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      Jeremy Clarkson keeps his word with generous gift to Alpine F1 team after they secure podium at Monaco GP

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      JEREMY CLARKSON kept his word and gifted beer to the Alpine Formula One after their podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.Esteban Ocon came third in last month’s race around the street circuit.
      Jeremy Clarkson delivered beer to the Alpine teamCredit: Adrian Sherratt
      He kept his word after he promised to buy them all a pintCredit: Adrian Sherratt
      Clarkson delivered the beer on his tractor, making the short trip from his farmCredit: Adrian Sherratt
      Esteban Ocon earned a surprise podium in MonacoCredit: Getty
      And the former Top Gear host has a soft spot for Alpine due to their base being located close to his farm in Oxfordshire.
      He tweeted during the race: “Come on Alpine. I’ll buy you all a pint if you get a podium here.”
      And he stuck to his promise and arrived at the Enstone HQ with bottles of beers on the back of his Lamborghini Tractor, as seen on the show Clarkson’s Farm.
      The 63-year-old carried crates of alcohol down from his vehicle before having a chat with Ocon.
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      Fans loved it, one said: “The GOAT himself.”
      Another reacted: “Delivery via the lambo tractor too, what a guy.”
      A third added: “A true legend.”
      The podium in Monaco was just Alpine’s third since they joined F1 in 2021.
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      Their other success came when Ocon surprisingly won in Hungary two years ago and when Fernando Alonso came third in Qatar later that season.
      Alpine’s duo of Ocon and Pierre Gasly sit ninth and tenth in the driver standings. More

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      Ferrari win Le Mans 24 Hours for first time in 58 years with forgotten F1 star behind wheel but Jenson Button struggles

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      EX-FORMULA 1 star Antonio Giovinazzi has led Ferrari to their first Le Mans 24 Hours victory in 58 YEARS.The Italian racing team had not won the iconic French event since 1965.
      Ferrari clinched victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on SundayCredit: Rex
      It is Ferrari’s first Le Mans victory since 1965Credit: EPA
      Antonio Giovinazzi, left, helped Ferrari to Le Mans gloryCredit: EPA
      But with the help of former Alfa Romeo F1 driver Giovinazzi, 29, Ferrari triumphed on Sunday.
      He was part of a three-man team which also included Britain’s James Calado and fellow Italian Alessandro Pier Guidi.
      Le Mans consists of teams racing without any intervals for a full 24 hours.
      The three drivers in each team take it in turns to drive their respective car around the track.
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      The winner is the team that has covered the most distance at the end of the 24 hours.
      Giovinazzi was on the F1 grid in 2017 and then for three more seasons between 2019 and 2021.
      He drove for Sauber and Alfa Romeo, starting 62 races and claiming 21 points.
      Britain’s Jenson Button, who won the Formula 1 world title in 2009, made his first appearance in Le Mans this year.
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      But he could only manage 33rd place out of 62 teams with Hendricks Motorsports.
      Outside of F1, Le Mans is seen as one of the major races to win to be considered one of the great drivers.
      Fernando Alonso, who has returned to F1 in recent years, has won the day-long endurance event on two occasions.
      The Indy 500 and Daytona Classic are other races in the same bracket.
      And Button has claimed the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen need to quit F1 and compete in Le Mans before they can be considered the best in the world.
      Speaking to The Times, he said: “There’s every possibility that Max [Verstappen] could go down as the greatest but I like the idea that you can’t be the best driver in the world if you haven’t stepped outside of F1.
      “Fernando has done a phenomenal job. He left F1 and came and raced in Le Mans and Daytona, won both, then won Le Mans again.
      “I don’t think his performance has dropped away in his forties.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen need to QUIT F1 to be considered best in the world claims former team-mate

