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      Lewis Hamilton celebrates ‘biggest honour of my F1 career’ in front of delighted crowd despite disastrous Brazilian GP

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      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON made history as he drove Formula One legend Ayrton Senna’s 1990 title-winning car in the Brazilian Grand Prix.Hamilton, 39, rocked the Sao Paulo crowd by paying tribute to local hero Senna, who died after crashing at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 at the age of 34.Sir Lewis Hamilton drove Ayrton Senna’s legendary 1990 title-winning carCredit: RexHamilton paid tribute to Senna during the Brazilian Grand PrixCredit: RexFormula One legend Hamilton finished 10th in the Sao Paulo GPCredit: RexThe Mercedes star – who’ll soon move to Ferrari – showed up with the Brazilian legend’s white and orange vehicle as the crowd went wild and he later revealed that was the “greatest honour” of his career.Hamilton said: “I can’t believe I had the opportunity to do it and it’s been the greatest honour of my career.”Sir Lewis suffered a difficult race in Brazil that saw him finishing 10th and far off winner Max Verstappen.However, that didn’t stop the Brit from taking to social media with the Brazilian flag and thanking the fans.Read More on F1Hamilton tweeted: “Thank you Senna, Thank you Brazil.”F1 fans were moved by the seven-time world champion’s gesture and expressed their gratitude on social media.One fan posted: “Thank you Lewis.”Another tweeted: “Such a special weekend, despite the results on track! we love you dearly.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA third wrote: “My GOAT.”This fan said: “Thank you for this moment, Lewis! We’ll never forget.”Mercedes made ‘clear mistake’ that ‘ruined’ Lewis Hamilton’s chances in Singapore GP and left him ‘so angry’And that one stated: “Iconic.” More

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      Max Verstappen comes from 17th to WIN with one of the great F1 drives at bonkers Brazil GP as Norris title hopes fade

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN produced a jaw-dropping comeback from 17th to win a bonkers Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The ruthless Dutchman overcame a five-place grid penalty, shambolic qualifying session, a penalty in the sprint, as well as handbags with Damon Hill this weekend.Max Verstappen made light work of his penalty and elimination in Q2 to win the Brazilian GPCredit: ReutersVerstappen won his first race since June after starting in P17The Dutchman seized the lead from Esteban Ocon after the second restart on lap 43Credit: GettyThe 27-year-old now leads Lando Norris in the drivers’ championship by 62 pointsNorris, who started in pole, lost his place early to George RussellCredit: APVerstappen climbed the grid early from P17Credit: APThe three-time world champion made a huge statement in the title-race, crossing the line 19 seconds ahead of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly on a bumper day for Alpine.Verstappen’s last time on the top of the podium was at the Spanish Grand Prix a whopping ten-races and six-months ago.The Dutchman bagged the fastest lap and can clinch the title in Las Vegas in three weeks’ time if he beats Lando Norris there after the Brit finished sixth today following a woeful performance.Brazil had been riddled with drama all weekend and today’s race continued where a chaotic, crash-strewn qualifying session in the morning had left off. READ MORE F1 NEWSNorris had secured pole while a seething Verstappen finished in 12th after a session which saw FIVE red flags for heavy crashes. Verstappen was furious about the delay in throwing the red flag for Lance Stroll’s crash which believed had allowed other drivers to knock him out of the top 10. It only seemed to ignite the fire in the Dutchman’s belly as he lined up on the grid all the way back in 17th after Red Bull put a new engine in his RB20. Drama erupted before the race had even started as Stroll lost control of his car on the formation lap and was stuck in the gravel, aborting the start and prompting a Safety car. Most read in MotorsportFranco Colapinto was out of the race after hitting the wall on Lap 30Credit: GettyThe Carlos Sainz crash caused second Safety CarCredit: AFPLando Norris dropped into P5 after an error at restartCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRemarkable scenes followed, with some drivers including Norris peeling away to go for another formation lap while Verstappen and others stayed put. Norris was then put under investigation for a starting procedure infringement as replays showed there was no green light on the gantry when Norris led most of the field away. Max Verstappen threatens to quit F1 after being forced to do ‘community service’ in bizarre punishment for swearing To rub salt in the wounds, Verstappen had pointed out the error. Finally the fans were treated to some racing and it was George Russell who was ahead on lap 1 after nipping past Norris off the line. It was a stunning first lap from Verstappen who meant business and sky-rocketed seven places up.By lap 10 the Dutchman had passed Norris’ McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri for seventh-place. At the front of the pack, Norris was hunting down Russell with just over a second separating the pair as the rain lashed down. On lap 28 there was the first Virtual Safety Car as Nico Hulkenberg was out of the race at Turn One.It sparked pit stop chaos as Russell and Norris pitted with the virtual safety car ending.Russell remained ahead but Ocon and Verstappen stayed out, as did Gasly. Ocon nipped into first-place and Verstappen was second, while Norris overtook Russell for fourth on lap 30. George Russell launched an x-rant attack on his radio after Mercedes pittedNico Hulkenberg’s black flag saw him disqualified for receiving assistance after his off momentCredit: GettyIt continued peeing it down and there was a Safety car amid the heavy rain with Ocon leading, Verstappen is second, Gasly in third then Norris and Russell.But a red flag was shown after Franco Colapinto suffered a massive crash on the run up the hill towards the finish line. Colapinto got out of his car and appeared to be fit, but Williams’ budget was certainly suffering, given it was their third big crash of the day. Russell was left seething and fumed on Mercedes team radio after being told the race had been red flagged just a few laps after his pit stop:”I f****** said it!”We should have stayed out!”Full Sao Paulo Grand Prix race resultVerstappenOconGaslyRussellLeclercNorrisTsunodaPiastriLawsonHamiltonTo add to the drama, Hulkenerg was then disqualified for receiving assistance after he spun off the track. When the race resumed, Norris’ nerves got the better of him and he went deep at Turn Four, allowing Russell through. Carlos Sainz was then out of the race on lap 40 after spinning into the wall, prompting another safety car. Verstappen laid down a huge marker in the title-race after the restart as he bulldozed into the lead while Norris disastrously ran off the track and dropped into seventh. Piastri came to the rescue and let Norris through on the run down to Turn Four so the Brit was up to sixth while his rival Verstappen had left him for dust.The Dutchman now leads Norris in the drivers’ championship by 62 points with three races remaining.READ MORE SUN STORIESVerstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase said after the race: “Wow, been a long time coming mate but boy was that worth the wait. You are the man.Verstappen: “Yes! What an unbelievable race guys. You know what that is. Simply lovely. I tell you that.”Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly made up the front threeLance Stroll did not start the race after losing control in the formation lapCredit: Getty More

