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      Michael Schumacher fans’ fury as German mag touts disturbing ‘first interview’ with stricken F1 star since ski crash

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      MICHAEL Schumacher’s fans have been left fuming after a German magazine promoted an “exclusive interview” with the star.The latest cover of Die Aktuelle sparked outrage among the F1 star’s fans as it claimed to feature Schumacher’s first interview since his horror ski crash in 2013.
      The front cover claimed to have an interview with Michael Schumacher
      The interview was supposedly Michael’s first after the 2013 accidentCredit: AFP
      Little is known about Schumacher’s condition
      The magazine, dated April 15, 2023, featured a smiling Schumacher on the cover and claimed to include the star’s first interview since his accident.
      It was later revealed that the disturbing “interview” was fake- the former driver’s supposed quotes were made through an artificial intelligence programme.
      The F1 legend’s fans slammed the despicable front cover and branded it “tasteless” and “stupid.”
      Following his horrific ski accident in 2013, the 54-year-old has been in a medically induced coma – and little has been known about his condition ever since.
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      The seven-time-world champion remains at his home in Geneva, Switzerland.
      Michael’s wife Corinna – dubbed his “guardian angel” – has overseen the effort to ensure his wish for privacy is respected and is understood to have imposed a “family only” rule on visits. 
      The article, titled “My life has completely changed”, detailed “Schumacher’s” feelings about the accident, his children, and his future.
      The front cover read “World sensation” while below it said “It sounds deceptively real.”
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      The supposed quotes by Schumacher read: “My life has completely changed since [the accident]. That was a horrible time for my wife, my children and the whole family.
      “I was so badly injured that I lay for months in a kind of artificial coma, because otherwise my body couldn’t have dealt with it all.
      “I’ve had a tough time but the hospital team has managed to bring me back to my family.”
      In the end, the article concludes that the interview is in fact the result of an AI chatbot called Character.ai and the magazine has not spoken to Schumacher or anyone from his family.
      “The interview was on the internet. On a page that has to do with artificial intelligence or AI for short.”
      Media expert Boris Rosenkranz who first highlighted the deeply problematic article, wrote a comment piece about the twisted stunt and described it “too stupid to be true.”

      One of the greatest drivers of all time, the F1 ace won five times for Ferrari and twice for Benetton.
      He raced from 1991 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2012, winning 91 races.
      Michael was left in a medically induced coma after his accident while skiing off-piste on December 29, 2013 – spending three months in hospital before being released home.
      He reportedly suffered a traumatic injury to his brain – but little is known about his health.
      The lack of official updates has sparked rumours and conflicting reports from “insiders” over the years.
      Some have claimed he was in a vegetative state while others claimed he was awake and able to talk.
      But the star’s close circle remains tight-lipped about his condition.
      Corinna rarely speaks about Michael – she did so most recently on the Netflix documentary Schumacher.
      “I miss Michael every day. But it’s not just me who misses him,” she said.
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      “It’s the children, the family, his father, everyone around him.
      “I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here. Different, but he’s here and that gives us strength, I find.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton saved me from taking all the blame for Mercedes’ downfall, reveals George Russell

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      GEORGE RUSSELL claims Lewis Hamilton’s decision not to retire last year “saved him” from criticism.Hamilton decided to return in 2022 – despite the controversial end to the 2021 season when he was denied a record eighth world title by former Race Director Michael Masi’s handling of the Abu Dhabi GP.
      Hamilton and Russell are into their second season together as teammatesCredit: Splash
      And Russell says that Hamilton remaining with the Silver Arrows helped “save” his own career from taking a tonking as Mercedes struggled for performance.
      He said: “In a way, having him as a teammate saved me. If he had left Mercedes or the sport when I joined the team, I would have been blamed for the step backwards the team made.
      “But I think that I’ve now proved what I’m worth and what I can do, so there’s no pressure in that regard.
      “I’m there to do my job as well as possible and I think I’m in a very good position.
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      “So I don’t worry about statistics or whether I’m on Lewis’ pace or whatever, because I feel like I’ve already proved that over the past year.”
      Russell landed 35 points more than Hamilton last season but the seven-time world champion is believed to have allowed Mercedes to use his car to experiment with design changes.
      The constructors became more competitive as the season went on with Russell landing his first ever F1 victory in Interlagos.
      While Hamilton had to endure his first ever winless season, ending a run that had been going since his debut year in 2007.
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      With three races gone in this campaign, Hamilton leads Russell by 30 points.
      Due to the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix, motorsport fans are having to endure a three week break before the action restarts in Baku later this month. More

