Author: quyen1

Credits: Imago

When the news of Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes at the end of 2024 broke, it invited a series of new problems for the Silver Arrows. Already battling with performance issues, the team was also tasked with finding a replacement driver, and also sponsors, as some of them are leaving because of Hamilton’s departure. Thankfully for Mercedes, they seem to have found a replacement for Tommy Hilfiger and Puma in Adidas.

Advertisement

Hamilton has been a global ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger since 2018. In turn, the fashion brand has been in association with the Mercedes F1 team in a multi-million dollar contract. A year earlier (2017), Hamilton signed a deal with sporting giants Puma to become their brand ambassador as well. Since then, they have been making Mercedes’ race suits and apparel.

Advertisement

Hamilton’s link with Mercedes brought the Brackley-based outfit immense commercial success, thanks to his sponsorship appeal. Now, with him leaving, Mercedes have to scramble and find new sponsors. As reported by GB News, Adidas will enter a partnership with Mercedes in a deal that will greatly help the Silver Arrow’s finances.

Reportedly, Mercedes will earn more from their Adidas partnership than what they get from Puma and Tommy Hilfiger combined. Presently, Mercedes earns a combined total of $7.5 million from the aforementioned sponsors. The new Adidas deal will generate ‘tens and millions of dollars’, as reported by The Daily Mail.

This deal will also greatly benefit Adidas, who recently lost their contract of making jerseys for the German soccer team. Mercedes’ F1 team is a big name Adidas can add to their list of great sports entities and teams they have been tied with over the course of their existence.

From one Lewis Hamilton-related problem to another

Mercedes may have found a sponsor for next year, but they are yet to come up with a replacement driver for Hamilton. Per a recent report from PlanetF1, Toto Wolff confirmed that Max Verstappen is presently a top candidate for the role. However, Wolff isn’t in a hurry and wants to take his time before making such a big decision.

Advertisement

There are plenty of other drivers for Mercedes to choose from should Verstappen not be a viable option. Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a strong prospect for the position if the team is willing to risk putting the young driver in Hamilton’s shoes.

Expected to achieve great things in F1, the 2025 season could well be a training phase for Antonelli, with the 2026 regulation changes potentially leveling the playing field for Mercedes.

Credits: IMAGO / HochZwei

It has been about two months and the F1 community is still digesting the fact that Lewis Hamilton will move to Ferrari in 2025. However, if we keep the shock value of the move aside, it is an interesting point of contention on how will Hamilton settle at the Maranello outfit. Ex-Aston Martin race strategist Bernie Collins has given her perspective and cited that this shift for the seven-time champion will be a massive challenge.

Advertisement

Speaking on The Fast and the Curious podcast, Collins said, “I think the Ferrari step for him is going to be a massive challenge. He has never driven a Ferrari power car, all of the engine modes that’s all different, the team ethos is different.”

The British strategist has hit the nail on the head with the novelty of aspects Hamilton will face at Ferrari. Having been associated with Mercedes since he was 13, the #44 driver is heading into unknown territory at Maranello. Collins stated how the Italian outfit has a “different environment” and they function very differently than Mercedes.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Ferrari also has a lot of baggage with their 17-year hiatus of not winning the world championship. Hence, Hamilton will have a huge task at hand to bring back the glory days for the first time since 2007.

Besides, the 39-year-old will also take his time to adapt to Ferrari. It is not always easy for drivers to swap teams and settle in quickly with the team’s culture they are alien to.

While Hamilton has his junior career team boss Frederic Vassseur as the Ferrari boss, it still won’t be smooth sailing for the Briton to settle quickly. Still, the way Ferrari is performing currently, Hamilton won’t mind doing the hard yards to return to his winning ways in red.

Lewis Hamilton would be keen to drive for Ferrari, seeing their 2024 surgefdsfsdsf

Ferrari have started the 2024 season on a highly positive note, standing on the podium in every race so far. Relatively, Mercedes has been on the back foot and suffered contrasting fortunes, having not even been a regular top 5 threat.

