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      F1 fans ‘crying’ as Sebastian Vettel shares picture of Michael Schumacher nearly decade after horror ski accident

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      FORMULA ONE fans have been left emotional after Sebastian Vettel shared a throwback picture with Michael Schumacher. The four-times world champion retired from the sport at the end of last season after a sensational racing career spanning almost 15 years.

      Vettel said goodbye to F1 at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
      He long admired fellow German and F1 legend Schumacher, who won seven titles across the 90s and 2000s.
      Schumacher was involved in a ski accident in 2013 and has not been seen in public since.
      But Vettel shared an old picture of the ex-Ferrari driver which touched many F1 fans.
      The Instagram snap showed Schumacher knelt over a young Vettel, sat in a small silver go-kart.
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      Wearing a red cap, Schumacher looks over Vettel while holding a flag in his right hand.
      A small audience of people are visible in the background for the competitive karting race in Germany.
      Vettel captioned the photo: “Receiving last Orders (NRW Cup Final, Kerpen, Germany).”
      Fans were loving the heartfelt photo.
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      One wrote: “This right here. This is cute.”
      Another said: “Seb, I don’t want to cry but now you are making me.”
      A third said: “Who’s cutting onions man?”
      Schumacher won the world championship in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton and then every year from 2000 to 2004 at Ferrari.
      Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson would all win F1’s greatest prize before Vettel began his own reign of dominance between 2010 and 2013 for Red Bull.
      In recent years Vettel has taken up a mentoring role for Michael’s son Mick, who is now a reserve driver with Mercedes after two years racing with Haas.
      Mick posted his own emotional message to his father earlier this month on Michael’s birthday. More

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      F1 hero Jackie Stewart gives heartbreaking health update on dementia-stricken wife as he reveals she can no longer walk

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      SIR JACKIE STEWART revealed his wife Lady Helen can no longer walk due to her dementia.The Formula One legend explained Helen, 81, was first diagnosed with the condition seven years ago.
      Sir Jackie Stewart spoke about wife Helen on Good Morning BritainCredit: Getty
      The pair were childhood sweethearts and married in 1962Credit: Tom Farmer
      Stewart and Helen celebrate after victory at the 1969 Dutch Grand PrixCredit: Alamy
      Stewart and Helen at Wimbledon in 2019Credit: Getty
      But she has now worsened and has trouble remembering conversations as well as being left unable to walk.
      Stewart, 83, says she is still “wonderful” ahead of her 82nd birthday on Saturday.
      Appearing on Good Morning Britain, he said: “She’s wonderful, of course, she can no longer walk, sadly.
      “And now if I have a chat with her as I do a lot, very quickly the last conversation disappears.
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      “Helen was identified about seven years ago, but it’s now pretty bad, and she has a birthday actually, coming up this weekend on Saturday.
      “She doesn’t want to hear this, but she is, I think, going to be 82. She’s always been a great looker.”
      Stewart continued by explaining he has seven nurses who take care of Helen, providing around the clock support.
      In 2018, he set up the charity Race Against Dementia and also spoke about the severity of the condition.
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      Stewart added: “I am very, very fortunate because of my racing career, I can afford to have seven neuro nurses looking after Helen.
      “Two at a time, because it’s 24 hours a day, but few people can afford that, and really, dementia is now the biggest killer in the world, even more than cancer.
      “There’s more people dying of dementia than cancer and the latest statistic is one in three people are going to die of dementia and yet there is no cure.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘offered £62 MILLION per season extension to F1 Mercedes deal but huge world champion bonus removed’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has reportedly been offered a mega £62million-a-year extension to his Mercedes contract.His current deal expires at the end of the 2023 season.
      Lewis Hamilton has reportedly been offered a new Mercedes deal worth £60mCredit: AP
      Merc chief Toto Wolff is relaxed about the situationCredit: PA
      However, the reported new contract does not include the whopping £22million bonus for winning the World Championship that is in his current deal.
      Instead, French outlet 20 Minutes say Hamilton, 38, has been offered a two-year deal worth £62m-a-year.
      His current deal is worth a reported £40m-a-year.
      So instead of potentially earning a bonus £22m for winning a record eighth world title, Hamilton will reportedly see his base salary increase by that figure.
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      The deal is also rumoured to include a 10-year ambassadorial role for when he does eventually retire, worth £22m-a-year.
      Mercedes sponsor Ineos, founded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will reportedly pay 90 per cent of the contract.
      Earlier this week Ratcliffe formally launched a takeover attempt at Manchester United.
      Hamilton is yet to pen a fresh Mercedes deal, but Merc chief Toto Wolff is relaxed about the situation.
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      The Brit F1 legend has been enjoying the off-season, and recently celebrated his birthday with an incredible trip to Antarctica.
      And Wolff, 51, is confident it’s only a matter of time before Hamilton extends his stay with Mercedes.
      He recently told Sky Sports: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
      “We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”

