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    Horner trolls Mercedes by paying £4k for tour of their F1 factory but Red Bull boss could be banned from entering

    CHRISTIAN HORNER made a cheeky £4,000 bid to win a tour of the Mercedes F1 team’s factory.However, the Red Bull boss could be stopped from enjoying his prize due to some of the T&Cs with the prize.
    Red Bull chief Christian Horner saw Max Verstappen win the 2021 world title and now wants a brazen look at the base of big rivals MercedesCredit: Splash
    Mercedes principal Toto Wolff and main driver Lewis Hamilton hope the Brit can regain the world title from Red Bull’s Max VerstappenCredit: Splash
    Horner made the bid at the Autosport Awards last Sunday for a “money can’t buy” tour of Merc’s Brackley HQ.
    Red Bull say the bid was legit, with the money from the auction going to the Grand Prix Trust.
    However, Mercedes have not yet decided to accommodate his mischievous attempt at a not-so-secret spying mission.
    A Merc spokesman told SunSport: “We haven’t discussed it yet.
    “To do so, we’d have to waive the terms and conditions under which it was offered — always pays to read the small print!”
    The terms on the prize state “that employees of other Formula One teams are not eligible to take this tour”.
    Ironically, just as Horner tries to check out the Mercedes base, their main man Lewis Hamilton has been given the all-clear to improve security at his £18m London home.
    Kensington and Chelsea Council gave permission for the seven-time world champ to replace railings at the front of the mansion with a taller barrier.
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    Hamilton is revving up for his bid to wrestle back the throne after Red Bull star Max Verstappen snatched the 2021 crown thanks to a controversial last-lap restart of the final Grand Prix.
    Talk of Hamilton quitting in frustration has eased, especially as he has been out for early-morning runs with Mercedes trainer Angela Cullen.
    Nonetheless, Hamilton has been largely silent since his Abu Dhabi anguish in December.
    Race director Michael Masi failed to follow rules as he left the Brit a sitting duck for Verstappen to overtake him on his fresher tyres.
    The FIA are still deciding if Masi should be sacked for allowing Verstappen to overtake lapped cars. More

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    Lewis Hamilton ends retirement speculation with F1 legend returning to Mercedes HQ TODAY to get first look at 2022 car

    LEWIS HAMILTON will clock in for his day at work in 2022 today – ending speculation he will quit F1.Hamilton is expected at the team’s Brackley HQ to run through the finer details on their 2022 F1 car.
    Lewis Hamilton will end speculation over his F1 future todayCredit: Daimler AG
    He is expected at Marcedes’ Brackley HQ to run through details on their 2022 F1 carCredit: Getty
    This season will see radical new designs introduced to make the racing closer and more competitive.
    Hamilton broke his silent protest at the weekend with his first post on social media since losing his F1 title in controversial circumstances.
    At the Abu Dhabi GP, Race Director Michael Masi failed to obey safety car rules allowing Max Verstappen to pass Hamilton on his way to winning the race and the title.
    Hamilton’s silence, coupled with Merc boss Toto Wolff’s claim that he did not know whether Hamilton would return to F1 as he was left ‘disillusioned’ with the sport, raised doubts as to whether the 37-year-old would retire.
    However, his work at the factory sends the strongest signal yet that he intends to return to fight for a record eighth world title.
    Hamilton, who shared a clip of him running yesterday, was leading by ten seconds going into lap 54 in last season’s finale, only to have victory cruelly snatched away after the deployment of a safety car.
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    He has since been accused of trying to get FIA Race Director Michael Masi the sack, after he failed to obey the correct rules by allowing lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake.
    That resulted in a one-lap sprint to decide the title, Verstappen’s fresher tyres making all the difference.
    Hamilton’s day in the factory comes after his new teammate George Russell spent time adjusting to the team at Brackley on Monday.
    The opening race of the 2022 season will take place in Bahrain on March 20.
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    Speculation has been rife for months that the Brit may retire after his controversial title lossCredit: Alamy More

