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      I don’t see a woman in Formula One in next five years unless a METEORITE hits the earth, says F1 boss Stefano Domenicali

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      A METEORITE would need to hit earth for there to be a woman in F1 in the next five years, says the sport’s boss Stefano Domenicali.While saying that motorsport has taken several steps to include more women, he admits they have a long way to go.
      Stefano Domenicali believes that we will not see a woman in Formula One in at five years for sureCredit: Splash
      Many have been calling for female British driver Jamie Chadwick to receive a seat in at least Formula Two or Formula Three.
      The 24-year-old races in the all-women single-seater championship, the W Series, and has already won the championship twice since her debut in 2019.
      The challenge for women like Chadwick to join the currently all-male series lies in sponsorship and funding for the seat, along with the current male dominance.
      Domenicali claims that motorsport fans will soon start seeing more opportunities for female drivers in Formula Two and Formula Three.
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      But he also admitted that it is highly unlikely that any woman will make it to Formula One in the next five years.
      The F1 CEO said: “We believe that it is crucial in this moment to try to give the maximum possibility to women to come to Formula One.
      “We believe that for girls to be the same level of competition with the guys they need to be at the same, or more or less the same, age when they can start to fight on the track at the level of Formula Two or Formula Three.
      “So we are working on that to see what we can do to improve the system.
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      “And you will see soon some action.
      “Realistically speaking, I don’t see a girl in Formula One in the next five years unless something like a sort of meteorite comes into the Earth.
      “That is very unlikely.
      “But we want to build up the right parameters with the right approach, step by step, for them to start to race against the guys at the right age and in the right car.
      “That’s what we’re working on.”
      So far, there has only ever been two women that raced in F1: Maria Teresa de Filippis in 1958 and Lella Lombardi in 1975 and 1976.
      In 2022, Alpine launched a programme called Rac(H)er in the aim of helping more women make it into F1.
      The programme is spread over a span of eight years and amongst the drivers participating is Jamie Chadwick herself – who also forms part of the Williams drivers academy.
      Alpine want to increase their female workforce to 30 per cent over the next five years from the current 12 per cent.
      They also revealed how only 10 per cent of the F1 British-based teams’ workforce is female.
      Jamie Chadwick told Sky Sports her views on why women are struggling to make it into the sport.
      Among the reasons are the physical demands of Formula One and how naturally some women struggle with that.
      She said: “The ultimate goal is to be in those Championships, ideally Formula Two and then Formula One.
      “I don’t know what is actually possible.
      “To get into Formula One you have to go through the feeder series – Formula Three and Formula Two – and it is extremely physical.
      “Formula One is extremely physical, and we don’t know exactly what women are capable of in the sport.
      “If you are aged 15 or 16, and go into car racing, without power steering and driving big heavy cars, a lot of women do struggle, even though they have been successful in go-karting.
      “We like to think that women can make it – and I am happy to be the guinea pig and will do my best to push and explore the options to Formula One – but we don’t know.
      “There hasn’t been a woman in the recent era that has done it.
      “I am trying to understand whether that is to do with the physical side.
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      “If it is physically possible, and women can compete against men, how do we make that happen?
      “However, if it is physically too hard, but the sport wants women to compete, than we have got to bring it back and understand why.” More

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      What is the F1 halo and how does it save lives?

