Leclerc was at the centre of much of the entertainment last time out at Monza.

    His battles with Perez and teammate Carlos Sainz had the Tifosi on the edge of their seats at the Temple of Speed.

    Leclerc will have been disappointed at being unable to challenge the pace of Verstappen, restricted to fight for the lower steps on the podium.

    However, the Monegasque driver will have been encouraged that his Ferrari was the second quickest car.

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    Singapore’s twisty street circuit presents an alternative challenge to Italy and Leclerc has performed strongly on similar high downforce layouts this season.

    Baku saw him convert pole into a podium finish, with a similarly strong result in Canada. 

    The Ferrari driver will hope to replicate his pace from 2022 here, when he pushed Perez closely throughout to finish as eventual runner-up.

    Notwithstanding, Leclerc will be wary of better performing teams around him.

    Alonso hopes

    Marina Bay presents Fernando Alonso with another opportunity to win in 2023. 

    At the Monaco GP, the Spaniard had a chance to leapfrog Verstappen to take the lead had his team opted to pit a lap earlier. 

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    Despite missing out on the win, it was Aston Martin’s most competitive showing of the season.

    The similarity between the two circuits will offer encouragement to Alonso, who is winless since 2013. 

    With second place at Zandvoort recently, there is every chance both the team and Alonso can compete at the front end of the grid this weekend. 

     

    Click here for a free bet on this weekend’s Singapore grand Prix

    Use a free bet to Claim odds of 18/1 for Alonso to win the Singapore Grand Prix

     

    Next: Albon Thriving In William’s Team Leader Role

  • Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023: Verstappen claims pole – latest betting

    Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023: Verstappen claims pole – latest betting

    Red Bull remain on course for a winning start to the new Formula 1 season after Max Verstappen claimed pole in Bahrain.

    Locking out the front row of the grid with teammate Sergio Perez in qualifying, the two-time defending champ was again superior.

    Are Red Bull finally poised to break a hoodoo and win a season opener for the first time in the turbo-hybrid era?

    Verstappen is still a fairly decent 4/5 price with Midnite to take the chequered flag on Sunday.

     

    Ferrari lurking

    In our pre-weekend betting, we pointed toward Ferrari as excellent value and the evidence is there.

    Though eventually forced to settle for the second row, Q1 and Q2 saw both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc clock fastest times.

    The main issue that lingers is team orders could scupper any plans for The Prancing Horse.

    Red Bull will be using the team block to thwart Scuderia, but Leclerc lurks at a hefty 10/1 with SpreadEx.

     

    Alonso, Hulkenberg impress

    Elsewhere, Fernando Alonso makes another sterling start to a campaign, swooping for P5.

    As the two-time former world champ rolls into a new era with Aston Martin, the Spaniard was fastest in practice.

    Twenty-two years on from his F1 debut in Melbourne, Alonso continues to enjoy a sparkle in his twilight years.

    We have already seen his car’s pace this weekend, so a podium finish should not be ruled out at 23/10.

    Nico Hulkenberg also made an impressive return to the paddock for Haas, progressing to Q3 and taking P10.

    The German has been on the periphery since losing his seat but a points finish at 9/4 would please his new employers.

    Both prices with 888Sport.

  • Formula Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023: Back Ferrari in season opener

    Formula Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2023: Back Ferrari in season opener

    As pre-season testing disappears into the rear-view mirrors, Formula 1 finally emerges from winter hibernation this weekend for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

    In its traditional season curtain-raiser, Sakhir signals a Middle Eastern double to start the new campaign.

    With a short trip west into Saudi Arabia to come later this month, the 2023 term is set to be the longest yet.

    Twenty-three races lie ahead but who will take the early spoils this weekend?

     

    Red Bull top testing

    For Red Bull, the new term represents the chance to underline their current F1 dominance.

    After Max Verstappen retained his crown in 2022, Red Bull also claimed their first constructors title since 2013.

    A casual glance at the F1 Power Rankings post-testing would therefore suggest Red Bull could again have it all their own way.

    At the very least, the bookies see Verstappen the strong favourite to begin the new campaign in winning form.

    For a best price this weekend, Midnite are carrying the Belgian to win in Sakhir at evens.

     

    Scuderia offer value

    For Ferrari meanwhile, the optimism of last season’s early showings in the first three rounds rather dissipated.

    As Charles Leclerc picked up wins in Bahrain and at Melbourne, Scuderia would go on to top the podium just two more times.

    That, despite claiming pole in four successive GP weekends between Miami and Baku.

    Though Red Bull are expected to hit the ground running in Bahrain, there remains something of a monkey on boss Christian Horner’s back.

    In the turbo-hybrid era, Red Bull are yet to win a season opener, either here or in Australia.

    Therefore, Leclerc still carries significant value to take the chequered flag.

    Indeed, a 9/2 shot with BetUK and UniBet must surely be considered, even pole at 9/4 with 10Bet.

     

    Debutantes for points finish?

    The new season is set to feature no less than three F2 graduates.

    Nyck de Vries, Logan Sargeant and Oscar Piastri will all take their maiden F1 bow this weekend.

    A trio highly regarded, Williams and McLaren likely to struggle however and De Vries could make an impact.

    With AlphaTauri looking to have a good set up this year, the Italian manufacturer might surprise.

    Powered by the Red Bull Honda engine, the team saw 10 points finishes last term.

    De Vries and teammate Yuki Tsunoda could both grab points to open their season accounts, with the former 5/2 odds on the Betfair Exchange.