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      F1 could have brand new team as American giants Andretti and General Motors combine to form Andretti Cadillac

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      US car giant General Motors have announced ambitious plans to join Formula One in 2026.The move will see GM use their Cadillac brand to form a partnership with US race team Andretti Autosport, owned by Michael Andretti the son of former F1 racer, Mario Andretti.
      Michael Andretti has insisted that the Andretti Cadillac F1 team would be based in the USCredit: Alamy
      Andretti and GM say the Andretti Cadillac team would be based in the US with a support facility in the UK as they start a lengthy application process between F1 and the governing body, the FIA.
      Michael Andretti said: “We are well suited to be a new team for Formula One and can bring value to the series and our partners, and excitement for the fans.
      “I’m proud to have GM and Cadillac alongside us as we pursue this goal. GM and Andretti share a legacy born out of the love of racing.
      “We now have the opportunity to combine our motorsport passions and dedication to innovation to build a true American F1 bid.”
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      The Andretti Cadillac bid is not the only interested party in joining the sport, which has seen rapid growth across the world since the pandemic, particularly in the US.
      F1’s owners, Liberty Media have been instrumental in adding extra races and this season will see the addition of a third race in the States with the Las Vegas GP joining Austin and Miami on the calendar.
      However, it is not a foregone conclusion that the Andretti Cadillac bid will be automatically accepted by F1, the FIA or the current teams.
      An F1 statement said: “There is great interest in the F1 project at this time with a number of conversations continuing that are not as visible as others.
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      “We all want to ensure the championship remains credible and stable and any new entrant request will be assessed on criteria to meet those objectives by all the relevant stakeholders.
      “Any new entrant request requires the agreement of both F1 and the FIA.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton hints at F1 retirement AGAIN and says there are ‘other things’ he wants to do in his life

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has hinted at retirement from Formula 1 as he says there are “other things” he wants to do with his life. The seven-times world champion is currently enjoying time away from the track before returning next month for pre-season testing.
      Hamilton has many interests outside of drivingCredit: Getty
      He has seen it all and done it all during his 15 years at the top level of motorsport.
      And despite previously signalling a desire to march on with Mercedes, Hamilton has made clear he does not always feel that way.
      He told German newspaper Bild: “Sometimes you wake up and have this feeling: I don’t want to do this anymore.
      “And sometimes you wake up and think: I can still do other things my whole life, there is definitely more I want to achieve.”
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      He added: “It won’t be a terribly long time now, but I’ll definitely be staying.”
      Despite admitting considering retirement, Hamilton has also previously signalled a willingness to consider staying at Mercedes over the long-term.
      Team boss Toto Wolff said in October: “We speak a lot together.
      “Last week we sat down and he says, ‘Look, I have another five years in me how do you see that?’ Over time we have just grown together.
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      “We are totally transparent with each other.”
      Mercedes were tipped to offer Hamilton, who turns 38 on Saturday, an extension on his current contract which runs to the end of this year during the off-season.
      The experienced driver has many interests outside of F1.
      He has previously shown a passion for fashion, music, travelling and tackling inequalities both in and out of sport.
      Hamilton is preparing to enter his 17th season in F1 after a couple of tough years on the track.
      After the gut-wrenching end to the 2021 season, the star endured his first winless season ever last year while his teammate George Russell managed to claim victory in Brazil. More

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      Michel Ferte dead aged 64: Le Mans runner-up and Formula 3 driver passes away after illustrious motorsport career

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      FORMER Formula 3 driver and Le Mans runner-up Michel Ferte has died. Ferte’s passing at the age of 64 was announced by Le Mans organiser the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.
      Michel Ferte driving for Cosworth Équipe OrecaCredit: Alamy
      Ferte passed away at the age of 64Credit: Sutton Motorsport Images
      The Frenchman famously won the F3’s Monaco Grand Prix in 1983 following his brother, Alain’s, back-to-back victories in 1981 and 1982.
      He then followed this up by claiming victory in the 1983 French F3 Championship after coming second the year prior.
      But perhaps his most famous race in Motorsport came at the 24-hour Le Mans race.
      He finished second in the 1991 event alongside Davy Jones and Raul Boesel in a Jaguar XJR-12 Group C car.
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      Following his F3 exploits Ferte made the jump to F2, the series directly below F1.
      But things did not go as well for him there, as he failed to earn a race win but did come third in the championship in 1984.
      He did however have a chance to drive an F1 car as a test driver for Ligier in 1984 and ’85.
      Ferte enjoyed more success in Endurance racing.
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      His career in this field included a pair of victories in the BPR-run International GT Endurance Series in 1994 alongside Olivier Thevenin.
      Ferte started racing in karting in aged 12 and carried on racing until as recently as 2018. More