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      THE HALO cockpit has been part and parcel of F1 for the last few seasons – for good reason.It helped save Lewis Hamilton from serious injury after he crashed out of the Italian Grand Prix last year.
      Zhou Guanyu crashed at the first turn of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone but the Halo saved his lifeCredit: AP
      And it appears to have saved Zhou Guanyu’s life after he crashed during the start of the British Grand Prix in 2022.
      What is the halo cockpit system?
      Safety is paramount in Formula One and sadly down the years, some haven’t been as lucky as Roman Grosjean at the Bahrain GP last year.
      Jules Bianchi was killed after a crash at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix, losing control of his Marussia in treacherous conditions.
      And his mother was quick to point out that the halo – which wasn’t a feature of the cars six years ago but was being worked on by the FIA – had ‘saved Romain’s life’.
      The halo was introduced back in 2018 and is an added safety feature now included on all F1 cars, acting as a titanium ring of protection around the driver’s cockpit.
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      It is designed to prevent drivers from getting injuries from flying debris or suffering head trauma like in the tragic case of Bianchi.
      The F1 governing body took a long time to research and test the design, which does slightly impact the field of view for drivers.
      When it was launched there was also criticism from some fans, who believed the hefty new structure around the cockpit meant they couldn’t see the racers properly.
      World champion Lewis Hamilton revealed back in 2018 that he felt it could be the first step towards a closed cockpit around the driver, but that hasn’t yet come to fruition.
      He said: “I think we’re moving towards a closed cockpit, I think that would look better, there’s some really great concepts online of a closed cockpit.
      “It’s a difficult one as when they introduced it, talked about it, they mentioned a 17 per cent improvement in safety and it’s difficult to really ignore that.
      “It definitely doesn’t look good, we know that, we’ve said that.”
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen crashed in Monza
      Everything you need to know about F1 this season

      How did the halo save Grosjean in his Bahrain crash?
      Grosjean’s car snapped clean in half at the force of the crash, with the impact measured at a scarcely-believable 53G.
      Despite the fireball that consumed the wreckage of his vehicle, Grosjean was saved from major burns by his four layers of protective clothing and was able to jump to safety.
      The sturdily-built halo is designed to take the full force of impact first, protecting the drivers’ head from serious injury.
      The halo was still visible after Grosjean’s horror crash
      In this case, it appears to have worked with Grosjean suffering just minor burns to his hands and miraculously avoiding serious trauma to either his body or head.
      Ross Brawn, F1 managing director, was adamant after the race that without the halo we could have been looking at another tragedy.
      He said: “There is absolutely no doubt the halo was the factor that saved the day – and saved Romain.”
      And world champ Hamilton said after winning the race in Sakhir: “It was such a shocking image to see.
      “His car, the cockpit, I don’t know what Gs he pulled, but I’m just so grateful that the halo worked.
      “I’m grateful the barrier didn’t slice his head off. It could have been so much worse.”
      Grosjean was immediately air-lifted to the hospital after the crash and praised the F1 safety system for saving his life.
      He said: “I wasn’t for the halo some years ago, but I think it’s the greatest thing that we brought to Formula 1 and without it, I wouldn’t be able to speak to you today.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton has ‘shot at winning races’ after Mercedes ‘out-develop rivals’ with ‘big, big upgrade’ during break

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      LEWIS HAMILTON and team-mate George Russell now have a shot at winning races.That’s according to Juan Pablo Montoya, who claims that Mercedes have had a “big, big upgrade” during the F1 break.
      Lewis Hamilton will now have a shot at winning races, says Juan Pablo MontoyaCredit: Getty
      The seven-time champ posted a photo on social media to declare that he was back driving after the F1 breakCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/
      There are still nine races left on the calendar this season and Brit racer Hamilton sits sixth in the individual standings.
      The upcoming Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday signifies the end of the month-long break for the drivers.
      Hamilton, 37, whose father Anthony is of Grenadian descent, took the time to travel across Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania on a self-discovery mission.
      The seven-time champ has not won a race since December last year, but legendary driver Montoya thinks that may change soon.
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      He told Vegas Insider: “The rumour is that Mercedes has a big, big upgrade coming for their cars.
      “And, if that is the case, Mercedes really comes up with a car, which is really cool to see from Mercedes.
      “It is very exciting. Mercedes is still gonna get better, against everybody else, but everybody else in the field is gonna stay very constant.
      “Because they all keep developing and making the cars better to drive, easier to drive.
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      “Everybody is getting a little more comfortable with the new package, and understanding the new package.”
      “So I think the way everybody is developing the cars is going to be very similar, but I still think that Mercedes out-develops everybody else. That is my two cents.” 
      “The question is, is Mercedes’ step so big that they start winning every race, and they are going to win the last nine races, and they are going to do one, two, seven or eight times, and you know, they have a shot at the Constructor Championship, while everybody else fumbles?”
      I see Mercedes might have a shot at winning a couple of races this year if their developing goes wellJuan Pablo Montoya
      “Or their step is, ok, we are starting to fight against Red Bull and Mercedes, and we are just there? That is the more realistic version of what I see coming.
      “I see Mercedes might have a shot at winning a couple of races this year if their developing goes well.”
      Hamilton said he was “transformed” by his trip through Africa.
      And it could prove to be the perfect reset after a tough start to the season where he remains winless – and on the longest drought of his F1 career.
      He has not won a race since the Saudi Arabian GP last December, but said the break was “some of the best days of my entire life”.
      Legend Montoya thinks that Mercedes ‘out-develop’ the rest over the course of the seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Daniel Ricciardo AXED by McLaren and given £10m pay-off with Oscar Piastri lined up as replacement

