<p>Spanish driver Carlos Sainz will replace four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next season, while Daniel Ricciardo has signed a "multi-year" deal with McLaren from 2021.</p>

<p>Sainz, 25, will leave McLaren following the 2020 season to partner 22-year-old Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, forming the team's youngest pairing in the past 50 years.</p>

<p>"With five seasons already behind him, Carlos has proved to be very talented and has shown that he has the technical ability and the right attributes to make him an ideal fit with our family," Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto said in a statement on Thursday.</p>

<p>"We've embarked on a new cycle with the aim of getting back to the top in Formula 1. It will be a long journey, not without its difficulties," he added, referring to the additional challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>"We believe that a driver pairing with the talent and personality of Charles and Carlos... will be the best possible combination to help us reach the goals we have set ourselves."</p>

<p>Sainz emerged in pole position to succeed Vettel at Maranello after the German announced Tuesday he was quitting Ferrari after talks over a new contract broke down.</p>

<p>Sainz, whose father, also Carlos, is a two-time world rally champion, has previously driven for Red Bull's feeder team Toro Rosso and Renault before impressing with McLaren last season.</p>

<p>He secured the once all-conquering British team's first podium place in almost six years in Brazil last year.</p>

<p>Signing Sainz will also end any lingering speculation about six-time champion Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari.</p>

<p>"I am very happy that I will be driving for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and I'm excited about my future with the team," said Sainz, who is expected to play a supporting role alongside Leclerc.</p>

<p>"I still have an important year ahead with McLaren Racing and I'm really looking forward to going racing again with them this season."</p>

<h2>- Domino effect -</h2>

<p>Australian Ricciardo will drive for McLaren next season when he takes over the seat left vacant by Sainz.</p>

<p>Ricciardo, 30, will line up alongside Britain's Lando Norris, 20, in 2021 after he leaves Renault at the end of this season.</p>

<p>"Daniel is a proven race-winner and his experience, commitment and energy will be a valuable addition to McLaren and our mission to return to the front of the field," said McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl.</p>

<p>"With Daniel and Lando as teammates, I believe we have two racers who will continue to excite our fans and help the team grow."</p>

<p>Ricciardo has won seven races and recorded 29 podium finishes since his F1 debut with the HRT team at the British Grand Prix in 2011.</p>

<p>He drove for Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso in 2012 and 2013 before making the jump to the flagship Red Bull team in 2014. He finished third in the drivers' standings in 2014 and 2016.</p>

<p>However, he failed to muster a single top-three finish in a disappointing first season at Renault.</p>

<p>Ricciardo's exit at Renault could open the door for Fernando Alonso to reunite with the team he won world titles with in 2005 and 2006, although they are reportedly keen to find an in-house replacement.</p>

<p>Alonso, 38, quit F1 in 2018 but hasn't ruled out a return to the sport.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Vettel's future meanwhile remains uncertain.</p>

<p>"What's been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life," said the 32-year-old Vettel.</p>

<p>"One needs to use one's imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future."</p>

<p>After the first 10 races of the coronavirus-hit 2020 campaign were either cancelled or postponed, organisers hope to start the season in Austria with back-to-back races on July 5 and 12.</p>

<p>F1 chief Chase Carey last week insisted a 15-18 race season was still possible, but he admitted that all scenarios are on the table "including the remote possibility of no racing in 2020".</p>


Spanish driver Carlos Sainz will replace four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next season, while Daniel Ricciardo has signed a "multi-year" deal with McLaren from 2021.

