Who's stepping in as Liberty Media's chief? Replacement for Greg Maffei announced by F1's owning company

Liberty Media, the entity behind F1, names Derek Chang as its new president and CEO.

Liberty Media, the proprietor of Formula 1, has named Derek Chang as its latest president and CEO.

The news follows the exit of Greg Maffei last year. Maffei, instrumental in Liberty's acquisition of F1 in 2017, announced his resignation from the role in November.

Chang, who has experience in the media, sports, and entertainment sectors, will take over as president and CEO starting February 1st.

His latest position was with EverPass Media, a firm that provides live sports coverage, such as NFL games in the US and Premier League matches in England, to businesses and commercial venues.

Chang's professional background also features stints at DIRECTV and NBA China.

Chang is set to establish a tri-member executive committee for Liberty, featuring Chase Carey and Dob Bennett, to whom F1's president and CEO Stefano Domenicali will be directly accountable.

Following their purchase of Formula 1, Liberty made a move to acquire the leading motorcycle racing series MotoGP, proposing a deal worth approximately £3.2 billion. This deal is currently awaiting clearance from the European Commission.

The U.S. media giant aims to attract fresh viewers to MotoGP and elevate the competition's status, seeking to mirror the recent surge in popularity that F1 has experienced.

Chang has pledged to "back the development of our appealing operational assets, such as F1 and MotoGP after purchase, to sustain their progress and invest in their future."

John Malone, the chairman of Liberty Media, expressed his excitement about Derek joining as the CEO of Liberty Media. He highlighted Derek's comprehensive experience in operational and investment positions, deep knowledge of the industries related to Liberty, and his acquaintance with the company as key reasons why Derek is perfectly suited to steer Liberty Media into its future phase.

Having collaborated closely with Derek for more than two decades, I am continually awed by his approach to leadership, extensive knowledge, and international outlook. I am eager to back him and the Liberty executive team in their ongoing efforts to enhance value for shareholders.

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Mercedes is reportedly considering Valtteri Bottas as a backup plan in case Kimi Antonelli fails to perform in his first season, as per a statement from a renowned F1 icon.

Formula 1 icon Juan Pablo Montoya thinks that Mercedes' choice to reintroduce Valtteri Bottas to their lineup provides them with a fallback option in case Andrea Kimi Antonelli fails to meet expectations.

Antonelli is set to embark on his first Formula 1 season with Mercedes, taking over from Lewis Hamilton following his move from Formula 2.

Antonelli has become the first newcomer to join a leading team directly, a feat last achieved by Hamilton in 2007 when he signed with McLaren.

Antonelli and George Russell will receive support from Bottas, who has returned to Mercedes in the role of test and reserve driver for the year 2025.

Bottas couldn't clinch a permanent racing position for the next season, leading him to take on a backup role with his previous team.

In a conversation with CasasDeApuestas.bet, Montoya shared his views on the driver lineup at Mercedes.

"Kimi Antonelli finds himself in a contrasting situation, at the center of attention within one of the premier teams, alongside a teammate who is performing exceptionally well," noted Montoya.

"And they're marketing you as the upcoming Max Verstappen. If he fails to meet expectations, that's unfortunate."

"My interpretation is that by having [Valtteri] Bottas, Mercedes would be safeguarding their position."

"Having him is like having a backup in case things don't pan out with Antonelli, and he's aware of that."

Mercedes' bold move for the 2025 F1 season

In a decisive move, Mercedes leader Toto Wolff opted for Antonelli instead of Carlos Sainz, leading Sainz to take a step back in the rankings with Williams.

Wolff's choice of the Italian was influenced by his earlier missed opportunity to sign Max Verstappen upon his entry into the sport.

The Verstappens opted not to team up with Mercedes because they were unable to provide a permanent position on the racing lineup.

Red Bull was ready to introduce Verstappen to Formula 1 right away in 2015 through their Toro Rosso team, before giving him an upgrade to the main Red Bull team in early 2016.

Wolff was hesitant to take the gamble of letting Antonelli join a rival team, preferring him over opting for a seasoned choice such as Sainz.

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Cadillac announces significant move towards becoming an official F1 team with pivotal declaration

Cadillac unveils their strategy to transform into a fully-fledged team by the decade's close.

Cadillac has accelerated its ambitions to evolve into a complete Formula 1 manufacturer team by the decade's end, prompted by the establishment of General Motors Performance Power Units.

Cadillac is anticipated to enter Formula 1 as the eleventh team in 2026 and aims to develop its own power unit by 2029.

