Carlos Sainz cautions Lewis Hamilton that joining Ferrari comes with its challenges.

Carlos Sainz has issued a word of warning to Lewis Hamilton as he prepares for his first season with the Ferrari F1 team.

Carlos Sainz has cautioned Lewis Hamilton that he should not anticipate an entirely smooth and trouble-free experience at Ferrari as he prepares for his first Formula 1 season with the team.

Lewis Hamilton, who has won the world championship seven times, has made a sensational move from Mercedes to Ferrari. He will team up with Charles Leclerc for the next season, marking one of the most talked-about and significant driver changes in the history of Formula 1.

Carlos Sainz, now with Williams following his departure to accommodate Lewis Hamilton's entry, emphasizes that while every Formula 1 driver dreams of being with Ferrari, the experience can be challenging.

During an appearance on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, Sainz, who will soon be leaving, mentioned that they could have another podcast session in the future where he could elaborate on the challenges of being a Ferrari driver. However, he expressed that he preferred not to focus on that topic in the current interview.

"Being a Ferrari driver can be challenging at times, and I won't pretend that it's all smooth sailing and flawless."

Sainz mentioned that Hamilton should anticipate having "an exceptionally unique experience" upon becoming a member of F1's most renowned team.

"The Spaniard expressed that he prefers to concentrate on the positives, noting that each Grand Prix feels like a home race, which makes for a truly unique experience."

Even if I were to try to describe it to you right now, I doubt I could put it into words. I'm not very skilled at expressing myself or my emotions, but I can say that it's unlike anything I've ever experienced before, and I've cherished every moment of it.

"It's quite unique to realize that the entire crowd in the grandstand is essentially cheering for Ferrari and hoping for their success."

Hamilton's initial steps with Ferrari revealed

Next week, Hamilton is scheduled to travel to Ferrari's F1 base in Maranello to start integrating with the team.

A 40-year-old British individual is scheduled to have his initial simulator session on Monday, January 20. Later in the same week, he will make his first appearance on the track for the team, driving a Formula 1 car that is at least two years old, at their Fiorano testing facility.

Ferrari has scheduled a comprehensive testing program to assist Hamilton in quickly acclimating before the upcoming season. They intend to utilize a significant portion of their allotted Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) time for this purpose.

Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for a minimum of four days at the month's end to give Hamilton more time to practice with their previous F1 cars.

Hamilton is set to debut in public as a Ferrari driver with his new teammate Leclerc during Formula 1's exclusive season kickoff event at London’s O2 Arena on February 18.

The day after tomorrow, Ferrari is set to unveil their 2025 vehicle at an event in Maranello.

Ferrari plans to utilize one of their allowed 'filming days' to test their new Formula 1 vehicle at Fiorano following its unveiling on February 19. This event will mark the debut drive of the 2025 car for Hamilton and Leclerc.

Hamilton and Leclerc are set to participate in Ferrari's official pre-season testing in Bahrain, scheduled from February 26 to 28. The 2025 season will then begin with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, which will be Hamilton's first race with Ferrari.

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Carlos Sainz cautions Lewis Hamilton that life at Ferrari isn't always easy and flawless.

Sainz has issued a word of advice to Hamilton as he prepares to begin his first season with the Ferrari F1 team.

Carlos Sainz has cautioned Lewis Hamilton that he shouldn't anticipate an entirely smooth and flawless experience at Ferrari as he prepares for his first Formula 1 season with the Italian team.

Lewis Hamilton, who has won the world championship seven times, has made a sensational move from Mercedes to Ferrari. This highly anticipated transfer sees him teaming up with Charles Leclerc for the next season and is considered one of the most significant driver changes in the history of Formula 1.

Carlos Sainz, now a member of the Williams team following his departure to accommodate Lewis Hamilton's entry to Ferrari, emphasizes that although driving for Ferrari is a goal for many in Formula 1, the experience can be quite challenging.

During his appearance on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, Sainz, who is set to leave, mentioned that while they could have a separate podcast episode where he might share the challenges of being a Ferrari driver, he preferred not to delve into that topic during this particular interview.

"Being a Ferrari driver has its challenges, and I'm not going to pretend that everything is always smooth and ideal."