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      Max Verstappen slams ‘BULLS***’ decision amid Brazilian GP qualifying drama in X-rated rant as Norris given title boost

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN launched an X-rated rant after a late red flag call saw him knocked of qualifying early in Brazil.The three-time champ finished a disappointing 12th as the heavy rain of Sao Paulo saw FIVE crashes at Interlagos – which is a qualifying record.Max Verstappen has slammed the delayed red flag call during qualifying for the Brazilian GPLance Stroll’s Aston Martin was removed from the track after a late red flagLance Stroll slid into a wall as he attempted a turn during Q2 and a third red flag was shown, albeit after a long 40 second delay.FIA race director Niels Wittich attempted to let those doing a flying lap finish their laps.But during that time Verstappen was bumped into the bottom five and was unable to get another lap in because the session was not resumed, with team-mate Sergio Perez also eliminated in 13th for the same reason.It meant the Dutchman finished 12th, two places behind the top 10 who qualify to make it through to Q3.READ MORE ON F1The reigning F1 world champion and 2024 leader thumped his wheel in anger as his title hopes took a potential dent.Unhappy with Wittich’s call, Verstappen launched into a foul-mouthed rant on the radio to voice his discontent.He raged: “A car hits the wall and it needs to be straight red flag.”I do not understand why it needs to take 30 or 40 seconds for a red flag to come out, it is just bulls****. Most read in MotorsportVerstappen qualified in 12th as five cars crashed during Sao Paulo qualifyingFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Honestly, I will let it go. It is so stupid anyway to talk about, it is ridiculous.”To make matters worse for Verstappen, he will serve a five-place grid penalty after changing his engine for a sixth time this season, to begin in 17th in the Grand Prix.Lando Norris tells reporter ‘I hate this question so much’ and shakes head as battle with Verstappen takes fresh twistMeanwhile, title rival Lando Norris, who is 47 points behind before today’s race, will start at the front after he took pole position.A win will see Norris close the gap on Verstappen, who hasn’t won since June, with four races remaining.The red flag was the third of a hectic session after Carlos Sainz also suffered a crash earlier in Q2.Mercedes’s George Russell makes up the front row and RB’s Yuki Tsunoda finished in a shock third from Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, and Liam Lawson was fifth.Lewis Hamilton was surprisingly eliminated in Q1.But there were big crashes for Williams’ Franco Colapinto, Ferrari’s Sainz, Aston Martin pair Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Alex Albon, who had the worst collision of all, will not start the race due to damage.The fifth red flag equalled the qualifying record from the chaotic scenes at Imola in 2022.Alex Albon wrecked his car to prompt a record fifth red flag in qualifying🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      F1 carnage as qualifying hit by FIVE red flags and Verstappen and Hamilton make history with awful displays in Brazil