Spanish driver Carlos Sainz will replace four-time Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari next season, while Daniel Ricciardo has signed a "multi-year" deal with McLaren from 2021. Sainz, 25, will leave McLaren following the 2020 season to partner 22-year-old Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, forming the team's youngest pairing in the past 50 years. "With five seasons already behind him, Carlos has proved to be very talented and has shown that he has the technical ability and the right attributes to make him an ideal fit with our family," Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto said in a statement on Thursday. "We've embarked on a new cycle with the aim of getting back to the top in Formula 1. It will be a long journey, not without its difficulties," he added, referring to the additional challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic. "We believe that a driver pairing with the talent and personality of Charles and Carlos... will be the best possible combination to help us reach the goals we have set ourselves." Sainz emerged in pole position to succeed Vettel at Maranello after the German announced Tuesday he was quitting Ferrari after talks over a new contract broke down. Sainz, whose father, also Carlos, is a two-time world rally champion, has previously driven for Red Bull's feeder team Toro Rosso and Renault before impressing with McLaren last season. He secured the once all-conquering British team's first podium place in almost six years in Brazil last year. Signing Sainz will also end any lingering speculation about six-time champion Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari. "I am very happy that I will be driving for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and I'm excited about my future with the team," said Sainz, who is expected to play a supporting role alongside Leclerc. "I still have an important year ahead with McLaren Racing and I'm really looking forward to going racing again with them this season." - Domino effect - Australian Ricciardo will drive for McLaren next season when he takes over the seat left vacant by Sainz. Ricciardo, 30, will line up alongside Britain's Lando Norris, 20, in 2021 after he leaves Renault at the end of this season. "Daniel is a proven race-winner and his experience, commitment and energy will be a valuable addition to McLaren and our mission to return to the front of the field," said McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl. "With Daniel and Lando as teammates, I believe we have two racers who will continue to excite our fans and help the team grow." Ricciardo has won seven races and recorded 29 podium finishes since his F1 debut with the HRT team at the British Grand Prix in 2011. He drove for Red Bull's junior team Toro Rosso in 2012 and 2013 before making the jump to the flagship Red Bull team in 2014. He finished third in the drivers' standings in 2014 and 2016. However, he failed to muster a single top-three finish in a disappointing first season at Renault. Ricciardo's exit at Renault could open the door for Fernando Alonso to reunite with the team he won world titles with in 2005 and 2006, although they are reportedly keen to find an in-house replacement. Alonso, 38, quit F1 in 2018 but hasn't ruled out a return to the sport. Vettel's future meanwhile remains uncertain. "What's been happening in these past few months has led many of us to reflect on what are our real priorities in life," said the 32-year-old Vettel. "One needs to use one's imagination and to adopt a new approach to a situation that has changed. I myself will take the time I need to reflect on what really matters when it comes to my future." After the first 10 races of the coronavirus-hit 2020 campaign were either cancelled or postponed, organisers hope to start the season in Austria with back-to-back races on July 5 and 12. F1 chief Chase Carey last week insisted a 15-18 race season was still possible, but he admitted that all scenarios are on the table "including the remote possibility of no racing in 2020".

Sainz to succeed Vettel at Ferrari as Ricciardo heads to McLaren

<p>After 9,000km of brutal racing across Peru, Bolivia and Argentina the competitors finally crossed the finish line of the 2018 Dakar Rally in C&oacute;rdoba.</p>

<p>Carlos Sainz, Matthias Walkner, Ignacio Casale and Eduard Nikolaev all carried big leads heading into the final 120km special stage around the home of rallying in Argentina and were not to be denied.</p>

<p>For Walkner, it was a maiden victory in the toughest rally raid on the planet, a second for Sainz and Casale while Nikolaev now has a hat-trick of truck titles.</p>

<p><strong>Car</strong></p>

<p>The experience was the name of the game for Carlos Sainz claiming a second Dakar victory and his first since 2010. The Spaniard had it all to lose going into the final few stages but kept his cool and controlled the race perfectly.</p>