The initiative will be spearheaded by American automotive powerhouse General Motors, which has announced its partnership with TWG Motorsports to establish GM Performance Power Units.

A primary factor behind Cadillac's successful application to join F1 was their intention to operate as a factory team with their own engine, instead of merely purchasing engines as a customer team.

The U.S. squad will utilize Ferrari engines until their General Motors power unit is completely ready.

Russ O’Blenes, boasting more than three decades of involvement in motorsport, will lead GM's power unit initiative.

Cadillac announced that O’Blenes is set to become a part of “TWG Motorsports and GM’s team of innovative minds, establishing a top-tier tech foundation for the newly formed Formula 1 squad.”

Addressing the media, TWG Motorsports' CEO, Dan Towriss, commented, "His vast knowledge and guidance will play a crucial role in establishing the groundwork for Cadillac's venture into Formula 1.

"Alongside Team Principal Graeme Lowdon, they are set to guide the team towards achieving unprecedented levels of innovation and performance within the sport."

O'Blenes expressed his enthusiasm about the chance to assemble and head the team responsible for introducing an American-manufactured F1 engine to the racing lineup.

"GM PPU is actively expanding its workforce and is recruiting for positions across the entire organization."

Cadillac prepares for their anticipated Formula 1 debut in 2026.

Towards the end of 2024, Graeme Lowdon, previously the CEO of Manor, was announced as the team principal.

Sources indicate that Valtteri Bottas has engaged in discussions with Lowdon about a possible transfer to their racing team.

Mario Andretti, a member of the team's leadership, has suggested that an American will likely occupy at least one of the driving seats, with Colton Herta being the most probable choice.

Cadillac has several alternatives to Bottas, including Sergio Perez, Zhou Guanyu, and Kevin Magnussen, who are all on the table.

Daniel Ricciardo has brushed off the notion of making a comeback to racing in 2026 with Cadillac.

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Williams schedules Valentine's Day reveal for Carlos Sainz's 2025 vehicle

Williams has declared the unveiling date for their 2025 Formula 1 car.

Williams is set to unveil their 2025 vehicle, the FW47, on February 14, which is four days prior to the F1 season's kickoff in London.

Williams is set to reveal their latest race car at Silverstone, featuring a custom paint job, ahead of showcasing their official 2025 racing colors at the F1 75 Live event on February 18.

2025 is a significant year for Williams as they welcome Carlos Sainz from Ferrari to lead their efforts, with Alex Albon joining him in the team.

Referring to the latest developments, team leader James Vowles remarked, “Williams has an exciting future ahead in 2025 – with outstanding race drivers like Alex and Carlos, elite engineers coming on board from various teams, and the launch of state-of-the-art facilities at our Grove headquarters.

"In line with our strategy for resurgence, we've dedicated effort towards developing our 2025 vehicle for a while now, and I'm eager to witness its unveiling at Silverstone on February 14."

"Every member of the team is fully committed to restoring the team's status as we approach the significant rule modifications set for 2026. It promises to be a thrilling year."

What are Williams' prospects for success in Formula 1 in 2025?

Following a challenging 2024 season that saw Williams fall to ninth place in the Formula 1 constructors' rankings, with only Sauber behind them, the team looks to improve its performance.

Their campaign was marred by accidents and mishaps, resulting in a hefty cost for repairs.

As a result of the significant damage incurred towards the year's close, Franco Colapinto had to resort to using parts from older specifications.

Williams is keenly focused on the year 2026 and the upcoming regulatory changes.

The team from Grove will persist in utilizing Mercedes engines, relying on their performance to deliver a top-notch power unit similar to the one in 2014 that boosted Williams into the top three in the rankings.

2025 could potentially be yet another letdown for Williams.

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Red Bull's reign over Formula 1 likened to reaching the peak of Everest

"Being near the peak of Everest makes it incredibly challenging to innovate."

Former Formula 1 racer David Coulthard has expressed his view that it was only a matter of time before Red Bull's reign at the top would conclude following 2023, likening it to being "near the peak of Everest".

In an unprecedented achievement, Red Bull secured victories in 21 out of the 22 races held in 2023, marking a record-breaking season for the

By 2024, they had slipped to third place in the Formula 1 constructors' standings, securing victories in only two of the final 14 races.

Max Verstappen managed to secure his fourth straight championship, signaling the close of Red Bull's period of supremacy.

In reflecting on the challenges faced by his previous team in the previous year, Coulthard acknowledged that Red Bull struggled significantly with innovation following their historically successful season.