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      FIVE red flags sparked utter carnage during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix.And Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen created unwanted history in the dramatic session in Sao Paulo that lasted nearly TWO HOURS. Alex Albon wrecked his car to prompt a record fifth red flag in qualifyingCredit: Sky SportsFive drivers ended up in the barriers during the heavy rainCredit: Sky SportsThe stewards and marshals were hard at work to get the qualifying session completedCredit: Sky SportsA frustrated Max Verstappen had to settle for 12th as he was dumped outCredit: GettyHeavy rain in Brazil had seen qualifying postponed to Sunday morning and then Franco Colapinto, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso and Alex Albon all crashed out in the wet.And that triggered no fewer than five red flags in the heavily-disrupted qualifying as Lando Norris kept his composure and tyres on the track to claim an unusual pole. But it was bad news for Hamilton and Verstappen.The Brit came P16 in a Q1 that included Colapinto’s exit and was booted out before Verstappen had a flying lap curtailed in Q2 to be dumped out in 12th when Stroll slid off. READ MORE ON F1To make matters worse for Verstappen, he will serve a five-place grid penalty to begin in 17th in the Grand Prix. The reigning F1 world champion and 2024 leader thumped his wheel in anger as his title hopes took a potential dent.Verstappen and Red Bull were particularly aggrieved because the red flags were not waved immediately – and by the time they changed from yellow to red, he did not have time to complete another flying lap. He raged: “A car hits the wall and it needs to be straight red [flag]. Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I do not understand why it needs to take 30 or 40 seconds for a red flag to come out, it is just bulls***. “Honestly, I will let it go. It is so stupid anyway to talk about, it is ridiculous.”Lando Norris tells reporter ‘I hate this question so much’ and shakes head as battle with Verstappen takes fresh twistAnd that meant neither Hamilton and Verstappen made it to Q3 in a qualifying they have both taken part in for the first time ever. Stroll, however, did book his place in Q3 thanks to his best time before his crash. However, he could not take part – and Alonso then sparked a fourth red flag early in Q3, leaving just eight drivers remaining. But then Albon – sitting in provisional second – did not make it around the first turn upon the restart before a thunderous smash into the barriers to stop the session once again with three minutes 31 seconds remaining. 🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁Thankfully Albon immediately told his team he was okay after the heavy collision which mangled his motor and left his Williams team with a huge repair job if they are going to get the car ready for the race later on. The fifth red flag equalled the qualifying record from the chaotic scenes at Imola in 2022. And at the end of the hectic qualifying which ended with just seven drivers, Norris navigated the Interlagos circuit successfully and ensured he will start today’s Grand Prix at the front of the pack. That could have huge ramifications on the 2024 drivers’ title race with Norris desperate to catch Verstappen. The McLaren man – who won Saturday’s sprint race – knows victory in Brazil would close the 47-point gap currently between him and the man going for a fourth drivers’ title in a row. READ MORE SUN STORIESGeorge Russell took P2 as the track eventually started to dry out by the end while Yuk Tsunoda claimed third.But Norris’ team-mate Oscar Piastri locked up on his final flying lap and had to settle for eighth. Lewis Hamilton failed to make it through Q1Credit: GettyCarlos Sainz was unable to cope with the wet conditionsCredit: GettyFranco Colapinto was the first of the drivers to crashCredit: EPAThe delay to the red flag after Lance Stroll crashed angered VerstappenCredit: Sky SportsThe JCBs were out in force on a chaotic Sunday morningCredit: AFPSainz had his Ferrari collected by the cherry pickerCredit: AFPLando Norris kept his composure in amongst the chaosCredit: GettyThe McLaren man beat George Russell and Yuki Tsunoda to poleCredit: Getty More

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      F1 Sao Paolo Grand Prix UK start time: Why has the race and qualifying been moved?

