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    Gareth Bale looks visibly annoyed as he reveals why he is BOYCOTTING ‘unfair’ Formula 1

    GARETH BALE revealed he is no longer an F1 fan as he is still fuming over the way the 2021 season ended.Sir Lewis Hamilton was denied the title in dramatic circumstances in Abu Dhabi as Max Verstappen took the chequered flag and the championship.
    Gareth Bale revealed he is no longer an F1 fan after the Abu Dhabi debacle
    Max Verstappen snatched the 2021 championship from Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
    Bale was outraged at F1 for bending the rules to allow a winner-takes-all duel between Hamilton and Verstappen to take place.
    He said on an appearance on Random Golf Club: “I don’t after what happened to Hamilton a few years ago.
    “It was not fair. The fact he had to go through all the traffic and couldn’t pit stop.
    “Like how they let it happen…as soon as he was let through and he was full of petrol it was never a race.”
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    Several fans were up in arms over the manner in which the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was concluded.
    Many claim Verstappen was given an unfair advantage as he was able to pit following a crash in which a safety car was deployed, where fresh tyres were put onto his car.
    Former race director Michael Masi initially instructed the lapped cars not to overtake the safety car, but reversed his decision under pressure from Red Bull chief Christian Horner.
    Mercedes instantly appealed the decision, but team principal Toto Wolff eventually dropped the objection.
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    However fans have since launched a petition calling for Verstappen to be stripped of his title, which has attracted 100,000 signatures.
    The FIA’s official report blamed “human error” for the error but stopped short of offering a full apology or taking responsibility for the controversy.
    It also FAILED to identify whether Masi had been influenced by the radio messages between himself and the Red Bull pitwall. More

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    F1 star George Russell cheekily offered career change to new sport after home-town team ask him to come for a trial

    FORMULA ONE star George Russell has been cheekily offered a career change by his hometown football club.The Mercedes driver and his team-mate Lewis Hamilton both recently recorded podium finishes in the Spanish Grand Prix.
    George Russell has been offered a cheeky chance to change careerCredit: Alamy
    The F1 star says he would love to play for hometown club King’s Lynn FCCredit: TWITTER
    The 25-year-old is now looking to continue that good form in this weekend’s Canada GP.
    However, if he ever feels that life on the F1 race track is proving to be too much then he could always pull on his football boots.
    The former Williams driver recently took part in a Q&A that has now circulated online.
    Russell was asked: “If you were a football player, the place you start your career at would be?”
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    The pedal-to-the-metal star instantly replied with: “If I was a football player, the place I’d start my career at would be King’s Lynn FC.”
    The clip soon went viral on Twitter, and it did not go unnoticed by the National League North football club.
    And replying to it, they even tagged in the British racing ace as they offered him an unlikely career change.
    Along with a winking emoji, they wrote: “You are more than welcome to come down and try out, @GeorgeRussell63 #UpTheLynn.”
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    Russell’s only Formula One victory came last year at the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
    Meanwhile, King’s Lynn suffered relegation from the National League back in the 2021-22 campaign.
    They were then left heartbroken in their attempts last season to bounce straight back with promotion.
    Despite finishing as runners-up in the National League North, they were thrashed 4-1 by Kidderminster Harriers in the play-off semi-finals.
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    When is the F1 British Grand Prix? TV channel, stream FREE, FULL schedule and how to get tickets

    The 2023 British Grand Prix returns to Silverstone next month.The annual competition is set to take place after the Austrian Grand Prix which is scheduled to be at Speilberg the week before.
    Carlos Sainz was victorious at the 2022 British Grand PrixCredit: GETTY
    Currently, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen hold a dominant lead after multiple wins this season including the most recent Spanish Grand Prix.
    British favourite Lewis Hamilton is also looking to end an 18-month winless streak despite predicting a harder race at the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix due to a more complex track.
    The iconic race will take place over 52 laps of the 5.891 kilometre track.
    When is the British Grand Prix?

    The British Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, July 9th.
    The race is scheduled to take place at 3pm BST.
    The Silverstone Circuit is the track.