However, Sainz mentioned that Hamilton should anticipate having "a truly unique experience" when he becomes part of the most renowned team in F1.

The Spanish driver emphasized the positives, noting that each Grand Prix feels like a home race, making it an incredibly unique experience.

"Even if I were to sit down and attempt to describe it to you, I'm not sure I could. I'm not particularly skilled at expressing myself or conveying my emotions, but what I can say is that it's unlike anything I've experienced before, and I've cherished every moment."

"It's quite unique to realize that nearly everyone in the stands supports Ferrari and hopes for the team's success."

Hamilton's initial interactions with Ferrari come to light

Hamilton is scheduled to travel to Ferrari's Formula 1 base in Maranello next week, marking the start of his integration with the team.

A 40-year-old from Britain is scheduled to have his initial simulator experience on Monday, January 20. Later in the week, he will drive an F1 car, which is at least two years old, for the first time at the team's Fiorano test track.

Ferrari is organizing a comprehensive testing schedule to ensure Hamilton quickly acclimates before the upcoming season. They intend to utilize a significant portion of their allowed Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) time for this purpose.

Ferrari has reserved the Barcelona track for a minimum of four days at the month's end, allowing Hamilton extra practice time with their previous F1 cars.

Hamilton is set to debut as a Ferrari driver in a public event where he will join his new teammate, Leclerc, at Formula 1's special season launch, taking place at London's O2 Arena on February 18.

The day after, Ferrari is set to unveil their 2025 race car in Maranello.

Ferrari is anticipated to utilize one of their allowed 'filming days' to carry out a preliminary test of their new Formula 1 car at Fiorano following its unveiling on February 19. This event will mark the debut drive of the 2025 car for Hamilton and Leclerc.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are set to represent Ferrari during the pre-season testing sessions in Bahrain, scheduled from February 26 to 28. The 2025 season will officially begin with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, where Hamilton will make his racing debut for Ferrari.

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Rob Smedley urges hesitant F1 race engineers to be bolder.

The renowned F1 figure, Rob Smedley, offers guidance to today's race engineers.

Rob Smedley thinks that Formula 1 race engineers devote excessive effort to delicately managing situations in order to maintain their drivers' satisfaction.

Rob Smedley gained fame as the race engineer for Felipe Massa during their time at Ferrari. The duo was known for their memorable radio conversations, where Smedley often communicated in a direct and humorous manner, his distinct Teesside accent making these exchanges even more notable.

During the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix, the 51-year-old famously advised Massa by saying, "Felipe, baby, stay calm."

During the 2010 German Grand Prix, Smedley conveyed Ferrari's well-known indirect team orders to Massa, the Brazilian driver. He said, "Fernando [Alonso, your teammate] is quicker than you. Do you confirm receiving that message?"

Smedley believes that race engineers have grown overly cautious in their communication with drivers.

During an appearance on The Red Flags podcast, Smedley commented that, overall, he feels there is too much cautious behavior in Formula 1 today.

"The way the radio communications are handled with the driver – I may not catch every race, but when I do watch, I often think, just have the courage to say what needs to be said. Be direct with him."

"Allow a narcissistic sociopath even a small opportunity, and they'll exploit it to the fullest. So, it's best not to give them that chance at all. Don’t let them think I have any kind of inferiority complex that makes me feel the need to share something with you in hopes that you might act on it. We're in a professional setting, okay? I'll give you instructions, and you'll follow them."

"When my employer gives me instructions, I follow them. That’s just how things operate. If we neglect to do this, assuming our superiors aren't self-centered or unethical and aren't instructing us to do harmful things, in a high-stress setting like this, everything will unravel. It will throw everything off balance."

"Let's establish some basic guidelines for how we interact and communicate with one another."

The text discusses considerations such as: Should I choose to act? Should I request one driver to switch positions or ask another to assist in moving him? Might this hurt his emotions?

"At the conclusion of a race, there's typically just one driver who feels satisfied. It's impossible to keep everyone content constantly. So, muster some courage and proceed with making the necessary decisions."

"In both Formula 1 and life, it's similar. It's as if you're treading carefully, afraid to make any choices, which ultimately leads you to the least favorable outcome."