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      FORUMLA ONE is back later today with the Sao Paolo Grand Prix but under different circumstances than you might have expected.Both qualifying AND the race will take place within hours of each other at Interlagos later today.The safety car was out more than once during Saturday’s F1 Sprint qualifyingCredit: EPAThe wet conditions proved difficult for race teams to contend withCredit: APOn Saturday, McLaren’s Lando Norris won the Sprint race ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri, who was told to let the Brit pass on team orders.Championship standings leader Max Verstappen originally finished third but was given a five-second penalty and dropped to fourth, with Norris now three points closer to the Dutchman.Why has the race and qualifying been moved?Qualifying was moved from Saturday at 6pm GMT to today at 10.30am GMT because of heavy rain.The race itself has been moved forward 90 minutes from 5pm GMT today to 3.30pm GMT because of more wet weather being forecast later on.The switch is unprecedented.The reason for the early qualifying start time (7.30am local) is because F1 rules mandate that there has to be at least four hours between qualifying and the start of the race.The FIA and Formula One released a joint statement on Saturday after numerous delays.“The decision was taken not to proceed with qualifying due to poor visibility, standing water on the track and fading light,” the statement read.Most read in Motorsport“Safety is always the paramount consideration in such circumstances and, while as much time as possible was given to allow conditions to improve, they sadly did not.”Lewis Hamilton insisted that he wanted to go out and race in the wet conditions but called for F1 to produce better wet tyres for the drivers.“I want to go out. If you give us better wet tyres we’d be able to go out in this,” he told F1 president Stefano Domenicali.Ferrari star Carlos Sainz described Saturday’s racing conditions as ‘impossible’.Verstappen still leads the standings this year but Lando Norris is now just 44 points behind him and will be desperate to reduce that deficit further today. More

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      Huge F1 row erupts on eve of Brazilian GP as Red Bull accuse title rivals McLaren of illegally tampering with tyres

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      A HUGE row has erupted before the Brazilian GP between Red Bull and McLaren.Red Bull have accused their title rivals of injecting water into their tyres to cool them.Red Bull, who have Christian Horner as team principal, have accused McLaren of tampering with their tyresLando Norris in action for McLaren in the Sprint raceThe constructor, who have Christian Horner as team principal, claim McLaren have inserted either water or an unknown substance through a valve in the tyre.They first came to that conclusion in Singapore when a jet of water came flying out of the tyre rims.Red Bull have informed the FIA, who will reportedly keep a close eye on the allegation.McLaren have dismissed Red Bull’s theory. While a spokesperson for Pirelli tyres has confirmed if they felt there was anything tampering with their equipment, they would have told the FIA themselves.Read more F1 newsPirelli regularly collect all the tyres after F1 races and analyse them.The reason for using water, or any other substance, to cool tyres before they are fitted to their cars in a race is to help limit thermal degradation.This, in turn, would help drivers drive faster, especially in the later stages of a Grand Prix.The FIA have already banned this practice before.Most read in MotorsportSeveral teams, including Red Bull, were said to have done it a number of years ago.Lando Norris tells reporter ‘I hate this question so much’ and shakes head as battle with Verstappen takes fresh twistNow Red Bull believe their rivals are doing it and achieving better performances.Red Bull and McLaren are already at loggerheads – with their drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, respectively, fighting to be world champion.McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ was scrutinised by Red Bull recently, which forced them to tweak the design after conversations with the FIA.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCurrently champ Verstappen’s lead at the top was cut to 44 points, after Oscar Piastri let Norris through to win the Sprint.However, in the constructor’s standings it’s a different story.McLaren lead Red Bull by a whopping 63 points, with their nearest rival being Ferrari who trail by only 34 points. More

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      Formula 1 chaos as Brazilian GP qualifying POSTPONED due to heavy rain with drenched fans left waiting for hours

