Jean Todt weighs in on the potential benefits of Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari

Jean Todt shares his opinion on Lewis Hamilton's decision to switch to Ferrari.

Ex-Ferrari chief Jean Todt is uncertain whether the team is in a stronger position to compete for Formula 1 world championships with the addition of Lewis Hamilton.

The F1 world has been buzzing since last year when it was revealed that Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, would be making a high-profile move from Mercedes to Ferrari. As the start of his first season with the Scuderia approaches, excitement continues to grow.

The British driver, who is 40 years old, has been intensifying his preparations for the 2025 season. He has been behind the wheel of Ferrari's 2023 and 2024 models as a component of a comprehensive pre-season testing regimen. This initiative aims to familiarize him with the new team and ensure he is ready for the upcoming challenges.

Ferrari is eager to break their 17-year drought and claim a world title after narrowly missing out on last year's constructors' championship to McLaren by a margin of only 14 points. In a significant team change, Hamilton has taken over the spot previously held by Carlos Sainz, who has now joined Williams.

However, the former team leader and ex-FIA president, Todt, remains skeptical that Hamilton joining Ferrari will be the crucial factor in reigniting their success.

When asked what's preventing Ferrari from winning, he mentioned that they are only lacking a small amount, emphasizing that they've nearly succeeded in the past, according to an interview with Italy's La Repubblica newspaper.

"The team had a strong combination with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz; their loss wasn't due to the drivers' performance."

"Clearly, the roster is still high-caliber, even with Hamilton included."

"Is it going to outperform the last one? I really don't know; we'll need to evaluate how the car performs."

Hamilton joining forces with Charles Leclerc in 2025 is set to give Ferrari one of the most formidable driver pairings in Formula 1.

However, Todt believes that Leclerc, who has won eight grand prix races, will not be intimidated by the challenge of competing against one of the most legendary drivers in Formula 1 history.

In contrast, Todt thinks that Leclerc will be driven to enhance his performance further.

Todt expressed that he believes Hamilton will not have an impact on Leclerc.

"Charles might find this as a chance to boost his motivation, similar to how George Russell felt at Mercedes."

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Valtteri Bottas disclosed that he had discussions with two different Formula 1 teams regarding a possible seat for the 2025 season before his departure from Sauber.

Valtteri Bottas disclosed that he engaged in discussions with two competing Formula 1 teams prior to losing his position with Sauber for the 2025 season.

A 35-year-old Finnish driver is returning to Mercedes to serve as a reserve driver for the next season, providing support for George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Valtteri Bottas rejoined Mercedes following the loss of his position at Sauber. The team chose to revamp their driver roster for the 2025 season, bringing in Nico Hulkenberg from Haas and the Formula 2 champion, Gabriel Bortoleto.

Valtteri Bottas has revealed that he had discussions with both Williams and Haas while they considered their choices for drivers for the next season.

Bottas shared with RacingNews365 that they had extensive discussions with Williams over an extended period.

"That became my main focus, and earlier this year, we were discussing with Ayao about a potential position with Haas."

"I chose to invest more in the opportunity to join Williams. However, that plan fell through because Carlos, along with the financial benefits he offers, took the spot."

"I ended up being assigned to the Audi project, and although it seemed promising, it appears that the top executives believed a change was necessary, which also affected the driver lineup."

Bottas believed he would play a crucial role in the Audi initiative. He mentioned that he anticipated remaining with Sauber as the Swiss team transitioned into Audi in 2026.

However, it didn't take long for Bottas to realize that Audi's senior executives had begun evaluating other potential candidates.

"As my contract was nearing its conclusion, I began to have many questions about what lay ahead," he stated. "Nevertheless, I remained quite sure that I would continue to be part of the grid, as that appeared to be the situation."

The Audi board will have the final say on selecting future drivers.

"While certain individuals were eager for me to continue, others were looking for a shift and preferred to introduce a new, younger driver."