    READ MORE FORMULA 1
    What TV channel is it on and can I live stream it for free?

    The F1 British Grand Prix will be shown on Channel 4 and Sky Sports F1 Channel, with coverage starting on the 7th July.
    You can live stream it on Channel 4’s free app ALL 4 for free provided you have an account and can be downloaded onto any mobile or tablet device.
    Sky Sports customers can also stream it live on the NOW app which is also free to download onto your mobile or tablet device.

    Can I still get tickets for Silverstone?

    Tickets are still available to purchase on the Silverstone website.
    Multiple options are available for the different days over the weekend or for a full three-day weekend pass.
    All tickets will be digital copies that will be downloaded automatically onto the free Silverstone App.

    British Grand Prix Schedule
    Friday, July 7th

    Practice 1: 12:30pm – 1:30pm BST
    Practice 2: 4pm – 5pm BST

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    Saturday, July 8th

    Practice 3: 11:30am – 12:30pm BST
    Qualifying: 3pm – 4pm BST

    Sunday, July 9th

    Grand Prix – 3pm BST

    Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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    Lewis Hamilton has surprising F1 rival to thank for playing cupid amid Shakira dating rumours

    SIR LEWIS HAMILTON and Shakira were introduced thanks to the help of another Formula One driver.The Brit’s rival is said to have a “very good relationship” with both Hamilton and the pop star.
    Formula One legend Sir Lewis Hamilton is rumoured to be dating ShakiraCredit: Rex
    Shakira broke up with Gerard Pique last yearCredit: Rex
    Rumours suggest Sir Lewis and the Colombian superstar are dating after they were spotted enjoying a boat trip in Miami and having dinner with friends in Barcelona.
    And Spanish sports journalist Pipi Estrada claims Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz set up his Mercedes rival with Shakira.
    Estrada said: “It is because of friends in common.
    “She knows that Hamilton likes her music and, all of a sudden, she gets the bug to know about Formula One and that’s how they got together.
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    “There is a key thing in this relationship. Carlos Sainz knows Shakira and Carlos Sainz has a very good relationship with Hamilton.
    “That’s where they’ve come together. That’s where this relationship is born, with Carlos Sainz.”
    This comes after more speculation claiming Hamilton and Shakira are in a “love triangle”, which includes Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise.
    That could potentially put Sir Lewis and Cuise’s 10-year bromance in jeopardy.
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    The singer has been pictured with both men recently after splitting with Barcelona legend Gerard Pique last year.
    Their breakup came after Pique was rumoured to have cheated on the 46-year-old.
    But Shakira is believed to be taking her time before seriously committing to another relationship.
    Hamilton reportedly has Formula One rival Carlos Sainz to thank for playing cupidCredit: Rex More

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    I came second in the F1 World Championship and partnered Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, now I develop family housing

    MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S former Ferrari team-mate now develops family housing in Northern Ireland.Eddie Irvine partnered the legendary Formula One driver at Ferrari for four seasons from 1996 to 1999.
    Eddie Irvine partnered Michael Schumacher at Ferrari for four seasonsCredit: AFP
    Eddie Irvine now develops family housing in his native Northern IrelandCredit: Getty
    During that time, Irvine also achieved his best Drivers’ Championship finish of second place behind Mika Hakkinen in 1999.
    The Northern Irishman also drove for Jordan and Jaguar during a nine-year F1 career, claiming four wins from his 145 race starts.
    He has gone on to swap the race track for building houses, though, in the two decades since his retirement in 2002.
    Irvine has since forged a successful career in property in both Miami, Florida and his native Northern Ireland.

