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      Final MotoGP race cancelled after track swept away and car park left underwater with new venue to be announced

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      THE final MotoGP race of the season has been moved from Valencia due to horrific flooding destroying the track.The death toll from the floods in the Spanish city has exceeded 200 people as it continues to decimate locals.The final race of the 2024 MotoGP season will no longer take place in ValenciaCredit: GettyFlooding has destroyed the track and left the car park underwaterCredit: XImages posted on social media have shown the state of the circuitCredit: XPictures of the MotoGP circuit were shared on social media earlier this week showing it had been ripped apart by the extreme weather, with the car park left underwater.Now organisers have confirmed the race, which was set to be the season finale on November 17, has been cancelled.The last race of 2024 will instead take place elsewhere at a location to be confirmed.The official statement from MotoGP read: “We have been in constant contact with the local authorities and the circuit to best assess how we can help and how we should proceed.READ MORE IN MOTORSPORT”We have a responsibility to every region where we race that goes far beyond the sport and the events.”After carefully weighing up the potential positive impact of MotoGP racing in Valencia on delayed dates versus ensuring no single resource is diverted from the recovery efforts by the presence of MotoGP, the championship and local authorities have been obliged to cancel the 2024 Valencia GP.”It continued: “In lieu of racing in Valencia, MotoGP will instead race for Valencia.”The championship will put our collective efforts behind backing the relief funds already in place to ensure our positive impact can connect with the area in the way it best serves the people and communities we have been part of for so long.Most read in Motorsport”Our efforts will begin during the Malaysian GP and continue at the final round of 2024, with a new venue and dates to be announced as soon as confirmed.”Fans around the world, our athletes, and paddock deserve a sporting finale to the 2024 season, and one that can make a key contribution to supporting the communities we race in.Mercedes made ‘clear mistake’ that ‘ruined’ Lewis Hamilton’s chances in Singapore GP and left him ‘so angry’”Any further information regarding the season finale will be confirmed as soon as possible.”Two races remain in the 2024 season – the Malaysian GP and the cancelled Valencia GP which will now be held in another location.Spaniard Jorge Martin leads the championship by 17 points from Italian Francesco Bagnaia – who closed the gap to his title rival with victory in Thailand last weekend. More

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      Huge Lando Norris F1 title boost as Max Verstappen slapped with five-place grid penalty for Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN will take a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race in Brazil in a boost for McLaren title rival Lando Norris.The penalty comes after Red Bull put a new engine in Verstappen’s RB20 with four races remaining. Max Verstappen has been hit with a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand PrixLando Norris has been handed a boost as he bids to reduce the gap in the Drivers’ ChampionshipVerstappen will be using his sixth internal combustion engine for the race at Interlagos, his second such breach of the season.The move had been expected after the Dutchman finished sixth at last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko revealed there was a leak in the previous engine’s intake tract on Sunday.Verstappen’s grid penalty will boost Norris’ hopes of reducing the Dutchman’s 47-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship.READ MORE MOTORSPORT NEWSWith the Brazilian GP being a Sprint track, Interlagos will host a shortened race on Saturday.But Verstappen’s penalty only applies to Sunday’s full-length contest.Meanwhile, Norris topped the only practice session in Sao Paulo earlier today, with qualifying due to start at 6:30pm.Verstappen leads Norris with four races of the season remaining.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe three-time champ aborted his only attempt at a flying lap on soft tyres and finished 15th in practice.Verstappen, 27, was given two 10-second time penalties for being overly aggressive in wheel-to-wheel combat with Norris last Sunday.Max Verstappen threatens to quit F1 after being forced to do ‘community service’ in bizarre punishment for swearing He finished 59 seconds down on race-winner Carlos Sainz in Mexico, so even without the penalties, would have been fourth at best.Norris closed the gap after picking up 18 points following his second-place finish.Verstappen, who has not won since June’s Spanish GP, did not want to go into details about the incidents and was more concerned about Red Bull’s lack of pace.Each driver is entitled to use four power units throughout the course of the season and face grid penalties for exceeding the limit.Verstappen incurred a 10-place grid penalty after taking his fifth engine of the season in Belgium in July.Red Bull’s decision to take the penalty in Brazil will have been largely motivated by the many straightforward overtaking opportunities the circuit presents.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      ‘I’m a three-time world champion, I know what I’m doing’, rages Max Verstappen as he hits back at ‘Dick Dastardly’ jibe