"It was challenging because I was consistently led to believe, particularly after Mattia became part of the team, that I would be a central figure for the initiative. This made it difficult to fully commit to another opportunity, as I had been assured of having a place."

"Naturally, you’re interested in exploring other options, but you’re not ready to make a decision. So, I found myself simply waiting and thinking, ‘Alright, when are we going to finalize this?’"

"Although everything was settled and documented, the question arose every week."

"When the delay occurred, I realized: 'Alright, something is happening here, and it's likely not in my favor.'"

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Reword

Historic champagne brand to sponsor F1 in 2025

The Formula 1 racing series will be sponsored by a new champagne brand for the 2025 season.

Formula 1 has announced the return of Moët & Chandon as their official champagne sponsor for the 2025 season.

Moët & Chandon's comeback is linked to Formula 1's recently established 10-year "historic" collaboration with LVMH.

Formula 1 has unveiled new collaborations, revealing that Louis Vuitton will be the sponsor for the Australian Grand Prix that kicks off the season. Additionally, Rolex has replaced Tag Heuer as the official timekeeping partner.

Moët & Chandon is set to take over from Ferrari Trento as the official sparkling wine sponsor for Formula 1, a role Ferrari Trento had held since 2021

Before then, Moët & Chandon supplied champagne to Formula 1 from 1966 to 1999 and again in 2020.

In 2025, racers who make it to the podium will have the opportunity to celebrate with the renowned Moët & Chandon champagne.

In July, they are set to become the main sponsor of the Belgian Grand Prix.

Discussing recent developments, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali remarked, "Celebrating with a toast on the podium is a cherished tradition and a highlight in our sport. We are excited to announce that Moët & Chandon will return as the Official Champagne of Formula 1."

This collaboration honors the shared history, passion, and quality that connect Formula 1 with Moët & Chandon. It represents an ideal blend of achievement and sophistication during this remarkable year, as we mark our 75th anniversary.

"The reappearance of Moët & Chandon on the podium enhances the connection of our creative alliance with LVMH, and we are eagerly anticipating celebrating this remarkable partnership together."

Sibylle Scherer, the CEO of Moët & Chandon, expressed their excitement and pride in rejoining Formula 1 as the Official Champagne. She highlighted the long-standing partnership that dates back to the 1950s, emphasizing the common values of remarkable collaboration, meticulous precision, and a relentless quest for excellence that unite both the world of motorsport and their champagne craftsmanship.

This collaboration celebrates the harmony and collective successes of passionate drivers, their committed crews, and the worldwide supporters who cheer them on.

Moët & Chandon steps up to the podium once more, enthusiastically dedicating itself to creating celebratory experiences for everyone who is a part of this remarkable journey.

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Lewis Hamilton has offered a farewell present to each of the 3,000 employees he used to work with at Mercedes F1.

Lewis Hamilton has given a unique present to each of his 3,000 ex-colleagues at Mercedes after leaving the Formula 1 team.

It has come to light that the seven-time world champion arranged for a unique piece of art to be created as a gesture for his past teammates upon his departure from the Silver Arrows.

Lewis Hamilton, a driver who secured six of his seven world titles in a remarkable 12-year career with Mercedes, made a sensational move to competitor Ferrari this past winter.

The British individual, aged 40, intended to present a unique gift to each employee after his relocation.

Hamilton commissioned famed motorsport artist Paul Oz to create a painting capturing his emotional win at the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.

Hamilton paid tribute to the late Niki Lauda by dedicating his third win on the Monte Carlo circuit to him, as Lauda had passed away just before that year's event.

Every staff member has been given a copy of the artwork, while the original piece is showcased at the team's headquarters in Brackley.

In a since-deleted Instagram post, Oz mentioned, "I can finally discuss this because it's now common knowledge and all 3,000 staff members at Mercedes GP have received their copies of it."

“In a gesture of class, Lewis personally arranged for this gift to be given to everyone at Mercedes as a farewell tribute.”

