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      Spice Girl Geri Horner awkwardly left husband Christian red-faced when he went in for kiss the first time they met

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      SPICE GIRL Geri Horner embarrassed husband Christian the first time he tried to kiss her.The Red Bull chief has been in a relationship with Ginger Spice for ten years, seven of which have been as husband and wife.
      Geri Horner embarrassed husband Christian the first time they metCredit: AFP
      But it took a while for their love to blossom and Horner revealed he was left red-faced the first time he tried to kiss Geri.
      Unfortunately for Horner the incident happened in public – in front of Eddie Jordan and ex-McLaren chief Ron Dennis.
      Horner recalled the incident in an interview with The Telegraph, saying: “She was a guest of Bernie Ecclestone’s in Monaco one year and came down the pit lane.
      “I remember [McLaren boss] Ron Dennis was standing next to me and Eddie Jordan was there as well. Anyway, she gave Ron a kiss on the cheek, and she gave Eddie a kiss on the cheek.
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      “So I thought, ‘OK, I’m on for a kiss on the cheek here!’ And I went to give her one and she shoved her hand out at me!”
      A second meeting at a clay pigeon shooting event at Highclere Castle faired only marginally better, with Geri scrutinising Horner’s favouring of then Red Bull driver Sebastien Vettel over his team-mate Mark Webber.
      Geri reflected on that day saying: “I still call him out sometimes. As any wife does.”
      The pair have one son together named Montague, aged 6, and Geri is often seen by her husband’s side on the F1 circuit.
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      Geri even comforted Horner after he broke down in tears following Max Verstappen’s championship win last season.
      The couple owns two luxury mansions in Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire, with the former housing three miniature donkeys, horses and goats in the estate’s stables. More

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      Why do F1 cars spark?

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      FORMULA ONE cars have an impressive list of parts to make them go as fast as possible around tracks.But fans noticed a particularly striking feature that stands out during night races such as the recent Bahrain Grand Prix – showers of sparks following the cars as they race across the tarmac.
      Sparks fly from Leclerc’s Ferrari during a race in BahrainCredit: AFP
      Why do F1 cars spark?
      Formula One cars have titanium skid blocks underneath which produce the spectacular sparks seen at tracks like Spa.
      These skid blocks protect the wooden planks which make up part of the floor of the car. When the car is at high speeds, it gets pressed down onto the track from aerodynamic forces.
      The floor then scrapes along the track, producing a light show behind the car as it drives.
      Sparks from the back of a Red Bull as its floor hits the groundCredit: AP
      Sparks have been a part of the sport since the late Eighties, with teams running their cars as low to the ground as possible to create more downforce.
      Especially when full of fuel, the material underneath the cars would scrape along the tarmac, making the infamous sparks we see so often during races.
      However, the FIA introduced titanium blocks back in 2015 under then race director Charlie Whiting. Whilst the material was brought in as a safety feature, another impact was making the sport more exciting to watch on screen.
      Do the sparks impact driving?
      The sparks are great to watch on television but can be distracting for the drivers.
      After a race in Bahrain a few years ago, Carlos Sainz said “It looks great on TV, but for the drivers it is not pleasant at all”.
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      Sparks can be distracting for drivers behindCredit: Getty
      Former race car driver Nigel Mansell would even seek out bumps in the track to create sparks in order to distract drivers close behind.
      Why are there more sparks at certain circuits?
      Some tracks are more susceptible to producing sparks. Circuits like Spa-Francorchamps that have hills cause many blinding displays as the cars skid along the track.
      Night races such as Jeddah and Abu Dhabi also give impressive displays with the sparks standing out against the night sky. More

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      Disgraced F1 legend ‘faces £1.6million fine’ over racist abuse of Lewis Hamilton two years ago