Ferrari had the perfect result in Australia as well, winning the race and getting a 1-2 finish as well. Therefore, it is safe to say that they are the second-best team and the closest challengers to Red Bull currently. The massive improvement in the SF-24’s performance in Melbourne would have pleased Lewis Hamilton too.

Advertisement

For now, Ferrari are only four points off Red Bull in the Constructors’ Standings. While it does not necessarily mean that they may challenge the defending champions for the title, it is still an encouraging sign for their 2025 prospects.

If the Italian team can look to close the gap and get a few more wins this year, it sets up the foundation perfectly when Hamilton comes in. The 39-year-old will hope that Ferrari develops a highly competitive car next year, continuing on their positive trajectory right now.

The question is if he will be able to get up to speed and settle at the team to reap the benefits of their performance improvements. Only time will tell.

Credits: IMAGO / Andreas Beil
and IMAGO / NurPhoto

The internal turmoil at Red Bull has cooled off quite a bit after dominating the headlines for a month and a half. With that, the chances of Max Verstappen taking a premature exit from the team before his contract ends are also looking slim. However, former Haas boss Guenther Steiner feels that if the three-time champion wishes to move out of the Milton Keynes outfit, Mercedes is the most likely landing spot for him.

Advertisement

In a YouTube video by Sky Sports F1, Steiner replied on which teams may be interested in hiring Verstappen. To this, the American-Italian cited that everyone will take an interest in the Dutchman. So, he cited that it more depends on “where he wants to go”.

Steiner then added, “It could be Mercedes which obviously they have got a free seat because Lewis is going to Ferrari. I mean Aston Martin as well, it’s a possibility. I think if Max goes somewhere I guess he’d go to Mercedes.”

Advertisement

From the Mercedes perspective, Toto Wolff has been quite vocal on wanting to sign Verstappen, just in case the 26-year-old has a falling out with Red Bull. When asked about the likelihood of Verstappen moving to Mercedes, Wolff claimed that “anything is possible”.

The Austrian also cited that they could look to develop a great car under the new 2026 regulations to lure the Red Bull champion. However, Wolff knows that the #1 driver won’t leave his current team despite all the internal turmoil, as they are dominating from a performance standpoint.

Amid the twists and turns of the Christian Horner saga and the rumored suspension of Helmut Marko, Verstappen’s position at Red Bull came under the limelight. Verstappen claimed that Marko’s departure could create a problem for the Austrian team.

However, since then, Verstappen has claimed that he would only leave Red Bull once he “retires” to honor his long-term contract till the end of 2028. For now, the Dutch driver has doused all rumors of him leaving Red Bull for Mercedes or any other team.

Has the Red Bull drama settled to not lose Max Verstappen?

When Max Verstappen gave a stern ultimatum about considering his future amid the rumors of Helmut Marko’s possible suspension, things started to get very uncertain for Red Bull. They were not in a position to lose their star driver despite having an impeccable car that could help many other drivers win the championship.

Advertisement

This stance from Verstappen demonstrated his loyalty toward Marko and his understanding of the 80-year-old’s role at Red Bull and in his career. Marko has been an integral part of the Dutchman’s rise to F1 and conquering the sport in the past decade.

The Austrian advisor gave him the chance at Red Bull and helped him rise through the ranks to be a future world champion after 2014. So, seeing Marko leave Red Bull will most likely be a deal breaker for Verstappen.

However, since all those reports and rumors have gone passive and cooled off, Red Bull seems to have gotten control over the situation. They would want to assure Verstappen that Marko and any key personnel such as Adrian Newey won’t leave, as doing so will most likely convince the Dutchman to stay put.

Credits: IMAGO / Action Plus

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc led Ferrari to a 1-2 finish in Australia last weekend, in what was a flawless race for the Italian outfit. The win was memorable, especially because of the way Red Bull dominated the 2023 season, winning 21 out of 22 races. Many predicted Red Bull to go one up and win all races this season, but with Ferrari already having produced a massive upset, Jenson Button’s words from four months ago could come true.