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      Ferrari fail in bid to have Carlos Sainz’s Australian GP penalty overturned despite livid Spaniard’s protests

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      FERRARI have failed in their bid to have Carlos Sainz’s penalty in the Australian GP overturned.The Spanish driver was hit with a five-second penalty for clattering into countryman Fernando Alonso in a hectic end to the race in Melbourne.
      Carlos Sainz crashed with Fernando Alonso during the Australian Grand PrixCredit: Rex
      Ferrari have been unable to overturn Sainz’s penalty after the raceCredit: Rex
      Sainz was livid that the penalty was applied without speaking to him first and accused the FIA of making a huge mistake.
      His Ferrari team had decided to seek a review of the incident, which ultimately dropped Sainz to 12th place and out of the points.
      However, after considering Ferrari’s appeal, which included testimonies from team boss Fred Vasseur and Sainz, the stewards deemed “there is no significant and relevant new element” that was not available at the time.
      A statement added: “The Petition is therefore dismissed…We decided that Sainz was wholly to blame for the collision.
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      “We considered the fact that this collision took place at the first corner on the first lap of the restart, when the Stewards would typically take a more lenient view of incidents.
      “However, we decided that notwithstanding that it was the equivalent of a first lap incident, we considered that there was sufficient gap for Sainz to take steps to avoid the collision and failed to do so.
      “We therefore imposed a five second time penalty.”
      Meanwhile, George Russell claims Lewis Hamilton’s decision not to retire last year “saved him” from criticism.
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      Hamilton decided to return in 2022 – despite the controversial end to the 2021 season when he was denied a record eighth world title by former Race Director Michael Masi’s handling of the Abu Dhabi GP.
      And Russell says that Hamilton remaining with the Silver Arrows helped “save” his own career from taking a tonking as Mercedes struggled for performance.
      He said: “In a way, having him as a teammate saved me. If he had left Mercedes or the sport when I joined the team, I would have been blamed for the step backwards the team made.
      “But I think that I’ve now proved what I’m worth and what I can do, so there’s no pressure in that regard.
      “I’m there to do my job as well as possible and I think I’m in a very good position.
      “So I don’t worry about statistics or whether I’m on Lewis’ pace or whatever, because I feel like I’ve already proved that over the past year.” More

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      Ben Hunt: F1 facing China crisis as Covid cancels Shanghai GP AGAIN… but can they afford to scrap it altogether?