"I was instructed to concentrate on the car instead of Lewis. As a result, I decided to depict a scene from the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix, which took place shortly after Niki Lauda's passing. The team honored him by featuring a red halo. During the event, Lewis secured the pole position and led the race to victory."

Hamilton is actively engaged in a comprehensive pre-season testing schedule as he gears up for his first Formula 1 season with Ferrari.

He is set to team up with Charles Leclerc, creating what is considered one of the most formidable driver duos for the 2025 F1 season.

Hamilton is striving to secure an unprecedented eighth world championship with Ferrari, a victory that would propel him past the legendary Michael Schumacher in the historical rankings.

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Cadillac has recruited a seasoned member from Haas to lead their inaugural F1 team as manager.

Cadillac has appointed Peter Crolla, a seasoned veteran from Haas, to be their inaugural Formula 1 team manager.

The team led by General Motors has strengthened its lineup by bringing in Crolla, as they prepare to join Formula 1 as the 11th team in the year 2026.

Crolla became part of the Haas team after leaving McLaren in 2015. Initially, he worked as the team coordinator for the American team. In 2017, he advanced to the role of team manager, and from 2021 to 2022, he took on the responsibilities of trackside operations manager.

He was crucial in collaborating with ex-Haas team leader Guenther Steiner to elevate the team from being at the back of the pack to competing in the midfield.

After leaving Haas at the conclusion of 2024, Crolla has been recruited by Cadillac, representing a major achievement for the team.

The FIA, which oversees Formula 1, is reportedly close to approving Cadillac's participation in the sport.

Crolla is the newest high-profile addition to the project, coming after F1 veteran Pat Symonds was signed last month.

In a LinkedIn post from last month, Symonds mentioned: "I wasn't certain about what to anticipate."

"This organization is definitely in its early stages, but a handful of crucial team members have been putting in significant effort for more than a year, and their accomplishments are impressive."

"Although I had previous experience collaborating with many of them and was familiar with the caliber of their work, I was nonetheless greatly impressed. It wasn't just the advances made on the car that caught my attention, but also the robust groundwork supporting it."

"I am confident that in 2026, we can have a car on the starting grid that will do justice to both our team and the Formula 1 sport."

In December, it was revealed that Graeme Lowdon, who previously led the Manor F1 team, will take on the role of team principal for Cadillac.

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Cadillac recruits experienced Haas member as inaugural F1 team manager.

Cadillac selects a prominent Haas figure to lead their F1 team as the first manager.

Cadillac has appointed Peter Crolla, a long-time veteran of Haas, as the inaugural team manager for their Formula 1 squad.

The team led by General Motors has strengthened its lineup by bringing Crolla on board, as they prepare to join Formula 1 as the 11th team in 2026.

Crolla became a part of Haas after leaving McLaren in 2015. Initially, he held the role of team coordinator at the American team. In 2017, he advanced to the position of team manager. From 2021 to 2022, he took on the responsibilities of trackside operations manager.

He was crucial in working with former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner to elevate the team from the back of the pack to competing in the middle of the field.

After leaving Haas at the close of 2024, Crolla has been recruited by Cadillac, representing a major achievement for the team.

The FIA, which oversees Formula 1, is reportedly close to approving Cadillac's participation in the sport.

Crolla is the newest prominent figure to participate in the initiative, coming after F1 veteran Pat Symonds, who signed on last month.

In a LinkedIn post from the previous month, Symonds expressed uncertainty about what was to come.

This initiative is still in its early stages, yet several important individuals have been diligently putting in effort for more than a year, and their accomplishments are truly impressive.

"Despite having collaborated with many of them previously and being familiar with the caliber of their work, I was still greatly impressed. It wasn't just the advancements on the car that caught my attention, but also the strong groundwork supporting it."

"I am confident that we can have a car ready for the 2026 grid that will do justice to both the team and Formula 1 as a whole."

In December, news broke that Graeme Lowdon, who previously led Manor F1, will take on the role of team principal at Cadillac.