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      DISGRACED Formula One great Nelson Piquet is reportedly facing a massive lawsuit over his racist comments about Sir Lewis Hamilton.Video footage emerged last February of the three-time world champion using the N-word to describe Hamilton and making homophobic comments about the Mercedes ace after the 2021 British Grand Prix
      Nelson Piquet used racist and homophobic language to describe Sir Lewis HamiltonCredit: AFP
      Piquet issued an apology for his description of Hamilton but is facing a civil lawsuit in his native BrazilCredit: PA
      Piquet is being sued for a whopping £1.6millionCredit: GETTY
      Piquet made the disgraceful jibe during an appearance on a podcast in Brazil, where he’s facing a civil suit.
      According to O Globo, the former Williams ace – the father of reigning champion Max Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly – is facing a £1.6million lawsuit from the National LGBT+ Alliance and other groups.
      Brazil’s Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Federal District has also joined the campaign to have the 70-year-old reprimanded.
      Their petition read: “During the ill-fated interview in which the defendant comments on an accident that occurred at the Silverstone Grand Prix, in England, in July 2021, he refers multiple times to Lewis Hamilton with contempt, without even mentioning the name of the English pilot, referring to him only as ‘n*****’, and also incurring homophobia.
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      “In the case under discussion, violations of the rights of the victim and the black and LGBTQIA+ population were configured, considering both the plan of international and national regulations.”
      Piquet issued a grovelling apology for his comments, which he insisted weren’t racist.
      He said: “I would like to clear the stories circulating in the media about a comment I made in an interview last year.
      “What I said was ill thought out, and I make no defence for it, but I will clarify that the term used is one that has widely and historically been used in Brazilian Portuguese for a synonym for ‘guy’ or ‘person’ and was never intended to offend.
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      Piquet’s daughter Kelly is the girlfriend of reigning F1 Chmp Max VerstappenCredit: GETTY
      “I would never use the word I have been accused of in some translations.
      “I strongly condemn any suggestion that the word was used by me with the aim of belittling a driver because of his skin colour.
      “I apologise wholeheartedly to anyone that was affected, including Lewis, who is an incredible driver, but the translation in some media that is now circulating on social media is not correct.
      “Discrimination has no place in F1 or society and I am happy to clarify my thoughts in that respect.”
      But his apology wasn’t enough to stop him from being banned from the F1 paddock.
      Sir Lewis said of Piquet’s comments: “Let’s focus on changing the mindset.
      “It’s more than language. These archaic mindsets need to change and have no place in our sport.
      “I’ve been surrounded by these attitudes and targeted my whole life. There has been plenty of time to learn. Time has come for action.”
      The F1 season will resume a week on Sunday with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. More

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      Jenson Button signs mega deal to return to racing six years after F1 retirement

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      JENSON BUTTON has signed a three-race deal to join Nascar six years after retiring from Formula One.The Brit was crowned F1 champion in 2009 and has enjoyed a career in punditry since calling it quits in 2017.
      Jenson Button has signed a three-race deal with NascarCredit: AP
      Button will drive the No. 15 Ford for Rick Ware RacingCredit: Reuters
      But now he is set to take to the track once again, trying his hand at Nascar in the USA.
      Button will make his debut in the stock car series in Texas on March 26.
      He then faces a bit of a wait until his next race – the inaugural Chicago Street Race on July 2, before racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course on August 13.
      Button’s pay has not been disclosed but top drivers in Nascar can earn tens of millions of pounds for the season.
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      Speaking about the new venture, Button said: “The most important thing for me is to enjoy it.
      “I love that challenge of driving new things.
      “Every time an ex-F1 driver gets in a stock car these days, they struggle initially.
      “It takes a while for them to get up to speed, so I don’t expect to be right at the front straight away. But I’m not just doing it for fun in some one-off.
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      “I want to be competitive, and I know that to be competitive it’s going to take a bit of time. That’s why doing these three races works very well this season.”
      Button will drive the No. 15 Ford for the small Rick Ware Racing team, and the car will have support from Stewart-Haas Racing and sponsorship from Mobil 1. More

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      F1 star George Russell boasts glam lifestyle, driving a £140k car and enjoys romantic breaks away with girlfriend Carmen