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      PARTNERS and families of people who work in F1 must be wondering what has happened — because their loved ones still have another week at home.It seems like a long time ago that we had the Australian Grand Prix.
      Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu has joined Alfa RomeoCredit: Getty
      And there are still 12 days to go until the Azerbaijan GP.
      Aside from the winter off-season, where there are obviously no races, such a spell at home is unheard of.
      For context, the travel demands in F1 were once so tough that an enforced two-week break was inserted into the rulebook — known as the summer shutdown — amid rocketing divorce rates within the sport.
      This season sees, for the first time, an enforced winter break as teams rightly consider the impact a gruelling schedule has on their workforce.
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      The 2023 season is the longest in the sport’s history — 266 days across 23 races running from the start of March to the end of November.
      It would have been 24 but for the decision to cancel the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai — which caused this unexpected four-week break.
      This time at home might be welcome, but for Formula One it represents a problem and raises a question about the future of this race.
      The schedule is limited to a maximum of 24 races and organisers of the Chinese GP are allocated one of those slots and have another two years left to run on their contract.
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      Yet with the other 23 slots all signed up, it means F1 is at the mercy of China.
      By that I don’t mean the organisers of the GP, but the country’s Covid stance, including on quarantine, and their ability to process the incoming freight and subsequent logistics.
      It was a combination of both that saw the trigger pulled on this year’s race, F1 acting swiftly in December but maybe not quick enough to thrash out a deal for a suitable replacement.
      There is some suggestion from sources in China that F1 chiefs were too hasty to cancel this year’s race  — but maybe that was done so as to find an alternative race.
      F1 has to include the Chinese GP as part of its planning, but that means bosses are not able to sell that spot on the calendar to another bidder.
      Be that South Africa, Turkey, a second race in Saudi Arabia, or to whoever stumped up the cash.
      A hastily-arranged deal would not be as lucrative, not to mention cause a logistical problem for teams.
      The reality is that there has been no Chinese GP since 2019.
      But since then, a Chinese driver has joined the grid in Zhou Guanyu, who races for Alfa Romeo.
      And we are yet to see the full impact his arrival in the sport has had back home.
      There are currently just two Asian races on this year’s calendar — Japan and Singapore. The Middle East has twice as many.
      The simple fact is, F1 cannot really afford to have an unknown each year when it comes to the Chinese GP.
      Should they just bite the bullet and cancel the contract?
      However, with the potential for investment and sponsorship — not to mention a huge TV audience — can they afford not to at least give it another go?
      For what it is worth, I firmly believe that there will be another Chinese GP in Shanghai, I am just not too sure when that will be.
      LOAD OF BULL
      Daniil Kvyat felt betrayed by Red BullCredit: Getty
      DANIIL KVYAT says he felt “betrayed” and “stabbed in the back” when Red Bull demoted him to Toro Rosso in favour of Max Verstappen in 2016.
      Kvyat, 28, once dubbed ‘The Torpedo’ for the way he crashed into people, is now racing for Lamborghini in their World Endurance Championship.
      He has also detached himself from Russia, the country of his birth and will compete under his Italian racing licence.
      RIN-CREDIBLE
      Alex Rins won the MotoGP in AustinCredit: Reuters
      IT IS amazing to think that Alex Rins’ victory for Honda in Austin was the team’s first win in 539 days and 24 Grands Prix.
      The Japanese giants have the biggest budget and most resources in MotoGP and, finally, they have broken their horror run.
      Spaniard Rins was able to capitalise after world champion Pecco Bagnaia slid off while leading the race.
      The Italian had dominated all weekend at the Circuit of the Americas but has been left rattled by his second expensive error in consecutive races.
      He said: “Now it’s another week in a row, I don’t know why. So I am quite angry and disappointed — but not with myself.
      “I am 100 per cent sure it wasn’t my fault. We have to understand it, we don’t know how it’s happening.”
      E-XCITED
      Felipe Drugovich will drive for MaseratiCredit: Getty
      FORMULA E is returning this weekend in Berlin.
      The series then holds a rookie test on Monday where F2 champ Felipe Drugovich will drive for Maserati MSG Racing.
      Brits Jonny Edgar and Jack Aitken test for Envision.
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      Two new grandstands are set to be built for the Singapore GPCredit: Splash
      SINGAPORE GP chiefs put in two new grandstands for September’s race due to increased ticket demand.
      But those hoping to go need to get in quick because even those are selling fast and it is close to a sell-out.
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      GOR BLIMEY
      Gordon Murray unveiled the new T.33 SpiderCredit: PA
      I ATTENDED Goodwood’s 80th Members’ Meeting at the weekend.
      The highlights were seeing the Lotus Cortina race plus the unveiling of the new T.33 Spider by legendary F1 designer Gordon Murray. More

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      Mercedes star George Russell failed his first driving test then furiously confronted examiner