<p>Sainz, 55, said: &ldquo;I am extremely happy for me and everyone behind the victory. It was hard when you have such a big lead as it is easy to start making mistakes. This was the hardest Dakar I have ever done, including the ones in Africa.&rdquo;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="es">What a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dakar2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dakar2018</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/CSainz_oficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CSainz_oficial</a> ????????, who celebrates is 2nd overall victory.<br />
// Qu&eacute; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DakarRally?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DakarRally</a> para C. Sainz ????????, quien celebra si segunda victoria en esta carrera ???? <a href="https://t.co/oKBoRFEuei">pic.twitter.com/oKBoRFEuei</a></p>
&mdash; DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/dakar/status/954903726099259392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Nasser Al-Attiyah enjoyed four stage wins in 2018 to finish second overall, while final stage winner Giniel de Villiers edged Mr Dakar St&eacute;phane Peterhansel to the final podium spot.</p>

<p>Peterhansel said: &ldquo;We did two big mistakes and lost a lot of time. This is the race though. At the end, I still don&rsquo;t know if I will continue, I need time to think about it.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Bike</strong></p>

<p>Matthias Walkner created a little bit of history in Argentina by becoming the first Austrian to ever win the bike category of the Dakar Rally.</p>

<p>The 31-year-old has been a consistent presence towards the front of the pack throughout the race and in a stage won by Kevin Benavides, Walkner brought his KTM home in eighth to start the party.</p>

<p>Walkner said: &ldquo;When you are leading with such a big gap in the biggest event in our sport, it was crazy. Now it is time to celebrate. I was never the guy who was winning a lot or losing a lot, just riding always near the front.&rdquo;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">His team runs to celebrate the 1st place of <a href="https://twitter.com/MatthiasWalkner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MatthiasWalkner</a> on ????<br />
// Su equipo corre para celebrar el 1er lugar de M. Walkner en ???? ???????????? <a href="https://t.co/WxKOqQ2LF9">pic.twitter.com/WxKOqQ2LF9</a></p>
&mdash; DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/dakar/status/954887403604496384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Third-placed finisher Toby Price said: &ldquo;It is crazy to be here at the finish line on the podium. I couldn&rsquo;t expect any more. We will come back bigger and better for the next one.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Laia Sanz, who finished 12th, said: &ldquo;It was really tough, but to finish in this position is really good. I can be happy. I have started eight Dakar&rsquo;s and finished all eight which is fantastic.&rdquo;</p>

<p><strong>Quad</strong></p>

<p>Chilean Ignacio Casale has dominated this race from start to finish.</p>

<p>After winning the opening three stages in Peru he never looked back and comfortably lifted a second title to add to his 2014 triumph with a huge margin of one hour and 38 minutes to spare.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="es">&quot;This event changed my life &quot; said the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/quads?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#quads</a> winner <a href="https://twitter.com/IgnacioCasale?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IgnacioCasale</a> ???????? about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DakarRally?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DakarRally</a><br />
// &quot;Este evento me cambi&oacute; la vida&quot; dice el ganador de quads Casale ???????? <a href="https://t.co/unarQ4Rd3k">pic.twitter.com/unarQ4Rd3k</a></p>
&mdash; DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/dakar/status/954884105451208712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p><strong>Truck</strong></p>

<p>The records will show Eduard Nikolaev won this race by nearly four hours, however, it was far from that simple.</p>

<p>The Russian was involved in a neck and neck fight with Federico Villagra up until the penultimate stage when the Argentine suffered a mechanical and had to abandon.</p>

<p>Nikolaev acknowledged after: &ldquo;Villagra is a very fast competitor. Congratulations to all the teams.&rdquo;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">???? GC - TRUCKS????????<br />
1. Eduard Nikolaev<br />
2. Siarhei Viazovich +3h57&#39;17&quot;<br />
3. Airat Maardev +5h22&#39;34&quot;<br />
More / m&aacute;s info &gt; <a href="https://t.co/R0ezQ07YE0">https://t.co/R0ezQ07YE0</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dakar2018?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dakar2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/82K3SeAJ4U">pic.twitter.com/82K3SeAJ4U</a></p>
&mdash; DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) <a href="https://twitter.com/dakar/status/954753075302031362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Sainz, Walkner, Casale and Nikolaev win the 40th edition of the Dakar Rally in style