"Having experienced a lot, I understand that previous victories don't guarantee future success. Last year [2023] was particularly successful, but that doesn't mean it will always be the case," he shared with Motorsport-Total.com.

"Making changes becomes incredibly challenging when you're nearly at the peak of Everest."

In 2024, Red Bull managed to secure more race victories than both McLaren and Ferrari, despite the latter two teams ranking higher in the Formula 1 constructors' championship standings.

Coulthard noted, “It was evident that they chose a strategy for the car, which despite everything, led to winning ten (nine) Grand Prix, the highest number compared to any other.

"Identifying connections is always paramount. When it succeeds, it's effective, but when it fails… If it were as straightforward as that, you could simply assign the guidelines to an artificial intelligence tool."

"If it were as straightforward as it seems, everyone would manufacture identical vehicles. However, that is far from reality."

Coulthard praises McLaren's transformation

McLaren has experienced an extraordinary transformation over the past two years.

The 2023 season began with their team having the least competitive vehicle, resulting in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri trailing behind the rest of the pack.

A significant improvement in Austria marked a turning point in their campaign, with Norris consistently securing podium finishes, trailing behind Verstappen throughout the latter half of the season.

In 2024, improvements in Miami elevated them from being the third fastest team to competitors for the championship.

"Coulthard expressed, "The leading teams have consistently demonstrated the capacity to maintain their performance across different seasons." He commended McLaren, saying, "Congratulations on such a remarkable transformation."

"People often mention that it's been over a quarter of a century since their last victory in the constructors' championship. However, it was pointed out to me that they did secure a win with Hamilton and Alonso. The catch was, their title was revoked after the fact."

"I had also overlooked that detail. Regardless, it happened quite a while back."

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Can Lewis Hamilton Dodge the Missteps of Former Ferrari F1 Greats in His Quest for Championship Success?

Will Lewis Hamilton manage to sidestep the pitfalls that befell his forerunners and lead Ferrari to F1 championship triumph?

The anticipation surrounding Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari ranks as one of the most talked-about narratives in Formula 1 lore.

Ever since it was revealed last February that the seven-time world champion would be making a sensational switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, the F1 community has been eagerly anticipating the collaboration between two of the most legendary and renowned entities in the sport.

Following a close competition for the constructors' championship, which would have marked their first global title since 2008 but ultimately losing to McLaren last season, Hamilton's goal is evident; he aims to assist Ferrari in overcoming their extended period without a trophy.

Securing a drivers' championship for Maranello would elevate Hamilton's reputation, marking him as one of the all-time greats and making him the first pilot since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 to achieve this feat.

Achieving this milestone would enable the 40-year-old to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship, surpassing the iconic Michael Schumacher's record. Schumacher, who won five of his seven titles with Ferrari, would then be one title behind Hamilton.

The stories are intriguingly presented, yet transforming these ambitions into tangible outcomes is far from the simple task it seems when written down. Before Hamilton, two other multiple world champions attempted this feat unsuccessfully.

Exploring how Hamilton's iconic predecessors fared with F1's legendary team.

Fernando Alonso moved to Ferrari following a less successful two-year period with Renault, aiming to be the catalyst for the team's return to the forefront of victory.

Taking over from Raikkonen, Alonso's tenure at Ferrari kicked off with an almost immediate brush with championship glory.

The Spanish driver successfully overturned a 47-point gap to Sebastian Vettel, seizing the championship lead after winning in South Korea. Yet, in a bitterly disappointing turn at the season's last race in Abu Dhabi, he was narrowly beaten by the Red Bull racer. This came after he found himself trapped behind Renault’s Vitaly Petrov, unable to secure a position higher than seventh due to a misjudgment in strategy by his team.

Two years after their previous clash, Alonso found himself in the championship race once more, this time facing his rival Vettel. Mirroring the scenario from 2010, the battle for the championship was closely contested until the very end, where Alonso experienced a narrow and aggravating loss.

Throughout the majority of the season, Alonso was at the forefront of the championship standings, even though his car was only the fourth quickest. However, towards the season's end, Red Bull and Vettel experienced a surge in performance, enabling the German driver to overtake Alonso in the championship by a mere three points during a rain-drenched final race in Brazil.

If Alonso hadn't been sidelined by an unmanageable Romain Grosjean at Spa, or collided with Raikkonen at Suzuka, he might have clinched his third world championship title. In 2013, Alonso secured the second place, but this time it was Vettel and Red Bull who had the upper hand with a superior setup, comfortably securing the championship as the season progressed into its latter half.