    The 57-year-old first entered the property market by investing during his motorsport career.
    He benefited from a market boom after buying houses in Northern Ireland during the 1990s.
    Three decades on from his F1 debut, he now develops mid-market family housing in Northern Ireland, describing it as “a good, solid steady business” in 2018.
    Irvine told Property Week: “Northern Ireland is still cheap. The recession has lasted a long time there. It’s starting to pick up now – we are finally increasing our prices.”
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    Meanwhile, he has focussed on the luxury housing market in Miami and has been equally successful.
    The retired driver puts his success in Florida down to the demand for high-end homes and rapid house pricing.
    “What’s happened there has been incredible,” he added. “But then Miami is incredible.
    “The houses I build in Miami, I build them as if I would live in them.”
    Eddie Irvine finished second in the 1999 Formula One Drivers’ ChampionshipCredit: AP:Associated Press More

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    Lewis Hamilton enjoys dinner with Robert De Niro at Chanel bash as he nears new eye-watering Mercedes contract

    LEWIS HAMILTON enjoyed dinner with Robert De Niro in New York City last night.The Formula 1 driver chatted to the iconic actor at a Chanel event in the Big Apple.
    Lewis Hamilton enjoyed dinner with Robert De NiroCredit: Getty
    Hamilton, 38, looked engrossed as he listened to the veteran Hollywood star, 79.
    The two have met before, and appeared to get on famously at French restaurant Balthazar in New York.
    Recounting their previous meeting two years ago, Sir Lewis gushed: “I met Robert De Niro the other day and I remember calling my dad afterwards.
    “‘Dad, I just met Robert De Niro!’”
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    Hamilton also chatted to De Niro’s son Julian, 27, at the bash.
    Earlier in the day, the seven-time world champion had attended the 2023 Forbes Iconoclast Summit at Pier 60.
    Hamilton was joined at the event by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, as he nears a contract extension with the Silver Arrows.
    The pair have remained relaxed about the situation this season, despite Hamilton’s current deal expiring at the end of the year.
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    The Formula 1 superstar also chatted with De Niro’s son Julian, rightCredit: Getty
    Hamilton is expected to pen a £50million deal to stay at Mercedes beyond his 40th birthday, snubbing interest from Ferrari in the process.
    But SunSport understands he is not expected to put pen to paper for another few weeks, as the deal passes through the lawyers.
    Mercedes’ fortunes appear to be on an upward trajectory in recent weeks, following upgrades introduced for the Monaco GP.
    Hamilton managed to grab second place a week later at the Spanish GP, with team-mate George Russell a place behind him in third.
    The race marked just Hamilton’s second podium of the season, after a third-place finish in Australia.
    Hamilton, 38, attended a Forbes event alongside Toto WolffCredit: Getty
    Sir Lewis smiles while appearing on the panelCredit: Getty More

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    Lewis Hamilton set to sign eye-watering new Mercedes deal ‘in DAYS’, reveals Toto Wolff ahead of Canadian GP

    LEWIS HAMILTON is set to sign a bumper new £50million deal “in days”, says Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.The legendary seven-time world champion only has six months left on his current contract, which is thought to be worth around £40m a year, with the Formula One team.
    Lewis Hamilton is set to sign his bumper new Mercedes contractCredit: PA
    Merc chief Toto Wolff says it will be done ‘in days’Credit: Getty
    Ferrari were reportedly interested in snapping up the 38-year-old before that interest seemed to cool.
    Now it seems that Hamilton will commit his future to Mercedes before this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
    Speaking on the likelihood of the Brit staying, Merc team principal Wolff said: “It is going to happen soon, and we are talking more days than weeks.
    “We are trying hard. I will see him today and maybe we will talk about it.
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    “We have such a good relationship that we dread the moment that we need to talk about money.”
    However, Sun Sport understands that team insiders say the deal is yet to pass through the lawyers.
    Mercedes are confident that the deal will be struck, but they are loathed to say when, as the negotiations still require some ironing out.
    SunSport understands that the sticking point had been that Merc were only offering a one-year extension to his contract, which expires in December.
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    However, that matter has now been resolved in the form of a new multi-year deal, thought to be worth around £50 million a year to Hamilton, who turns 39 in January.
    These latest negotiations follow Mercedes’ upturn in fortunes at the Spanish Grand Prix.
    Hamilton finished second while his compatriot and team-mate George Russell claimed third.
    Wolff, who was speaking to CNBC’s Squawk on the Street programme, continued: “Lewis is the most important personality in the sport.
    “He is so multi-faceted, not only with the racing, but also off track, so we need to keep him in the sport for as long as possible.
    “From a team’s perspective, Lewis and Mercedes have gone back a long time. He has never raced for any other brand than Mercedes.
    “We both joined the team in 2013 together, and from a professional relationship, we now have a friendship. It has been a wonderful time.”
    Hamilton, who is desperate for a record-breaking eighth world title, was famously pipped by Max Verstappen in the final race of the 2021 campaign.
    He has not recorded a victory since with his car suffering a number of issues and is currently 83 points off the pace this term.
    Read more on The Sun
    Wolff added: “The result in Spain was a well-deserved reward for everyone’s efforts at Brackley and Brixworth. It provides a baseline to work from, but we must also manage our expectations. It was a circuit that suited our car, and expect our direct competitors to be stronger in the next races.
    “The gap to Red Bull is large and it will take lots of hard work to close that down. Nevertheless, we’re up for the challenge.”
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    Lewis Hamilton posts glitzy selfie for first time since Shakira ‘love triangle’ rumours