After 9,000km of brutal racing across Peru, Bolivia and Argentina the competitors finally crossed the finish line of the 2018 Dakar Rally in Córdoba. Carlos Sainz, Matthias Walkner, Ignacio Casale and Eduard Nikolaev all carried big leads heading into the final 120km special stage around the home of rallying in Argentina and were not to be denied. For Walkner, it was a maiden victory in the toughest rally raid on the planet, a second for Sainz and Casale while Nikolaev now has a hat-trick of truck titles. Car The experience was the name of the game for Carlos Sainz claiming a second Dakar victory and his first since 2010. The Spaniard had it all to lose going into the final few stages but kept his cool and controlled the race perfectly. Sainz, 55, said: “I am extremely happy for me and everyone behind the victory. It was hard when you have such a big lead as it is easy to start making mistakes. This was the hardest Dakar I have ever done, including the ones in Africa.” What a #Dakar2018 for @CSainz_oficial ????????, who celebrates is 2nd overall victory. // Qué #DakarRally para C. Sainz ????????, quien celebra si segunda victoria en esta carrera ???? pic.twitter.com/oKBoRFEuei — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 21, 2018 × Nasser Al-Attiyah enjoyed four stage wins in 2018 to finish second overall, while final stage winner Giniel de Villiers edged Mr Dakar Stéphane Peterhansel to the final podium spot. Peterhansel said: “We did two big mistakes and lost a lot of time. This is the race though. At the end, I still don’t know if I will continue, I need time to think about it.” Bike Matthias Walkner created a little bit of history in Argentina by becoming the first Austrian to ever win the bike category of the Dakar Rally. The 31-year-old has been a consistent presence towards the front of the pack throughout the race and in a stage won by Kevin Benavides, Walkner brought his KTM home in eighth to start the party. Walkner said: “When you are leading with such a big gap in the biggest event in our sport, it was crazy. Now it is time to celebrate. I was never the guy who was winning a lot or losing a lot, just riding always near the front.” His team runs to celebrate the 1st place of @MatthiasWalkner on ???? // Su equipo corre para celebrar el 1er lugar de M. Walkner en ???? ???????????? pic.twitter.com/WxKOqQ2LF9 — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 21, 2018 × Third-placed finisher Toby Price said: “It is crazy to be here at the finish line on the podium. I couldn’t expect any more. We will come back bigger and better for the next one.” Laia Sanz, who finished 12th, said: “It was really tough, but to finish in this position is really good. I can be happy. I have started eight Dakar’s and finished all eight which is fantastic.” Quad Chilean Ignacio Casale has dominated this race from start to finish. After winning the opening three stages in Peru he never looked back and comfortably lifted a second title to add to his 2014 triumph with a huge margin of one hour and 38 minutes to spare. "This event changed my life " said the #quads winner @IgnacioCasale ???????? about #DakarRally // "Este evento me cambió la vida" dice el ganador de quads Casale ???????? pic.twitter.com/unarQ4Rd3k — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 21, 2018 × Truck The records will show Eduard Nikolaev won this race by nearly four hours, however, it was far from that simple. The Russian was involved in a neck and neck fight with Federico Villagra up until the penultimate stage when the Argentine suffered a mechanical and had to abandon. Nikolaev acknowledged after: “Villagra is a very fast competitor. Congratulations to all the teams.” ???? GC - TRUCKS???????? 1. Eduard Nikolaev 2. Siarhei Viazovich +3h57'17" 3. Airat Maardev +5h22'34" More / más info > https://t.co/R0ezQ07YE0 #Dakar2018 pic.twitter.com/82K3SeAJ4U — DAKAR RALLY (@dakar) January 20, 2018 ×

The 40th edition of Dakar rally ends in Argentina

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