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      LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen need to leave Formula 1 and branch out if they are to be considered the best drivers in the world, according to Jenson Button.Hamilton, 38, holds the record of seven F1 world titles alongside Michael Schumacher.
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are both yet to race outside of F1Credit: Getty
      Jenson Button is competing in Le Mans for the first time this yearCredit: Rex
      Verstappen, 25, has won the last two drivers’ championships and is on course to make it three in a row after five wins from the opening seven races of the 2023 season.
      But 2009 F1 world champion Button, 43, who was Hamilton’s team-mate at McLaren from 2010 to 2012, has now given a surprising take.
      Button is competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time this weekend.
      And he has highlighted that the likes of Fernando Alonso, 41, – who has won Le Mans and the Daytona Classic as well as two F1 world titles – can boast victories that Hamilton and Verstappen are yet to achieve outside of motorsport’s flagship discipline.
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      Speaking to The Times, he said: “There’s every possibility that Max [Verstappen] could go down as the greatest but I like the idea that you can’t be the best driver in the world if you haven’t stepped outside of F1.
      “Fernando has done a phenomenal job. He left F1 and came and raced in Le Mans and Daytona, won both, then won Le Mans again.
      “I don’t think his performance has dropped away in his forties.”
      Hamilton, who has not won an F1 race for 18 months, has claimed he will not retire from the sport until he clinches a record-breaking eighth title.
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      But Verstappen looks more dominant than ever with his Red Bull team.
      Last weekend in Barcelona, he finished 24 seconds ahead of second-place Hamilton.
      Yet despite playing catch-up to his Dutch rival, Button insists he believes the legendary Brit is in a positive head-space.
      He added: “I think he’s in a good place, which is great.
      “The difficult years make you as a driver, and he’s not had so many of them.
      “But he’s still performing unbelievably well, and he seems a more complete human being than he probably was back then.” More

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      Jenson Button ‘doesn’t talk to Lewis Hamilton’ but says ex-team-mate now ‘more complete human’ than time together in F1

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      JENSON BUTTON has insisted that Lewis Hamilton is a more “complete human” now compared to when they were team-mates.The two Brits raced together while at McLaren Mercedes’ F1 team between 2010 and 2012.
      Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were team-mates at McLaren MercedesCredit: AFP
      However they do not talk away from media dutiesCredit: AFP or licensors
      During their time as team-mates, Hamilton and Button were close competitors.
      Hamilton, 38, picked up ten wins and 22 podiums, whereas Button, 43, won eight races and earned 27 other podium finishes.
      Despite Hamilton’s legacy in the sport, in this period he scored 657 points while his team-mate was able to earn even more with 672.
      The pair had many memorable wheel-to-wheel duals as well as a public fallout when Hamilton tweeted a picture of Button’s top-secret telemetry during the 2012 Belgian GP.
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      According to The Times, the pair do not talk away from media duties, but Button has claimed that Hamilton has grown as a human.
      The retired racer also praised the standard to which his former team-mate is still driving at.
      He told The Times: “I think he’s in a good place, which is great.
      “The difficult years make you as a driver, and he’s not had so many of them.
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      “But he’s still performing unbelievably well, and he seems a more complete human being than he probably was back then.”
      Button is instead closer to Hamilton’s current team-mate George Russell.
      The 2009 Formula One World Championship winner has also praised veteran racer Fernando Alonso but insisted the Spaniard’s longevity has not made him regret getting out of the F1 driver’s seat.
      He added: “I had different ideas. I started a family and I don’t want to miss them all the time and them feel like their dad isn’t around.
      “Motor racing can be very stressful.
      “That’s why I retired from F1 because I felt like I had nothing new to learn.
      “I wanted to do things that I enjoyed. That’s why I’m at Le Mans.” More

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      Shakira and Lewis Hamilton ‘are in early stages of dating’ after sparking romance rumours with cosy dinners

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      COLOMBIAN star Shakira and Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton are rumoured to be spending more time together.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 pair were spotted cosying up after the Spanish Grand Prix
      The pop star and Hamilton have been at the centre of dating rumours
      The source said: “They’re spending time together and in the ‘getting to know you’ stage.
      “It’s fun and flirty.”
      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.
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      The short video appears to show the singer being shepherded over towards Lewis, 38.

