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      F1 Canadian Grand Prix practice abandoned for unprecedented reason after just three laps

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      THE Canadian GP got off to a false start after race bosses were forced to scrap first practice due to a CCTV failure.Pierre Gasly ground to a halt in his Alpine but the session did not restart as Race Control spotted that the local CCTV cameras had failed.
      The practice session was stopped due to a CCTV failureCredit: Splash
      The CCTV failure came after Pierre Gasly’s Alpine had stopped on the trackCredit: Alamy
      It came after only three laps and as the clock ticked down, the FIA eventually canned the session.
      A statement from the FIA said: “The delay will be longer as the CCTV is not synced correctly and until the issue has been fixed we cannot run on track.
      “This system is a local installation and they are continuing to work to resolve the problem.
      “The clock will continue to run down on FP1 and the session won’t be extended as there must be 2.5hrs between FP1 and FP2. We are looking at options to extend FP2.”
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      In order to compensate for the lost track time, the FIA increased FP2 to 90 minutes rather than the usual hour.
      Reigning world champion Max Verstappen comes into the eighth race of the season off the back of three successive victories.
      He has opened up a 53-point lead over Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
      And he is the overwhelming favourite to win in Montreal this weekend in what would be his sixth triumph of 2023.
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      Verstappen is eyeing a third consecutive F1 drivers’ title.
      Since debuting in the sport eight years ago, he has picked up 40 wins from 170 race starts.
      But he had to wait until last year to clinch his first Canadian GP victory – which he won by less than a second from Carlos Sainz. More

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      Shocking moment motorbike splits in two in horror MotoGP crash as race is stopped

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      MOTOGP fans witnessed a SHOCKING crash on Friday afternoon as Marc Marquez hit the deck before splitting Johann Zarco’s bike in HALF.German GP practise had three minutes remaining in the session when it came to an abrupt halt.
      Marc Marquez lost control on a right-hand turn and collided with Johann Zarco

      Zarco’s bike was split in two by Marquez’s skidding vehicle
      Marquez flew onto the gravel but thankfully both drivers got back to their feet
      Marquez, 30, prepared to take a right-hand turn but lost balance and slid onto the tarmac.
      As he skidded off the circuit, his bike collided with Zarco, 32, – who was just in front of him.
      And a blind-sighted Zarco was shunted by the impact as his bike astonishingly broke into two pieces.
      Marquez was immediately back to his feet as he ran back towards the track to try and grab his second bike.
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      But a yellow flag quickly became a red flag as the session was brought to an end.
      Zarco took a little longer to get back to his feet, but after marshals came on to check his condition, he was able to stand up and walk off the circuit.
      Reacting to the crash, one social media user said: “😲 Incredible how they’re both walking after that!!!!”
      Another added: “Horrible. But glad [they are] up and walking.”
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      A third replied: “Fast-paced racing but safety should always come first🙏. Glad to see both up and about, hope to see them back in action soon!”
      And a fourth responded: “Bloody hell, that looked ugly. Glad both lads are OK.”
      Six-time MotoGP world champion Marquez has claimed just 15 points from the opening six races of the 2023 season.
      Zarco sits fifth on 88 points, 43 adrift of championship leader Francesco Bagnaia. More