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    ‘Welcome back, Lewis Hamilton’ – Mercedes drop biggest hint yet Brit is NOT retiring after controversial F1 season end

    MERCEDES have dropped the biggest hint yet that Lewis Hamilton will race for them this season with another social media tease.The 37-year-old had remained silent since December’s controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – where he controversially lost his world title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
    Lewis Hamilton shared a clip of himself running on social media yesterdayCredit: Instagram
    Mercedes have now dropped the biggest hint yet he will return after posting this snap and a ‘Welcome back’ messageCredit: Twitter @MercedesAMGF1
    The Brit is understood to have been considering QUITTING the sport.
    That was after he missed out on a record eighth championship on the final lap in the Middle East.
    But Hamilton suggested he is ready to go again to his 26.8million Instagram followers last week.
    He shared a snap of him smiling in front of the Grand Canyon captioned: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”
    Mercedes were quick to comment, as they messaged: “Welcome back.”
    ‘He is back’ soon started trending on social media, to which Mercedes shared and then messaged again: “That’s right.”
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    Hamilton continued his social media comeback yesterday by sharing a video of him running with physio Angela Cullen captioned it with: “Back at it.”
    Now Mercedes have provided the clearest indication yet that he will be behind the wheel again in March once the new season gets underway.
    They showed an image of him in his racing suit looking at messages of support received on social media along with the message ‘Welcome back’ as they tagged him in it.
    There still has been no official confirmation yet from the team or driver, but it’s the biggest hint yet he will be back in action next season.
    And there is unlikely to be any further comment until the FIA delivers the results of its investigation into what happened in Abu Dhabi.
    Hamilton was leading by ten seconds going into lap 54 in last season’s finale, only to have victory cruelly snatched away after the deployment of a safety car.
    He has since been accused of trying to get FIA Race Director Michael Masi the sack, after he failed to obey the correct rules by allowing lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake.
    That resulted in a one-lap sprint to decide the title, Verstappen’s fresher tyres making all the difference.
    Hamilton is due to report back to Mercedes duty on February 23 for pre-season testing.
    The opening race of the 2022 season will take place in Bahrain on March 20. More

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    Lewis Hamilton to boost security at £18million West London home as F1 legend prepares for 2022 Max Verstappen showdown

    LEWIS HAMILTON has boosted his security at his £18million West London home as the seven-time F1 champ prepares for another title showdown with Max Verstappen.The Brit has been given the green light by planners to build a bigger front boundary wall to bolster his security at his London mansion.
    Lewis Hamilton has boosted security at his £18million London homeCredit: PA
    Hamilton wants to replace railings with a taller barrier.
    Kensington and Chelsea Council gave Hamilton the go-ahead after facing no objections from neighbours.
    Hamilton previously faced opposition over plans for a new summerhouse.
    The reason being it would block out natural daylight.
    Hamilton owns houses in some of the worlds most costly but luxurious places.
    From New York, to London and even Monte Carlo.
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    The 37-year-old star owns over £50m worth of properties.
    Hamilton has also hinted that he won’t be retiring from F1 after missing out on a record breaking eighth world title in controversial fashion.
    Since the loss in Abu Dhabi last year, Hamilton fell silent on social media.
    But he recently made his return with a picture in front of the Grand Canyon, exciting fans ahead of the new season.
    He captioned the post: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!” More

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    Lewis Hamilton puts F1 retirement talk to bed with early-morning run through London with Mercedes trainer Angela Cullen

