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      Lando Norris breaks silence on claims he and Daniel Ricciardo ‘hate each other’ after turbulent year at McLaren

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      LANDO NORRIS has hit back at claims he and Daniel Ricciardo “hate each other”.The pair were McLaren team-mates for the 2021 and 2022 Formula One seasons.
      Lando Norris, right, opened up on his turbulent relationship with Daniel RicciardoCredit: The Mega Agency
      However, there were a number of instances of the pair appearing to clash with the Brit said he had “no sympathy” for the Aussie after his axe in August.
      A month earlier, Ricciardo called Norris a “s***head” four times in a bizarre interview and then later they got temporary tattoos of each other on their necks.
      But addressing the claims of their turbulent relationship, Norris denied hating Ricciardo.
      He told The Race: “It just frustrates me when I see people trying to make it look like we hate each other or that we don’t like each other, or have fun or whatever.
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      “I hate that people think that because there’s not been one case where that’s been the truth.”
      Ricciardo struggled to get to grips with the McLaren F1 car throughout his two years at the Woking-based team.
      Again, Norris was not too bothered about his colleague’s problems – and was more focused on delivering points.
      He admitted in the summer he realised “people will probably hate me” for his comments.
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      But as he prepares to link up with new team-mate Oscar Piastri in 2023 following Ricciardo’s early snub, Norris refused to pile in on the man who will return to Red Bull as their third driver.
      The Bristol-born racing driver said: “Being honest because of some certain comments that I’ve said, when it’s regarding what it’s been like some of the things Daniel’s struggled with this car, and I’ve just been honest and said that it’s not my job to help him.
      “Those comments, people just for some reason take it as I don’t like him, that I’m not friends with him and we don’t get along.
      “Then they just see like a headline and just want to believe everything like that.
      “I don’t know why else they would believe it.
      Norris continued: “I want to be like what Daniel is good at, knowing what the person he can be on a racetrack and the person he can be away from a race track and the respect he can have on either side of that platform.
      “I think that’s what he’s very good at. When he puts his helmet on, he becomes this guy. And when it’s off, he’s the fun guy.
      “He’s still a fun guy when he’s in the car, probably! But it’s just another level of concentration. And you kind of forget about the fun stuff.
      “In terms of personal interests, it’s such a simple thing, it just wasn’t quite the same.
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      “So, we didn’t talk about things as much, because we didn’t speak about that similar things.
      “It was just some simple things, maybe, made it look like we weren’t as good mates.”
      Ricciardo and Norris were at McLaren together for two yearsCredit: Splash More

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      F1’s Mick Schumacher joins Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s backup driver after Ferrari axe as he joins dad’s old team

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      MICK SCHUMACHER has joined Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s backup driver.The son of legend Michael failed to earn a new deal with Ferrari’s feeder team Haas.
      Mick Schumacher is the new Mercedes reserve driverCredit: Getty
      Father Michael spent three years with the team before he retiredCredit: AFP
      Mercedes revealed the news in a tweet that said: “Willkommen, Mick. 👋 Say hello to our 2023 Reserve Driver, @SchumacherMick.”
      The deal is a lifeline for Schumacher, who will also serve as back-up to George Russell for the 2023 season.
      It could be an emotional move, with father Michael having driven for Mercedes for three years until his ultimate retirement in 2012.
      Ferrari recently announced the axing of Mick Schumacher from its young driver academy, with the decision made just two days after Fred Vasseur was confirmed as new team principal of the Italian outfit.
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      A statement from Scuderia Ferrari confirmed the team and Schumacher had “mutually decided not to extend their collaboration, after working together for four years with Mick having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy.”
      It added: “Mick joined the Ferrari family through the young driver programme in 2019 and, as an FDA driver, competed in Formula 2 for two seasons with the Prema Racing team.
      “He won three races and secured the 2020 championship title. The following year, he made his Formula 1 debut with the Haas F1 Team.
      “He raced for the team for two years, starting in 43 races and scoring 12 points, finishing sixth in this year’s Austrian Grand Prix and eighth in the British Grand Prix.
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      “In addition, he covered the role of reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari for the 2022 Formula 1 season.
      “Scuderia Ferrari thanks Mick for these four years and the many kilometres covered together, and wishes him all the best for the future.”
      Schumacher, 23, was axed by Haas as a driver for the 2023 campaign in favour of the experienced Nico Hulkenberg, 35, after struggling to get to grips with F1.
      The German failed to gain a single point in his debut season in 2021.
      He then improved in 2022, along with the car, and finished in 16th place in the Drivers’ Championship.
      However, his 12 points accrued still left him 13 points behind team-mate Kevin Magnussen.
      After the 2021 season, it was revealed that Mick Schumacher had caused more damage to his car in that campaign than any other driver.
      The German racked up a £4million bill for the Haas team after requiring eight new front wings and nine sets of suspension.
      Ahead of his deal with Mercedes, Schumacher said he was humbled to hear of Toto Wolff’s interest.
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      He commented: “Mercedes is an awesome brand and what they’ve achieved in Formula 1 is incredible.
      “For sure I am looking at my options, and Mercedes is a part of it.”
      Mick Schumacher will be backup to Lewis Hamilton and George Russell after joining MercedesCredit: Getty More

