Motorsport

FUMING Fernando Alonso tore into Lewis Hamilton during practice for the US Grand Prix. The long-term rivals were getting in the extra laps during the extended Friday session to test the tyres on the COTA 2023 track.
Fernando Alonso was annoyed with Lewis Hamilton during FP2Credit: EPA

But veteran Alonso was left annoyed when he had to abort a flying lap.
After a blistering start, the Spaniard had to put on the brakes when he caught up with Hamilton.
Alonso, 41, could not overtake the seven-time world champion and seemingly was not left enough space to go round him.
And the two-time Formula One champ – who clashed with Hamilton in Belgium – was understandably frustrated with his former McLaren team-mate.
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He complained down the team radio: “Hamilton has no mirrors today. Unbelievable!”
It compounded a difficult day for the Alpine driver who was 17th fastest in FP2 – while Hamilton was eighth.
The Brit, 37, has four races to try and avoid his first season without a single race win.
But the Mercedes driver is feeling optimistic heading into Sunday’s Texas showdown.
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Hamilton said: “Firstly, I’m super grateful to everyone back at the factory for working so hard and bringing us the upgrade for this weekend.
“It’s been a tough year for everyone at the factory and for them to be continuously pushing and keeping their heads down and pulling out these new upgrades, I’m super grateful. I kept the car in one piece today – just about – which is good.
“And definitely felt improvements in the car. Obviously, FP2 was a bit of a waste in terms of figuring out performance, but P1 was feeling quite good.
“I’m hoping we make some changes tonight and we’ll find out exactly where we stand. But it doesn’t feel like we are too far away.”
Alonso and Hamilton were team-mates in 2007 but haven’t always seen eye to eyeCredit: Instagram / @mercedesamgf1 More

MAX VERSTAPPEN has defended Red Bull against “hypocritical” rivals who have criticised his team over the cost cap scandal.Last week the FIA found Red Bull were guilty of breaching their budget cap for 2021.
Max Verstappen branded Red Bull critics naysayersCredit: Getty
Verstappen and Red Bull claimed the F1 championship in part thanks to that additional funding, which has sparked a backlash within the sport.
Sir Lewis Hamilton was one of several vocal critics with the Mercedes star calling for greater transparency.
The Brit fears F1 could lose its integrity if Red Bull are not sufficiently punished but Verstappen believes the criticism is partly born out of jealousy.
He told Sky Italia: “I think it’s mainly because we’re doing well.
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“They try to slow us down in any way possible. At the end of the day that’s how Formula 1 works.
“Everyone is a bit hypocritical but I’m fine with that. We just have to focus on our job.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet but as a team we know what we have to deal with and we are very clear with what we think is correct.”
Sergio Perez echoed his team-mate’s belief that rivals are just trying to hold Red Bull back, but he is confident the facts will tell the true story.
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He added: “At the end of the day, there are always teams that want to take performance out of you, especially when you are winning.
“It’s part of the sport, and this has been the case forever. I just think it’s a normal situation. At the end of the day, facts will come out and people will see and understand the situation.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON is “praying” for a non-bumpy car next year as he joked his dental fillings could fall out at the US Grand Prix.The Mercedes star went third fastest in FP1 at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday.
Lewis Hamilton says he is praying for a non-bumpy car next yearCredit: AFP
He says his Mercedes feels incredibly stiff at the US Grand PrixCredit: Reuters
But after the practice session Hamilton revealed it was a tough ride on the bumpy track, despite the upgrades made to his car.
Although the Brit acknowledge improvements have been made, he still pointed out it is a far cry from the car he drove last year.
Hamilton said: “I came here after Montreal and I drove last year’s car and it was so good.
“I remember getting out and just beaming from ear to ear because it was so smooth and had good downforce, good power. This year obviously we lost a bit of power with the biofuels.
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“The car is so stiff now. Coming and driving the car, luckily I don’t actually have many [dental] fillings because, if I did, they would have all come out this year, for sure.
“It’s just so, so bumpy. I’m really praying for a non-bumpy car next year.”
Hamilton suffered with a back injury in the summer as a result of the car’s porpoising and the injury was so bad it prevented him from sleeping.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff expressed his concern over the porpoising issue, stating it is not safe for drivers.
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He claimed it could cause drivers brain damage and his team have been trying to remedy the issue all year long.
The latest steps include improvements to the front wing to improve flow conditioning, while the floor fences and floor edge have also been upgraded.
Hamilton feels the upgrades have worked and believes he is not too far off his rivals.
He added: “I kept the car in one piece today, which is good, and definitely felt improvements in the car.
“I’m hoping we make some changes tonight and we’ll find out tomorrow exactly where we stand. But it doesn’t feel like we’re too far away from everyone.”
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Hamilton heads into the US Grand Prix still seeking his first win of the season.
Rival Max Verstappen however has already wrapped up the Drivers’ World Championship with four races remaining. More

RED BULL face an anxious wait to discover if they will be slapped with financial AND sporting penalties as the F1 cost-cap row reignites at the US GP.The Milton Keynes-based team can wrap up the constructors’ championship at this weekend’s race in Austin, Texas.
Christian Horner with Max VerstappenCredit: PA
However, that risks being overshadowed by the punishment dished out by the FIA after they deemed Red Bull breached the £114million spending limit last year.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner was informed that his team failed to meet the cost cap just an hour after Max Verstappen won the title in Japan 11 days ago.
The hammer blow was delivered by a phone call from FIA interim secretary general for motorsport Shaila-Ann Rao.
She has only been in the role since June having previously worked for Red Bull’s rivals, Mercedes, for three and a half years. Red Bull maintain that their submission was under the limit when they filed the accounts in March.
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However, SunSport understands they feel the goal posts have since changed with clarifications over parts produced for historical vehicles and those produced for their current F1 cars.
Red Bull have also bungled their submission, as they included a canteen bill for the whole of their UK campus, rather than the staff directly associated with the production of their F1 cars.
Further complications come in the clarification for employees placed on gardening leave and those on sick pay.
It has resulted in an overspend, estimated to be around £1.8million, triggering a ‘minor’ breach of the regulations, but way short of the £10million initially mooted.
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Red Bull now face a dilemma of whether to sign up to the FIA’s punishment and admit their guilt, even though they insist their innocence.
It is believed that such a penalty will include a fine, plus possible reduction in windtunnel development or even a reduced budget for future seasons.
However, if they choose to appeal the FIA’s proposed penalty and take it to an independent panel of judges, they could risk an even-harsher penalty, should they fail.
The row has become even more complicated by the fact that Mercedes Toto Wolff has been so outspoken on the matter.
And McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, has also interfered in proceedings in a letter lobbying for the FIA to punish Red Bull, possibly compromising a fair decision.
The FIA say that Rao is in no way working in the cost-cap administration process and simply acting as a liaison between the two parties.
Max Verstappen wins the FIA world championshipCredit: Rex More