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Re

Famed Brawn GP Car That Won F1 Title to Be Auctioned

A notable F1 championship car is now available for purchase…

The legendary Brawn GP F1 car, which Jenson Button drove to win the championship in 2009, is set to be auctioned off during the Miami Grand Prix later this year.

The vehicle, belonging to Button and presented to him after his notable 2009 season, has been included in his private collection.

Bonhams is set to oversee the auction event taking place in Miami.

In 2009, Button's victory was a story straight out of a fairy tale. The team, established by the iconic Formula 1 leader Ross Brawn, emerged after Honda unexpectedly decided to leave the sport at the close of 2008.

Operating with limited financial resources, Brawn GP arrived at the opening race with the quickest car and secured both first and second places.

In their sole season in Formula 1, the team secured the constructors' championship before being succeeded by Mercedes.

With one race remaining, Button secured the championship title, surpassing Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull in the overall rankings.

The chassis available for purchase is numbered 001/01, and it was used by Rubens Barrichello during the initial races of the season.

Commenting on the auction, Louis Frankel from Bonhams Cars described the vehicle as the pinnacle of a Formula 1 success story, highlighting its groundbreaking design that changed the limits of what could be achieved.

Chassis 001/01 represents a significant part of motorsport history, and its availability at auction is likely to attract the attention of collectors from around the globe.

"We are thrilled to offer this unique chance during the Miami Grand Prix, an event truly worthy of its iconic reputation."

The priciest F1 vehicles ever sold

The Brawn GP car is not expected to reach the unprecedented sale figures seen earlier this year.

The Mercedes W196R was auctioned off for £42.7 million during an event organized by RM Sotheby’s at the Mercedes headquarters in Stuttgart.

In a not-so-close second place is a different W196R, which was piloted by the legendary Formula 1 driver Juan Manuel Fang

In 2013, it was purchased for £19.6 million.

In 2023, the W04, which was Lewis Hamilton's debut Formula 1 car with Mercedes, fetched £15.1 million at auction.

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Zhou Guanyu, who was recently let go, has secured a new position with Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

Zhou Guanyu has become one of Ferrari's two backup drivers for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Zhou was dropped by Sauber, resulting in him not having a position on the racing lineup.

During his last season with the team, the Chinese driver faced challenges but managed to earn Sauber's sole points by delivering an impressive performance at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Zhou has expressed his ongoing wish to stay involved in Formula 1, despite not securing the second Sauber position, including a reserve role.

He will split responsibilities with Antonio Giovinazzi, as the two will take turns throughout the season.

If Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc are unable to compete in a grand prix weekend, Zhou or Giovinazzi will have the opportunity to step in and drive.

Oliver Bearman took over for Carlos Sainz at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when the Spanish driver was hospitalized due to appendicitis.

Ferrari revealed that Zhou Guanyu has been appointed as a reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari HP. He will join Antonio Giovinazzi, who will remain in the same position.

"For the Chinese racer, it's a return to familiar grounds, having been part of the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy for four years, from 2015 to 2018."

Ferrari stated: "Zhou and Antonio Giovinazzi both hold positions as reserve drivers, with Giovinazzi having been involved with Scuderia Ferrari HP since 2017."

The Italian driver will keep competing in the World Endurance Championship, driving the number 51 Ferrari 499P. This is the same car he used to claim victory at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours race.

Will Zhou make a return to the racing lineup in 2026? Zhou is expected to encounter tough rivals in his bid to rejoin the grid that year.

Ex-teammate Valtteri Bottas, along with Sergio Perez, aims to make a comeback with Cadillac in 2026, and Kevin Magnussen is considered a potential candidate as well.

Cadillac is planning to enter the Formula 1 scene in 2026 as the 11th team and is said to be interested in having an American driver in their lineup.

Consequently, Colton Herta is widely expected to secure one of those positions in 2026.