Advertisement

In a video put up by Sky Sports F1 before the start of the 2024 campaign, Button said, “I also just think the sport is even more competitive now. You know, there’s so many big teams fighting at the front. And one tiny slip-up and you’re the fourth-best team. So, to catch Red Bull is difficult. But they’re getting closer“.

It is for the same reason that Button believed, “So, we could have an upset next year“. The 44-year-old’s prediction seems to have been spot on so far as Ferrari defeated the dominant Red Bull. And the gap between them is significantly lesser than last year.

Advertisement

Ferrari were nowhere close to fighting the Milton-Keynes-based outfit for the top two spots in the opening two rounds. But, they were competitive from the very get-go in Australia. However, Red Bull’s own problems on the weekend could have given the Maranello-based outfit a big helping hand.

Since Max Verstappen suffered a DNF due to a brake issue, Ferrari could coast home to a 1-2 finish, their first since the 2022 Bahrain GP. Regardless, pace was a problem for the Austrian stable, given Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez could only muster a 5th place finish.

Considering how much Ferrari have improved since last year, there is every possibility that they can fight Red Bull for wins on merit on at least some circuits that favor them.

Can Ferrari fight Red Bull for the title in 2024?

Coming into the 2024 season, several F1 experts believed that Max Verstappen and Red Bull would seal both championships with ease. However, the results of last weekend’s Australian GP seems to suggest that Red Bull could find it difficult to do so.

While there is no doubt that the team from Milton Keynes is still the fastest, they cannot afford too many slip-ups if they are to keep Ferrari at bay this season. Red Bull have one of the best overall packages, but some circuits could really test them.

Advertisement

As reported by Autosport, last year, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained how the team struggled on street circuits. The Briton claimed that slow corner tracks were the car’s Achilles heel, as was evident by their only loss of the season in Singapore.

With F1 set to race on proper racing tracks – Suzuka and the Shanghai International Circuit – in the upcoming races, Red Bull could get back to winning ways once again. Moreover, a report from Motorsport Magazine has claimed that Ferrari will most likely struggle in Suzuka because the SF-24’s sensitivity to varying temperatures will be tested.

Credits: IMAGO / Action Plus

Before the start of the season, it was announced Lewis Hamilton would replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. But since then, the Spaniard has only shown that he can walk into any team and his recent Australian GP win has only cemented that belief. Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc reveals, as per RaceFans, that many team principals are after Sainz’s services.

Advertisement

“I don’t think he’s underrated. I think everybody knows Carlos’ worth. I’m not too worried about his future, because I’m sure that many, many team principals are… he doesn’t say it, but for sure they are speaking with him. And I’m sure he will have many opportunities and he’ll just have to make the best choice for his career,” said Leclerc.

Leclerc further argues that Sainz is among the top-rated drivers on the grid. The 29-year-old is also of the belief that he is not underrated in the paddock, and whoever has worked with him knows his worth.

Advertisement

With Hamilton leaving Mercedes, there is a likelihood of a mega silly season ahead, and Sainz would be the biggest topic of discussion among the participating teams. Therefore, he has been linked everywhere and could also be the one contesting for the title.

Being from the Red Bull academy, there have been rumors of him joining the Milton-Keynes-based outfit. Both Christian Horner and Helmut Marko haven’t denied that possibility, and the Madrid-born driver could return to where it all started.

Australia could be a big push for Carlos Sainz and Red Bull alliance

While Sainz performed impressively in Melbourne, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez had an underwhelming outing. The Mexican driver, who for the majority of 2023 was on thin ice in front of the Red Bull hierarchy, failed to fill in the responsibility bestowed upon him after Max Verstappen retired.

Perez finished the race in fifth and was hardly able to challenge the McLaren and Ferrari duos. That really signaled how Perez could be a liability if the field closes even more next year. Then, Red Bull could be at risk of losing the constructors’ championship while they are at the forefront under the current regulations.

Advertisement

Therefore, Sainz, who has been a reliable lieutenant at every team he has worked at, could be a suitable partner for Verstappen. On the other hand, Daniel Ricciardo has failed to perform for sister team V-CARB, so far. His chances of returning to Red Bull get slimmer with each passing day.