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      DANIEL RICCIARDO has been given the boot by McLaren – paving the way for them to sign Oscar Piastri as Lando Norris’ teammate for next season.Ricciardo only joined the team in 2021 and is the only driver to win a race for the Woking team since 2013.
      Daniel Ricciardo has been given the boot by McLarenCredit: Splash
      He’s set to be replaced by Oscar Piastri who will link up with Lando Norris in Ricciardo’s absenceCredit: Getty
      However, he has been consistently out-performed by Norris, forcing McLaren to swoop to sign Piastri, who was wanted by Alpine to replace Fernando Alonso.
      Ricciardo’s early exit from his contract is believed to have cost McLaren around £10million.
      Ricciardo, who won the 2021 Italian GP prompting the team’s CEO Zak Brown to get a tattoo to commemorate the achievement, said: “It’s been a privilege to be a part of the McLaren Racing family for the last two seasons.
      “But following several months of discussions with Zak and Andreas Seidl we have decided to terminate my contract with the team early and agree to mutually part ways at the end of this season.
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      “I’ll be announcing my own future plans in due course but regardless of what this next chapter brings, I have no regrets and am proud of the effort and work I gave McLaren, especially the win in Monza, last season.
      “I’ve enjoyed working with everyone at McLaren both trackside and back in Woking and will be giving my all on and off track as we enjoy the remainder of the season together.
      “I’ve never been more motivated to compete and be a part of a sport that I love so much and look forward to what comes next.”
      Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, added: “Daniel has been a great addition to McLaren, and it’s been a pleasure working with him. I’d like to thank him for all of his efforts over the last two seasons both trackside and back at base.

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      “It’s no secret that we hoped we could achieve more together but seeing him stand on the top step of the podium as a McLaren driver was a highlight. We wish him well for the future and let’s go enjoy the rest of the season together.”
      Ricciardo, who has also raced for HRT, Toro Rosso, Red Bull and Renault, could switch back to Alpine – the rebranded Renault team, or could find a seat at Haas. More

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      ‘I’m not the same man I was’ – F1 star Lewis Hamilton ‘transformed’ by Africa trip and raring to go for Belgium GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON returns to work this weekend at the Belgium GP after being “transformed” by his trip through Africa.Hamilton, whose father Anthony is of Grenadian descent, travelled across Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania on a self-discovery mission.
      Lewis Hamilton says he was ‘transformed’ by his trip to AfricaCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton has not won a race in F1 since December last yearCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton says it was a much needed breakCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      F1 is back this weekend in SpaCredit: Getty
      The 37-year-old explored with a bunch of mates, including Daniel Forrest, known as Spinz, who documented Hamilton’s travels on social media.
      And it could prove to be the perfect reset after a tough start to the season where he remains winless – and on the longest drought of his F1 career.
      Hamilton, who has not won a race since the Saudi Arabian GP last December, said the break was “some of the best days of my entire life”.
      He added on social media: “I’m not the same man I was before this trip, all the beauty, love, and peacefulness I experienced has me feeling fully transformed.
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      “No amount of photos could capture how I’m feeling now and what I’m trying to say. Just know, where words fall short, emotions run deep.
      “I connected with my roots and my history and I feel my ancestors with me now stronger than I ever have before.”
      Hamilton’s trip saw him take a hot air balloon ride, visit the Pokot people in Kenya and take in an animal sanctuary, as he crammed a lot into F1’s three-week break.
      However, he will be back on duty this weekend at the Belgium GP where he is going in search of victory after finishing second last out in the Hungarian GP.