With Cadillac set to use Ferrari engines in 2026, Zhou's opportunities for a comeback might have received a positive lift.

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Unveiled: Lewis Hamilton’s Lap Time Compared to Charles Leclerc in Recent Ferrari Test

Information from Lewis Hamilton's most recent test with Ferrari F1 shows a comparison with Charles Leclerc.

On Tuesday, Lewis Hamilton had his inaugural experience driving Ferrari's latest Formula 1 vehicle at the Barcelona circuit.

The driver, who has won the world championship seven times, made a comeback with Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix location. This appearance occurred almost a week following his crash involving the team's 2023 vehicle at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Lewis Hamilton and his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, are teaming up with McLaren to participate in a two-day test session for Pirelli tires, aimed at supporting their development for the 2026 season.

In contrast to Hamilton's earlier private sessions with Ferrari, this initiative was organized for Pirelli's advantage and directed by Formula 1's tire provider.

The purpose of the test is to assess the newest designs for the 2026 tires, specifically the C1, C2, and C3 hard compounds.

Both Ferrari and McLaren have adapted their cars for the current competition. Meanwhile, Hamilton experienced driving the SF-24 for the first time, following his earlier test sessions with the SF-23.

Hamilton outpaces Leclerc Lando Norris achieved the quickest lap of the day, clocking in at 1 minute 15.215 seconds, while completing 159 laps driving McLaren's 2023 MCL60.

Following on the leaderboard was Hamilton, who completed 87 laps with a time of 1 minute and 15.930 seconds. Although Hamilton outpaced the two Ferrari drivers, the lap times hold little significance during testing.

Leclerc completed 86 laps, achieving his fastest time of 1 minute and 16.060 seconds.

Reports suggest that Ferrari conducted a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session with their SF-23 on Tuesday. This was done to allow both Hamilton and Leclerc to recover the time lost due to Hamilton's accident the previous week.

Pirelli's tire testing is set to proceed on Wednesday. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are scheduled to share the driving responsibilities for Ferrari, while Oscar Piastri will replace Lando Norris in the driver's seat at McLaren.

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Uncovered: Lewis Hamilton's Lap Timing Compared to Charles Leclerc in Recent Ferrari Test

Recent data from Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Formula 1 test session has shown a performance comparison with Charles Leclerc.

On Tuesday, Lewis Hamilton took his initial drive in Ferrari's latest Formula 1 vehicle at the Barcelona circuit.

The seven-time world champion made a comeback for Ferrari at the Spanish Grand Prix location, almost a week following an incident where he crashed the 2023 model of the team's car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Hamilton, alongside his new teammate Charles Leclerc and the McLaren team, is participating in a two-day Pirelli tire testing session to support the development for 2026.

In contrast to Hamilton's earlier private sessions with Ferrari, this program was organized for Pirelli's purposes and directed by Formula 1's tire manufacturer.

The primary aim of the test is to assess the newest designs for the 2026 tires, specifically looking at the C1, C2, and C3 hard compounds.

Ferrari and McLaren have both adapted their cars for the current season, but for Hamilton, this was his initial experience behind the wheel of the SF-24, following his earlier tests with the SF-23.

Hamilton outpaces Leclerc

Lando Norris recorded the quickest lap of the day, clocking in at 1 minute and 15.215 seconds, while running 159 laps in McLaren's 2023 MCL60 model.

Following him on the leaderboard was Hamilton, who completed 87 laps with a time of 1 minute and 15.930 seconds. Although Hamilton was faster than the two Ferrari drivers, it's important to note that lap times hold little significance during testing.

Leclerc completed 86 laps and achieved his fastest lap time at 1 minute and 16.060 seconds.

Reports suggest that Ferrari conducted a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session with their SF-23 on Tuesday. This test was aimed at allowing both Hamilton and Leclerc to recover lost time due to Hamilton's accident the previous week.

The testing of Pirelli tires is set to resume on Wednesday. For Ferrari, Hamilton and Leclerc will share the driving responsibilities once more. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri will replace Norris as the driver for McLaren.