At the same time, Mercedes would also be eyeing Sainz’s services. Considering, the Silver Arrows can bounce back under the new regulations in 2026, Sainz could fancy playing a long haul and replace the man who ousted him at Ferrari – Lewis Hamilton.

Credits: IMAGO / HochZwei

Annoyance on prioritizing a “show” from drivers and delays were the general themes of the inaugural Las Vegas GP in 2023. Still, once racing began, people forgot about everything else and enjoyed one of the most exciting outings of the year. The locals, however, were still far from impressed as they did not see the upside to their city hosting this event. An update from TikToker Vegas Starfish answers their concerns as Las Vegas saw an economic boost thanks to this 4-day event.

Advertisement

The average money a tourist spends saw an increase, leading to a positive economic impact on city overall. An average F1 tourist spent over $4000 in four days. This amount is 3.6 times more than what a normal tourist would spend on a 4-day trip.

Advertisement

Even the socio-economic impact saw a rise in numbers. Over 17,000 man-hours were spent in preparation for the grand event and in compensation, $52 million was spent on additional wages.

F1 organizers paid a huge amount to make the race successful. It all started with them purchasing land worth $240 million, and ended with the city earning more than $1.5 billion overall. Ticket prices were a concern at one point, and the organizers brought them down by nearly 50% to fill in the stands. Still, overall, the race is believed to have been a success.

One of the things that made the race so successful, were the overtakes. There were 99 overtakes at the 2023 Las Vegas GP which was the most in an F1 race since China 2016.

Las Vegas GP could be much more than just a ‘show’

While the first edition of the race had a lot to do with show and pomp, the Las Vegas GP can be much more than that. Given it takes place in the back end of a season, it would play well for many teams. All the teams are generally done with the upgrade packages on their cars, meaning they run at their best. Additionally, the fast nature of the track adds to the value of racing on and around the Strip. Hence, the final American race on the calendar attracts a lot of strengths of other teams.

Advertisement

Aside from that, the Las Vegas GP could also be an exciting venue for teams battling for the championship. 2023’s race did not have a clear favorite throughout the weekend. If there are drivers who head into the race competing for the title, fans could be in for a tremendous battle.

Lastly, a positive race could also play a key role in helping F1 consolidate the US market. It is no secret that F1 wants to grow its presence in the States, and a positive economic impact in Las Vegas could help them achieve the same. If the race can continue bringing in the big bucks for the city, turning down proposals for other races in the country will become a tougher task.

Credits: IMAGO / Motorsport Images

Reports of Max Verstappen wanting to leave Red Bull came as a huge shock to the F1 community. The most dominant driver in F1 at the moment, was believed to be upset with the turmoil within the team, putting his $275 million contract in jeopardy. However, Guenther Steiner believes that the situation at Red Bull has now calmed down, and he expects a ‘ceasefire’ to keep Verstappen tied to the team.

Advertisement

“There’s still a chance that he [Verstappen] could leave Red Bull. Because it seems like there might be some damaged relationships there. I think it has calmed down lately,” said Steiner in an interview with Sky Sports. “I think getting out of the contract would be not easy for him. But, in the end we don’t have insight into the contract but I think it’s also a good team to be at the right moment.”

Initially, rumors of Verstappen considering an exit emerged when Helmut Marko’s place was in danger. The latter was under investigation, after being accused of leaking sensitive information to the media. Verstappen signaled that Marko’s presence or absence in the team would directly impact his future too.

Advertisement

The entire saga spread from the allegations that Christian Horner had to deal with before the season started. It started an internal conflict within the team, and reportedly, created a division with Marko and Horner opposing each other’s position. Verstappen was on Marko’s side, and Horner responded to it by stating that no one is bigger than the team (as reported by The Guardian)

In the end, the Thai owner of Red Bull, Chalerm Yoovidhya, stepped in. He calmed things down at Red Bull, with no major figure talking about leaving since.

The aftermath of the crunch meeting with Red Bull bosses

Following the conclusion of the Australian GP, Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s manager, sat with the top Red Bull bosses to clarify the Dutchman’s stance. According to reports Vermeulen did not try to persuade Yoovidhya to sack Horner.