Feeling let down by Ferrari's inability to supply a car capable of competing during a disastrous 2014 season, alongside several close calls in winning the championship, Alonso decided to leave Ferrari, exiting his contract two years early to make a comeback with McLaren.

Vettel, a four-time world champion, joined the Maranello team following a remarkable streak where he clinched four championships in the span of five years.

Sebastian Vettel

Vettel came on board with Ferrari, intent on achieving what Alonso couldn't and emulating his idol Schumacher's success by securing the championship with the iconic team.

The year 2015 marked a promising beginning for Vettel, who secured three wins early on and solidified his status as the leading driver for Ferrari. However, it wasn't until a significant change in regulations in 2017 that the team found itself in contention for the championship title.

Throughout much of the 2017 racing season, Ferrari's vehicle outpaced Mercedes, with Vettel initially leading the competition as he and Hamilton frequently exchanged victories. However, a lapse in judgment during the Baku race led Vettel to jeopardize his winning prospects. In an impulsive move, he positioned his car next to Hamilton and deliberately collided with his championship contender while under a Safety Car, resulting in a 10-second stop-go penalty for himself.

Following the summer hiatus, Hamilton demonstrated exceptional performance, significantly impacting Vettel's championship aspirations with a critical incident in Singapore where Vettel was eliminated from the race. This event marked a pivotal shift in the 2017 season. Consecutive mechanical issues during the races in Malaysia and Japan virtually dashed Vettel's chances, paving the way for Hamilton to secure his fourth championship title in Mexico City.

2018 held high expectations for Ferrari and Vettel, yet they found themselves trailing behind Hamilton and Mercedes, even though Ferrari had a considerable advantage with their car for a large portion of the season.

Vettel's championship aspirations were thwarted by multiple mistakes made by both him and his team. The most critical error happened in Germany, his home country, where he lost control and crashed while leading, allowing Hamilton to astonishingly climb from 14th to win. Post-summer break, Hamilton consistently displayed dominant performances, whereas Vettel struggled to maintain composure during critical times. This represented yet another missed chance for Vettel.

The rise of Ferrari's rising star, Charles Leclerc, in 2019, marked the beginning of the end for Vettel with the team. Ultimately, a mix of Leclerc's impressive outings and Vettel's declining performance led to his departure, setting the stage for Carlos Sainz to join the team in 2021.

In four years' time, Hamilton will have the chance to alter Ferrari's fate. Can the British driver succeed and bring triumph to the Scuderia on his third attempt?

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Alpine has successfully negotiated with Williams to include Franco Colapinto in their lineup of drivers for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Alpine has confirmed that they have successfully signed Franco Colapinto, following a deal with their Formula 1 competitors, Williams.

Colapinto has signed on with Alpine to serve as a test and reserve driver starting in the 2025 season, securing a contract that spans multiple years.

Recent weeks have seen the 21-year-old from Argentina strongly associated with a potential transfer to Alpine.

Colapinto rapidly caught attention in Formula 1 after being brought in by Williams to take over for the struggling Logan Sargeant starting from the previous year's Italian Grand Prix.

In only his second race in Azerbaijan, he advanced to Q3 and earned points, capturing the interest of major teams such as Red Bull and Alpine with his remarkable initial performances.

Colapinto's chances for a full-time position in 2025 were diminished due to multiple crashes towards the end of the season, which overshadowed his otherwise impressive performances. However, it seems he might have found a route back to the F1 racing scene.

"I'm thrilled about the chance to be part of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team," expressed Colapinto. "First off, I'd like to extend my gratitude to Williams for the tremendous support they've provided since I became a part of the Academy, right up to the final race in Abu Dhabi."

My aspiration to compete in Formula One was actualized thanks to them, and for this, my gratitude is boundless. The moment has arrived to embark on a fresh journey, and I am genuinely privileged to face this endeavor with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. I extend my profound appreciation to Luca [de Meo], Flavio [Briatore], and Oliver [Oakes] for placing their trust in me and warmly embracing me as part of the team.

"I'm eager to begin and discover where this adventure leads us. Additionally, a heartfelt thank you to all my sponsors and partners for their support during the challenging 2024 season."

Flavio Briatore, an executive advisor for Alpine, expressed satisfaction about finalizing a deal with Williams Racing to acquire Franco Colapinto. He highlighted that Colapinto is currently one of the top emerging talents in the world of motorsport.

It's reasonable to acknowledge that his emergence on the Formula One scene last year was unexpected for most of us, myself among them, and his results have been notably remarkable for a newcomer. Looking towards the future, his addition signifies that we possess an excellent group of young talents to draw from and collaborate with as we aim to build the team for forthcoming achievements.

