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Italian prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to make history as he joins Mercedes in Formula One next season, replacing the legendary Lewis Hamilton. The 18-year-old from Bologna has had a remarkable youth career, winning multiple championships and showcasing exceptional talent.Antonelli's journey to Formula One began in 2022, when he dominated the Italian and German Formula 4 championships. He continued his winning streak in 2023, claiming the Middle East and European regional Formula championships. This season, he skipped Formula 3 and jumped straight into Formula 2, where he has impressed despite a slow start.Antonelli's breakthrough came at the Silverstone sprint race in July, where he secured his first victory. He followed this up with a win in the main race in Budapest two weeks later. Currently, he sits seventh in the championship with four rounds remaining.Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff expressed his excitement about the partnership between Antonelli and George Russell, another product of the team's junior program. "Our 2025 driver line-up combines experience, talent, youth, and raw speed," Wolff said. "We are confident that George and Kimi will bring a winning combination to the team."Antonelli's move to Mercedes is a testament to his exceptional talent and the team's belief in his potential. He will replace Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari after this season. The young Italian will have the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history and contribute to Mercedes' continued success.

Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto is set to make his Formula One debut at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, becoming the first driver from his country to compete in the sport in over two decades. Colapinto will replace Logan Sargeant at Williams, who has struggled this season.Despite the excitement surrounding his debut, Colapinto has downplayed comparisons to football legend Lionel Messi, who is considered one of the greatest players of all time."It's very difficult to feel as Lionel Messi, I don't know how it is to feel that," Colapinto said. "But sometimes I see that they compare me and I'm like, you guys are crazy, like Messi is God, it's like you cannot, how are you comparing me?"Colapinto has set modest expectations for his debut, acknowledging that Williams has had a challenging season."I am not expecting much... I just want to go step by step, I want to focus on myself," he said. "That's the main thing I think. To be able to be focused on my job. To be able to do what the team expects. And I am, to be honest, more than sure that I can do it."Colapinto's debut will be a significant moment for Argentine motorsport, and he is eager to make the most of the opportunity."I'm very excited to be here, to be honest," he said. "It's a dream come true. I've been working for this for my whole life, so it's a very special moment for me."The Italian Grand Prix will take place at the iconic Monza circuit, which is known for its high speeds and challenging layout. Colapinto will have two practice sessions on Friday to familiarize himself with the track before qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.

McLaren's Lando Norris emerged victorious at the Dutch Grand Prix, delivering a stunning performance that shattered Max Verstappen's undefeated streak at his home circuit. The British driver secured his second career victory, closing the gap on Verstappen in the world championship standings.Norris's triumph was a testament to the recent upgrades made to the McLaren, which proved to be the dominant force throughout the race weekend. Despite Verstappen's strong start, Norris gradually chipped away at his lead, overtaking him on lap 18.Verstappen's Red Bull struggled to match the pace of the McLaren, with the Dutchman complaining of a lack of grip from his tires. Norris capitalized on this weakness, extending his advantage to over 10 seconds by lap 40.The McLaren driver maintained his composure, producing the fastest lap of the race on his new set of tires. He eventually crossed the finish line with a comfortable margin of victory, leaving Verstappen to settle for second place.Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed the third podium spot after a thrilling battle with Norris's teammate, Oscar Piastri. Red Bull's Sergio Perez finished sixth, further narrowing the gap in the constructors' championship.Norris's victory marks a significant shift in the Formula One landscape. The McLaren has emerged as a serious contender, challenging Red Bull's dominance. Verstappen's longest winless streak since 2020 has raised concerns within the Red Bull camp.As the F1 circus moves to Monza next weekend, the pressure will be on Verstappen to regain his winning form. Norris and the McLaren team will be eager to continue their momentum and challenge for the championship title.

Australian Jack Doohan, son of legendary motorcycling champion Mick Doohan, has been promoted to a full-time Formula One driver with Alpine for the 2025 season. The 21-year-old will partner Frenchman Pierre Gasly, replacing Esteban Ocon, who is moving to Haas.Alpine, currently languishing in eighth place in the constructors' championship, is hoping that the combination of Doohan's youth and Gasly's experience will provide a solid foundation for future success. Gasly has praised Doohan's talent, describing him as "fast" and "a great guy."Doohan's promotion comes after a successful stint as Alpine's reserve driver. He has also impressed in Formula 2, where he finished third in the 2022 championship.Alpine has undergone significant changes in recent months, with Oliver Oakes taking over as team principal and Bruno Famin departing. Gasly had attempted to recruit Carlos Sainz, but the Spaniard opted for Williams instead.Despite their struggles this season, Alpine remains optimistic about the future. The team believes that Doohan and Gasly have the potential to lead them to greater heights.

Formula One team Alpine has appointed Oliver Oakes as their new principal, replacing Bruno Famin. The 36-year-old Englishman, a former driver currently leading the Hitech GP team in F2 and F3, becomes the second youngest team principal in Formula One history.Oakes will assume his new role after the summer break, reporting to Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to guide Alpine "back to competitiveness.""The team has talented individuals and exceptional resources at its core," Oakes stated. "I am confident that we can achieve significant success together in the remaining season and beyond."Famin announced his departure from Alpine at the Belgian Grand Prix, but will continue to oversee other motorsport activities for the Renault Group.Oakes's immediate priority will be to improve Alpine's performance. The team currently ranks eighth in the constructors' standings, a significant decline from their fourth-place finish in 2022.This leadership change follows a series of adjustments since Italian Flavio Briatore joined Alpine as an advisor in June. Driver Esteban Ocon has announced his departure to Haas, citing a "frustrating" season with insufficient progress.Renault is also considering discontinuing engine production for its F1 team. Alpine is reportedly close to securing a deal with Mercedes for 2026, which currently supplies engines to Williams, McLaren, Aston Martin, and its own team.The Formula One season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on August 25.