      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.
      This week the two were photographed together at a dinner with friends, following Hamilton’s race at the Spanish Grand Prix – and Hamilton’s arm was wrapped around her.
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      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.
      “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.
      The footie star has come under fire after it was reported she rumbled his alleged affair thanks to a jar of strawberry jam.
      Rumours have swirled that Shakira first smelt a rat after taking a look in her fridge at their five-storey mansion.
      The songstress is said to have returned home from a period of travelling to find a jar of her strawberry jam had been eaten.
      It’s been claimed that Pique follows a strict diet and would not have tucked into the jam – and neither would her children.
      The She Wolf singer is then said to have come to the conclusion that someone else – more specifically another woman – had been in her home, and her fridge.
      Read more on The Sun
      Now the pair’s two sons, Milan, ten, and Sasha, eight, are based in Miami with their mum.
      Representatives for Lewis and Shakira so far haven’t commented on the swirling rumours.
      Shakira was seen approaching his table while at dinner in a Miami restaurant
      The F1 star has been racing in Miami and Spain
      Shakira has been spotted at both races
      The two were also seen on a boat in Biscayne BayCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      F1 faces THIRD race cancellation of the season with Canadian Grand Prix at risk amid raging forest fires

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      FORMULA ONE chiefs have spoken out amid fears that forest fires across Canada could force a THIRD race of the season to be cancelled.The circuit is set to return to Canada for the seventh race of the 2023 season on June 18.
      The Canadian GP is at risk of being cancelled due to wildfires across QuebecCredit: AFP
      Canada would be the third race cancelled or postponed this season after Imola and ChinaCredit: Reuters
      But a reported 160 fires are burning throughout the Quebec region, north east of where the race is held in Montreal.
      More than 15,000 Quebec residents have been forced to evacuate the area, which could cause problems for the race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
      F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali is closely monitoring the situation according to reports.
      Bosses have attempted to calm fears that the race could be called off.

      An F1 spokesman said on Thursday: “The event is not at risk, and we have been assured by all the relevant information that the situation in Montreal is different to other parts of the country and northern US”.
      The situation in Canada comes just a few weeks after F1 was forced to cancel the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix due to heavy flooding.
      While the Chinese Grand Prix was cancelled before the season even began due to COVID-19.
      The provisional record 24-race calendar could be reduced to 21 if the race is cancelled in Montreal.
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      According to Canada’s Emergency Minister Bill Blair, 9.4 million acres have already burned, which is larger than the US state of Maryland.
      Smoke from the wildfires has been thrown as far west as Chicago and as far south as New York City.
      The situation has prompted worries that a change of wind direction could impact Montreal, which is due to hold the GP next weekend.
      Blazes across Canada have thrown smoke across North America – reaching New York CityCredit: AFP More

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      F1 legend spots ‘good sign’ for Lewis Hamilton ahead of Canadian GP as Brit icon targets record eighth world title

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’s positivity about his upgraded car is a “good sign”, says F1 legend Damon Hill.The Silver Arrows demonstrated their best car performance in the Spanish Grand Prix, with both Hamilton and George Russell finishing on the podium.
      Hamilton finished second in the Spanish GPCredit: Alamy
      F1 Champion Damon Hill spotted a good sign for HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Hamilton, 38, finished second behind only Max Verstappen, as Red Bull showed there is still some way to go before they can be caught. 
      Mercedes brought its first major upgrade package of the season, including a new bodywork, revised floor and front suspension configuration.
      The seven-time world champion revealed it was the best he’d felt in the car for 15 months.
      F1 legend Damon Hill said: “it is a good sign” that Hamilton is positive about his car again after his public criticism of his Mercedes team this season.

      Hill said: “To hear Lewis say ‘I’m enjoying driving the car’. That’s a good sign.
      “They have gone and done what he has been pleading with them to do and they have seen some progress, so well done Lewis.”
      He added: “Mercedes showed in the race they’ve leapfrogged the threat from Aston Martin and Ferrari on a circuit.
      “I think there are encouraging signs there for Mercedes definitely”.
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      There is renewed optimism that the Silver Arrows’ revised car design can help deliver them a much needed boost in the form of a victory.
      Both Hamilton and team-mate Russell managed to hold off Sergio Perez, who started 11th on the grid.
      Rivals Ferrari continued to struggle for pace, and Aston Martin were not as competitive as they have been at other circuits this season.
      This comes as Hamilton made no attempt to hide his dissatisfaction with the lack of progress made from last season.
      Speaking to the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast in March, he said: “Last year, I told them the issues related to the car.
      “Like, I’ve driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn’t need.”
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year