Besides this, Verstappen’s future in the team was also a topic of discussion and the three-time world champion is unlikely to move elsewhere. Hence, Marko and Verstappen’s future with Red Bull seems secure for the time being. Unfortunately for Horner, new developments in his ongoing saga keep emerging.

Advertisement

After an unnamed Red Bull employee’s initial complaint against Horner’s inappropriate workplace behavior, the grievances against the 50-year-old were dropped. Then, she decided to move to the English Labor Court against the team’s decision to suspend her.

While the victim reportedly has Mark Mateschitz and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff’s support, Horner has backing from the Yoovidhya family. Given the Thai bosses have 51% shares and are majority owners, Horner is still clinging on to his job.

David Beckham might need a refresher when it comes to the difference between actor Tom Hardy and athlete Tom Brady

David Beckham might need a refresher when it comes to the difference between actor Tom Hardy and athlete Tom Brady.

On Wednesday, popular Instagram account Comments by Celebs caught the soccer star leaving a message on Brady’s Instagram account — but tagging Hardy instead.

The apparent snafu happened on a picture Brady, 40, shared of his 8-year-old son Benjamin wearing football gear and posing like his dad. “Benny B and his Armour!” the New England Patriots quarterback wrote. “Class of 2026! ❤”

Beckham’s response? “Amazing @tomhardy .. Literally mini me.”

DAVID BECKHAM/INSTAGRAM

Want to keep up on the latest from PEOPLE? Sign up for our daily newsletter to get our best stories of the day delivered straight to your inbox.

Of course, there’s always the chance Beckham was tagging Hardy, 40, in the post to see Brady’s picture. But Comments by Celebs appeared to think Beckham was just mixing the two up.

“It’s okay, @davidbeckham, we know what you meant,” the account joked.

ROBIN MARCHANT/GETTY; CHRIS JACKSON/GETTY; DAVID M. BENETT/DAVE BENETT/GETTY

Meanwhile, Brady isn’t the only one using Instagram to gush about his kids.

Beckham has long been sharing sweet memories with his brood on the social media network.

Just earlier this month — before Beckham’s trip with wife Victoria to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding — he shared video of his 19-year-old son Brooklyn Beckham surprising him for his 43rd birthday celebration in England.

“What are you doing here?” the overjoyed father of four said in the clip, tearing up and giving his son a kiss on the cheek. “I didn’t know you was coming in. I missed you so much.”

The actor and the former soccer star flexed their muscles to do a good deed up north

Austin Butler joined David Beckham to help lift a fallen tree to allow drivers in Canada to pass along the road. PHOTO: VICTORIA BECKHAM/INSTAGRAM

Austin Butler and David Beckham flexed their muscles for a good deed.

The Elvis actor, 31, and the former soccer star, 48, joined forces — along with several other guys including Beckham’s 18-year-old son Cruz — to lift a large tree that had fallen onto the road in Muskoka, Ontario, preventing drivers from getting through.

Beckham’s wife, Victoria Beckham, captured the heroic moment in a video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday. The group could be seen holding the tree above their heads to allow a large black SUV to proceed down the road. “Okay, so they’re lifting so the cars can go through. Excellent. Nice work, boys,” the fashion designer, 49, said off-camera as she cheered them on.

“Did u ever think u would see Elvis and Beckham lifting a tree?? Helping the community in Muskoka 🌲 😂. I’m impressed gentleman! Kisses,” Victoria wrote in the post’s caption.

Victoria also shared footage of the men lifting the tree on her Instagram Story, and she couldn’t help but gush about her husband. “There’s a tree that has fallen down, and look how manly my husband is. David looking very manly. Push harder — come on guys,” she said.

The reason why Beckham and Butler were in Canada together was not included in Victoria’s post. However, it seems the tree-hoisting happened before the Beckhams traveled to Texas to watch Inter Miami take on FC Dallas in a Leagues Cup match on Sunday. Beckham is a co-owner of Miami’s MLS team.