Colapinto Joining Alpine Intensifies Expectations on Doohan

The announcement that Colapinto is joining Alpine is set to place significant early expectations on F1 newcomer Jack Doohan.

Doohan commenced his Formula 1 career with Alpine at the season's final race in Abu Dhabi, stepping in after Esteban Ocon's early departure, and was confirmed to join Pierre Gasly as his teammate for the 2025 season.

Nonetheless, it's acknowledged that Doohan entered into a brief agreement with Alpine, allowing the French car maker the flexibility to consider a driver switch if needed.

By obtaining Colapinto, Alpine ensures they have a reliable substitute should they find Doohan's initial results lacking.

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Isle of Man TT celebrities received a warm reception in Tavullia as Valentino Rossi's event kicks off

Practice sessions offered today prior to Valentino Rossi's 100km of Champions

Motorcycles have already hit the course at Valentino Rossi's ranch for his yearly gathering.

Once more, the Doctor has gathered a distinguished group of motorcycle racing stars in Tavullia, featuring some fresh participants.

Davey Todd and Michael Dunlop, who have both clinched victories in the Isle of Man TT races, were among the familiar faces gathering in Valentino Rossi's hometown.

Todd expressed his amazement on social media about receiving an invitation to Rossi's home.

The Champions' 100km event is set to kick off on Friday, January 10, and will extend into Saturday.

However, by Thursday, participants reached the ranch, and the initial group of motorcycles set off for a trial ride.

On Thursday evening, Rossi announced that they had completed their initial day at the ranch.

"The event was highly enjoyable, with all the drivers having a great time."

"We conducted complimentary tests. All participants are prepared and quick."

The yearly Americana race is set to take place on Friday evening. In the previous year's event, Luca Marini emerged as the winner.

On this occasion, Marini and Rossi are accompanied by the regulars, Pecco Bagnaia, Marco Bezzecchi, and Franco Morbidelli.

Pedro Acosta continues to be a major draw, and Ryan Vickers is another significant participant.

Complete list of participants: Valentino Rossi, Pedro Acosta, Dominique Aegerter, Xavier Artigas, Francesco Bagnaia, Lorenzo Baldassarri, Elia Bartolini, Enea Bastianini, James Douglas Beach, Marco Belli, Matteo Bertelle, Marco Bezzecchi, Nicolo Bulega, Federico Caricasulo, Mattia Casadei, Thomas Chareyre, Davey Todd, Michael Dunlop, Filippo Fuligini, Federico Fuligni, Matteo Gabarrini, Manu Gonzalez, Sammy Halbert, Kurvinen Lasse, Andrea Locatelli, Luca Lunetta, Andrea Mantovani, Luca Marini, Andrea Migno, Franco Morbidelli, Diogo Moreira, Stefano Nepa, Miguel Oliveira, Luca Ottaviani, Mattia Pasini, Matteo Patacca, Gautier Paulin, Tito Rabat, Jose Antonio Rueda, Alberto Surra, Tatsuki Suzuki, Tim Neave, Ryan Vickers.

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For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he reported on a variety of events including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Lewis Hamilton aims to steer clear of the unsuccessful Ferrari F1 tenures experienced by other top drivers. Will Hamilton be able to overcome the challenges faced by those before him and lead Ferrari to a championship victory in Formula 1?

One of the most talked-about narratives in the history of Formula 1 is Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari.

Ever since the announcement last February about the seven-time world champion's high-profile switch from Mercedes to Ferrari, the Formula 1 community has been eagerly anticipating the collaboration between two of the most legendary and influential entities in the sport.

After coming close to winning the constructors' championship last season, which would have been their first world title since 2008, McLaren narrowly edged out Ferrari. Now, Hamilton's goal is evident: assist Ferrari in putting an end to their lengthy dry spell without a trophy.

If Hamilton manages to secure a championship for Maranello, he would solidify his reputation as one of the all-time greats, becoming the first driver to achieve this feat since Kimi Raikkonen did in 2007.

If he achieves this feat, the 40-year-old would secure his eighth world title, setting a new record. This accomplishment would place Hamilton one championship ahead of the iconic Michael Schumacher, who won five of his seven titles while racing for Ferrari.

The stories are enticingly presented, yet achieving these ambitions is often more complex than it seems in a plan. Prior to Hamilton, two other multiple-time world champions attempted this feat, but were unsuccessful.

This is a look at how the famous team of F1 has fared with the superstar drivers who preceded Hamilton.