      The double-podium finish at the Spanish GP will be encouraging for the 38-year-old.
      Mercedes can continue to improve for next season, where they hope to challenge for the title – which would be a record eighth for Hamilton.
      It comes after Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confidently insisted he will keep leading the team until Hamilton gets his historic eighth championship.
      Read more on The Sun
      The British icon has achieved 2 podium finishes so far this season and is fourth in driver standings, 83 points behind leader Verstappen.
      And he will look to get on the podium again at the Canadian GP next week on June 18.
      Hamilton achieved their first double podium of the season at the Spanish GPCredit: Rex More

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      Sky Sports suspend two F1 commentators after sexism storm which saw female reporter fume at colleague on live TV

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      SKY SPORTS have suspended two Formula One commentators after sexist remarks made live on air.Matteo Bobbi, who spent three years as a Minardi test driver in F1, and Davide Valsecchi, an Italian former racing driver and the 2012 GP2 Series champion, have been temporarily stood down from their Italian channel by the broadcaster.
      Sky Sport Italy have suspended F1 commentators Matteo Bobbi and Davide Valsecchi for sexist remarks on airCredit: Sky Sport Italy
      From the studio Bobbi pointed to a woman behind Valsecchi, in the paddock, and called her an ‘upgrade package’Credit: Sky Sport Italy
      Co-host Federica Masolin was standing alongside Valsecchi and looked fumingCredit: Sky Sport Italy
      She then read out a viewer’s comment that led to more jokingCredit: Sky Sport Italy
      It comes after comments they made during the post-race analysis of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.
      The former drivers were talking about the race when Bobbi, 45, began a sexist joke with his colleague.
      He was in the studio speaking to 36-year-old Valsecchi, who was in the paddock at trackside, when he pointed to a woman in the background and referred to her as an “upgrade package”.
      That led to Valsecchi responding: “I already know them but they told me I can’t test them. So I raise my hands.”
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      But their exchange on Sky Sport Italia went down like a lead balloon with the other broadcasters they were working with.
      Federica Masolin was standing alongside Valsecchi and instantly produced a stern stare towards him before telling the pair to “be careful”.
      As the joke continued, she grew more furious, and that led to her adding: “Can we watch some interviews instead of these two?
      “Let’s hear from Carlos Sainz, please. I’m going to censure you two.”
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      Masolin continued to read a viewer’s comment after the interview clip that said: “Fabio is concerned for your physical safety, Matteo and Davide.
      “Will they be safe and sound, after this gag, at the next Grand Prix. Appreciated by all their wives?”
      Bobbi responded with: “Well when I get home I’ll get a beating, probably. Sorry, Davide.”
      Valsecchi continued to joke, adding: “Well you know I’ve had eye surgery twice because I’ve been losing sight since I was a child, looking at those things.”
      Both individuals have now apologised over their comments with Valsecchi writing on Instagram: “I’m so sorry, because on Sunday in the post-race I fell into an exchange of bad-tasteful jokes and used unsuitable and disrespectful words. And I’m not.
      “This is why I would like to apologise to those who felt offended, to women and to Sky. Really.”
      Bobbi also said: “After the race I was the protagonist of a joke that came out in a completely unhappy way, although it was not in my intentions I generated an unpleasant moment that made the sensitivity of some people suffer. I ended up in gravel.
      “Being anything but a disrespectful person I sincerely apologise to those who felt offended by reiterating my total and deep respect for everyone and towards women, particularly starting with the beautiful woman next to me.
      “For 10 years I have been commenting on F1 with the friends of Sky, a family now and in 10 years I had never found myself in such an unpleasant situation.

      “I’ve always thought that from mistakes you understand, learn and start again. What happened will lead me to try to improve further as a man and as a professional.”
      Now both men will be absent from the coverage for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. More