      He added: “It’s just a matter of him physically being back in Europe, sticking our heads together, wrestling a bit, and then leaving the room with white smoke after a few hours.”
      The 2023 F1 campaign begins with pre-season testing on February 23, with the first race in Bahrain on March 5.
      Hamilton will be hoping the 2023 season goes better than the last.
      Persistent issues with his Mercedes car saw Hamilton finish the season without a win or pole position for the first time in his career. More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘not in same class’ as Sebastian Vettel with Brit told he was way ahead in terms of F1 talent

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL was “never in the same class” as Lewis Hamilton, according to former Williams and Ferrari team manager Peter Windsor.Four-time world champion Vettel, 35, retired at the end of the 2022 season after 16 years in F1.
      Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have won 11 world titles between themCredit: Getty
      Vettel won four F1 world championships between 2010 and 2013Credit: Reuters
      All of his title triumphs came with Red Bull as he claimed four successive championships between 2010 and 2013.
      He then went on to drive for Ferrari and Aston Martin but failed to clinch a fifth crown.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton has gone on to win seven world titles – a record he shares with Michael Schumacher.
      The Brit, 38, who is preparing to enter his 17th season in the sport, won his first championship with McLaren and has won his other six with Mercedes.
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      Both men made their debuts in the 2007 season and have enjoyed historic careers in F1.
      But Windsor, who worked as a sponsorship manager at Williams and general manager of Ferrari’s UK base in the 1980s, believes Vettel cannot be considered on the same level as Hamilton.
      Speaking on his Twitch channel, he said: “I always thought Vettel was a very reflexy, very fast, very well-balanced driver who, even in his testing for Sauber days, was nothing other than the ultimate exponent of turning the corner into a V shape.
      “And when he couldn’t do that because of the geography of the corner, he was about the same as the average [driver], but when he could do it on a particular type of corner, he was brilliant and had that ability to do it.
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      “And he had that at Red Bull, when he had that amazing grip at the rear, blown diffuser and everything else.
      “When that went away in the regulations in his last year at Red Bull, he became just an ordinary racing driver and actually struggled against Daniel Ricciardo. It was obvious then that that’s how he was exposed.
      “He didn’t say at the end of that year, or during that year, ‘wow, I’m in trouble here. When I don’t have a great back end, I need to start to be able to play with it a bit more and do more with the front, get the front to work.’
      “[There were] all sorts of things he could have done but he didn’t do any of that.
      “He just signed off and went to Ferrari and arrived as the four-time World Champion who was greeted with a lot of money and a lot of fan adulation.
      “And he never got any better, he was still the same driver. That’s the Sebastian Vettel story.”
      Windsor then referenced the collision between Vettel and Hamilton in 2017 where the German hit the back of the Brit after accusing him of brake testing.
      Continuing to talk about Vettel, he added: “The only thing you only can add is that he’s also the guy, behind the Safety Car, who drove into Lewis Hamilton at Baku [in 2017] because he was annoyed with Lewis for driving slowly.
      “He got away with that. He got away with that with a very, very small fine whereas Dan Ticktum lost his licence for a year for doing virtually the same thing. So that was disproportionate. He was very lucky to get away with that.
      “I never would have put him in the same class as Lewis. Maybe, if he’s got a really good back end on the car, I’d put him up there with Fernando [Alonso] – but if he’s got a wayward back end and not a lot of grip [he’s in trouble].
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      “Overall, throw a bit of crosswind at Seb, throw a bit of crosswind at Fernando, throw a bit of oil on the track, throw a bit of tyres going off – Fernando’s always going to do a better job [than Vettel] with all the variables up in the air.
      “Seb is very locked into what he does well.”
      Peter Windsor rates Hamilton well above VettelCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s incredible Antarctic holiday during F1 off-season as Brit snowboards with A-list celebs