    LEWIS Hamilton posted a glam selfie on social media for the first time since the Shakira “love triangle” rumours began swirling.The Formula 1 legend shared the chic snap with his 33.5million Instagram followers last night.
    The Formula 1 legend posted the glam selfie on InstagramCredit: instagram
    Hamilton had his arm around Shakira while they enjoyed dinner after the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this monthCredit: Instagram – Mustafa
    In the glitzy selfie, Hamilton can be seen with his arm tucked behind his back as he stands casually in what seems to be a lift.
    He is wearing a white button-down cardigan with a sparkling silver chain peeking through the collar.
    The racing star paired the fresh white top with smart black trousers and chunky boots as he appeared to be heading out for a night on the town.
    The glam selfie comes amid rumours that Hamilton and Waka Waka singer Shakira are dating.
    READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
    The Colombian singer was spotted cheering on the Mercedes driver at the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this month.
    The pop star was seen watching the race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as Hamilton scooped second place following Max Verstappen.
    Wearing a patterned shirt, neon pink sunglasses and a white skirt, Shakira was beaming as she watched her pal on the track.
    The two were then photographed together at a dinner with friends, following Hamilton’s race – and his arm was wrapped around Shakira’s waist.
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    The pair were joined by singer Mustafa and shared snaps of the group on Instagram.
    The singer was also spotted on a boat day with Hamilton and his pals in Miami after he picked her up from the back of her £12million beach mansion late last month.
    He made sure Shakira didn’t have too far to walk as she trotted down her private dock for the day out on the open-top cruiser.
    Shakira’s repeated rendezvous with the F1 star have caused a stir since they enjoyed a dinner together at the lavish Miami restaurant Cipriani in May.
    Smiling at each other, Shakira appeared to join 92-time race winner Lewis and pals at his table in a short video snapped by a fan.
    A source close to the couple 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.”
    But rumours of a “love triangle” have been taking over the internet as Spanish media reported that Tom Cruise was “absolutely mesmerised” by Shakira when they mingled at the Miami Grand prix last month.
    Sources claimed that Tom was “giddy” after the chat while adding that the interactions were similar to “how he acted” when he first got with his ex-wife Katie Holmes.
    But Shakira reportedly shot down his advances and instead begged the actor to leave her alone and stop flirting with her.
    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.
    “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 May after spending 11 years together, as the Spanish World Cup winner ditched the singer for Clara Chia Marti, 24.
    Shakira and Pique confirmed in November they had reached a child custody agreement after a marathon 12-hour meeting with their lawyers.
    Read more on The Sun
    They signed the accord at a court in Barcelona the following month.
    Now the pair’s two sons, Milan, ten, and Sasha, eight, are based in Miami with their mum.
    Shakira reportedly ‘begged Tom Cruise’ to stop flirting with her after pair met last monthCredit: AFP
    Hamilton picked Shakira up from her mansion for a day out in Miami with palsCredit: The Mega Agency More