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      Ben Hunt: Max Verstappen’s total dominance in record-breaking F1 season shows Red Bull star is no ‘cost-cap champion’

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN’S 14th win of the season set a new Formula One record for most victories in a year.It also takes his tally to 34, putting him sixth in the list of GP winners — just seven shy of Ayrton Senna fifth-place mark.
      Max Verstappen broke the record for most wins in a season in a year of total dominanceCredit: Rex
      Verstappen celebrated the achievement on the podium alongside Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez in MexicoCredit: Splash
      He has also broken the record for most points in a single season, set by Lewis Hamilton in 2019.
      And he has single-handedly helped Red Bull stop Mercedes’ most dominant run in F1 history when it comes to the constructors’ championship.
      That’s all rather good for Red Bull, but incredibly disappointing for F1’s motorsport director Ross Brawn, who introduced new rules this season to level the playing field.
      Red Bull have won 16 of this year’s 20 races, and we still have two more to go in Sao Paulo and Abu Dhabi.
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      Verstappen says he doesn’t care about statistics and I remember Hamilton saying the same in the past.
      He said: “It is just an incredible season for the team. I never thought I’d be able to win 14 races in a year.
      “I was never really interested in stats. I just live in the moment. I just try to do the best I can every weekend.
      “That for me is the most important — that I go home and can say I maximised everything.”
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      Quite surprisingly, given his achievements, the magnitude has been lost in a row over the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP and the cost-cap row.
      He has been hammered on social media and dubbed ‘cost-cap champion’ plus the bitter fallout with Sky F1 and subsequent boycott over pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz’s comments.
      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner feels that Verstappen’s performances this year have gone unnoticed.
      He said: “What we’re seeing this year with Max, we are witnessing something very special.
      “I sometimes think his achievements don’t receive the plaudits they should.
      “He has won the most Grand Prix in a year, within 20 races, and two sprint races — and he’s not won all of them from pole.
      “He has had to fight and race for a lot of those victories.
      “It is an absolutely outstanding year, from a driver who is absolutely at the top of his game.
      “The level of consistency is incredible.”
      It is difficult to disagree but surely it is only a matter of time before he finally gets that recognition, especially if he keeps on breaking records.
      LANDO FAN RAP
      LANDO NORRIS wants a crackdown on punters in the exclusive area during Grand Prix weekends.
      In Mexico, Max Verstappen was soaked in beer and Pierre Gasly had his bag rummaged through.
      Norris said: “If people are aggressive and grab you all of the time, biff them out.
      “I love having the fans in here, especially when it’s kids. Kids are kids, that’s cool.
      “It’s more the older people. There’s just not as much respect for personal space as there should be.”
      ALL TYRED OUT
      IT has come to something when Ferrari are offering Mercedes race strategy advice.
      The Italian team are now famous for their bungled calls on tyre choices and pitstops.
      Yet Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto reckoned Mercedes got it wrong for a second race in a row.
      He said: “They maybe have lost the last race by not choosing the right tyres.
      “So I think it’s not only down to us somehow to make different choices or making mistakes.”
      GHASTLY FOR GASLY
      PIERRE GASLY will walk a seven-month disciplinary tightrope if he is to avoid a one-race ban.
      The Frenchman, who joins Alpine next season, had a penalty point added to his licence for an incident with Lance Stroll, meaning he has collected five in a month.
      Two more points before May next year would see the AlphaTauri driver cop a ban.
      HEDWORTH A HERO
      MY hero of the weekend was Alice Hedworth, Red Bull communications manager who looked after Sergio Perez’s media commitments in his home GP.
      Mexican Perez, the country’s most popular sports star, was mobbed at every turn with poor Alice dragged along in the melee — quite literally — with his 15 security guards!
      Formula One 2022Everything you need to know about F1 this season

      HONDA OFF MARC
      MARC MARQUEZ says Honda are already running late with their Moto GP title challenger for 2023.
      The Spaniard, 29, said: “We are delayed and Honda know we’re in delay, so we will have one chance.
      “I hope to test something interesting in Valencia because what you try in Malaysia in February is the bike you will race.”