Fernando Alonso became part of Ferrari following a disappointing two-year period with Renault. He aimed to be the catalyst for the Scuderia's comeback to victory.

After taking over from Raikkonen, Alonso's time with Ferrari kicked off with him almost clinching a championship right away.

The Spanish driver successfully closed a 47-point gap to catch up with Sebastian Vettel, taking the lead in the championship after securing a win in South Korea. Despite this, he was narrowly defeated by the Red Bull racer in a heartbreaking turn of events during the final race in Abu Dhabi. He found himself trapped behind Renault's Vitaly Petrov and, due to a strategic mistake by his team, he was unable to finish higher than seventh place.

Two years after his previous attempt, Alonso found himself competing for the championship once more, facing off against his rival Vettel. Similar to the 2010 season, the battle for the title was incredibly close, and Alonso experienced another disappointing loss decided by very small differences.

Throughout most of the season, Alonso was at the forefront of the championship race, even though his car was only the fourth quickest. However, a strong end-of-season performance by Red Bull and Vettel allowed the German driver to clinch the title, narrowly defeating Alonso by three points during a rain-soaked final race in Brazil.

If Alonso hadn't been removed from the race at Spa due to Romain Grosjean losing control, or collided with Raikkonen at Suzuka, he could have claimed his third world championship. In 2013, Alonso once again secured the second-place finish, but that year, Vettel and Red Bull had a superior setup, allowing them to comfortably clinch the championship in the latter half of the season.

Disappointed by Ferrari's inability to offer a competitive vehicle in a challenging 2014 season and frustrated by several close calls in championship races, Alonso decided to leave Ferrari two years before his contract ended and made a return to McLaren.

Vettel, a four-time world champion, joined Maranello after securing four titles in the past five years.

Sebastian Vettel became a part of the Ferrari team with the goal of achieving what Alonso couldn't and emulating his idol Schumacher by clinching the championship with the iconic Italian automaker.

In 2015, Vettel began his journey with promising results, securing three race wins and cementing his status as Ferrari's lead driver. However, it wasn't until the regulatory changes in 2017 that the team became competitive enough to vie for the championship title.

Throughout much of the 2017 season, Ferrari's car outpaced that of Mercedes, giving Sebastian Vettel an early lead in the championship battle against Lewis Hamilton. The two drivers frequently exchanged victories. However, an impulsive incident in Baku proved costly for Vettel. He lost his opportunity for a win by deliberately driving alongside Hamilton and colliding with him during a Safety Car period, resulting in a 10-second stop-go penalty for his actions.

Following the summer break, Hamilton experienced an exceptional streak of performance, while Vettel's chances at the championship took a significant hit when he was eliminated in Singapore. This race marked a crucial turning point in the 2017 season. Consecutive mechanical failures in Malaysia and Japan nearly extinguished Vettel's championship aspirations before Hamilton secured his fourth title in Mexico City.

The year 2018 held great promise for Ferrari and Vettel; however, despite having a substantial advantage with their car throughout much of the season, they ultimately fell short, with Hamilton and the Mercedes team coming out on top once again.

Vettel's performance was marred by numerous mistakes from both him and his team, with the most significant blunder taking place in Germany. There, while leading the race, Vettel crashed, allowing Hamilton to pull off an incredible victory despite starting in 14th position. Following the summer break, Hamilton maintained his dominant form, whereas Vettel struggled under pressure, missing out on another prime chance for success.

In 2019, Charles Leclerc, a promising talent nurtured by Ferrari, rose to prominence, signaling the decline of Sebastian Vettel's tenure with the team. Ultimately, Vettel's departure was driven by a mix of Leclerc's impressive performances and his own declining results, leading to a parting of ways and making room for Carlos Sainz to join in 2021.

After four years, Hamilton will have the opportunity to alter Ferrari's future. Can the British driver succeed and finally bring fortune to the Scuderia on this third attempt?

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Alpine has finalized a deal with Williams to sign Franco Colapinto for their driver lineup in the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Alpine has declared that they have secured Franco Colapinto's services following a deal made with their Formula 1 competitors, Williams.

Colapinto has signed a "multi-year" contract to join Alpine as a test and reserve driver for the 2025 season.

In recent weeks, there has been significant speculation about the 21-year-old from Argentina making a transfer to Alpine.

Colapinto quickly stood out in Formula 1 after being brought in by Williams to take over for Logan Sargeant, who had not been performing well since the previous year's Italian Grand Prix.