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Sauber's incoming Formula 1 chief will begin his role ahead of schedule following an agreement with Red Bull. According to sources from Crash.net, Jonathan Wheatley has been granted permission by Red Bull for an early departure to take up his new position at Sauber.

Jonathan Wheatley is set to assume his role as the team principal of the Sauber F1 team ahead of schedule, following Red Bull's decision to release him early.

Crash.net has obtained information that the ex-sporting director of Red Bull is set to become part of the Sauber team starting April 1, which is much sooner than initially planned.

In August of the previous year, it was revealed that Wheatley would step down from his position to take on the role of team principal for the upcoming Audi F1 team.

Red Bull initially announced that Wheatley would take a break from work, whereas Audi stated he would start working with them "no later than July 2025."

The 57-year-old from Britain will be joining the Swiss Sauber team sooner than expected, as Red Bull has permitted him to exit his contract ahead of schedule.

Wheatley is set to be Sauber's first official team principal following Fred Vasseur's departure to Ferrari in 2023.

For the last two seasons, Alessandro Alunni Bravi held the position of team representative. However, Sauber has revealed that the Italian will be departing from the organization at the conclusion of January.

Wheatley’s responsibilities will include concentrating on the racing achievements of the F1 factory team, overseeing operations during racing events, and acting as Audi's representative at the team principal level for issues connected to F1.

Mattia Binotto, previously the team principal at Ferrari and now serving as Audi's chief operating and technical officer, will share the responsibility for ensuring the racing team's success alongside him.

Should everything proceed as expected, Wheatley is set to take on his role starting with the third round of the 2025 season at the Japanese Grand Prix.

McLaren faces a delay in appointing a sporting director, as Red Bull has not been cooperative. During the 2024 season, McLaren became Red Bull's most formidable competitor.

In September, McLaren revealed that Will Courtenay, who was in charge of race strategy at Red Bull, will be coming on board as their new sporting director.

At the time, Red Bull chose not to make any public remarks regarding the change. However, an insider from the team reportedly told BBC Sport that they were saddened by Will's departure after his extensive and successful tenure, which began during the Jaguar era. They expressed their best wishes for him as he advances in his career.

Will remains a member of the team and will fulfill his contract, which runs until the middle of 2026.

A recent analysis by The Race suggests that McLaren's chances of acquiring Courtenay ahead of schedule "have diminished."

Courtenay is scheduled to continue his role on the Red Bull pitwall for the entire 2025 season.

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Historic Mercedes Formula 1 vehicle from the 1950s might fetch a record-breaking £41 million at auction. This renowned Mercedes racing car is anticipated to sell for more than £40 million in the upcoming month.

A legendary Formula 1 car from Mercedes might be auctioned for a groundbreaking price surpassing £41 million.

The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W196R Stromlinienwagen, famously driven by Formula 1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio, is being sold by the auction house RM Sotheby’s.

RM Sotheby is opening up bidding for an F1 car at a starting price of £41 million (equivalent to 50 million euros), potentially setting a new record for the sale of such a vehicle.

The existing highest price is £19.6 million, which belongs to a different Mercedes W196R.

This Formula 1 car, driven by Fangio, clinched victory at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix.

Later that season, Sir Stirling Moss took the wheel of the same car chassis at Monza, where he recorded the quickest lap time.

In 1955, Fangio clinched his second world championship, while Moss ended the season in second place.

In 1965, Mercedes gifted the vehicle to the museum at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and it has been housed there for 59 years.

The item is set to go under the hammer on February 1, with anticipations of achieving a record-breaking price.

The highest-priced Formula 1 car ever sold is the 1954 Mercedes W196R, fetching $19.6 million in 2013.

During the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Bonhams conducted an auction where the Silver Arrow was sold.

Coming in second is the Mercedes car from 2013, which was Lewis Hamilton's first victory-winning vehicle.

In 2023, that sold for £15.1 million.

Rounding out the top three is the Ferrari driven by Michael Schumacher in 2003.

In 2022, an auction in Switzerland saw the item being sold for £10.7 million.

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Renowned football coach seeks discussion with Max Verstappen

"I'm curious about how Max Verstappen maintains such intense focus while driving at high speeds. If someone could share that insight with me, I'd be eager to apply it to the world of football."