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      Ferrari hire replacement for axed Mattia Binotto as McLaren and Sauber get involved in bizarre managerial merry-go-round

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      FERRARI, McLaren and Sauber have all appointed new team chiefs in a bizarre managerial merry-go-round.Ferrari have signed Fred Vasseur as team boss after axing Mattia Binotto earlier this month.
      Ferrari have found a replacement for axed team boss Mattia BinottoCredit: Splash
      Fred Vasseur is joining Ferrari from SauberCredit: PA
      Vasseur, 54, joins the Italian team from Sauber, who have confirmed that highly-rated German, Andreas Seidl, has taken the position of CEO of the Sauber Group, which in turn is expected to run as the Audi F1 team in 2026.
      Seidl, who previously worked at BMW and Porsche, has left his role at McLaren where he has helped the team rebuild after a wretched few years.
      And he will be replaced by Andrea Stella, who has been promoted from his role as Executive Director by the Woking-based team.
      It is one of the biggest managerial shake-ups in years and will have widespread repercussions across the paddock as each new arrival tries to recruit new team members.
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      Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said: “We are delighted to welcome Fred Vasseur to Ferrari as our team principal.
      “Throughout his career he has successfully combined his technical strengths as a trained engineer with a consistent ability to bring out the best in his drivers and teams.
      “This approach and his leadership are what we need to push Ferrari forward with renewed energy.”
      Vasseur will be charged with delivering Ferrari their first title since 2008.
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      Andreas Seidl joins Sauber from McLaren, and has been replaced by Andrea StellaCredit: Getty
      He has a long career in motorsport and co-founded the ART Grand Prix junior team, which helped Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Nico Rosberg on their way up the ladder.
      Meanwhile, McLaren will be disappointed to lose Seidl, who has taken credit for the team’s improvements on track since he joined in 2019.
      Seidl will take over the CEO position held by Vasseur at the Sauber Group, which run as the Alfa Romeo team in F1.
      However, he will not hold the role of Team Principal, with a new appointment to be announced in due course.
      Seidl said: “It is great to join the Sauber Group from January: this is a team with a rich history in Formula One and an organisation I know really well from my time working and living in Hinwil for four years.
      “I can’t wait to join the team and work with all the colleagues at the Sauber Group on the ambitious goals we have set together.”
      And McLaren boss Zak Brown says replacing Seidl by promoting Stella was a natural choice.
      He said: “Andrea is a highly talented, experienced and respected member of our team with a strong track record of leadership and success in Formula One.
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      “His move into this role is a great example of the strength in depth we have in our team, and I’m excited to be working more closely with him with a joint focus on moving up the grid and winning races.”
      The triple signings come a day after Williams parted company with their team boss Jost Capito, with no replacement yet announced. More

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      Lewis Hamilton shares heartwarming photos after making disabled brother Nicolas’ ‘dreams come true’ by driving in sim