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      World champion Max Verstappen’s victory at the Hungaroring saw him extend his lead over Charles Lecelerc to 80 points while Hamilton is a whopping 112 points behind the Dutchman.
      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will hope that Hamilton’s expedition through Africa will not have rekindled thoughts about retirement.
      Hamilton has spoken about quitting and has given it some serious thought, but during this season, there appears to have been a u-turn.
      Wolff first mentioned that he was speaking to Hamilton about extending his stay in the team beyond 2023, when his current deal is set to expire.
      The Austrian said at the French GP – Hamilton’s 300th race in F1 – that their partnership could go “about five to 10 years”, so “we can go to 400 [races]”.
      And Hamilton too recently said in a recent Vanity Fair interview that he’d “be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought about extending”.
      Mercedes and Wolff will be praying that still remains the case.
      Meanwhile, Belgium GP bosses will show off the circuit’s £80million overhaul, including resurfacing, which promises quicker lap times.
      However, as yet, there is no contract in place with the historic circuit meaning this is the last Belgium GP as it stands.
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      Last year, the race turned into a farce as heavy rain forced the start to be delayed multiple times.
      The race lasted for only one lap – the shortest in F1 history with fans left upset and feeling short-changed. More

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      Daniel Ricciardo ‘holds talks with Haas boss Guenther Steiner’ as he is offered F1 lifeline after McLaren struggles

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      DANIEL RICCIARDO could be handed a lifeline by Haas if he is dumped by McLaren.Rumours persist that the Aussie is set to lose his seat for next season to Oscar Piastri.
      Daniel Ricciardo is potentially left without a seat for 2023 unless he accepts Haas’ Guenther Steiner’s offer
      Ricciardo, 33, has struggled to get the better of Brit Lando Norris since joining McLaren last season.
      He has one year left on his contract which entitles him to a yearly salary of £17.5million.
      And if McLaren were to release him to make way for rising F1 star Piastri, then the former Red Bull star could demand a wage pay-out after being left to look for a seat.
      However he might not be looking for long, amid reports Haas team principal Guenther Steiner is interested in offering the eight-time Grand Prix winner a seat alongside Kevin Magnussen for 2023.
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      The Express reports that Steiner called Ricciardo ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix to discuss opportunities with him, despite having this year’s seat filled by Mick Schumacher.
      It seems highly unlikely that the Honey Badger will be driving in the McLaren next season but he is determined to keep racing in F1.
      As reported by The Mirror, Ricciardo said: “I could probably keep going, I believe I still thrive off it because I still believe I belong [in Formula 1] and can do it.
      “That’s what really gets me jacked.
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      “And the love of it, as well as knowing that any weekend that could be there [a win], like it could be around the corner, you know.
      “The truth is, the highs you get are just so high because so much goes into it.
      “So then the high and the reward is pretty amazing and pretty spectacular.”

      Ricciardo has also been linked with a return to Alpine – previously called Renault – but he is not the only one linked with that seat.
      Schumacher Jr has still not renewed his contract – which runs out at the end of the season – with Haas and his uncle Ralf Schumacher told Sky Germany that “he would be a candidate” for the Alpine seat.
      Ralf also went on to say that believes that Ricciardo “would not get another chance in Formula 1.”
      The Alpine seat became available after Aston Martin announced that two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso will be making a shock move to the Silverstone-based team.
      Mick – whose the son of seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher – had a rocky start to his first two seasons in Formula One.
      He finished the 2021 season with no points while being paired up with Nikita Mazepin.
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      In 2022, he crashed twice and caused Haas some financial headaches as they had to keep within the budget cap to fix the car, and this caused him to miss out on upgrades for the race in the Hungaroring.
      He is now redeeming himself by scoring points for Haas and achieving better qualifying position to start in races. More

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      Who is F1 boss Toto Wolff’s wife Susie, how long has she been involved in motorsport?