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      BRITISH F1 racer George Russell outshone his more illustrious team mate Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes last season.The rising star, 25, picked up his first-ever F1 win with victory in the Brazilian GP – and he finished within the points in Bahrain last week.
      Mercedes driver George Russell, pictured with girlfriend Carmen, enjoys a lavish lifestyle away from the F1 circuitCredit: Instagram / @carmenmmundt
      George Russell joined Mercedes last season and is already providing competition for Lewis HamiltonCredit: PA
      Russell, pictured next to Lewis Hamilton in 2010, as an aspiring F1 champ
      He moved to the reigning F1 constructors champions last season – earning a bumper £5MILLION payday.
      That helps the talented racer continue to fund his enviable lifestyle… even though he’s still some way short of team-mate Hamilton’s mega £40m pay-grade.
      Russell currently rents a flat in an affluent area of London, but he has plans to join many F1 colleagues in millionaires’ playground Monaco.
      Away from the racing circuit, the Norfolk-born star drives a £140,000 car – fittingly a Mercedes AMG GT.
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      He also manages to enjoy luxurious breaks away to stunning destinations like St Barts and Santorini, and is joined by glam girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt.
      Russell already leads a playboy lifestyle, despite his tender years.
      KING’S LYNN TO A KING’S RANSOM
      Rising star Russell was born in King’s Lynn to father Steve and mother Alison.
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      The youngest of three children, he has a sister, Cara and older brother, Benjy.
      He caught the racing bug when he started go karting at the age of seven alongside Benjy, who was involved in competitive karting.
      But by 18, he moved to Milton Keynes to be closer to British Formula 3 Championship racing team, Hitech.
      In early 2017, he joined Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport as a part of their junior driver programme.
      A year later, Williams announced that Russell had signed a multi-year deal to drive for their team.
      By the age of seven, Russell was kartingCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      George’s older brother spent his youth competing in karting
      Russell celebrates victory in Race 1 of the FIA GP3 championship at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor
      As soon as he was thrust into the spotlight, Russell’s love life was placed under the microscope.
      He met stunning Seychelle de Vries, who was once linked to Max Verstappen, when he raced in Formula 2 in 2017.
      They reportedly dated for three years, before calling it quits.
      Now, Russell is courting the stunning Carmen Montero Mundt.
      Last year, the pair were spotted on holiday in St Barts together kissing on a sunlounger and frolicking in the sea.
      While last August, Russell was spotted enjoying a break in Santorini.
      Most recently, they shared some loved up snaps enjoying the country side.
      Seychelle de Vries dated Russell for three years
      Carmen Montero Mundt is Russell’s current girlfriendCredit: Splash
      Last year, Russell and Carmen were spotted on a dream holiday in St BarthsCredit: Splash
      Russell and Carmen seen together before the Dutch Grand PrixCredit: Rex
      Most recently, Russell enjoyed a trip to the country sideCredit: Instagram / @carmenmmundt
      COMPANY CAR
      Call it fate, but Russell has always had a penchant for Mercedes.
      On top of his current swanky Mercedes AMG GT, he has always favoured the car manufacturer as his ride.
      He’s been spotted with TWO AMG C 63 motors that cost in the region of £80,000.
      Russell proudly displays his cars on social media to nearly four million followers.
      About the AMG GT, that’s capable of reaching 0-60mph in just three seconds, he wrote on Instagram: “Love my little rocket!”
      Russell shows off his prized possession – a £140,000 Mercedes AMG GTCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Russell once said about his AMG GT, ‘Love my little rocket!’Credit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Through the years, Russell has also been spotted with two AMG C 63 Mercedes carsCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      The AMG C 63 costs around £80,000Credit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      HE’S A STUDENT OF THE SPORT
      One of Russell’s many heroes is the late, great Niki Lauda.
      In 2017, the up-and-comer got the opportunity to meet his hero in Baku after a race.
      Lauda even took the student to a Black Eyed Peas concert, after meeting him at a hotel.
      Russell became friends with the three-time F1 champ, and would often lean on him for advice.
      During lockdown last year, Russell shared a picture of himself reading Lauda’s autobiography.
      While he was stuck at home when the coronavirus pandemic was at its height, he made sure he continued to workout and stay in shape.
      He also fitted an F1 simulator to polish up on his driving skills in his bedroom.
      Niki Lauda was an influence on Russell in his early yearsCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Russell shared an image reading Lauda’s autobiography during lockdownCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Devoted Russell has his own F1 sim in his homeCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      HEALTHY LIVING
      Crucial to Russell is his diet plan.
      Regularly, he shares snaps on social media of what he eats – and it’s never unhealthy.
      From poke bowls to fresh salads, the athlete makes sure he’s putting the right food in his body.
      Coupled with going to the gym, it’s what keeps Russell in peak condition and lean for a race car.
      Aside from driving, and working out seven days a week, Russell also likes to play squash and get out on his mountain bike.
      LOVES SPORT
      Playing and competing in sport just isn’t enough for Russell.
      When he has some downtime, he’s happy to sit in front of the TV and watch a live event.
      During the Euros last year, he shared an image online cheering on England. The football fan is a devoted Wolves supporter, like his dad.
      While last year, he encouraged his followers to comment who they felt would win the Indy 500, which he was tuned into.
      Fitness fanatic Russell plays a variety of sports including squash and loves riding on his mountain bikeCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      A healthy salad is Russell’s go-to mealCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Football fan Russell cheered on England during the Euros last yearCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Joining Mercedes has earned Russell a huge payday so he can continue to enjoy the high-lifeCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      And in 2019, he was in the stands at Twickenham to cheer on England against France in the Six Nations.
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      This year, it’s Russell who is getting all the cheers in the Mercedes car.
      They could just have the next British F1 champ on their hands too.
      Watch F1 star Sebastian Vettel run to get fire extinguisher after smoke rises from his Aston Martin on Belgian GP track More