Renowned football manager Jurgen Klopp is eager to gain insights from Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen following Klopp's recent appointment at Red Bull.

Klopp has been named the global head of football for Red Bull, stepping into this role after pausing his managerial career following a successful period with Liverpool.

The individual, aged 57, was introduced in his new position this past weekend and expressed his intention to have a conversation with Red Bull's leading driver.

Max Verstappen has claimed victory in the past four F1 drivers' championships, securing his position as one of the all-time greats in the sport.

When discussing Verstappen, Klopp remarked, "There's just so much to discuss!"

Klopp mentioned on the official Red Bull website that it's not only about his concentration but also various other aspects.

"It's quite astonishing. I would be fascinated to spend time with him to learn how he manages to perform at his peak mental state while facing the risk of traveling at speeds of 300 miles per hour in a car. It's truly intriguing."

In a press conference, Klopp remarked: "I'm curious about how Max Verstappen maintains complete focus while racing at such high speeds. I'd love to learn about that, and see if I can apply it to football."

Verstappen applauds Red Bull for recruiting Klopp.

Verstappen expressed approval of Red Bull's choice to add Klopp to their team.

In an interview with Sky Sports last year, Verstappen revealed that he had been aware for some time that discussions were taking place and that an agreement was nearly finalized.

"Red Bull is heavily investing in soccer by supporting their various teams, and this commitment has already yielded a significant amount of talented players."

"Having Jurgen at the helm, with his wealth of experience and history of leading top clubs, is beneficial for the entire organization."

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Franco Colapinto’s representative shares information about discussions with Red Bull following Christian Horner's expressed "interest." Colapinto's management engaged in conversations with Red Bull.

The manager of Franco Colapinto has revealed that Red Bull was highly interested in him prior to his decision to sign with Alpine.

Alpine announced that Colapinto will be their new test and reserve driver for the next season.

In 2024, the impressive displays by the Argentine driver while racing for Williams caught the attention of Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull. Horner considered the idea of pairing Colapinto with Max Verstappen.

As the year drew to a challenging close, Red Bull's attention shifted away, leading them to concentrate on their in-house alternatives.

Liam Lawson received a promotion to Red Bull, and Isack Hadjar was given a position with Racing Bulls.

In an interview with Infobae, Maria Catarineu, who manages Colapinto, mentioned: "Christian definitely expressed a keen interest in Franco. This could potentially involve a role with Red Bull, either as Max's partner or on their secondary team. There have been multiple expressions of interest from others as well."

He was interested in finding out about the status of Williams and wanted to have a conversation with James.

"The Red Bull path was ultimately not possible for various reasons."

Initially, Red Bull has a governing board and a robust driver academy, which includes drivers who were waiting for their chance; unfortunately, things didn't pan out as expected.

“Indeed, Christian's trip served as a means for Williams to grasp what Franco's prospects looked like moving forward.”

Colapinto will need to be patient for his opportunity with Alpine, which is expected to come in 2025.

Jack Doohan faces immediate pressure to deliver, so he may not have a long wait.

Flavio Briatore has openly expressed his admiration for Colapinto, and considering the probable expense involved in securing him, it seems unavoidable that he will eventually take over Doohan's position within the next year.

Currently, Colapinto is set to take on the role of test and reserve driver for the team.

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Jacques Villeneuve has drawn a comparison between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, stating that if Verstappen were absent, it wouldn't matter much to people, whereas Hamilton's absence would raise concerns.

Jacques Villeneuve is of the opinion that if Max Verstappen decided to leave Formula 1, it wouldn't garner much attention from people. However, he feels that the situation would be significantly different if Lewis Hamilton were to retire from the sport.

The 1997 Formula 1 world champion compared Verstappen and Hamilton, stating that Hamilton's move to Ferrari is the biggest driver signing since the legendary Michael Schumacher became part of the Italian team.

Villeneuve states that Hamilton, who has won the world championship seven times, has redefined the traditional image of a Formula 1 driver and has gained a broad following that reaches beyond just Formula 1 fans.