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      TOTO WOLFF is best known as one of F1’s fiercest team principals, having won seven world titles as boss. The German has a close relationship with legendary Brit driver Lewis Hamilton, who has worked with Wolff for most of his career.
      Toto Wolff works with his wife Susie at MercedesCredit: Getty
      Toto and Susie Wolff have been involved in motorsport for most of their livesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Wolff is also known for getting into spats with his rival Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
      But there’s one woman in his life who keeps him calm when the going gets tough in the world of motorsport.
      So it’s a good thing that his wife Susie also has plenty of experience in the industry.

      Who is Susie Wolff?
      Susie Wolff was born in Oban, Scotland, where her parents John and Sally Stoddart owned a morocycle dealership.
      Early on in her life, Wolff got into the racing industry, progressing through the ranks by getting started in karting.
      She then moved onto Forumla Renault and Formula Three atthe age of 2022.
      Between 2006 and 2012 she competed in the DTM, racing for Mucke Motorsport, and in 2015 she moved to Formula One with Williams.
      Toto Wolff and Susie Wolff
      Under the Williams banner, she made history by becoming the first woman to participate in a Forumla One weekend since 1992, driving two practice sessions as the British and German Grands Prix.
      Wolff retired from racing in 2015 and joined Mercedes a year later as one of their ambassadors.
      And now she’s the CEO of Venturi Racing in Formula E.
      Susie married Toto in 2011, several years after first meeting, in a Capri wedding.
      And after six years of marriage, Susie gave birth to their first child – a boy called Jack.
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      Lewis Hamilton opens up on retirement and his F1 future after Toto Wolff claims Mercedes star can reach 400 races

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has lifted the lid on his F1 future after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed the Brit can reach 400 races in the sport.Hamilton’s had an illustrious career since starting out with McLaren in 2007.
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has claimed Lewis Hamilton can reach 400 races with the teamCredit: Reuters
      But Hamilton revealed he’s taking it one race at a time in response to Wolff’s predictionCredit: Rex
      The Brit went on to join Mercedes in 2013, and has scooped seven titles thus far.
      He was denied the chance to break F1 legend Micheal Schumacher’s record and lift his eighth title by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen last season.
      And Hamilton’s crushing loss sparked fears that his pending retirement loomed.
      But he brushed off the rumours to reach 300 races this season at the French GP.
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      Hamilton finished the race in second, behind Verstappen, and his performance led Wolff to claim the Mercedes star can add another 100 races to his catalogue, over the next decade.
      He said: “[Lewis and I] talked a few weeks ago about how long our partnership can go and the figure discussed was about five to 10 years, so I think we can go to 400.”
      However, Hamilton didn’t share the same optimism when asked about Wolff’s prediction.
      He responded: “That’s a lot of races! I firstly just want to be grateful to get to this point.

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      “But I still feel fresh and still feel like I’ve got plenty of fuel left in the tank.
      “So, I’m enjoying what I’m doing. I’m… really, really proud and enjoying arriving every day and working with this incredible group of people. I’m also enjoying working with the sport more than ever.
      He also urged Mercedes to do better after their poor start to the season.
      Mercedes languish in third in the F1 table, behind Ferarri and leaders Red Bull.
      While Hamilton’s chances of clinching the F1 title look slim as he sits in sixth spot in the driver standings.
      He added: “But again, just with our team, I always want to continue to be building.
      “It’s one thing having races, but it’s also continuing the work that we do outside and doing more; I think Mercedes and us can always do more, and we will.”
      Mercedes and Hamilton will have the chance to close the gap this weekend at the Belgium GP after the F1’s month-long break. More