      FORMULA E will beat F1 by being the first to race in South Africa next year.
      The all-electric series will visit Cape Town in its 17-race schedule in 2023.
      It also kept Africa as part of the tour after dropping the Marrakesh ePrix.
      Read More on The Sun
      THE Mexican Grand Prix was the 20th race this season and there are two left.
      There will be 24 races in 2023 so it was good to hear Toto Wolff say F1 plans on enforcing a two-week winter break to help ease extra pressure on staff. More

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      Lewis Hamilton slams ‘toxic’ social media and claims everyone should come off it for sake of their mental health

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has slammed “toxic” social media and urged people to come off it. The seven-times World Champion has never been afraid to give his view on things outside the track.
      Hamilton made his feelings on social media clearCredit: Getty
      And while he continues to search for his first race win of the season after a frustrating tactical error left him high and dry in Mexico, Hamilton had an important message for his fans.
      He urged people to put their mental health above social media and criticised “hurtful” comments that people leave.
      He said: “Social media is getting more and more toxic as the years go on and I think we should all come off it ultimately.
      “Mental health is such a prominent thing right now. So many people are reading the comments and the stuff people say, and it is hurtful. 
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      “Fortunately, I don’t read the stuff but the media platforms need to do more to protect people, particularly young kids and women, but at the moment they are not doing that so I think this will just continue.”
      His observation comes just days after he had his own social media run-in with former teammate Fernando Alonso.
      The outspoken Spaniard suggested that Hamilton’s titles were of less value than Verstappens’ as the Brit only had to “fight [his] teammate.”
      In response, Hamilton posted a picture on Twitter of himself on the top step of the US Grand Prix podium in 2007 looking down on his then-McLaren teammate Alonso.
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      F1 also finds itself at a particularly divisive time as old rows rear their heads and drivers being booed becoming an increasingly common sight.
      Confirmation that Red Bull broke the cost cap has led to fans question the legitimacy of their title victories.
      And the team have even boycotted Sky after roving F1 reporter Ted Kravitz claimed that Hamilton had been “robbed”. More

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      Lewis Hamilton says it was ‘awkward’ being booed at Mexico GP amid Red Bull cost cap breach – but is defended by Perez

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has admitted that it was “awkward” being booed at the Mexican Grand Prix. Jeering reigned down on the seven-times World Champion as he gave his post-race interview yesterday.
      Hamilton is still searching for that elusive first win of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Sergio Perez celebrated a second podium at his home race in MexicoCredit: Splash
      Perez could be seen wagging his finger at the crowd as they boo HamiltonCredit: https://twitter.com/sainzhub/status/1586840208162562050/photo/1
      He was defended by home hero Sergio Perez who tried desperately to urge his countrymen and women to stop booing.
      It is the latest sign of the heated division that runs among fans after last season’s controversial ending.
      Max Verstappen and Perez found themselves on the receiving end of boos at the US Grand Prix last week.
      Hamilton still sought to praise Mexico despite his reception and rued a dodgy strategy that left him far off eventual winner Verstappen.
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      He said: “It has definitely been a bit awkward this time around with boos all day. But, nevertheless, I have so much love for Mexico and for the people here.
      “I was so close [to Verstappen] in that first stint but I think the Red Bull was clearly too fast and ultimately they had the better tyre strategy.
      “I’m not sure the hard tyre was the right tyre at the end. I thought we should have started the race on the soft [rather than the medium], but obviously we had the opposite tyre to them.”
      As the Brit spoke and was booed, Perez wagged his finger at the crowd to try and get them to stop.
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      He managed to climb onto the podium in his home race as he watched teammate Verstappen claim a record-breaking 14th win in a single season.
      With the Driver’s and Constructor’s Championship wrapped up, much of the end of season intrigue is coming from off the track.
      After weeks of tension, Red Bull were punished for breaching F1’s cost cap which has reignited unease over Verstappen’s title win last season.
      This unease has spread from fans into the paddock with Red Bull now boycotting Sky Sports after reporter Ted Kravitz claimed Hamilton was “robbed” of the title last year. More