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      F1 world champion Max Verstappen takes swipe at Lewis Hamilton over collisions and says ‘it’s a generation thing’

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has claimed that his on-track spats with Lewis Hamilton must be down to “a generation thing”.The Red Bull driver and Hamilton have come together on a number of occasions in the past two season’s.
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have crashed several times in the last two yearsCredit: Splash
      But Verstappen believes his clashes with Hamilton are “a generation thing”Credit: Getty
      However, the Dutchman – one of five drivers facing a controversial ban in 2023 – has revealed he is not sure what the reason is for this.
      In an interview with Motorsport.com, Verstappen was asked whether incidents were down to his “uncompromising” racing style.
      In response, he said: “Well, I have to be careful what I’m saying here, but with everyone I’ve been fighting this year, it’s been really hard, aggressive battles and we never really came together.
      “Somehow, with Lewis it’s a different story. And I honestly don’t understand.
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      “Like, this year, ok we haven’t really had a lot of battles. But Brazil we got together – it was not my intention (that we crashed). I got the blame for it, which I didn’t find fair.
      “If it would’ve been more of a racing incident that I could live with.
      “But… I don’t understand. Maybe it’s just a generation thing – that we understand each other better, we are racing nicer to each other. I don’t get it.
      “But I don’t feel like I’m doing anything different to Lewis or to the other drivers in terms of how we’re racing.”
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      Hamilton endured his worst-ever season of F1 racing last year after failing to land a single race victory as Verstappen went on to win the drivers championship for the second year in a row.
      The first of these titles are arguably when the rivalry was most intense, with Hamilton being overtaken on the final lap of the 2021 season under controversial circumstances.
      But Verstappen doubled-down on his generational theory by using Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell for reference.
      He added: “The day before with George (in the Interlagos sprint race where Russell attacked and passed Verstappen), we were having an incredible (fight) – closing the door, defending, out-braking each other.
      “That was a lot of fun and I was trying to do the same in the main race – having that kind of battle. But, unfortunately we couldn’t get it to work.”
      Russell, 24, went on to win the main race in Brazil when Hamilton and Verstappen collided.
      But Verstappen insists he does not have the same issues with George RussellCredit: AFP
      Verstappen and Russell battled during F1 sprint in BrazilCredit: AFP
      Formula One 2022Everything you need to know about F1 this season

      The Brit was pictured partying into the New Year alongside one of Hamilton’s previous nemesis – Fernando Alonso – and girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt.
      Two-time champ Alonso was beaten by Verstappen and Hamilton in the F1 driver’s earning’s list.
      Regarding his feeling to speak “carefully” about Hamilton, Verstappen said: “In England this can very quickly be received as criticism.
      “And then I’m being called out on it.
      “I always respect Lewis a lot for what he has achieved in the sport, but that’s why I don’t really understand why we cannot really race like I’ve been doing with the others.
      “Of course, everyone is different in their approach. I know that Charles (Leclerc) is a bit different to George, or to Carlos (Sainz) or to Checo (Perez), or whoever.
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      “I do have to be a little bit more careful with that because immediately it’s really taken as criticism. And then people start to hate on you. Well, that’s not my intention.”
      Verstappen and Red Bull previously “boycotted Sky Sports” after reporter Ted Kravitz implied Hamilton was “robbed” of an eighth world title by Verstappen. More

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      F1 set to EXPAND to more than 10 teams as FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem reveals shock shake up for sport

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      FORMULA ONE is exploring the possibility of EXPANDING to more than ten teams in a major shake up, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed.The sport currently has ten teams and 20 drivers on the grid for the 23-race 2023 season.
      F1 could expand to over ten teamsCredit: Getty
      There was supposed to be 24 races – an F1 record – but the Chinese Grand Prix was cancelled and replacements are being considered.
      But major shock shake ups could be coming to F1, with FIA president Ben Sulayem confirming they are exploring EXPANDING the grid to more than ten teams.
      Ben Sulayem posted on Twitter: “I have asked my @FIA team to look at launching an Expressions of Interest process for prospective new teams for the FIA @F1 World Championship.”
      US-owned Haas are the most recent completely new F1 team to enter the sport, debuting in 2016.
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      However, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said last September that the sport did not need more than ten teams.
      Domenicali told Sky F1 during the Dutch GP: “As always, you need to be balanced.
      “You need to see all the things that are around the table. Having more drivers… at the end of the day there is always a limit at which you can go.
      “Adding one or two, you may open up some driving seats. But we need to also have the right dimension in what is successful for the sport.
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      “I think in that respect there is the evaluation of the sustainability of the team, the evaluation of not being too crowded with that.
      “So I would say in terms of priority, it is not really a need for Formula 1 today.”
      F1 has a £166million entry fee and Domenicali has stressed that teams need to have the finances firstly, while also having the competence to keep a team running.
      He added: “Now Formula 1 is extremely competitive but you need to be very strong in terms of financials, in terms of competence, and today this is one of the things that is crucial, to make sure the stability of the system will be for a long time.” More