Carlos Sainz Jr., the 29-year-old Spanish Formula One driver, has announced his departure from Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season. He has signed a two-year deal with Williams Racing, starting from the 2025 campaign.Sainz's move to Williams comes after a highly competitive driver market, with several teams vying for his services. He has previously raced for Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren, and has established himself as one of the most talented drivers on the grid.Sainz has achieved three F1 race victories, including the Australian Grand Prix in March 2023. He is eager to join Williams, a historic and successful team that has won nine Constructors' Championships and seven Drivers' Championships."I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards," Sainz said. "It is no secret that this year's driver market has been exceptionally complex, but I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey."Sainz will replace Logan Sargeant at Williams, where he will partner Alex Albon. Williams team principal James Vowles expressed excitement about Sainz's arrival, stating that it is a "strong statement of intent" from both parties."Carlos has demonstrated time and again that he is one of the most talented drivers on the grid, with race-winning pedigree," Vowles said. "This underlines the upwards trajectory we are on."Sainz's move to Williams marks a significant shift in the team's fortunes. Williams has struggled in recent seasons, but Sainz's experience and talent could help them return to their former glory.

Max Verstappen, despite facing a 10-place grid penalty for Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, dominated the opening free practice session on Friday. The Red Bull driver set the fastest lap time, outpacing McLaren's Oscar Piastri by over half a second.Verstappen, who had a heated outburst on team radio during the Hungarian Grand Prix, showcased his pace on the track. He clocked a best lap of 1:43.372, remaining unchallenged throughout the session. The Dutchman is aiming to end his three-race winless streak and secure his fourth consecutive Belgian triumph.Williams' Alex Albon impressed with the third-fastest time, ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Sergio Perez of Red Bull, and Lando Norris in the second McLaren rounded out the top eight.Carlos Sainz finished ninth for Ferrari, while Lance Stroll took 10th for Aston Martin. The session was held in warm but cloudy conditions, with Russell being the first driver to take to the track. Verstappen quickly established his dominance, setting the early pace on hard tires.Piastri, who claimed his maiden Formula One victory in Hungary, initially used soft tires but later switched to hards. Esteban Ocon, who recently announced his move to Haas next year, faced a setback as his Alpine team worked on a suspected water leak.Verstappen's 10-place grid penalty was confirmed during the session, along with a similar penalty for Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda. Both drivers will start from the back of the grid due to engine component changes.Perez joined Verstappen on track midway through the session and complained of car responsiveness issues. Hamilton also reported problems with bouncing and a lack of rear end grip. Despite these concerns, Mercedes showed inconsistent pace in conditions that typically favor their cars.

Oscar Piastri's maiden Formula One victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix was a culmination of a thrilling and controversial race. The McLaren driver emerged victorious ahead of teammate Lando Norris, marking the team's first one-two finish since 2012.The race was marred by numerous incidents and radio exchanges that added to the drama. Piastri's victory was secured after a late collision with Max Verstappen, who recovered to finish fifth. Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton claimed his 200th podium finish with a third-place result.Piastri's triumph was not without its challenges. He survived a tense start, where he emerged in the lead after a three-way battle with Norris and Verstappen. The Dutchman's aggressive driving prompted a heated exchange with his race engineer, who ordered him to allow Norris to pass.As the race progressed, Piastri maintained his lead, while Norris struggled to keep pace. Verstappen, on fresher tires, closed in on Hamilton but was unable to overtake him. Norris eventually pitted for mediums, rejoining ahead of Hamilton but behind Piastri.With just five laps remaining, McLaren issued an ultimatum to Norris, reminding him of his team responsibilities. Norris, who had been reluctant to let Piastri pass, finally relented, handing the Australian the lead.Piastri's victory was a testament to his skill and determination. The 23-year-old Australian has quickly established himself as a rising star in Formula One, and his maiden win is a significant milestone in his career.

Danish Formula One driver Kevin Magnussen will bid farewell to Haas at the conclusion of the 2024 season, the American constructor announced on Thursday. Magnussen's departure marks the end of a seven-year association with Haas, spanning two stints from 2017-2020 and 2020-2024.Magnussen has amassed 135 Grand Prix appearances for Haas, with his most notable achievements being two fifth-place finishes in Bahrain and Austria during the 2018 season. He also secured ninth place in the overall driver standings that year."I'm grateful to everyone at MoneyGram Haas F1 Team," said Magnussen. "I'm proud to have raced for such a great team over the past few years. I especially want to thank Gene Haas for his unwavering support, particularly for bringing me back in 2022 when I thought my Formula 1 journey had come to an end."Magnussen's departure follows that of his German teammate Nico Hulkenberg, leaving Haas with a completely new driver lineup for the 2025 season. The American team has already announced the arrival of 19-year-old Briton Oliver Bearman, while French Alpine driver Esteban Ocon is the frontrunner to fill the second seat.Magnussen's exit from Haas opens up a new chapter in his career. The 31-year-old Dane has not yet announced his future plans, but he is expected to remain in Formula One with another team.