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      F1’s most dangerous corner has ended in disaster for five world champs.. now Hamilton & Co face it again at Canadian GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON will be facing down with one of Formula One’s most dangerous corners when he drives at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.In sector three of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, turn 14 has gained a reputation for snuffing out the races of many an F1 champion.
      Jacques Villeneuve was one of three champions to crash out of the 1999 race Canadian GPCredit: AFP
      With Brit Jenson Button a later victim of the wall in 2005Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The suitably named Wall of Champions is the final corner around the circuit, and it has been the difference between glory and defeat for a number of former world champions.
      The iconic name was earned in 1999, when THREE champions hit the concrete wall and saw their races come to an abrupt end.
      Damon Hill, who won the title in 1996, was the first to crash during the race.
      The Brit lasted just 13 laps before hitting the wall amid a patchy season with Jordan.
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      F1 legend Michael Schumacher followed on lap 29, handing championship rival Mika Hakkinen a crucial advantage before Schumacher went on to break his leg at Silverstone.
      The German had led the race off the line and was beginning to pull out a gap before coming into the corner too quickly and hitting the oncoming barrier after losing his cars rear on correction.
      Jacques Villeneuve, champion in 1997, followed just five laps later as he tried to recover from a poor qualifying.
      Indeed, it was not the first time the Canadian had crashed at the circuit, previously doing so on lap one of the 1997 race in Montreal.
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      Future champions would fall victim too, with 2009 champion Jenson Button crashing out of the Canadian GP in 2005.
      The Brit had taken pole in qualifying and was on course for a podium before seeing his racing afternoon come to an end on lap 13.
      Button explained: “The problem I had in the hairpin was I ran wide and I didn’t realise how much rubbish got on the tyres because coming into the chicane I just had huge understeer.
      “That was it really. I should have gone across the green stuff but I thought if I did that I would have to let Michael pass and I didn’t want to do that. I’d rather crash in third than finish fourth really.”
      Four more crashes at the wall would occur before Sebastian Vettel crashed his Red Bull in what would be the second year in a row he won the title.
      The German had fortunately crashed his car in Free Practice 1, going on to recover over the weekend and claim pole and a podium as Button won in changeable conditions.
      The only member of the current grid who has fallen victim to the Wall is Carlos Sainz, though the nature of the turn means close scrapes are always likely.
      Hamilton has openly admitted his fear of the corner, confessing: “I never like to talk about the Wall of Champions. You never want it to suck you in.”
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Red Bull ‘line up THREE stars to replace under fire Sergio Perez including Brit ace and fan-favourite free agent’

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      RED BULL are reportedly considering three replacement drivers for Sergio Perez.The Mexican, 33, started the 2023 season positively with two wins from the opening four races – with team-mate Max Verstappen claiming the other two.
      Red Bull could opt to axe Sergio Perez at the end of the 2023 seasonCredit: Getty
      Fan-favourite Daniel Ricciardo is Red Bull’s reserve driverCredit: Getty
      But since then, Verstappen has gone on to claim three victories in a row to take control of the world championship.
      The Dutchman, 25, seeking a third consecutive title, now holds a 53-point lead over his Red Bull counterpart.
      Six-time F1 Grand Prix winner Perez finished second in Miami, 16th in Monaco and fourth in Barcelona.
      His contract does run until the conclusion of the 2024 season, so he would have to be paid off if his departure came at the end of this year.
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      But The Mirror are reporting he could still be axed – with a trio of racers waiting in the wings.
      The most logical of those is fan-favourite Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull’s reserve driver.
      The Australian, 33, lost his seat with McLaren last year and is not on the grid this season.
      But he has been taken on by Red Bull as their back-up and will feature if Verstappen or Perez are unable to race.
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      It leaves him in a prime position to steal Perez’s seat if the reigning constructors champions look to change things up.
      However, other active drivers are also thought to be in the frame.
      Britain’s Lando Norris, 23, is one man Red Bull eyed up at the beginning of last year before he penned a contract extension with McLaren until 2025.
      While Red Bull would have to pay a substantial amount to get him out of his existing deal, Norris has shown himself to be a tremendously talented driver.
      And with McLaren struggling for pace, it would be the perfect opportunity for the Bristol-born racer to win a Grand Prix and challenge for the title.
      The third and final driver linked with Red Bull is AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda.
      The Japanese youngster, 23, has been with his Italian team since 2021.
      He has secured 13 points finishes during that time – including two 10th places this season in Australia and Azerbaijan.
      Tsunoda, who came through the Red Bull junior programme, only has an AlphaTauri contract until the end of the 2023 season.
      Lando Norris has been with McLaren since 2018Credit: Getty
      Yuki Tsunoda is another driver touted as a possible option for Red BullCredit: EPA More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s ‘head is no longer 100 per cent in racing’, claims two-time F1 champion