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      ‘Lived life to the fullest’ – Lewis Hamilton’s touching tribute to ‘dear friend’ Ken Block after rally driver died at 55

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has posted a fitting tribute to his “dear friend” Ken Block after the rally driver’s death, aged 55.The seven-time world champion, 37, shared an image of him and Block in ski gear with a dove emoji above it.
      Lewis Hamilton shared an image of him and Ken Block in ski gear
      The F1 champion then posted a statement dedicated to his friend
      Block died in a snowmobile crash at the age of 55Credit: AFP
      Prior to sharing the picture, he also added a post onto his Instagram story dedicated to the passing of his friend – who died in a snowmobile crash.
      It read: “I’ve been mostly off social media to focus on my health and well-being.
      “Today I received news of the loss of a dear friend.
      “I am devastated to hear of Ken Block’s passing. He was such an amazing person, always lived life to the fullest.
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      “I remember our first time working together and how positive he was. So much talent behind the wheel.
      “Years ago, we had an amazing time heli-skiing and snowboarding in Canada.
      “We held so much respect for one another.
      “He will truly be missed and my thoughts and prayers go to his beautiful family. Gone too soon.
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      “Rest in peace, Ken.”
      The horror accident took place on Block’s ranch in northern Utah.
      Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said he was riding on a steep slope when the snowmobile flipped over and landed on top of him.
      Block became one of the most famous rally car drivers in the world after he started competing in 2005.
      He landed Rookie of the Year in his first season in the Rally America Championship.
      He then went on to clinch a host of overall wins and podium appearances.
      Block also competed in motocross, skateboarding, and other action sports.
      He was known to British fans after appearing in several episodes of Top Gear.
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      In the first, he starred alongside James May, partnering him in his Subaru for a rally stage around Inyokern Airport in California.
      And in the second he was challenged by Jeremy Clarkson to drive a three-wheeled Reliant Robin around the test track.
      Hamilton was devastated to hear about his friend’s passingCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton More

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      Top Gear star Ken Block spent ‘epic’ Christmas with family and posted heartwarming snaps just days before tragic death

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      LATE rally-driving icon Ken Block shared pictures of his “epic” family Christmas in final social media posts just days before his tragic death.The 55-year-old former Top Gear guest died aged 55 following a horror snowmobile accident at his ranch in Utah.
      Ken Block shared sweet family photos days before his tragic deathCredit: Instagram
      Block died after his snowmobile flipped over in a horror accidentCredit: Getty
      The rally driver spent Christmas with his wife and three kids in CanadaCredit: Instagram/kblock43
      Shortly before his death, the rally car champ had shared pictures of his stunning Christmas spent with his family.
      Heartbreaking photos show him surrounded by his family during a winter getaway to the Selkirk Mountains in British Colombia, southwestern Canada.
      The driver was killed after his snowmobile overturned and landed on top of him.
      He was pronounced dead at the scene, Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said.

      Just before the new year, Block took to his Instagram to share the sweet holiday snaps.
      He wrote: “Merry Christmas from the Blocks, from Baldface Lodge! Here’s a photo dump of some of my fave shots.”
      One picture from the “epic holiday trip” shows the family outside in the ice and snow next to a helicopter.
      Block is seen wrapped up warm with his wife Lucy and their three children.
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      Other snaps show a game of table tennis, setting up the Christmas tree, fireworks, and snowboards.
      The family spent Christmas at the sprawling Baldface Lodge, which boasts some 32,000 acres of wild terrain in the Selkirk Mountains some 400 miles east of Vancouver, Canada.
      He also thanked the lodge’s owner Jeff Pensiero for his hospitality.
      Block’s daughter Lia has followed in her father’s footsteps and become a driver, and previously competed on her father’s Hoonigan Racing team.
      He made a chilling admission about getting old and his “fear” of crashes in a rare interview before his tragic death.
      Block had warned about “sketchy snow” on his ranch in a haunting final post hours before the fatal accident.
      He became one of the most famous Rally car drivers in the world after he started competing in 2005.
      Block’s team Hoonigan Racing Division shared the news of his death saying “he will be incredibly missed.”
      “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband,” the team said in a statement.
      He reached a whole new legion of fans thanks to his antics on social media and Top Gear.
      Top Gear reboot host Matt LeBlanc posted a touching tribute on Instagram.
      “So saddened by the loss of Ken Block. A true talent and friend taken far too soon,” he wrote.
      “You will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting you my friend.”
      Alex Renton, executive producer of Top Gear, told The Sun Online: “Ken was a trailblazer in the automotive industry.
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      “We had the pleasure to work with Ken on several occasions over the years and his contributions were always so memorable and exciting for our audience.
      He shared heartwarming snaps inside their Christmas lodgeCredit: Instagram/kblock43
      He thanked the lodge owner for his hospitalityCredit: Instagram/kblock43
      The sweet family snaps were posted days before the fatal accidentCredit: Instagram/kblock43
      Block was an icon in the world of rally drivingCredit: AFP More