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has snapped back at Damon Hill by roaring: “I’m a three-time world champion who knows what I am doing.”Hill, who won a world title with ­Williams in 1996, accused Verstappen of acting like Wacky Races villain Dick Dastardly. Max Verstappen has fired back at Damon HillCredit: SplashHill described Verstappen as driving like Dick DastardlyCredit: GettyVerstappen was not happy at the comparison with the cartoon baddyCredit: The SunSeething Verstappen, 27, has hit out at his “biased” and “very annoying” critics after eyebrows were raised over his driving style after a 20-SECOND penalty for forcing title rival Lando Norris off twice in Mexico last weekend.Hill described the F1 Red Bull driver as “daft and like Dick Dastardly”.And he questioned whether Verstappen was capable of driving fairly.But ahead of this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, Verstappen responded: “I don’t listen to those individuals.READ MORE IN F1“I just do my thing. I am a three-time world champion. It is my tenth year in Formula One.“I know what I am doing. Some people are being very annoying, and I don’t pay attention to them.” Norris trails Verstappen by 47 points in the title race with 120 to race for after the Brit came second and the world champ sixth in Mexico City.Verstappen is due to serve a five-place grid drop for Sunday’s race in Sao Paulo for changing engine parts.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNorris and Verstappen had been best pals on the grid.But the pair have not spoken since Mexico.Beloved Race track destroyed and swept away with car park underwater just two weeks before hosting huge Moto GP race McLaren driver Norris said: “It’s not for me to speak to him. I’m not his teacher, I’m not his mentor.“Max knows he did wrong. Deep down he does. And it’s for him to change, not for me.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell reveals one F1 driver is against making immediate rule change