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      LEWIS HAMILTON no longer has his head 100 per cent in racing, according to Mika Hakkinen.Seven-time world champion Hamilton is set to sign a new Mercedes deal “in days” as revealed by Toto Wolff.
      Mika Hakkinen has claimed Lewis Hamilton no longer has his head ‘100 per cent’ in racingCredit: Getty
      Hamilton has not won a race since 2021Credit: Rex
      However, Hakkinen, who has two world titles to his name from triumphs in 1998 and 1999, suggested the Brit’s head has been turned by more “important” matters away from racing.
      Speaking to Unibet, the 54-year-old was asked about rumours linking Hamilton with Ferrari, before replying: “Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari would be a surprise. Does money motivate drivers? 
      “I know Lewis’ head is not 100 per cent in racing anymore. It’s completely normal. But does money motivate? 
      “Of course it does, but there are many risks involved. I think it’s highly unlikely he will join Ferrari.  
      READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
      “I always say that when people get older, the order of your thoughts change. Your priorities in life change. Formula 1 just won’t be the most important thing anymore.
      “It wouldn’t surprise me when the competition gets tougher and young drivers emerge, what George Russell is doing with Lewis at the moment, result-wise, it’s not an easy situation.  
      “Does Lewis have enough energy to wake up every morning, give his everything and bring results so that he can beat his team-mate? Is that the right future for him?”
      Hamilton has scored two podiums this season and sits fourth in the standings, but has not won a race since December 2021 amidst Mercedes’ pace struggles.
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      The 38-year-old is working on an F1 movie starring Brad Pitt and a documentary regarding his life.
      In the last week the former McLaren driver has been linked with a stunning relationship with Shakira after the pair were pictured having dinner after the Spanish Grand Prix.
      However, he has also been spotted cosying up to Brazilian supermodel Juliana Nalu, sparking rumours of a relationship among fans.
      Hakkinen also gave his thoughts on McLaren following early season struggles, and backed the team to be surprise competitors to runaway leaders Red Bull as the season progresses.
      The Finn added: “I don’t think anyone is able to catch up this year.
      “The only surprise I think we’ll see is McLaren’s possible progress during the next two months.
      “I think they will surprise us massively.
      “Just in terms of the speed of the car, they will probably challenge Red Bull.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have hoovered up every race win so far this season, with the Dutchman on course for his third title on the spin.
      Rivals will be hoping to close the gap at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      I used to be an F1 driver and even beat Ayrton Senna to three race wins… now I’m a multimillionaire aircraft dealer

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      THIERRY BOUTSEN is used to life in the fast lane – and now the former Formula One star is flying high as a multimillionaire aircraft dealer.The now 65-year-old Belgian raced in F1 for the Arrows, Benetton, Williams, Ligier and Jordan. 
      A former F1 star is now raking it in as an aircraft dealerCredit: Getty
      Thierry Boutsen achieved three Grand Prix wins in his F1 careerCredit: Getty
      He took to the track in 164 Grands Prix and beat the late, great Ayrton Senna on three occasions to claim a trio of victories.
      Boutsen also achieved 15 podium finishes in total before retiring in 1993.
      However, his career has continued to accelerate – albeit not on the race track.
      Explaining all to Monaco Life, Boutsen said: “I honestly had no idea that private jets existed until I was 18-years-old.
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      “A family friend was CEO at Abelag (a private jet operator) in Brussels and he invited me to work there as a mechanic in the aircraft maintenance department. I enjoyed every minute of it – discovering these extraordinary flying machines.
      “I was even invited on board to do a post maintenance test flight.That is when I promised myself, should I one day have earned enough money, I would buy and fly my own plane.
      “I had to wait 12 years for that. Since then, flying has been a passion, like driving race cars.”
      He continued: “I had no intention of starting a company in the beginning. I was always flying my own plane from racing event to racing event, or marketing event to marketing event, for private or business purposes.
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      “Then I had a request in 1997 from a colleague of mine, former F1 driver Heinz Harald Frentzen, who wanted to buy the same plane I was using at the time but he didn’t know how to get it or how to complete the paper work etc. So, I said I would do it for him, and he ended up being my first customer.
      “Immediately afterwards, I had a request from Keke Rosberg to buy a similar airplane for him; then I had to buy one for Mika Hakkinen, and then Michael Schumacher came to me and said he wanted to sell his Challenger.
      “I did about 10 transactions, just in the racing world. I was doing the job as if it was for me – with a lot of passion, dedication and attention to detail. People loved it.
      “So, we decided to go further and explore Europe. My wife Daniela and I started Boutsen Aviation: she was in charge of the marketing and presentation and I was in charge of the commercial side.
      “At the end of 2000 we had our first employee, Dominique Trinquet – who is still with us today and is now president of the company. We have nine people working with us here in Monaco, and we have representatives in India, Russia, northern Europe, eastern Europe and Switzerland.”
      Boutsen then revealed: “We have sold 385 planes to date, and every time we make a sale, we celebrate it is a success for the whole team. Our team in aviation is like a racing team – everyone is working together to get the job done and using their capabilities to 100 per cent, or sometimes even more. It will be a very important milestone when we get to 400, but it is due to the hard work of everybody of the company.
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year