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      GEORGE RUSSELL confronted his examiner after failing his first driving test at the age of 17.The Mercedes star is now one of the best young drivers in F1 but there was a time when he let his confidence get the better of him.
      George Russell was very upset after failing his first driving testCredit: AFP
      Russell, 25, took up karting at the age of five so was experienced behind the wheel ahead of his first driving test.
      And his dad Steve has revealed that Russell’s skill on the track made him believe passing his test would come easy.
      But he failed his first go and that led a furious Russell to demand a showdown with his examiner.
      Steve Russell shared the story with The Times, saying: “There was just one occasion when George didn’t put the full effort in and it caused quite a commotion.
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      “He failed his first driving test at 17 because he thought that being a great driver on the track was good enough. He came home fuming that the examiner was wrong.
      “We had to go back to the test centre in King’s Lynn so George could confront him. That didn’t go down well.”
      Russell spoke about his childhood racing, revealing there could be a bad atmosphere in his home if races did not go to plan.
      He told The Times: “When I drove well, there were celebrations and the mood was great but because everyone was so emotionally and financially invested, when I suffered a poor weekend the mood was bad.
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      “Dad has always been hard on the ones he loves. As a young kid, that was difficult to deal with. The pressure didn’t just filter down to me, it affected the whole family. I felt the weight of failure and expectation.
      “If I made a silly mistake and spun off the track, I can now understand why Dad might have thought, ‘What the hell am I doing this for?’.
      “He had to work his arse off to support my racing, so if I didn’t put in enough effort, it must have been hard.” More

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      Ex-Red Bull F1 driver Robert Doornbos beaten with batons & has priceless Rolex stolen in violent attack

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      FORMER Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos was clubbed over the head by bat-wielding thieves who stole his Rolex watch.The Dutch racer, 41, was ambushed by two crooks outside his home in Amsterdam.
      Robert Doornbos was beaten by thieves who stole his watchCredit: Getty
      The former F1 driver pictured with David Coulthard, Jackie Stewart and Nico RosbergCredit: AFP
      It is thought the horror robbery was planned and the thieves used a tracking device to follow his car’s movements.
      He arrived home shortly after midnight on March 18 and was attacked by two men.
      The ex-F1 star was struck over the head and his priceless Rolex watch was swiped, along with his phone.
      He said the incident has put him off wearing flash watches.
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      Doornbos told RTL Boulevard: “It was intense.
      “I no longer wear expensive watches, only an Apple Watch, so at least I can count my steps.”
      Cops are investigating the violent attack and believe the two men responsible are aged between 25 and 30.
      A police statement said: “The victim got out of his car at around 00.15am after parking when almost immediately an unknown man approached him with an accelerated pace.
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      “He had a bat in his hand. The victim was hit in the head with the bat.
      “While the victim defended himself and called for help, he was robbed of a precious watch and his phone.
      “The duo [then] ran away from the Soetendaal, turning right in the direction of Vijverhoef.”
      Doornbos originally started out as a tennis player before giving up the sport to take up motor racing.
      He went on to compete in F1 in 2005 and 2006 for Minardi and Red Bull Racing.
      The sports star completed 11 races in his short stint and now works in punditry in the Netherlands. More

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      Lewis Hamilton should QUIT Mercedes for rival team that ‘all drivers want to race for’, says F1 legend