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      GEORGE RUSSELL has revealed that just one Formula One driver is opposed to an immediate major change to the rules.The driver’s title race took a fresh twist in Mexico as a 20-second penalty for Max Verstappen allowed Lando Norris to close the gap on the Dutchman to just 47 points.George Russell has said that 19 out of 20 F1 drivers want to see rule change immediatelyCredit: RexIt comes after contrasting penalty’s handed to both Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in the last two grand prixCredit: GettyHowever, the weekend was also significant because it saw race stewards take a new approach to judging racing incidents. At the US Grand Prix in Austin, Norris had been handed a five-second penalty for going off the track and gaining an advantage when trying to overtake the Red Bull at Turn 12, costing him a podium.The McLaren driver had argued that he was forced off the road by Verstappen when defending, though the FIA dismissed an appeal from the team.A meeting involving the pair followed in the week before the Mexico Grand Prix, with the meeting becoming “lively” as the debate over the rules intensified.READ MORE IN F1The Mexico race then saw Verstappen defending against Norris again, with the Brit again going off track, before the Red Bull then shoved him off a few turns later to get the position back.These two moves resulted in Verstappen receiving a 20-second time penalty and resulted in him finishing down in P6, while Norris claimed P2 behind Ferrari race winner and former team-mate Carlos Sainz.However, the rules were interpreted differently from one weekend to the next.The current racing guidelines say a driver overtaking on the outside needs to be afforded extra room exiting the corner if the front axle of his car is ahead of that of the inside car at the apex.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut many drivers feel the rule needs to be changed to add a caveat that if the driver defending his position also ends up going off track, they should face some form of penalty.In an effort to clear up the racing guidelines, drivers have voted on how the rules should be interpreted.Beloved Race track destroyed and swept away with car park underwater just two weeks before hosting huge Moto GP race And Russell, who serves as the head of Grand Prix Drivers’ Association said that all drivers bar one have agreed to rectify the rules immediately.Though the 26-year-old did not name the driver who went against his peers, the Mercedes star said: “I think the stewards are totally on board with what needs to change.”Our view is, I think the biggest discussion is, they wanted to wait until 2025, so it’s something consistent through this year. “I would say 19 out of 20 drivers said: ‘Well, if it’s incorrect, make the change today’.”I’m glad to see those incidents were punished [in Mexico] and I suspect moving forward in Brazil, what we saw today and what we saw last week you won’t be able to get away with.”You presume [it should be easy to change if everyone agrees], but it sometimes seems more difficult than it has to be when things have to get approved and we’ve got to go to a vote app. “But as I said, 19 out of 20, we’re all aligned on where it needs to be.”Russell – who F1 fans may have the chance to dress from next season following a stunning job posting by the Silver Arrows – finished in fifth place behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Mexico.Asked about the incidents of allegedly running another driver off track, Hamilton said: “You shouldn’t be able to come off the brakes and run more speed in and go off the track and still hold your place.”Three-time champion Verstappen said he has always raced according to the meaning of the rules, and that if they were changed he would drive according to the new meaning of them as well.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconHowever, any new driver guidelines will take time to publish, and a new draft of the rules will not be available for the drivers to consider until the Qatar Grand Prix in December.Despite Russell claiming 19 out of 20 agree they need rectifying, no official vote has taken place yet.According to the BBC’s Andrew Benson, drivers previously had no issue with the rules but were instead frustrated by the inconsistent application of them by stewards.However, now both the written guidelines and their application have come into question.The final race in a triple header now sees F1 return to Brazil. READ MORE SUN STORIESOrganisers have confirmed a £22million investment has allowed for the entire circuit at Interlagos to be resurfaced as well as the upgrade of a number of hospitality features and building of an access tunnel.They have also revealed a touching tribute will be paid to Ayrton Senna 30 years on from his death, with Hamilton set to drive his 1990 McLaren car on Saturday evening.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      F1 legend Fernando Alonso to MISS part of Brazilian GP weekend after racing back to Europe following health scare

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      FERNANDO ALONSO will miss part of the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend after suffering an intestinal infection.The two-time world champion, 43, made history in Mexico on Sunday as he became the first F1 driver to reach 400 race starts.Fernando Alonso will not be at the media day for the Brazilian Grand PrixCredit: GettyBut he will be absent for media duties in Sao Paulo on Thursday after receiving treatment for a health scare.Alonso was battling the issue before the Mexican GP – which he retired in – and seeing a specialist in Europe has now delayed his travel to Brazil.Aston Martin have confirmed their driver will miss Thursday’s obligations, but he will be present when racing begins on Friday.Speaking on X, the team released a statement that read: “Fernando will miss his media day activities in Brazil.READ MORE IN F1″Fernando had suffered with an intestinal infection in the lead up to the Mexico City Grand Prix.”He returned to Europe to receive further treatment from a specialist.”The extra day of treatment has delayed his travel plans to Brazil but ensures he will be ready for this weekend’s racing.”Alonso sits ninth in the drivers’ standings on 62 points.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe is the best-placed driver outside the top four teams – McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes.There are three more Grands Prix after the Brazilian GP – which will take place in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.Watch hilarious moment Charles Leclerc’s mechanic takes very dramatic pit lane tumble during Mexican GP qualifyingCarlos Sainz won the Mexican GP as Lando Norris cut Max Verstappen’s championship lead to 47 points. More

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      F1 fans offered never-before-seen job of dressing George Russell as Mercedes post advert