      “We have 16 planes for sale on an exclusive basis. We sell all types of business jets, but 70 to 80 per cent of our planes are transatlantic, like Challengers, Gulfstreams, Falcons… big planes that can travel from Nice to Los Angeles, for instance. We also sell biz-liners like the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ).
      “These planes used to sell for between 20 and 35 million. Today, it’s between 15 and 25 million for exactly the same airplane. This is because the inventory has increased.
      “During lockdown, some people wanted to get rid of their planes because they had no need for them. A plane is expensive to buy and maintain, so if you have one that just sits in a hangar for six months, it’s not worth it.”
      But the icon’s future is very much not only in the air as he keeps busy with a number of other successful business interests.
      He added: “I am also the Chairman of the Boutsen Group which includes Boutsen Design, run by my wife Daniela, to offer a bespoke and individual design and decoration service for business jets, superyachts and residences.
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      “I also run Boutsen Classic Cars, sourcing and selling high-end classic road and race cars for discerning collectors.
      “Then we have the Boutsen Racing Team, and we compete all over the world.”
      Ayrton Senna (left) pictured with Belgian Boutsen back in 1990Credit: Getty
      Boutsen retired in 1993 and embarked on his new business ventureCredit: Getty More

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      Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll claims F1 has become ‘billionaire boys club’ after Lewis Hamilton demanded change

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      ASTON MARTIN F1 team owner, Lawrence Stroll, admits the sport has become “the billionaire boys club”.Lewis Hamilton used the term when he said he felt F1 had become overrun by young drivers with rich parents.
      Lawrence Stroll says F1 is an expensive sport dominated by very wealthy racersCredit: The Times
      Lewis Hamilton reckons it would be tough for someone from his background to break into F1Credit: PA
      And the seven-time world champion, 38, believes it would be impossible for him to break into the sport from his background if he tried to do it now.
      Hamilton told Spain news publication AS: “Growing up in a normal working-class family, there is no way I could be here – the guys you are fighting against have that much more money.
      “We have to work to change that to make it more accessible, for the rich and for people with more humble origins.”
      The likes of Lance Stroll, the son of the Aston Martin tycoon, Nikita Mazepin, Lando Norris and Mick Schumacher have all come from wealthy families.
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      And Stroll, who is worth around ÂŁ2.1billion ($3bn), and funded his son’s racing career said: “Racing is definitely expensive, from go-karting on up, there’s no doubt about it.
      “It’s a lot less expensive to play golf or play tennis but F1 it’s an expensive sport, there’s machinery. There’s a lot of people who run the machines.
      “You have to be a very wealthy individual or a very large corporation to be able to afford to be in Formula One.
      “I don’t know what Lewis’s comment was referring to but this is a sport that is very capital intensive.
      “If you look at, for example, building a new building or a new wind tunnel, that’s well over ÂŁ150million.
      “But Formula One is definitely an expensive sport to be in, there’s no question about that.”
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      Stroll completed his takeover of Aston Martin car company in 2021 and then rebranded the former Racing Point F1 team, more commonly remembered as Force India.
      Not only is he building a new factory, but he is upping staff levels from 500 to 800 employees in pursuit of challenging the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes for titles.
      When quizzed how long it will take before they are competitive, he added: “I think it’s four, five or six years.
      “We’re currently in a good place. We share Mercedes’ wind tunnel, but it is not as good as having your own.
      “Facilities wise, we’ve definitely outgrown our current site.
      “We’re putting up a lot of temporary facilities in order to accommodate all these new employees.
      “But as far as plans going forward, like pretty much every other business I own, is to win.
      “In this case, winning and Formula One obviously means world championships. 
      “Ultimately, that’s what we are striving for. That’s what I am striving for.
      “We all know very well that success in Formula One or any other business for that matter doesn’t come overnight.
      “That takes years to put the right people, the right tools, the right processes in place.
      Read more on The Sun
      “But we’re building and investing in our team with the ambition of moving up the grid year by year.
      “And our ultimate ambition is to win world championships.”
      Stroll (right) says his team are targeting world championship winsCredit: Rex More