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has enjoyed an incredible Antarctic holiday during the Formula One off-season snowboarding with A-list celebrities.The seven-time world champion went snowboarding in a winter wonderland alongside Hollywood star Nina Dobrev.
      Hamilton is enjoying some time away ahead of the F1 seasonCredit: Instagram
      The Brit failed to win a race in 2022Credit: Instagram
      Hamilton went snowboarding alongside fellow A-listers such as Vampire Diaries’ DobrevCredit: Instagram
      Dobrev, Hamilton and Co sat on a slopeCredit: Instagram
      Group photo including the likes of Tatro, three-time Olympic gold medalist White and LetoCredit: Instagram
      The Canadian actress, 34, is best known for her starring role in six seasons of the hit show Vampire Diaries.
      The pair were all smiles as they took a selfie in their cosy snowboarding gear.

      A group photo was also taken, where the likes of Jimmy Tatro, three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White and Jared Leto can be seen.
      Hamilton shared a series of snaps to his Instagram with the caption: “Antarctica was chill.”
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      There have also been rumours of romance for Hamilton during the trip.
      Eagle-eyed F1 fans believe he was getting close to Kanye West’s busty ex-girlfriend Juliana Nalu during the trip.
      Fans have been loving the updates from Hamilton’s trip.
      One said: “It’s so nice seeing you this happy.”
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      Another said: “What an amazing experience!”
      Hamilton, 38, is gearing up for another season in F1.
      Testing is due to take place on 23-25 February at the Bahrain International Circuit.
      Hamilton’s current deal at Mercedes expires at the end of 2023.
      However, the Silver Arrows are confident they can get the Brit to extend his stay as he chases a record-breaking eighth world crown.
      Merc chief Toto Wolff said: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
      “We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”
      Hamilton’s Merc contract expires at the end of this yearCredit: Instagram
      F1 testing starts late next month in BahrainCredit: Instagram
      Hamilton is expected to extend his stay at MercCredit: Instagram
      Hamilton is chasing a record-breaking eighth world crownCredit: Instagram
      Dobrev has over 20million Instagram followersCredit: Instagram More

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      Mercedes confident of Lewis Hamilton signing new contract beyond 2023 season with talks set to begin

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      MERCEDES are confident that Lewis Hamilton will sign a new contract with the team prior to the new season beginning.The seven-time world champion sees his deal with the constructors finish at the end of the approaching 2023 season.
      Lewis Hamilton is expected to sign a new deal at MercedesCredit: Getty
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, 51, remains relaxed about Hamilton putting pen to paper on a new deal.
      Wolff said: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
      “We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”
      Hamilton, 38, is taking some time away from the track, going on holidays and talks are set to begin when he returns.
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      Wolff continued: “It’s just a matter of him physically being back in Europe, sticking our heads together, wrestling a bit, and then leaving the room with white smoke after a few hours.”
      Last season proved a disaster for Hamilton as he suffered continuous issues with his car, such as bouncing along the straights.
      Mercedes have confirmed they will launch the new W14 car on February 16.
      The 2023 F1 campaign begins with pre-season testing on February 23.
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      The first race then takes place in Bahrain on March 5.
      Hamilton is used to speaking out about a range of issues but the FIA will no longer allow drivers to use their F1 platform to make statements on political and social problems.
      Anyone planning to do so will need permission in advance with Wolff set to hold a discussion with the governing body regarding the new rule.
      He said: “Once he [Hamilton] is back, these things will certainly be discussed with a positive mindset.” More