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      LEWIS HAMILTON shared heart-warming photos after making his brother’s “dream come true” by helping him drive the Mercedes simulator. Nicolas Hamilton, who has cerebral palsy, became the first disabled person to drive the sim.
      Lewis and Nicolas Hamilton share a close brotherly bondCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Some modifications had to be made to the Sim to help Nicolas get the best out of the experienceCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Nicolas had a big smile on his face throughout the experienceCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      The 30-year-old emulated his older brother as he donned the white Mercedes race suit.
      Hamilton shared a series of photos of their “special day” in a Instagram post which has received over 930,000 likes and had a big reaction.
      The seven-times world champion was snapped helping his sibling fit into the iconic Mercedes costume before Nicolas climbed into the sim.
      The state-of-the-art machine produces a hyper-realistic experience of what it would be like to be in an F1 car and is regularly used by drivers and teams.
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      Nicolas could be seen smiling throughout the photos as he got to live out his fantasy.
      And in one moving picture, he could be seen sat in the simulator as the older Hamilton hugs his father in the background.
      Nicolas has driven in other racing series such as the Renault Clio Cup and European Tour Cup using a specially adapted car.
      In the Instagram caption, his F1 star brother said: “Earlier this year Nicolas Hamilton and I asked my team if we could make this happen and here we are.
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      “Time in the sim is incredibly rare, and not something that is accessible for someone like my brother.
      Nicolas Hamilton has previously raced in motorsport series such as the Renault Clio Cup, European Touring Car Cup and British Touring Car ChampionshipCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      The state-of-the-art machinery allows users to get an authentic feeling of how it is to drive an F1 carCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Lewis Hamilton is coming off the back of a topsy-turvy F1 seasonCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      “It took custom modifications to the seat, steering wheel and pedals to make this possible.”
      At the end of the experience, the Hamilton brothers could be seen sharing a close embrace.
      Hamilton added: “[Nicolas] spent the whole day in it, and is the first disabled person to ever do so.
      “He’s always been a fighter and seeing him have this day is an honour.
      “The smile you see here never left his face. Can’t wait to share more of this special day, thank you @mercedesamgf1 for the time and work put in to make this possible and make my brother’s dream come true.”
      The emotional Instagram post triggered a big reaction.
      One person wrote: “I’m a disability parent, and the relationship you have with your brother is truly my favourite thing about you both.
      “You’re a champion of human rights, an incredible advocate, a great driver, a fantastic human being – but you’re truly the greatest brother.”
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      Hamilton is currently enjoying time off after the F1 season ended last month.
      He will be back on the grid in 2023 when the new season kicks off in Bahrain in March.
      A proud Anthony Hamilton hugs Lewis in the background while Nicolas enjoys the simCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Lewis helped Nicolas into the Mercedes race suitCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton More

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals emotional reaction to George Russell’s first F1 win in Mercedes team garage in Sao Paulo

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed his emotional reaction to George Russell’s first F1 win. The 24-year-old crossed the line first in the penultimate race in Brazil to secure Mercedes’ first win of the season.
      George Russell and Lewis Hamilton secured an unexpected 1-2 finish in BrazilCredit: Splash
      It was a big moment for the Brackley-based team after a season of struggle and Russell was visibly emotional after his achievement.
      Porpoising issues dominated the first-half of the season as both Hamilton and Russell struggled to get to grips with the car.
      But the back end of 2022 saw the pair regularly challenging for race wins in a complete turnaround in form.
      The incredible result in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where Hamilton came second despite a crash with Max Verstappen, was the crowning moment for Mercedes.
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      And Hamilton revealed his emotion at seeing his team celebrate their achievement.
      The seven-time world champion told Channel 4: “I saw a video of my team when we got to Dubai [for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix].
      “Just seeing everyone celebrating all together was quite an emotional thing, knowing how hard everyone had worked through the year.
      “Also knowing how difficult it would have been for them, knowing how hard they would have worked last winter and they were not rewarded for all the hard work they had put in necessarily.
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      “The whole season, not giving up and continuing to keep the faith, keep the hopes high and get a one-two was a very proud moment for me and the whole team.”
      Mercedes’ struggles were one of the major themes of last season as Verstappen waltz to the title.
      Despite winning every constructors’ championship since 2014 – up until the start of the 2022 season – the manufacturers toiled in the early goings as they tried to adjust to sweeping rule changes.
      Only Ferrari appeared capable of challenging Red Bull but their season unravelled after multiple errors.
      Last month, team principal Mattia Binotto resigned after their underwhelming performance. More

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      Toto Wolff ‘absolutely’ expects Lewis Hamilton to sign new Mercedes contract beyond 2023 despite first winless F1 season

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      MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff expects seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton to extend his stay at the Silver Arrows despite failing to record a win in 2022.Hamilton, 37, is under contract at Merc until the end of 2023 and has previously declared he would not like to race in F1 beyond his 40th birthday.
      Hamilton’s F1 contract expires at the end of next yearCredit: AFP
      Merc chief Wolff expects Hamilton to extend his stayCredit: Splash
      That would leave Hamilton with two or three seasons left in the sport and Merc chief Wolff is keen to make sure the Brit finishes with the team.
      Wolff “absolutely” expects Hamilton to extend his contract.
      He told F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast: “Certainly, Lewis’ contract is one of the topics that we will tackle over the winter.
      “There’s no firm deadline. Absolutely, Lewis is part of the team and the team is part of Lewis. 
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      “[There is] no reason [for that] to not continue. I think one of his strengths is that he’s always hungry, always eager. 
      “He’s a great sportsman but he’s also someone who is extremely driven and determined.”
      Hamilton and Co are hoping to bounce back in the 2023 season with the team recording just one win.
      And the win came for team-mate George Russell in Brazil – leaving Hamilton winless for the first time in an F1 season.
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      Hamilton would like to claim a record-breaking eighth world title, pushing him ahead of Michael Schumacher.
      However, Merc team-mate Russell has thrown his hat into the ring for a title bid.
      Russell, who finished the season in fourth, told Racer: “I think I’ve got enough experience now that I feel ready to fight for a championship and be able to handle the challenges and difficulties that come with it.
      “Obviously the likes of Lewis and Max have more experience in that scenario.
      “But if you go out and you put it on pole and win every race you will be world champion.
      “So you have just got to focus on smaller details and it’s in your own hands, almost.” More