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      Lewis Hamilton cosying up with Brazilian model despite rumours ‘love triangle’ romance with Shakira

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      LEWIS Hamilton is rumoured to have been cosying up with a model despite reports of a romance with Colombian star Shakira.Fans of the F1 ace believe he’s been getting intimate with Brazilian model Juliana Nalu after spotting clues in their social media pictures.
      Lewis Hamilton is rumoured to have been cosying up with 25-year-old model Juliana NaluCredit: Instagram
      Fans believed she was in the hot tub of this photograph and her arm was visible in front of Lewis – taken during the holiday to AntarcticaCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Lewis at Coachella where fans think Juliana is visible in the backgroundCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      It comes after rumours the pair are dating have been circulating on and off for some time.
      The 25-year-old model, who dated Kanye West, was spotted in the background of one of Lewis’ Coachella pictures in May.
      Earlier this year fans of the racing star were convinced the pair were an item when it seemed they might have been away together in Antarctica with friends.
      In a screenshot of Hamilton and friend Shaun White in the hot tub, the arm of an unidentifiable woman can be seen next to the British racing driver.
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      And F1 fans believe it to be the supermodel, who also shared pictures from Antarctica over the course of the trip.
      One social media user said “Of course he’s on the same boat. Check Shaun White’s Insta. They’re in the hot tub and a girl (Juliana Nalu?) in Lewis’ arms.”
      Another added: “Juliana Nalu with Lewis Hamilton. LOL this darling is too good.”
      More recently both Lewis and Juliana appeared to post photos from a New York restaurant on the same day, although it was unclear if they were there together.
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      Model Juliana also regularly posts stunning pictures on Instagram, with Lewis showing his appreciation by liking one of her recent shares.
      The model also made an appearance at the Miami Grand Prix paddock in May, where Hamilton was competing.
      Lewis and Shakira were first spotted getting cosy after races in Spain and the US, sparking rumours of a “love triangle” involving Hollywood star Tom Cruise.
      A source close to the pair told People that the two are in the beginning stages of dating after being spotted together multiple times.
      The source said: “They’re spending time together and in the ‘getting to know you’ stage.
      “It’s fun and flirty.”
      Speculation that the famous duo are in a “love triangle” with Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise could potentially put Sir Lewis and Cruise’s 10-year bromance in jeopardy.
      The two were first spotted when Shakira attended the Miami Grand Prix last month, and they seem to have shared an intimate dinner afterwards.
      Videos appeared to show the Hips Don’t Lie singer and the Formula One legend mingling in the popular restaurant, Cipriani, in Miami.
      Only days after the dinner, Lewis showed off his chivalry when he whisked the Colombian songstress off for a boat day with pals in Miami.
      Shakira was grinning as they cruised around Biscayne Bay with pals, before being dropped off at the dock of her £12million mansion.
      They were later photographed together at a dinner with friends, following Hamilton’s race at the Spanish Grand Prix – and Hamilton’s arm was wrapped around her.
      The pair headed out for dinner after the race with singer Mustafa sharing snaps of the group on Instagram.
      Despite the rumours, other sources close to the couple claim they’re “just friends”.
      Shakira has seen some major life changes in the last year, after her bombshell split from ex Gerard Pique and her move to Miami.
      She told the audience at an awards show recently: “It’s been a year where I’ve realised we women are stronger than we think, braver than we believed, more independent than we were taught to be.
      Read more on The Sun
      “Because what woman hasn’t at some time in her life forgotten herself because she’s seeking the attention and love of someone else? It happened to me, more than once.”
      The couple split last summer as the Spanish World Cup winner ditched her for Clara Chia Marti, 23.
      Fans online think Juliana and Lewis were at the same restaurant in New York on the same dayCredit: Instagram
      Lewis was seen at the same New York restaurant as Juliana
      The F1 ace and Colombian singer were seen enjoying a boat day together recentlyCredit: MEGA
      They were later seen having dinner with friends
      The F1 star has liked Juliana’s stunning snaps on Instagram More