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      Max Verstappen breaks incredible Michael Schumacher record as astonishing winning F1 season continues at Red Bull

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN wrote his name into the Formula One history books with victory at the Mexican Grand Prix.The Red Bull speedster notched his 14th win of an incredible campaign at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday night.
      Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the Mexican Grand PrixCredit: GETTY
      Victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was the Dutchman’s 14th of the seasonCredit: REX
      It broke the joint record previously held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian VettelCredit: GETTY
      Verstappen had already wrapped up his second consecutive F1 title well before last weekend’s race.
      But the win in the Mexican sun saw him break the record for the most wins in a season.
      F1 legends Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel previously held the record for the most wins in a season.
      In the 2004 season, Ferarri legend Schumacher won 13 out of 18 races.
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      The outgoing Vettel, meanwhile, won 13 of 19 races in 2013 when he was at Red Bull.
      The record, however, is now Verstappen’s alone.
      And with two more races of the season remain – the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi Grand Prixs – the Dutchman could stretch the record to 16 victories.
      Verstappen, 25, was over the moon after making the record his own, saying on his team radio: “Amazing guys, 14 wins in a season, unbelievable.”
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      Shortly after leaving the podium, the fan favourite said: “Of course, the start helped me out a lot for the rest of the race.
      “We were also on a different strategy to the other cars around us but again, an incredible result.
      “The pace of the car was really nice. We had to look after our tyres because it was a really long stint on the mediums but we made it work.
      “It’s an incredible atmosphere and we love to come here.
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      “It’s been an incredible year so far, we are definitely enjoying it and we’ll try to go for more (victories).”
      Verstappen will bid to pick up his 15th victory of a dominant season a week on Sunday at the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. More

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      Lewis Hamilton questions Mercedes strategy after defeat to Max Verstappen in F1 Mexico GP following Russell battle

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      LEWIS HAMILTON was left to question Mercedes’ strategy after he lost out to Max Verstappen in the Mexican Grand Prix. Tyre choices proved to be crucial for all the cars up and down the grid with overtaking traditionally difficult around this circuit.
      Lewis Hamilton only has two races left to try and claim his first win of the seasonCredit: Getty
      With Hamilton and his teammate George Russell starting third and second respectively, behind Verstappen, hopes had risen that the seven-times World Champion could challenge for his first win of the season.
      But strategy proved to be the undoing.
      Mercedes had Hamilton and Russell start on the medium tyre and switch to the long-life but less grippier hard tyres, whereas Red Bull had Verstappen start on the quicker soft tyre before moving onto the surprisingly durable medium.
      Hamilton thought this was the major difference between both teams in the race.
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      He told Sky Sports after the Mexican Grand Prix: “When I was on the medium tyres there wasn’t really any degradation when they pulled me in, so I think ultimately we should have been on the softs.
      “It’s something that I had asked and questioned. I thought maybe one of us, the two Mercedes, should have a soft to be able to attack.
      “When both Red Bulls, and everyone behind, took their tyres off [at the beginning of the race] and had softs, I thought ‘shoot’.”
      But an upbeat Hamilton added: “It may be a loss for us today but still this is good points. [There are] so many positives [to take]. The upgrade really, really worked in the last race.
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      “We still have improvements to make, which we probably won’t make in the rest of this year, but we know exactly where we need to improve for next year.”
      Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff admitted that the team messed up on strategy, adding that Red Bull’s soft-to-medium combination “wasn’t even on the radar.”
      Meanwhile, Russell reflected on an exciting first-lap when he duelled with Hamilton before eventually losing second place.
      He said: “I think the last four races for me have been probably scrappy and going into turn one, I knew I wouldn’t be able to overtake Max around the outside.
      “And then when I had Lewis there, probably if it was anyone else but my team-mate, I’d have just ran him off the road.” More

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      F1 Mexican Grand Prix LIVE RESULT: Dominant Verstappen WINS to set record, Hamilton picks up second place – reaction

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has set a new record of the most wins in an F1 season after a dominant victory at the Mexican Grand Prix.The Dutch star charged to his 14th win this season as he finished in cruise control in Mexico City.
      Lewis Hamilton finished second, though he was a long way behind the Red Bull ace.
      Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez was third to gain a podium place in his home race.