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      Inside the abandoned £540m F1 circuit planned for the Vietnamese GP before it was axed when mayor was sentenced to jail

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      VIETNAM planned to host their very first Grand Prix back in 2020.The £540million Hanoi motor race circuit was set to welcome the paddock as Formula 1 expanded its reach to new territories across the globe.
      Vietnam was due to host its first F1 GP in 2020Credit: AFP
      The coronavirus pandemic led to the inaugural edition being postponedCredit: AFP
      It has not returned to the F1 calendar since 2020Credit: AFP
      Cyclists now use the Hanoi circuitCredit: AFP
      It has been abandoned as no F1 race appears on the horizonCredit: AFP
      Motorcyclists have also been seen driving through the gates of the fenced off circuitCredit: AFP
      Vietnam signed a 10-year deal with F1 back in 2018 – an agreement which cost around £54million and was to be funded by private conglomerate, VinGroup.
      But the inaugural edition of the Vietnam GP ended up being axed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      Since then, it has not appeared on the F1 calendar.
      In 2021, it was dropped from the schedule after city mayor Nguyen Duc Chung – a major supporter of the race – was arrested.
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      He would later be sentenced to ten years in prison for corruption charges.
      State media then claimed last year that authorities had dismissed any hope of Vietnam staging a race there until at least 2029.
      However, the authorities refused to confirm this to external media outlets.
      F1 released the 2023 calendar last month, with Vietnam once again missing out.
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      And images of the track – which features a 1.5km straight and street-style third sector – show that the spectator stands have been taken away.
      The 3.5 mile circuit, which is surrounded by grass and weeds, is partly fenced off to the public.
      However, some cyclists and motorcyclists have been seen going through the gates, spilling over from the busy roads in the city.
      And another part of the circuit has been opened up for the Vietnamese people to use as public roads.
      It is not yet known if, when or what the circuit will be used for in the future.
      One side of the circuit has been opened up for day-to-day useCredit: AFP
      It is a sad sight to see the track abandoned two years after its first GP was scheduled to take placeCredit: AFP
      It is unlikely a Grand Prix will take place here before the end of the decadeCredit: AFP
      F1 fans in Vietnam have been left disappointed by the failure to stage a Grand PrixCredit: AFP More

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      Lewis Hamilton snubbed as F1 team boss names predicts three-way title race next season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON won’t be part of a three-way Formula 1 title race next year, claims one team boss.The seven-time world champion slumped to sixth in the driver standings this year in Mercedes’ disappointing car, but showed encouraging signs towards the end of the campaign.
      George Russell has been backed to be in a title race ahead of Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Franz Tost is team principal of Red Bull affiliate AlphaTauriCredit: Getty
      Hamilton, 37, is raring to go ahead of a renewed battle with the likes of Max Verstappen next season.
      But AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost doesn’t think he stands a chance.
      And he even reckons that Hamilton’s own team-mate George Russell, in the very same car, has greater title hopes.
      Tost, 66, told Speedweek: “Such superiority as shown by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing this year is rather rare.
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      “I expect a three-way battle between Max, Charles Leclerc and George Russell, which is already stronger than Lewis Hamilton.
      “The FIA ​​penalty will have a negative impact on Red Bull Racing, no question, even if the team has some of the best engineers.
      “But I trust Red Bull Racing to be able to fight for the world title again.”
      AlphaTauri are owned by Red Bull and are an affiliate team of Red Bull Racing.
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      Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will be in the mix once againCredit: Reuters
      Russell, 24, earned his first race win in F1 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, after Verstappen had sent Hamilton off track earlier in the race.
      The Brit came fourth in the driver standings, 35 points and two places above his illustrious team-mate, who particularly struggled with his car’s porpoising during the first half of the season.
      Despite Russell finishing ahead of him, Hamilton recently beat his team-mate to Autosport’s British Driver of the Year award.
      Since the season finished, Hamilton has been enjoying himself on holiday in Egypt.
      The F1 superstar checked out the pyramids, while also hanging out with supermodel Naomi Campbell.
      Hamilton, 37, hung out with Naomi CampbellCredit: Getty More