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      Mercedes chief Wolff calls on FIA boss to meet Lewis Hamilton – to stop F1 driver being BANNED for political statements

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has called on the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to meet Lewis Hamilton – to prevent his driver from being BANNED from making political statements.The FIA have announced radical plans that mean drivers and teams must get written permission before making any “political, religious and personal statements”.
      Lewis Hamilton’s ability to speak out could be hit if the FIA bring in new rulesCredit: AFP
      Mercedes Team principal Toto Wolff wants the FIA to sort the matter out by meeting with British driving legend Lewis HamiltonCredit: Reuters
      The move seems targeted at Hamilton, who has become a global advocate for anti-racism and diversity and spoke out on a variety of issues before F1 races.
      And Wolff wants clarification from race bosses before the new season starts in Bahrain on March 5.
      He said: “We need to see how this really pans out. We understand that sport is not here to mix with politics but on the contrary and to unite.
      “I have no doubt Mohammed and the FIA mean well and want to achieve the right things.
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      “It is just about aligning it with the drivers who have been more outspoken in the past.
      “When Lewis has spoken with Mohammed in the past it has always ended up in a positive discussion, so when people sit around the table together I don’t think things will be as harsh as they are written down.”
      Meanwhile, Williams have signed James Vowles as team boss after poaching him from Mercedes.
      Vowles has been in F1 for 21-years and won nine F1 constructors’ championships with Brawn GP and Mercedes.
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      The 43-year-old Brit was most recently Motorsport Strategy Director at Mercedes, a position he held for over four years.
      However, he has disputed any suggestions he is turning Williams into any “mini-Mercedes” after George Russell also spent some time on loan at the team.
      “I wouldn’t consider it a mini-Mercedes,” said Vowles.
      “Williams is an incredibly independent team in its own right that has formed its own history, its own heritage.”
      Vowles added that Williams was “an entirely independent organisation”.
      He said: “It doesn’t mean that Mercedes and ourselves won’t have collaboration in some form or another, it was collaborating before I joined.
      “But I have to do what was best for Williams from now onwards.”
      Former Mercedes’ Motorsport Strategy Director James Vowles has become team boss at WilliamsCredit: Getty More

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      BBC broadcaster Jennie Gow suffers debilitating stroke aged 45 as husband helps her post health update

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      BBC and Formula One broadcaster Jennie Gow has revealed she has suffered a “serious stroke”.The 45-year-old has become a huge favourite after playing prominent roles in both Netflix’s F1 series Drive to Survive and her commentaries on Extreme E.
      F1 broadcaster Jennie Gow has revealed she has suffered a strokeCredit: Getty
      Her husband, Jamie Coley, has helped her provide a health update on TwitterCredit: Twitter
      Now her career could be in doubt after the star said the medical emergency has affected her communication skills.
      Gow, revealing the news on Twitter, wrote: “Hi everyone, been quiet the last few weeks, this is because I suffered a serious stroke two weeks ago.
      “My husband is helping me type this, as I’m finding it hard to write and my speech is most affected.
      “I’m desperate to make a full recovery and return to work but it might take some time. Thank you to the medical teams at Frimley and St George’s and my family and friends who’ve got me through the last fortnight X.”
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      Fellow F1 broadcaster Laura Winter responded by saying she was “so desperately sorry” to read this but told her colleague “you WILL get through this but take all the time you need. We’ll all be here. So much love.”
      F1 team McLaren’s Twitter account wished Gow “a speedy recovery” and said they “looked forward to seeing her back in the paddock” soon.
      Those sentiments were echoed by the social channels of Aston Martin, Silverstone and Extreme E.
      Many stroke victims suffer from Aphasia and it affects their ability to speak and sometimes their ability to understand what others are saying.
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      However, it is possible to recover through the help of speech and language therapy.
      Gow, who celebrated a decade of working in F1 last year, has become one of the most popular voices over recent years.
      Prior to her exploits covering F1, she led BBC’s MotoGP coverage and filled in for Natalie Pinkham on Radio 5 Live.
      Jennie Gow celebrated a decade of covering F1 last seasonCredit: Instagram More