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Lewis Hamilton experiences driving a different Ferrari F1 car in Barcelona

A significant occasion for Lewis Hamilton as he drives a Ferrari F1 car once more.

On Tuesday, Lewis Hamilton took the wheel of a Ferrari Formula 1 car in Barcelona as part of his ongoing preparation for the 2025 season.

On this occasion, Hamilton had the chance to get behind the wheel of Ferrari's 2024 race car, the SF-24.

The SF-24 just fell short of securing the F1 constructors’ championship, losing to McLaren, while Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz managed to clinch victory in five races during 2024.

According to the official details, the 2024 vehicle represented a major improvement over its earlier model, the SF-23, which Hamilton tested last week.

Last week, the seven-time world champion had an accident with the 2023 car on his second day of driving at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Ferrari is participating in a Pirelli test aimed at evaluating the tires for the upcoming year. Consequently, they had to implement an atypical adjustment in their setup.

According to Autoracer, Hamilton's Ferrari was configured with very minimal downforce to mimic the regulations for 2026.

Typically, Barcelona teams choose to use more downforce during the season due to the characteristics of the corners, making this situation unusual.

As the 2026 regulations are anticipated to cause a 20% decrease in downforce, the adjustment in setup is likely to provide Pirelli with improved information for their ongoing tire development.

Pirelli has not yet disclosed the precise events of the test, but it appears that Hamilton experienced a much smoother session compared to the previous week.

Leclerc recovers from setbacks

Meanwhile, at the Ferrari team, Leclerc was busy behind the wheel, piloting the SF-23.

This used a portion of the miles he was allowed for testing earlier car models.

Last week, Leclerc lost valuable practice time due to Hamilton's crash.

The familiar sounds of Sundays are nearly here again 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/4yWCixKyv8— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 4, 2025

The familiar sounds of Sundays are nearly here again 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/4yWCixKyv8

Ferrari wasn't the only team conducting tests in Barcelona; McLaren was also there, helping Pirelli with their tire developments for 2026.

According to Sky Sports Italy, Alpine was also at the circuit in Spain.

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Sauber plans to establish a new facility in the United Kingdom in preparation for Audi's entry into Formula 1.

Sauber plans to establish a facility in the United Kingdom this year in preparation for Audi's entry into Formula 1 in 2026.

The team headquartered in Switzerland is set to transform into the Audi F1 factory team next season as the German automotive powerhouse makes its official debut in the world championship.

As Audi prepares for its entry, Sauber has revealed plans to establish a technology hub in the United Kingdom, aiming to draw in a wider range of engineering experts.

Throughout their history in Formula 1, Sauber has conducted their operations from their base located in Hinwil, a municipality in Switzerland.

Expanding their operations, Audi's power unit team will be based in Neuburg, Germany, alongside their existing facilities in Hinwil.

Furthermore, Sauber plans to establish an additional site within the area commonly referred to as the UK's 'motorsport valley'.

Sauber is considering several places for their new site, including Bicester, Silverstone, and Milton Keynes.

Sauber aims to have their technical center up and running in the UK by the summer of 2025.

Mattia Binotto, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber, expressed enthusiasm about setting up a new technical center in the UK. He mentioned that this new site will support their primary location in Hinwil, which will remain the hub for their main engineering activities and experience the most significant team expansion.

Moving into the UK enables us to stay connected to a highly vibrant motorsport community. Our goal is to establish a robust, cooperative network between Hinwil and the UK, fostering innovation and enhancing performance.

In the 2024 constructors’ championship, Sauber ended up in the last position, managing to secure only four points over the course of the 24-race season.

Nico Hulkenberg is set to join forces with Formula 2 champion and newcomer to Formula 1, Gabriel Bortoleto, as part of Sauber's revamped driver team for the 2025 season.

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Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grands Prix for Crash.net. He often provides on-site reports, sharing the narratives of key figures within the sport.

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