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      FORMULA ONE giant Mercedes has advertised a bizarre new job which involves dressing the team’s drivers.The Brackley-based team want to hire a Marketing Operations Driver Clothing Executive – someone to manage the off-track attire of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.Mercedes want to hire someone to manage the outfits of George Russell and Kimi AntonelliCredit: Mercedes AMGWhoever is appointed will be in charge of the pair’s personal, fitness, formal, lifestyle and travel wardrobe.They will also coordinate Russell and Antonelli’s highly-photographed paddock walk-in looks.Mercedes’ job description reads: “The Marketing Operations Driver Clothing Executive is responsible for project managing driver styling planning and process for the Mercedes F1 Team.”It involves working with the driver appointed stylists and team apparel partners to deliver clothing looks for collateral shoots, marketing appearances, trackside walk in looks and activations.Read More in Sport”It is also about managing relationships with our team clothing partner and driver management.”Mercedes chiefs are looking for someone who has “experience of working in a retail or marketing environment” with a skill set in project management.Rookie driver Antonelli will make his F1 debut with Mercedes next year.He will replace Lewis Hamilton, who has already signed a two-year deal with Ferrari.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAntonelli is set to partner Russell, who has been racing for the team since 2022.Mercedes currently sit fourth in the Constructor Championship standings, behind McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull.Drive to Survive and F1 legend runs B&B with rooms named after iconic tracks More

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      Major change to Brazilian GP as £22million project completed ahead of crucial Sao Paulo spectacle

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      BRAZIL’s Formula One race track has undergone a major change ahead of Sunday’s race.The Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo has been a staple of the F1 calendar since 1990 – with the exception of 2020’s cancelled race due to Covid-19.Brazil’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix has undergone a major change following a £22m investmentCredit: GettyThe entire Interlagos race track has been resurfacedCredit: AFPAnd this weekend it will once again play host to thousands of fans from around the world who turn out for the motorsport bonanza.Organisers have confirmed the circuit has undergone a huge change for the grand prix weekend.A stunning £22million (R$163.6million) investment from Sao Paulo City Hall has seen the track completely resurfaced, with a host of other changes also revealed.Mayor Ricardo Nunes said: “This place has become a machine, a machine for generating jobs, a machine for generating income, for economic movement, and a machine for taking the name of the city of São Paulo to the world.READ MORE IN F1″We went from having a deficit facility to now having a facility that generates jobs, generates income and generates revenue for the city.”The last change to the surface of the track came 10 years ago.Other changes to the venue have seen work enter the final phase of a pit lane auxiliary access track to the pits as, ruled by motorsport governing body the FIA.This adds to the renovation and maintenance of existing facilities including the pit lane, paddock area, operation control centre, press area, support building and grandstand.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA review of safety devices including tyre barriers, metal guardrails, fences, and non-slip paint in escape areas has also happened.Additional “comprehensive maintenance” has been carried out on permanent facilities, including electrical and hydraulic installations, floors, ceilings, frames and gas and compressed air systems.Five mysteries behind Ayrton Senna’s deadly F1 smash – including black box conspiracyThe major investment is allowing the racetrack to add a new access and a new hospitality centre, with the old one being demolished to make way for a 12,240 square feet three-floor megastructure at the back of the paddock that can hold up to 6,000 people.One part of the project still in the works is a 360-metre-long underground access track set to be completed by April 2025 to facilitate the transit of large structures, trucks and public inside the circuit without the need to cross the circuit.The 2023 race is estimated to have generated around £220million (R$1.64 billion) for the economy, with 77 per cent of visitors coming from outside of the capital and 12.2 per cent coming from tourism.Another stunning plan for the weekend’s race is a touching tribute to be paid by to three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, 30 years on from his death at the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994.According to BAND, Lewis Hamilton will be given the honour of driving the Brazilian’s 1990 McLaren MP4/5B car, with which Senna won his second F1 title.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁The seven-time world champion will take the Honda-powered car around the circuit at around 8pm UK time on Saturday, following the conclusion of official F1 activities on track for the day.Organisers have also opened a “Senna forever” event for the weekend, where Samba F1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi is set to take part alongside Hamilton.The Brit, who idolises Senna, was given honorary Brazilian citizenship in 2022 and has won three times around the Interlagos track.Senna’s death came just one day after Ronald Ratzenberger, who hit an exposed concrete wall in an impact of 500g force.The biggest crash ever survived was by IndyCar driver Kenny Brack in 2003, when his car came to a dramatic halt from 220mph with a 214g impact force.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis season’s F1 driver championship may go down to the wire after Lando Norris closed the gap to reigning champion Max Verstappen to 47 points after the Red Bull driver received a 20-second penalty in Mexico.There are four feature races to go plus two sprint events, including one taking place this weekend in Brazil.Organisers are also hosting a tribute for Ayrton Senna, 30 years on from his deathCredit: Getty Images – GettyLewis Hamilton will reportedly drive his 1990 McLaren car after official F1 events are concluded on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Beloved race track destroyed and swept away with car park underwater just two weeks before hosting huge MotoGP event