In only his second race in Azerbaijan, he advanced to the third qualifying round and earned points, which quickly drew interest from teams such as Red Bull and Alpine due to his remarkable initial performances.

He was unable to obtain a permanent racing position for 2025 following several crashes towards the end of the season that somewhat diminished his achievements. However, Colapinto might have found a route to return to the Formula 1 grid.

Colapinto expressed his enthusiasm about becoming a part of the BWT Alpine Formula One Team. He began by thanking Williams for their unwavering support, which he appreciated from the time he entered their Academy to the final race in Abu Dhabi.

They transformed my aspiration of competing in Formula One into something real, and I will forever appreciate that. As I embark on a new phase, joining the BWT Alpine Formula One Team is indeed a privilege. I am immensely grateful to Luca de Meo, Flavio Briatore, and Oliver Oakes for their faith in me and for their warm reception into the team.

"I'm eager to begin and discover where this adventure will lead us. Additionally, I want to express my deep gratitude to all my sponsors and partners who supported me throughout the difficulties of the 2024 season."

Flavio Briatore, who serves as an executive advisor for Alpine, expressed his satisfaction about finalizing a deal with Williams Racing to bring Franco Colapinto on board. He noted that Franco stands out as one of the most promising young talents currently in motorsport.

It's safe to say that his debut on the Formula One grid last year was unexpected for many people, myself included, and his performance has been remarkable for someone new to the sport. We are focusing on our future, and bringing him on board ensures we have a strong group of young drivers to rely on and collaborate with in order to build the team towards future achievements.

Doohan Faces Increased Expectations

The announcement of Colapinto joining Alpine is likely to put added pressure on newcomer Jack Doohan in his first season of Formula 1.

Doohan participated in his first grand prix with Alpine at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi after Esteban Ocon left earlier than expected. He has been contracted to compete with Pierre Gasly in 2025.

It is believed that Doohan inked a brief contract with Alpine, which allows the French company the possibility of altering their driver lineup if necessary.

Ensuring that Colapinto is available gives Alpine a reliable alternative in case Doohan's initial performances are not up to par.

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Francesco Bagnaia proposes a change to MotoGP's points system: is it feasible?

The two-time MotoGP world champion believes the series should explore the idea of awarding bonus points.

Francesco Bagnaia from Ducati thinks that MotoGP should consider revising the points system to incorporate bonuses within the existing sprint and grand prix structure.

Since the beginning of the four-stroke era, MotoGP's scoring system has stayed unchanged. A win in a grand prix earns a rider 25 points, with points decreasing incrementally to 1 point for those finishing in the top 15 spots.

In 2023, the introduction of sprint races increased the total possible points a driver could earn during a grand prix weekend by 12. Winning the sprint race grants 12 points, finishing second earns nine points, and third place receives seven points, with the points decreasing incrementally down to one point for the ninth-place finisher.

As there are now 37 points up for grabs each weekend, maintaining a steady performance is more crucial than ever for a rider aiming to secure the championship title.

In 2024, Bagnaia secured victory in 11 grand prix races. However, he failed to score points in eight events, which ultimately led to a 10-point deficit behind Jorge Martin. Martin, racing for Pramac, only clinched three Sunday race wins. Nonetheless, his steady performance was crucial, as he managed to finish on the podium in all but three sprint races.

Bagnaia expressed that adapting to existing rules is necessary, especially since the current system enabled him to remain in contention for the championship until the final stages, despite having eight non-scoring races. These remarks were made at Ducati's Campioni in Pista event last year.

"Nonetheless, sprint races have an impact on various aspects, adding an extra dimension. They have definitely altered the method of earning points over the course of a weekend."

"You need to adapt to it. With sprint races now in play, they might want to think about adding some incentives, like rewards for winning both races or for achieving the fastest lap."

In the 2024 season, Bagnaia achieved five sprint and grand prix victories in the same weekend. If he earned an extra point for each of these feats, it would bring him five points nearer to Martin in the championship standings. Additionally, Bagnaia secured the fastest lap in six grand prix races, adding another six points to his score. Nonetheless, Martin would still clinch the championship, thanks to his two fastest lap points throughout the season or by achieving just one sprint and grand prix double.

Since 2019, Formula 1 has implemented a system where drivers can earn points for recording the fastest laps, but this is only applicable to those finishing within the top 10 positions. The purpose of this rule was to add an extra layer of excitement to the races and motivate drivers who are not leading to strive for an additional potentially crucial point.

However, it rarely produced the intended outcome, as the fastest lap point frequently went to a driver who had such a significant lead and buffer behind them. This allowed them to make a secure pit stop on the second-to-last lap for new soft tires and aim for the fastest lap.

