Kimi Antonelli to replace Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025

Mercedes has finally confirmed its long-expected decision to promote 18-year-old junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli to its Formula 1 team next year. The Italian rookie will make his grand prix debut in the seat previously occupied by the most successful driver in the sport’s history, seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton, when he leaves Mercedes to join Ferrari. The team made its announcement despite Antonelli’s unpromising start to his F1 career yesterday. Driving his future team mate George Russell’s car in the first practice session, he crashed heavily after just five laps.

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Man Utd sign Uruguay midfielder Ugarte from PSG

Manchester United have completed the signing of Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to £50.5m. United have paid an initial fee of £42m, but the deal could be worth as much as £50.7m (€60m) including performance-related add-ons. Ugarte was the club’s primary midfield target throughout the window and United are understood to be happy with the deal they have struck for the midfielder.

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New Champions League format throws up heavyweight clashes

Liverpool will face Champions League holders Real Madrid on their return to the competition following the draw for the new-look format. Manchester City and Arsenal both play last season’s semi-finalists Paris St-Germain in their fixtures, while Aston Villa take on Scottish champions Celtic. Each team plays eight fixtures in the ‘league phase’, with this year’s men’s tournament seeing a radical change, including the end of a group stage.

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Ireland’s Chiedozie Ogbene joins Ipswich from Luton

Ipswich have sealed the £8m signing of Luton winger Chiedozie Ogbene. The Ireland international, 27, has signed a four-year deal at Portman Road and becomes their 10th signing since they returned to the Premier League. The Tractor Boys had been looking for another forward despite spending almost £100m this summer, after winger Wes Burns suffered a hamstring injury in the 2-0 opening day defeat by Liverpool.

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Franco Colapinto replaces Sargeant at Williams for rest of season

Williams have replaced Logan Sargeant with Franco Colapinto for the remaining nine rounds of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Sargeant’s second season in Formula 1 has been cut short ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, where Colapinto will make his competitive debut having previously driven for Williams in practice at the British Grand Prix in July. Williams had already confirmed Sargeant would be permanently replaced by outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz to partner Alex Albon next season, but the 23-year-old American’s huge crash in final practice at the Dutch Grand Prix appears to have been the final straw in hastening his exit.

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