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been urged to quit Mercedes for Ferrari by Formula One legend Gerhard Berger.The seven-time F1 world champion is in the middle of a four-week break between races.
      Lewis Hamilton has been urged to leave MercedesCredit: Reuters
      Gerhard Berger believes he should try to race for FerrariCredit: Getty
      He used his time-off over the weekend to head to Coachella.
      Hamilton came within touching distance of winning a chaotic Australian Grand Prix last time out.
      But Max Verstappen and Red Bull once again proved to be too quick as he his second race of the season.
      Hamilton’s P2 result meant he secured his first podium of the season to lift him up to fourth in the driver standings.
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      The next race will commence on April 30 at Baku City Circuit, Azerbaijan.
      He will be hoping Mercedes can consolidate the improvement they showed in Australia by continuing to close the gap to Red Bull.
      However, Mercedes, who have admitted their car design is wrong, are not set to bring any car upgrades until May’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
      Hamilton himself has revealed his frustrations of the motor he is racing in this term, and now 63-year-old Austrian Berger, who competed in 14 F1 seasons, has urged him to look for a new team.
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      He told Marca: “If Lewis can’t get a competitive car at Mercedes and also if Red Bull’s doors are closed, why not try Ferrari in case they don’t want to give it up?
      “Maybe he can fix the problems they have. A driver’s commitment with a team it doesn’t mean anything, nobody reveals their cards.”

      Berger added: “All racing drivers want to drive for Ferrari at least once in their life.
      “Almost all the best drivers in history have been there at some point.
      “Ayrton Senna didn’t go because he knew that I couldn’t win there, maybe the same thing will happen with Lewis.”
      Meanwhile, Hamilton has learned his 2008 F1 title could be under threat after Felipe Massa revealed he is considering legal action over the Crashgate scandal.
      This is after comments made by ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone regarding the deliberate crash of Nelson Piquet Jr at the Singapore Grand Prix.
      Piquet has recently opened up on his experience and how Renault treated him “like a dog”. More

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      Mick Schumacher on ’emotional’ experience of working with engineers who were at Mercedes when dad Michael was there

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      MICK SCHUMACHER has described the ’emotional’ experience of working with engineers at Mercedes who were there when his legendary dad Michael was.Having parted company with Haas at the end of the 2022 season Schumacher has since served as a reserve driver to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at Mercedes.
      Schumacher joined Mercedes as a reserve driver for the 2023 seasonCredit: Rex
      Father Michael ended his F1 career at the teamCredit: Getty – Contributor
      By joining Mercedes, Schumacher followed in the footsteps of his father, who joined the Brackley based outfit in 2010 before finally bringing an end to his illustrious career in 2012.
      The 24-year-old detailed how working with engineers who had previously been colleagues with his dad made the role more fulfilling.
      He said: “What I really appreciate in working with those engineers is that they are genuinely listening to you and your opinion matters, and what is special from an emotional side is that many people who are working for the team now were working here when my dad was driving.”
      In a diary entry published on the Mercedes website the German explained how working as backup to the Brits has given him valuable experience.
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      He wrote: “It’s been fascinating working with Lewis and George. It’s an interesting period for me as I get to look over and work with two fantastic drivers, which you don’t always get to do.
      “I’ve learned a lot about what’s important in terms of approaching race weekends; I feel like I’ve already gained so much knowledge to add to my skill set. I didn’t think I would have learned and gained so much so early into my role.”
      The former Haas man added that he’s gained a greater understanding of the work that goes on within the paddock on a race day.
      He said: “As a driver, you usually do not get to hear what is going on between all the engineers while you are out on the track, so listening in during the sessions has been extremely interesting.
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      “I was quite shocked at the season opener in Bahrain, I did not expect the sheer amount of exchange that happens.”
      Schumacher, also explained how one of his primary responsibilities is to hone his skills in the simulator, should his services be required by the team at any point.
      He said: “My main focus up to now has been working in the simulator. Because I have raced a car under this new set of regulations, I have a good understanding of how to drive them. 
      “That has helped me in my role so far and hopefully added value for the Team. I will look to be an extra pair of eyes and resource to help with the development programme across the year.
      “The simulator team have been super kind to me and great to work with. It’s impressive to drive the sim because it’s just so advanced, and I have been pushing to do more. 
      “It’s not enough for me to just sit on the side-lines, I want to be helpful wherever I can. Of course, it’s not the real thing and I would love to be driving the W14.”
      Schumacher will be hoping to be back on the Formula one grid for the 2024 season after a year on the sidelines.
      Schumacher will be hoping to be back on the grid in 2024Credit: Rex More