      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports F1

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      Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
      All eyes turn to Brazil
      In a race Lewis Hamilton showed his absolute best last year, will that be the location of his first win of the season?
      The Sun will be here to take you through every lap!
      Drivers onto the podium
      One last massive cheer for Sergio Perez, who finished P3 in his home race.
      Perez: “I gave my best”
      “Overtaking is so difficult here.
      “It’s a good podium in front of this crowd.”
      Hamilton: “So much love for Mexico”
      “I was so close in that first stint, but the Red Bull was just too fast.
      “I’m not sure it was the right tyre in the end.”
      Verstappen: “The Start helped me a lot”
      “An incredible result, the pace of the car was really nice.
      “We are definitely enjoying it, and will try to go for more.”
      Ricciardo driver of the day
      A pulsating final few laps for Ricciardo sees him finish P7 despite the 10 second penalty.
      He has also been named driver of the day.
      Russell secures fastest lap
      A final lap effort from Russell sees Mercedes take the fastest lap point for the second week in a row.
      Another P2 for Hamilton
      Perez follows Hamilton to make it a podium in his home race!
      MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MEXICAN GRAND PRIX!
      Russell pits for fastest lap
      Can Mercedes grab an extra point with a fastest lap attempt?
      Ricciardo flying
      Despite the penalty, Ricciardo is on pace to finish P7!
      A great effort from the honey badger!
      No stops up top
      No drivers at the front have pitted, despite Russell’s insistence of a stop.
      Alonso is out!
      VSC is deployed!
      Alonso fading
      Looks like there could be some damage for Alonso, and he is fading towards the places outside of the points.
      Verstappen cruising to victory
      It’s looking like another comfortable victory for the world champion, with the lead to Hamilton over 13seconds.
      Ricciardo making big moves
      With a 10second penalty on him for the collision with Tsunoda, he is now looking to overtake Ocon for 7th.
      Really nice to see for the McLaren driver, who is currently without a seat for next year.
      10 laps to go
      With 10 laps to go, it looks as if there’s not much the Mercedes’ can do to catch their respective Red Bulls.
      Perez approaching DRS range
      It could be problem time for Hamilton…
      Mercedes convinced of Red Bull drop off
      The radio message to Hamilton suggest that they still believe they’re in the right tyres to catch their own Red Bull in front of them.
      Tsunoda out the race
      The collision has left Tsunoda unable to continue, and he is the first driver to retire today.
      Colission between Tsunoda and Ricciardo
      The McLaren was looking for the overtake and it seemed like he got the job done illegally, as Tsunoda goes off the track.
      Race waiting to burst into life
      With 20 laps to go, we’re still waiting for the big moments in this race.
      Can Perez channel the energy of the home crowd and push Hamilton for P2?
      Russell gaining on Perez
      It looks as if Russell has adapted to these tyres better than Hamilton, and he’ll be encouraged that Perez is not exactly pushing his teammate for P2.
      Bottas making moves
      Both Ocon and Bottas overtake Zhou, who is yet to pit.
      A nice exit sees the former Mercedes driver stay in touch with the Frenchman for P8.
      Lovely overtake from Ocon
      Every point is crucial in the midfield, and Ocon moves into the points with an overtake on Bottas.
      Load more entries… More

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      Max Verstappen cruises to F1 Mexican Grand Prix victory as first season win eludes Lewis Hamilton in second place