This regulation will be eliminated for the 2025 season.

In the world of MotoGP, awarding a point for the fastest lap could function more similarly to how it was originally intended in Formula 1. Due to the shorter race durations in MotoGP, the gap between competitors isn't as wide as in F1. The competitive nature of the machinery in MotoGP ensures that more riders have an opportunity to earn a point based on sheer speed, rather than being influenced by the conditions of the race.

IS A MOTOGP RULE ADJUSTMENT EFFECTIVE?

In the 2024 season, eight distinct racers achieved the quickest lap times in various grand prix events. Pedro Acosta clocked the fastest lap twice, while Bagnaia accomplished it six times. Martin also achieved this feat twice, Enea Bastianini did it three times, and Maverick Vinales, Aleix Espargaro, and Fabio Di Giannantonio each did it once. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez recorded the fastest lap four times.

Although this wouldn't have drastically changed the championship result, it would have moved Acosta up to tie for sixth place in points with his teammate Brad Binder, with Acosta securing the spot due to having more podium finishes.

One could argue that the mere consideration of earning an additional point can significantly alter the dynamics of any racing scenario. Knowing they could earn two points for finishing in 15th place instead of just one, a racer is more inclined to continue competing after a minor crash. Introducing a point for the fastest lap in sprint races could also generate more interest beyond the usual top positions that score points.

Marc Marquez, who is set to join Ducati and will be partnering with Bagnaia, expressed a different opinion. He stated, "I'm content with the current system. It's well-balanced and keeps the championship competitive until the very end, so I'm satisfied with the way things are."

Marquez's remark holds some truth. The existing setup has led to the championship being decided in the final moments for the last couple of years. However, MotoGP might consider taking a cue from British Superbikes to add excitement by highlighting a rider who dominates all the races in a single weekend.

In the past few years, the BSB organized a Spring Grand Slam event that took place over two rounds, offering a prize of £50,000 to any rider who managed to win all six races. Although this concept might be a bit much for MotoGP, the series could consider experimenting with a comparable concept.

In the event that a rider achieves both a sprint and race victory along with recording the quickest lap in a grand prix, they have the opportunity to earn an extra three points, increasing their possible total for the weekend to 40 points. However, if they are unable to achieve all three, they will receive no additional points.

This increases the motivation for each session, as a competitor whose main rival in the championship is on the verge of completing a hat-trick might exert extra effort to achieve the fastest lap, thereby preventing the rival from securing three vital points.

Traditionalists often oppose any sort of modification, labeling it as unnatural and contrary to the essence of MotoGP. However, the addition of sprint races has largely debunked this belief, demonstrating that significant format changes can be implemented and swiftly become a regular aspect of the event.

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Williams has scheduled the unveiling of Carlos Sainz's 2025 car for Valentine's Day. The team has disclosed the date they plan to present their 2025 Formula 1 vehicle.

Williams is set to unveil their 2025 vehicle, the FW47, on February 14, which is four days ahead of the start of the F1 season in London.

Williams is set to reveal their new car at Silverstone, featuring a unique paint job. The team's 2025 race design will be showcased at the F1 75 Live event on February 18.

This year marks a significant one for the Williams team as Carlos Sainz transitions from Ferrari to lead their efforts in 2025, joining forces with Alex Albon.

In discussing the news, team leader James Vowles remarked, "The year 2025 holds great promise for Williams. We have excellent drivers, Alex and Carlos, talented engineers coming from various teams, and state-of-the-art facilities opening at our Grove headquarters."

In line with our recovery strategy, we've been developing our 2025 vehicle for quite a while, and I'm eager to unveil it at Silverstone on February 14.

Each member of the team is fully committed to returning the team to its rightful place as we approach the significant rule changes set for 2026. The upcoming year promises to be thrilling.

What are Williams' potential accomplishments in the 2025 F1 season?

After a lackluster performance in 2024, Williams found themselves in the ninth position in the F1 constructors' rankings, managing to stay just ahead of Sauber.

Throughout their season, they faced numerous accidents and mishaps, resulting in a costly bill for repairs.

As a result of the significant damage incurred towards the year's end, Franco Colapinto had to use parts from an older specification.

Williams is focused on the new set of rules coming in 2026.

The team from Grove will keep using Mercedes engines and is hoping they will provide an outstanding performance, similar to what happened in 2014 when Williams reached the top three in the rankings.

This could suggest that 2025 will once again be a letdown for Williams.

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