David posted a snapshot on Instagram showing him, Victoria, and their kids Romeo, 20, and Harper, 12, posing together inside Toyota Stadium. “WOW what a night in Dallas… Thank you for the love,” he captioned the family photo.

While Butler impressed movie fans — and nabbed an Oscar nomination — with his portrayal of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in the 2022 Elvis biopic, he looks virtually unrecognizable in his latest film role.

Earlier this year, Butler was featured as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in the trailer for Dune: Part Two.

Ashley Tisdale Shares Sweet Photo of Daughter Jupiter Playing in the Pool with ‘Uncle’ Austin Butler

Butler could be seen sporting a shaved head and eyebrows in his new villain role. “Austin Butler brought to the screen something that would be a cross between a psychotic, sociopath serial killer and Mick Jagger,” filmmaker Denis Villeneuve told Vanity Fair of Butler’s performance.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Austin Butler stars as villain Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in ‘Dune: Part Two.’.WARNER BROS. PICTURES

In the sci-fi movie, Butler steps into the shoes of Feyd-Rautha, who is a member of the Harkonnen clan that killed Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) and destroyed protagonist Paul’s (Timothée Chalamet) house on Arrakis.

“He’s someone Machiavellian, much more cruel, much more strategic, and is more narcissistic,” Villeneuve teased to Vanity Fair of the character, during a larger preview of the upcoming epic.

Dune: Part Two hits theaters Nov. 3 and also stars Florence Pugh, Zendaya, and Javier Bardem.

The 10-year-old’s wholesome reaction was “too good not to share,” the proud dad wrote

David Beckham and Josh Duhamel (L), Axl Duhamel (R). PHOTO: JOSH DUHAMEL/INSTAGRAM

Josh Duhamel impressed his son after meeting a major sports star.

Sharing a photo where he poses with David Beckham on Instagram Friday, the 50-year-old actor — who is expecting his second baby, the first with wife Audra Mari, 29 — explained why the photo was extra special.

“This was just too good not to share. Thank you @davidbeckham for making me look cool to my son. You’re a good man,” he captioned the shot.

The post also included a video showing son Axl, 10, reacting to the photo in a video message to his dad.

“Dad, that’s so cool! You met David Beckham!” he squeals in the video. “Oh my gosh, that’s so cool. I wish I could meet him.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Josh Duhamel and his son, Axl Duhamel.JOSH DUHAMEL INSTAGRAM

Josh Duhamel and Wife Audra Mari Expecting First Baby Together: ‘Coming Soon’

In March, Duhamel opened up about bonding with his son, whom he shares with ex Fergie, who had finally developed the love of sports his dad hoped for.

“Does my son play sports? He’s starting to get into it finally. I didn’t think he was ever going to get into it, but he really loves basketball now,” Duhamel exclusively told PEOPLE.

“He likes to throw the football around with me a little bit. I try not to be overbearing with him in sports, but I try to let him find it rather than me push it on him,” he continued.

“It’s taken him a long time and it’s actually been a little bit frustrating, ’cause I was thinking he was going to be like me, but he’s getting there. He likes it.”

Josh Duhamel with his son, Axl Duhamel.JOSH DUHAMEL INSTAGRAM

Last month, the Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! actor revealed he’s expecting baby No. 2 in a joint Instagram post with Mari.

In a photo where Mari held ultrasound photos, the caption read, “Baby Duhamel coming soon 🤍.”

In an interview published days later, the Transformers star opened up to Parade about how his 10-year-old is responding to the news.

“He’s like, ‘Wait, now, am I going to be — You’re still going to love me, though, too, right?’” Duhamel said of an inquisitive Axl.

“I was like, ‘Of course, I’m going to still love you.’ And he’s like, ‘I’m still going to be your firstborn son, though, right?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, you’re still the firstborn son!’ ” the Shotgun Wedding actor added.

“He’s a really sweet kid. And he loves babies!” the father said. “I was the same way at his age. I just have always loved babies. There’s something about them. And he’s really good with younger kids. So I think he’s going to be a great older brother.”