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      FOR a second day running, a procession swept through Mexico City.On Saturday night it was the hour-long parade of floats and dancers for the spectacular Día de los Muertos – or Day of the Dead – celebrations.
      Winner Max Verstappen shares the podium with his Red Bull Racing’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, plus Lewis Hamilton and Sergio PerezCredit: AFP
      Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning a record 14th GP of the yearCredit: Reuters
      Lewis Hamilton races ahead of Sergio Perez but had to settle for runner-up spotCredit: Getty
      And on Sunday it was Max Verstappen’s turn as he coasted to an easy victory to set a new Formula One record for winning 14 races in a season.
      He said over the team’s radio: “Amazing guys, 14 wins in a season, unbelievable.”
      And the Dutchman later added: “Of course the start helped me out a lot.
      “We were also on a different strategy to the other cars around us but again, an incredible result.
      READ MORE ON F1
      “The pace of the car was really nice. We had to look after our tyres because it was a really long stint on the mediums but we made it work.
      “It’s an incredible atmosphere and we love to come here. It’s been an incredible year so far,”
      Boss Christian Horner said: “Well done mate, that is a new record. That is the most race wins we have had in a season.”
      Not that Sky F1 viewers would hear too much about it afterwards, given that Verstappen and his Red Bull team snubbed the broadcaster over a row centering on the channel’s roving reporter, Ted Kravitz.
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      Contrary to some views, the feud was not a reaction to Sky’s presentation of Red Bull’s cost-cap breach.
      Verstappen said: “It was not to do with this weekend but this year a constant kind of…being disrespectful, especially one particular person.
      “Enough is enough and I don’t accept it.
      “You have to move on and social media is such a toxic place and if you are constantly being like that live on TV you are making it worse instead of making it better in the world and disrespecting me and I won’t tolerate it and that’s why I decided to stop answering [to Sky].”
      It’s the culmination of what the F1 team feel has been on-going sniping from Kravitz in the wake of last year’s Abu Dhabi GP.
      The final straw was last weekend when Kravitz implied Hamilton had been “robbed” of last year’s title in a bumbling chat about a potential Hollywood script for Brad Pitt, who is making an F1 film.
      When asked by SunSport, Sky declined to comment while Red Bull say the ban is indefinite as they clearly feel the broadcaster has some making up to do.
      The fallout between the two was in truth more spectacular than this race.
      Sure, its capacity and colourful crowd made this event, but this was a comfortable win for Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton was unable to mount a serious threat and finished in second place, some 15 seconds behind.
      Verstappen got a good start, as did Hamilton who was able to squeeze past George Russell on the first lap.
      World champ Max Verstappen heads Carlos Sainz on the way to victoryCredit: Getty
      Russell was then passed by Serio Perez as the home favourite was able to make up a place from his fourth-slot on the grid.
      But we were denied the tantalising prospect of seeing Hamilton slug it out with pole-sitter Verstappen, who was just too quick on the soft tyre.
      The Red Bull man was maintaining his gap to Hamilton until he stopped for fresh tyres at the end of lap 25.
      His pitstop was quick at 2.5 seconds, unlike Perez, who had to wait twice as long for his pitstop on the previous lap.
      That promoted Hamilton into the lead as Verstappen’s stop dropped him to third behind Russell.
      But his time out in front did not last long, as he stopped himself at the end of lap 30.
      And when Russell made his pitstop on lap 37, it was Verstappen who was leading again with Hamilton second, Perez third and Russell in fourth.
      It remained that way until the end with Russell pitting on the penultimate lap for fresh tyres as he was able to set the fastest lap and snatch a bonus point.
      While Ferrari were left as the best-of-the-rest once again, as the Italian team failed to impress with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in fifth and sixth place respectively.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton has been told he has a job at Mercedes for life by Wolff.
      I was so close in that first stint but I think the Red Bull was clearly too fast today and ultimately, maybe they had the better tyre strategy.Lewis Hamilton
      The Mercedes ace, 37, will start to open talks over a new deal with the team to remain in F1 after 2023.
      He already has a contract in place for next season, worth £40million a season, but he is looking to prolong his F1 career into his 40s.
      Wolff said: “It is 100 percent his seat,” when asked if he was looking at other drivers for beyond 2023.
      He added: “We haven’t started any talks. We want to definitely finish the season and then find some quiet time over the winter like we did last time around.
      “He’s much more than a driver to us now.
      “And although we’re not talking about a career end, it’s also important to speak about his role as an ambassador for Mercedes and the many sponsors we have and the implication he can have in our wider universe.”
      Hamilton admitted to discomfort at the reception he got from home fans.
      He said: “This has been an amazing crowd, definitely a bit awkward this time around with boos all day.
      “But, nevertheless I have so much love for Mexico and for the people here. What a great race and an event they’ve put on this weekend.
      “I was so close in that first stint but I think the Red Bull was clearly too fast today and ultimately, maybe they had the better tyre strategy.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton has job for LIFE at Mercedes as Toto Wolff confirms 2023 seat and hints at future role beyond retirement