According to the Canadian in a statement to Action Network, Lewis Hamilton's potential switch to Ferrari is the biggest F1 transfer since Michael Schumacher transitioned from Benetton to Ferrari.

Regardless of race outcomes, Lewis Hamilton is considered the greatest driver ever due to the large fanbase he has amassed.

"He stands out as truly distinct. He is one of a kind and has shattered expectations. Much depends on him due to his immense presence. His reputation extends beyond the realm of Formula 1, and few drivers share such a widespread influence."

"Remove Verstappen from Formula 1, and it doesn't make much difference to people. Remove Hamilton, and it matters a lot to the fans."

"Certainly, this is the most significant acquisition. Additionally, Ferrari ranks among the top global brands, potentially even the foremost. Therefore, combining these two elements is indeed remarkable."

Briatore Criticizes Hamilton Signing as Shortsighted

Flavio Briatore joined others in Formula 1 in expressing skepticism over Ferrari's choice to bring in Hamilton to replace Carlos Sainz for the 2025 season.

The executive director of Alpine mentioned to Sport.de that witnessing Lewis with Ferrari will feel unusual. While he respects these kinds of choices, he is also curious about their logic. Ferrari already has two excellent drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

"I can't comprehend why they decided to break up such a strong duo. It's not my place to make judgments, but if I were in charge at Ferrari, I wouldn't have chosen to bring Lewis on board."

"Essentially, having Lewis race for Ferrari benefits Formula 1. Anything that benefits the sport is also beneficial for me. It will likely boost television viewership and ratings as well. We should wait and observe. Only time will reveal how well he performs with Ferrari."

However, Villeneuve claimed that Hamilton joining Ferrari is the "smartest decision they have ever made."

Villeneuve commented that Briatore's inability to understand the reasoning behind bringing Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari is quite narrow-minded. He pointed out that Ferrari's worth would instantly increase the moment they secure Hamilton's signing.

It's important to view Ferrari not only as a racing team but as an entire enterprise. While their goal is to secure victories, those successes also enhance their car sales and increase Ferrari's overall worth.

"The decision to bring Lewis on board was incredibly valuable, potentially worth millions, making it the smartest move they've ever made."

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"Jacques Villeneuve argues that removing Max Verstappen from the equation wouldn't cause much concern, whereas taking Lewis Hamilton out would draw significant attention."

According to Jacques Villeneuve, if Max Verstappen decided to leave Formula 1, it wouldn't garner much attention from people. However, he argues that Lewis Hamilton retiring would have a more significant impact.

The 1997 Formula 1 world champion compared Verstappen and Hamilton, referring to Hamilton's move to Ferrari as the most significant driver transfer since the legendary Michael Schumacher became part of the Italian team.

Villeneuve claims that Hamilton, who has won the world championship seven times, has redefined the concept of an F1 driver and has attracted a global audience that reaches far beyond the realm of the sport.

According to the Canadian speaking to Action Network, Lewis Hamilton's potential switch to Ferrari is the biggest F1 transfer since Michael Schumacher departed Benetton to join Ferrari.

Regardless of the outcomes of races, Lewis Hamilton is considered the greatest driver ever due to the immense support and fanbase he has garnered.

"He stands out as quite distinctive and one-of-a-kind. He has shattered the traditional expectations. Much depends on him, as he possesses the most prominent persona. His reputation transcends the world of Formula 1, and there are few drivers who share this level of recognition."

"Remove Verstappen from F1, and it won't make much of a difference to people. However, if Hamilton is removed from F1, it will grab people's attention."

"Indeed, this is the most significant acquisition. Ferrari stands as one of the leading global brands, perhaps even the top one. Combining these two elements is truly remarkable."

Briatore Criticized for Remarks on Hamilton

Flavio Briatore was one of the F1 personalities who criticized Ferrari's choice to replace Carlos Sainz with Hamilton for the 2025 season.

The head of Alpine spoke to Sport.de, saying, "Seeing Lewis in a Ferrari will be unusual. I respect the choice, but I question its logic. Ferrari already had two excellent drivers in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz."

"I'm puzzled as to why they broke up such a fantastic duo. It's not my place to make judgments, but if I were in charge at Ferrari, I wouldn't have agreed to sign Lewis."