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      Toto Wolff demands salary cap to be LOWERED than what £40m-a-year F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen get

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff says F1’s plans to impose a salary cap on drivers should be LOWER than what top earns Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen currently get paid.The sport’s bosses are keen to reduce drivers’ wages as part of their push to reduce costs.
      Toto Wolff reckons the new salary cap should be LESS than Lewis Hamilton’s £40m a yearCredit: Getty
      How much F1 stars earn
      Hamilton and Verstappen earn around £40million a year, with their contracts running until the end of 2023 and 2028, respectively.
      Drivers reacted angrily to the proposal in Baku last year but Wolff, who is a three-way owner of the Mercedes team, says he is in favour of the cap.
      He said: “It certainly has come up as a controversial topic. We can see that we are facing a very difficult situation in F1 overall.
      “The sport is booming and F1 is earning more money and that trickles down to the teams.
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      “But we have a cost cap. We have $140million for 1,000 people. With inflation, we haven’t been able to even pay the inflation.
      “The talk about $30 or $40m salary allowance is inadequate when you take that perspective.
      “Clearly the drivers will have an opinion on that. Maybe as a driver I would say the same thing, but the US American leagues that are the most successful in the world have introduced salary caps 15 years ago. It works pretty well over there.
      “We need to find a way of how we can act sustainably and become independent from sovereign funds or state-owned teams.
      Wolff is a three-way owner of the Mercedes teamCredit: AFP
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      “Therefore it is certainly clear that this is going to be one of the main areas because you can’t simply have a salary bill in some of the top teams that is 30, 40, 50m when the rest of the team needs to be divided in 140m.
      “But having said that, they are tremendous superstars, they deserve to be among the top earners in the sport.
      “In terms of direct salaries they already are and then we need to find a way of unlocking the capability of doing endorsement deals which is two-thirds if not more for US American sports teams.
      “But certainly, direct salaries, F1 drivers are paid the most.” More

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      Incredible new pics show how Las Vegas Grand Prix will look… but most anticipated F1 race ever will NOT be cheap