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      THE Brazilian Grand Prix has descended into chaos after intense storms saw qualifying cancelled.Torrential rain drenched both the track and F1 fans in Sao Paulo prior to the start of Saturday’s Q1. Storms have hit Sao Paulo during the Brazilian Grand PrixCredit: APPools of water formed on the track at the Autodromo Jose Carlos PaceCredit: AlamyMarshals attempted to clear the track but the FIA has since cancelled racingCredit: APLando Norris had earlier won the sprint race at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace before heavy rain halted proceedings. Following hours of delays, qualifying was eventually postponed until Sunday.A statement released by the FIA said: “The decision was taken due to the lack of visibility caused by the level of rain we have experienced in the past few hours. “There is a lot of standing water on parts of the circuit which renders conditions unsafe.READ MORE ON F1″As much as we would all like to see competition on track, the safety of drivers, team members, volunteers, officials and spectators is our main priority.”A decision on a start time for qualifying tomorrow morning will be taken as soon as possible.”Qualifying will now take place before the Grand Prix, which is scheduled to start at 2pm local time (5pm GMT).McLaren’s Norris cut Max Verstappen’s lead to 45 points in the Drivers Championship thanks to help from teammate Oscar Piastri.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN-UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPiastri moved over to allow Norris through just two laps before the end of the race on team orders.Following the race, Norris said: “Not proud about it, but we worked well as a team together. I thank Oscar.Beloved Race track destroyed and swept away with car park underwater just two weeks before hosting huge Moto GP race “Today was the result we wanted, Oscar deserved it but I thank him and the team.”It was yo-yoing a little bit. The dirty air costs you a lot of lap time.F1 reporter Isabelle Barker’s predictionI EXPECT Max Verstappen to go all guns blazing over the next six-rounds. I also think his experience and aggression could give him the edge.It seems too little too late for Norris showing consistency, despite that dominant win in Singapore last time out.You can’t help think what could have been had he sorted out his first-lap issues sooner.Norris needs to prove he has the mental fortitude, because we all know he’s got the speed, the team and the fastest car.Verstappen has endured an eight-race winless streak, but he has still managed to score points, with three second-places during that time.So I think the Dutchman will lift his fourth world-title this season, by the skin of his teeth. “I felt a bit quicker but I couldn’t get close enough to pass.”I felt we were quicker than the guys behind but it’s difficult in the sprint to know how much to manage [the tyres].” More

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      Lando Norris wins vital Brazilian GP sprint race after being gifted lead by team-mate as he closes gap on Max Verstappen

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      LANDO NORRIS has won the vital Sao Paulo Grand Prix sprint race after a helping hand from Oscar Piastri.His team-mate allowed him through just two laps before the end of the race on team orders.Lando Norris won the sprint race at the Brazilian GP after help from Oscar PiastriCredit: GettyMax Verstappen had to settle for fourth position after a penalty decisionCredit: GettyNorris, 24, had his win made more tense than needed as McLaren delayed the order until it was almost too late.Communication was made with Piastri after Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was on their tail.The Belgian racer had passed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with just six laps to go.The extra points for Norris means that Verstappen’s lead as been cut to 45 points.READ MORE ON SPORTThis was part of McLaren’s plan as they went into the sprint aiming for a Norris win to slash the rival’s lead.However, there was almost a spanner thrown into the works as Nico Hulkenburg’s Haas pulled up on Lap 21.Luckily, the position swap between Norris and Piastri was made before a safety car was deployed.If it had not, then it would have allowed the Red Bull to close the gap, and Piastir would have likely won the sprint.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAfter the race, Norris was quick to show his appreciation to his team-mate’s efforts.He said: “Not proud about it, but we worked well as a team together. I thank Oscar.Watch F1 star Lando Norris drive unique McLaren P1 car round Silverstone – but can you spot why it’s so incredible?”Today was the result we wanted, Oscar deserved it but I thank him and the team.”It was yo-yoing a little bit. The dirty air costs you a lot of lap time.”I felt a bit quicker but I couldn’t get close enough to pass.”I felt we were quicker than the guys behind but it’s difficult in the sprint to know how much to manage [the tyres].”Verstappen finished the sprint in third place but was handed a five-second penalty for going too fast under the VSC.This dropped the Red Bull Racing star to fourth. READ MORE SUN STORIESA statement from the stewards said: “[Verstappen] was 0.63 seconds below the minimum time at VSC End when the FIA light panels changed to green.”This indicates a sporting advantage gained under VSC.” More