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      FLOODING in the Valencia region of Spain has left the season finale of MotoGP in jeopardy.The final round of the major motorcycle race is due to take place at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo on November 17.The Valencia Circuit Ricardo Tormo has been hit by the severe flooding in SpainCredit: XFootage showed the entrance to the track as completely impassable with debris littered across itCredit: XHuge cracks in the road had also been shownCredit: XIt could have major repercussions for the MotoGP season finaleCredit: AlamyHowever, devastating flash floods in the south-east of the country have caused extensive damage to the race track and surrounding area.Footage captured on social media showed the main entrance to the race track – opened in 1999 – swept away and impassable with cracks and sinkholes in the road with detritus littered across it.The Race have reported that the circuit’s external car parks have been flooded.The surrounding villages of Cheste and Chiva near the circuit have been hit hard by the floods, with water in some areas said to have risen to three metres.READ MORE IN MOTORSPORTAt least 62 people are confirmed to have been tragically killed by the extreme weather conditions, with many more still missing.Ricardo Gabaldon, the mayor of Utiel, a town in Valencia, told national broadcaster RTVE: “Yesterday was the worst day of my life.”We were trapped like rats. Cars and trash containers were flowing down the streets. The water was rising to three metres.”MotoGP organisers Dorna are unlikely to want to place local authorities under more unnecessary pressure given the toll relief efforts are taking.Most read in MotorsportThe major sporting event would be expected to bring around 100,000 people into the area.Earlier this season, extensive flooding in Kazakhstan saw what should have been the inaugural race at the Sokol circuit delayed before being cancelled.Inside abandoned F1 track that was £300m ‘spectacular flop’ with just four races held and rubbish left rotting in bins Should Valencia follow suit, it leaves Dorna with a headache on finding a substitute venue on just two weeks notice.This consequence of this could see this weekend’s penultimate race of the season at the Malaysia Grand Prix be the season decider.Just 17 points separate Prima’s championship leader Jorge Martin from Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia.There is a chance European circuits such as ex-Formula One circuit Portimao, Portugal or Jerez in south-west Spain could be emergency hosts.However, this has its own major logistical hurdles for both organisers and the teams and would need to happen at a reduced capacity.MotoGP is not the only motorsport event hit by floods, with Formula E’s pre-season testing due to take place next week now under threat.A statement from Formula E said: “Our thoughts go out to those directly affected by the extreme weather conditions in Spain.”We are working closely with the local authorities and representatives of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia ahead of the scheduled FIA Formula E official test next week.”We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates in due course.”Football in the region has also been postponed, with first round Copa del Rey matches between Parla Escuela-Fair Play and Valencia and Pontevedra CF and Levante postponed.The Valencia circuit was also hit last year when a man was rushed to hospital following an explosion in a team garage before Formula E testing.F1 was hit by floods at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in May 2023, with the Imola race being cancelled because it was not safe to hold the event due to emergency services dealing with floods at the time.Earlier this year, it was announced that F1 owners Liberty Media were set to complete a £3.6billion purchase of MotoGP from Dorna at the end of 2024.READ MORE SUN STORIESDorna have owned the sport since 1992, and will retain a 14 per cent share once the deal has concluded. But a Belgian MEP asked the European Commission to investigate the deal over fears it would create a monopoly in motorsport.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More