"Having Lewis race for Ferrari is generally beneficial for Formula 1. Since what's positive for Formula 1 benefits me as well, this situation is promising. It will likely boost television viewership and ratings. We'll have to wait to see how he performs with Ferrari over time."

However, Villeneuve contended that Hamilton joining Ferrari represents the "smartest decision they've made."

Villeneuve commented on Briatore's narrow perspective, stating that failing to recognize the rationale behind bringing Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari is misguided. He pointed out that Ferrari's worth would instantly increase once Hamilton joined the team.

"Ferrari shouldn't be viewed solely as a racing team. It's an entire enterprise. While their goal is to achieve victories, these triumphs boost their car sales and enhance Ferrari's overall brand value."

"That's the nature of the industry, and bringing Lewis on board was a deal worth millions, making it their most successful decision to date."

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Recent developments at the future Audi Formula 1 team revealed

Alessandro Alunni Bravi set to leave Sauber just before the start of the 2025 F1 season.

Sauber has revealed that Alessandro Alunni Bravi will step down from his roles as Team Representative and Managing Director of their Formula 1 team.

Bravi is set to leave Sauber at the close of January after a seven-year tenure with the Swiss team, where he has held various managerial roles.

The Italian initially became part of the team in 2017, serving as General Counsel and Board Member. He later assumed the role of Managing Director in 2022. As the 2024 season approached, Bravi's responsibilities were broadened, and he was named Team Representative.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Sauber functioned without an officially appointed team principal. However, Bravi took on the role of the unofficial team leader and represented the team in FIA press conferences during race weekends.

His exit is the most recent development for Audi as they prepare for their major debut in Formula 1 next year by acquiring the Sauber team.

Last July, Mattia Binotto, previously the head of Ferrari's F1 team, took on the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber. Meanwhile, Jonathan Wheatley, who was with Red Bull, will step into the position of team principal starting in the 2025 season.

Sauber faced a challenging 2024 season, ending up at the bottom of the constructors' standings with only four points to their name.

For the 2025 season, the team will introduce a new set of drivers, featuring Nico Hulkenberg alongside Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto.

Bravi announced his departure from Sauber, stating that he is embarking on a "new adventure" with a different project.

Bravi expressed his feelings, saying, "As I conclude my time with Sauber, it is a period filled with emotions." Reflecting on his experience since joining in 2017, he remarked, "I have witnessed the team's remarkable growth and transformation, surpassing all expectations."

This organization experienced both thrilling and challenging periods, yet it never wavered in its dedication and enthusiasm. I find this truly motivating, and I felt honored to have been the team's spokesperson over the past two years.

As I transition to a different venture, I wish to express my gratitude to Finn Rausing, everyone at Sauber and Audi who believed in me, and all the teammates I've collaborated with over the past eight years. This team is like a family and has a promising future.

Binotto honored Bravi, who is leaving, by calling him "an excellent team collaborator."

"Since starting my tenure in Hinwil, I've had the opportunity to collaborate extensively with Alessandro. I wish to honor him as a genuine team player who has truly represented the spirit of Sauber over the years," Binotto expressed.

Alessandro took on various responsibilities within the team, guiding it through both challenging and thrilling periods. As he embarks on a new journey, the entire company expresses gratitude for his dedication and efforts over the years and extends their best wishes for his future endeavors.

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Lewis frequently travels to various Grand Prix events across the globe on behalf of Crash.net. While on-site, he provides firsthand accounts of the events and shares the narratives of key figures in the racing world.

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Sauber, soon to be known as the Audi Formula 1 team, has announced a leadership change with Alessandro Alunni Bravi set to leave the team just before the 2025 F1 season begins.

Sauber has revealed that Alessandro Alunni Bravi will step down from his roles as Team Representative and Managing Director of the Formula 1 team.

Bravi is set to leave Sauber at the close of January after spending seven years with the Swiss team, where he held various management roles.

In 2017, the Italian initially became part of the team as both the General Counsel and a member of the Board. He then advanced to the position of Managing Director in 2022. As the 2024 season approached, Bravi's responsibilities grew further when he was named Team Representative.