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      How Ken Block made chilling admission about ‘difficulty handling fear’ before tragic snowmobile death

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      RALLY driving icon Ken Block made a chilling admission about getting old and his “fear” of crashes in one of his last interviews before tragic death.The legendary former Top Gear stunt driver was killed in a horror snowmobile accident at his ranch in Utah.
      Ken Block had spoken of his fears of crashes in an interviewCredit: AFP
      He died in a snowmobiling accident at his ranchCredit: Instagram
      He was speaking after the controversial 2016 Top Gear stunt near the CenotaphCredit: Fame Flynet
      Former Top Gear presenter James May led the tributes to the beloved racer, tweeting: “RIP Ken Block, with thanks for some hilarious days out.”
      Block made two appearances on Top Gear, performing a number of daring stunts, including the legendary airfield drifting scene.
      His team, Hoonigan Racing Division, said in a statement: “Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband.”
      In 2016, he sparked controversy after he appeared in an episode of the rebooted series of Top Gear, driving around London with host and former Friends star Matt LeBlanc.

      It was later revealed that the pair performed doughnuts, burnouts, and wheelspins on the streets of the capital, leaving blackened tyre streaks along Whitehall close to the Cenotaph memorial.
      In the face of the row, the BBC later apologised and the Cenotaph footage was never aired.
      Speaking to The Sun just after his controversial Cenotaph stunt, Block spoke about getting old.
      “I’m getting old – handling the fear is getting more and more difficult,” he said.
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      “In the past year I’ve done two of the most dangerous things I’ve done, which is sliding at the edge of a cliff at Pike’s Peak for Climbkhana and sliding the car with part of the wheel off the edge of a dock for Gymkhana 9.
      “It takes a lot of nerve to do this stuff, especially when you’re dealing with a big car and placing it within inches, it can be quite difficult sometimes.”
      He added: “It’s part of what makes this such a big thrill for me. I started it because it really was a dream come true.”
      I’m getting old – handling the fear is getting more and more difficultKen Block
      Block was killed in a horror accident on his ranch in northern Utah.
      Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said he was riding on a steep slope when the snowmobile flipped over and landed on top of him.
      The action sports star was at his ranch sharing pictures of the snow-covered state on Instagram early Monday morning.
      One of his recent posts shows a few snowmobiles blanketed in snow.
      Before that, he shared a picture of the scene in northern Utah after heavy snowCredit: Instagram/@kblock43
      The controversial Cenotaph footage was never airedCredit: Top Gear
      Tributes have poured in for Block from around the world of motorsportCredit: Getty
      He had been performing stunts on a snowmobile last week in Idaho – and even then admitted its power had taken him by surprise.
      “Lots of power up at high elevations, and wheelies all day! Epic early season powder, and an amazing first day. Wheelies, deep pow turns, and a lot of learning on this new sled – good times,” he wrote.
      And he had been snowmobiling in Utah as he kept fans up to date on Instagram.
      On Monday, hours before his death, he wrote: “It’s been DUMPING snow in Park City, Utah this week with more forecasted for the weekend, and we wouldn’t be able to make it out to the ranch without the @SkiDoo sleds and @KubotaUSA machinery to clear the way!
      “Can’t wait to see how much more powder stacks up over the next few days.”
      Starting his rally driving career in 2005, Block raced in series such as Rally America and Global Rallycross.
      He was later introduced to a new generation of fans with his YouTube video series “Gymkhana”.
      The ten-part series, which featured the California-born stunt driver performing a series of daring feats, earned him almost two million subscribers on the video platform.
      He also co-founded the skate-wear clothing brand DC Shoes.
      Tributes for Block have poured in from around the world of motorsports.
      World motorsport chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FiA, wrote on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Ken Block.
      “An inspiration for us all and a true gentleman of our sport. The FIA’s thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time. RIP @kblock43.”
      Former Top Gear host James May paid tribute to Block on Twitter and share a link to their airfield rally video.
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      “RIP Ken Block, with thanks for some hilarious days out,” he wrote.
      While executive producer of Top Gear, Alex Renton, described him as “a trailblazer in the automotive industry”. More