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been told he has a job at Mercedes for life.The Mercedes ace, 37, will open talks in the winter to discuss a new deal which will see him remain in F1 after 2023.
      Hamilton is expected to sign a new deal with MercedesCredit: Splash
      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has promised him a long-term roleCredit: PA
      He already has a contract in place for next season, worth £40million, but he is looking to prolong his F1 career into his 40s.
      And Merc boss Toto Wolff says Hamilton is assured of his seat – providing he wants to remain in F1.
      Wolff said: “It is 100 percent his [Lewis’] seat,” when asked if he was looking at other drivers for beyond 2023.
      He added: “We haven’t started any talks. We want to definitely finish the season and then find some quiet time over the winter like we did last time around.
      Read More on F1
      “He’s much more than a driver to us now.
      “And although we’re not talking about a career end, it’s also important to speak about his role as an ambassador for Mercedes and the many sponsors we have and the implication he can have in our wider universe.”
      Wolff’s comments come at a time when he has been linked with a potential swoop for current world champion Max Verstappen in the future.
      A paddock source has told SunSport that Wolff holds regular talks with Verstappen and his father, Jos, although the content of those conversations remain private.
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      Hamilton has won six of his titles during his 10 years with Mercedes and has played a crucial role in helping them develop their car this season.
      He has made no secret of the fact he still “feels young” and has set no time limit for how long he wishes to continue racing.
      And Wolff also believes his driver is far from over and says he could follow American Football star Tom Brady, who still plays in the NFL at the age of 45.
      He said: “You can see today’s athletes pushing the boundaries in terms of age.
      “For me, Fernando (Alonso) is performing at a very high level and you look, for me, at the best athlete in the world, Tom Brady, on the field being tackled and throwing a ball at 45-years-old.
      “As long as you continue to look after yourself and your cognitive sensors, I think he has many more years in him.
      “I’m pretty certain that’s going to be the case here in the team.”
      Ahead of the Mexico GP, Alonso had suggested Verstappen’s two titles were worth more as he was fighting other drivers, rather than his own teammate.
      Hamilton responded on Twitter with a brilliant image of him on the top step of the podium in the 2007 US GP with Alonso in P2.
      Wolff also responded to Red Bull’s breach of F1’s cost cap, saying the fact they were found guilty and subsequently penalised with a £6million fine and reduction in wind tunnel time also caused “reputational damage” to his rivals.
      He said: “They (the FIA) were absolutely good in assessing. I know how rigorous they were with us all throughout the year. That was a difficult process.
      “Overall, it’s good to see that there is a penalty, whether we deem it too low or too high.
      “What you see is that beyond a sporting penalty and financial fine, it’s also reputational damage.”
      Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has snubbed Sky Sports at the Mexico Grand Prix as he is upset by some comments from the presenters on the channel.
      Read More on The Sun
      Reporter Ted Kravitz implied he “robbed” Hamilton of the title last year when bumbling about a potential Hollywood script for Brad Pitt.
      Consequently, the world champion swerved the UK-based Sky Sports team, as well as their German and Italian affiliates. More