Throughout 2023 and 2024, Sauber functioned without an official team principal, with Bravi serving as the unofficial leader. He also represented the team during FIA press conferences on race weekends.

Audi is undergoing another shift as they prepare to enter Formula 1 next year, taking control of the Sauber team.

Last July, Mattia Binotto, who previously led Ferrari's Formula 1 team, took on the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer at Sauber. Meanwhile, Jonathan Wheatley has left Red Bull and will assume the position of team principal starting in the 2025 season.

Sauber had a challenging 2024 season, ending up at the bottom of the constructors' standings with only four points.

For the 2025 season, the team will introduce a new set of drivers: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, the Formula 2 champion.

Bravi announced his departure from Sauber as he embarks on a "new project."

"It's a poignant moment as my time with Sauber comes to a close," Bravi expressed. "Having been part of the team since 2017, I've witnessed its development and transformation in ways that were once unimaginable."

Throughout both thrilling and challenging periods, this organization never wavered in its passion and dedication, a trait I find truly inspiring. I felt honored to have been the spokesperson for the team over the past two years.

As I embark on a new venture, I wish to express my gratitude to Finn Rausing, everyone at Sauber and Audi who believed in me, and all the coworkers I've collaborated with over the past eight years. This team feels like a family and has a promising future.

Binotto honored Bravi, who is leaving, by calling him "a genuine team player."

"Since arriving in Hinwil, I've had the opportunity to work with Alessandro and I would like to honor him. He has been a genuine team collaborator and has personified the spirit of Sauber over the years," Binotto remarked.

Alessandro was involved in various capacities within the team, guiding it through both challenging and exhilarating periods. As he embarks on a new journey, the entire company extends its gratitude for his dedication and efforts throughout the years and wishes him success in his future endeavors.

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Lewis frequently travels globally to cover Grand Prix events for Crash.net. He provides firsthand accounts of the events, focusing on sharing the experiences and perspectives of key figures in the racing world.

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Narrator from Drive to Survive takes on a new position beyond Formula 1

A prominent F1 host secures a new job…

Will Buxton, known for his work as an F1 TV host, is set to join FOX Sports as the commentator for their IndyCar coverage in the forthcoming season.

Since Liberty Media took over, Buxton has been a key figure in Formula 1's digital broadcasting. He will now leave F1 to provide commentary for the top racing series in the United States.

Since he started appearing regularly in the Netflix documentary "Drive to Survive," his popularity has increased.

Prior to that, Buxton gained widespread recognition for his lively and enthusiastic narration of the GP2 Series, which is currently known as F2.

Buxton is set to leave Formula 1 to concentrate on IndyCar coverage with FOX, teaming up with James Hinchcliffe and Townsend Bell.

It remains uncertain how he will be involved with Drive to Survive moving forward. However, he is expected to appear in the upcoming season, set to debut next month before the start of the 2025 F1 season.

"I'm overjoyed to be starting this thrilling new chapter by coming back to FOX, precisely 15 years since SPEED Channel gave a young and inexperienced reporter his initial chance on network television," Buxton expressed.

"I have admired the NTT INDYCAR SERIES since I began watching motorsports and have always been impressed by the talent and courage displayed by its remarkable drivers."

"Being able to share their stories and commentate on their races is an incredible opportunity that I never thought I would be privileged to experience. It carries great responsibility, and I approach it with utmost seriousness."

Buxton expressed great enthusiasm, stating that he has admired IndyCar for many years, and the transition is like a dream realized for him.

During the Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast, he expressed his amazement by saying, "I’m absolutely astonished."

"I feel deeply grateful for this chance. My excitement is overwhelming. As many of you are aware, I'm a long-time enthusiast of IndyCar. It's a passion I've held throughout my life, and I've always wished that I would someday have the chance to seize a pivotal moment in my career to report on the championship on a full-time basis."

"I never anticipated when or if this moment would come, so having the chance to go back to the FOX family 15 years after they offered me my first role on network TV feels like a wonderful experience."

"I'm thrilled about the championship. It's an incredibly thrilling time for the NTT IndyCar Series, for FOX, and for everyone involved. I'm eager to begin."

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Connor, with his keen insight into the controversies and narratives within F1, is central to our objective reporting.

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