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      STUNNING new images have given F1 fans a glimpse of what to expect at the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix.The Sin City race is scheduled for November and will see drivers fly across the famous Vegas strip.
      Las Vegas will host a Grand Prix for the first time ever in NovemberCredit: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
      The MSG Sphere, right, will open in September and be located right by the race trackCredit: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
      The race will fly down the Vegas strip and be flanked by a huge grandstandCredit: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
      New photos have now emerged showing how the Grand Prix will look in the west-coast state.
      And it promises to be a breathtaking track fitted with a huge grandstand next to the start/finish line.
      The race will zip by a number of Vegas landmarks including the MSG Sphere – which will open in September – as well as Treasure Island, The Mirage, the Bellagio Hotel and Caesars Palace.
      The track design is 3.8 miles long from start to finish with top speeds estimated to be over 212 mph.
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      There will be 50 race laps with three main straights and 14 corners, including a high-speed cornering sequence and a single chicane section.
      However, the CHEAPEST three-day ticket is set to cost a whopping £418.
      And while that will get you access to the Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it will still not secure you a seat in the stands.
      They go on sale on March 24, but Paddock Club tickets are already sold out despite being listed at £12,500 per person.
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      The race will fly by a host of Vegas’ famous landmarks
      It promises to be an incredible setting for an F1 raceCredit: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA)
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      Speaking about the new track, Greg Maffei, Liberty Media President and CEO, said: “Iconic Las Vegas and Formula One, the pinnacle of motorsport, is the perfect marriage of speed and glamour.
      “Our confidence in this unique opportunity is evident in our decision to assume the promoter role for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in partnership with Live Nation.
      “We could not be more excited to work with our local partners to create a marquee event.
      “The potential of Formula One has been well demonstrated over the last several seasons and the Las Vegas GP will only take it to the next level.”
      F1 has attracted a huge following in the US, thanks largely to Netflix’s Drive to Survive series.
      And Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One, added: “This is an incredible moment for Formula One that demonstrates the huge appeal and growth of our sport with a third race in the US.
      “Las Vegas is a destination known around the world for its excitement, hospitality, thrills, and of course, the famous Strip.
      “There is no better place for Formula One to race than in the global entertainment capital of the world and we cannot wait to be here next year.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Reigning world champion Max Verstappen kicked off the 2023 season in dominant fashion with a comfortable win in Bahrain.
      Team-mate Sergio Perez made it a one-two for Red Bull, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in third. More

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      Mercedes ‘hold emergency meeting’ after disastrous F1 season opener as Lewis Hamilton slams car’s issues in Bahrain GP

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      MERCEDES have reportedly held an emergency meeting following their disastrous start to the F1 season.Red Bull dominated in Bahrain with Max Verstappen taking the chequered flag and team-mate Sergio Perez finishing second.
      Mercedes held an emergency meeting following the Bahrain horror showCredit: Rex
      Lewis Hamilton vented his frustrations at the team after they ignored his adviceCredit: PA
      Mercedes were way off the pace with Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finishing fifth and seventh respectively.
      That led to a team meeting according to reports in Italy.
      It is claimed technical director Mike Elliot was handed an ultimatum and told to fix the issues with the W14.
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has admitted his team already face a difficult task to catch up with their rivals, and accepts a title challenge may be impossible.
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      He is also stuck between developing the W14 or scrapping the car and coming up with a new design capable of competing with Red Bull.
      Hamilton urged his team to try and develop the current model into a car capable of winning races, though he also vented his frustrations with his team after they failed to listen to his advice.
      He said: “Last year, there were things I told them, I said the issues that are with the car.
      “I’ve driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn’t need. And I think it’s really about accountability.
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      “It’s about owning up and saying, ‘Yeah, you know what? We didn’t listen to you. It’s not where it used to be and we’ve got to work’.
      “We’ve got to look into the balance through the corners, look at all the weak points and just huddle up as a team, that’s what we do.
      “We’re still multi world champions you know, it’s just they haven’t got it right this time, they didn’t get it right last year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get it right moving forwards.” More