    LEWIS HAMILTON has appeared to put retirement talk to bed as he enjoyed an early-morning run with Mercedes trainer Angela Cullen. The seven-time Formula One champion had been silent since December’s controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
    Lewis Hamilton appeared to put retirement talk to bed as he enjoyed an early-morning run withCredit: Instagram
    The racer running in London with Mercedes trainer Angela CullenCredit: Instagram
    It led to fears Hamilton was considering QUITTING the sport after losing out to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
    But all signs are pointing towards the British racer going again as he returned to social media.
    He shared a snap of him smiling in front of the Grand Canyon captioned: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”
    And two days later, Hamilton posted a video running through the streets of London with Cullen, his physiotherapist and close confidante.
    But there still has been no official confirmation yet from Merc or Hamilton regarding the racer’s future.
    And there is unlikely to be any further comment until the FIA delivers the results of its investigation into what happened in Abu Dhabi.
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    Hamilton was leading by ten seconds going into lap 54 in last season’s finale, only to have victory cruelly snatched away after the deployment of a safety car.
    He has since been accused of trying to get FIA Race Director Michael Masi the sack, after he failed to obey the correct rules by allowing lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake.
    That resulted in a one-lap sprint to decide the title, Verstappen’s fresher tyres making all the difference.
    Hamilton is due to report back to Mercedes duty on February 23 for pre-season testing.
    The opening race of the 2022 season will take place in Bahrain on March 20.
    Lewis Hamilton and Angela Cullen pictured in 2019Credit: Rex
    Lewis Hamilton congratulating Max Verstappen in the 201 F1 finaleCredit: Rex More

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    ‘That’s right’ – Lewis Hamilton’s F1 return for new season all-but confirmed by Mercedes after his social media comeback

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S Formula One return has been all-but confirmed by Mercedes after the star made his social media comeback.The 37-year-old had remained silent since December’s controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – where he lost his world title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
    Lewis Hamilton’s return to F1 has all-but been confirmedCredit: AP
    The Brit star ended his social media silence by posting this image yesterdayCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    The Brit is understood to have been considering QUITTING the sport.
    That was after he missed out on a record eighth championship on the final lap in the Middle East.
    But Hamilton suggested he is ready to go again to his 26.8million Instagram followers yesterday.
    He shared a snap of him smiling in front of the Grand Canyon captioned: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”
    Mercedes were quick to comment, as they messaged: “Welcome back.”
    ‘He is back’ soon started trending on social media, to which Mercedes shared and then messaged again: “That’s right.”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    There still has been no official confirmation yet from the team or driver, but it’s the biggest hint yet he will be back in action next season.
    And there is unlikely to be any further comment until the FIA delivers the results of its investigation into what happened in Abu Dhabi.
    Hamilton was leading by ten seconds going into lap 54 in last season’s finale, only to have victory cruelly snatched away after the deployment of a safety car.
    He has since been accused of trying to get FIA Race Director Michael Masi the sack, after he failed to obey the correct rules by allowing lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake.
    That resulted in a one-lap sprint to decide the title, Verstappen’s fresher tyres making all the difference.
    Hamilton is due to report back to Mercedes duty on February 23 for pre-season testing.
    The opening race of the 2022 season will take place in Bahrain on March 20. More

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    ‘I’m back’ – Lewis Hamilton posts on social media for first time since Abu Dhabi GP shambles amid doubts over F1 future

    LEWIS HAMILTON proclaimed “I’m back” as the Formula One superstar broke his social media silence.Hamilton, 37, has been uncharacteristically silent since December’s controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – where he lost his world title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
    Lewis Hamilton posted this snap on Instagram to his 26.8 million followersCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    Hamilton missed out on the Formula One world title after Max Verstappen beat him in Abu DhabiCredit: AFP
    The Brit is understood to have been considering QUITTING the sport after missing out on a record eighth championship on the final lap in the Middle East.
    But Hamilton suggested he is ready to go again to his 26.8million Instagram followers, smiling in a snap in front of the Grand Canyon captioned: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”
    Mercedes were quick to comment, as they messaged: “Welcome back.”
    Hamilton was leading by ten seconds going into lap 54 in last season’s finale, only to have victory cruelly snatched away after the deployment of a safety car.
    He has since been accused of trying to get FIA Race Director Michael Masi the sack, after he failed to obey the correct rules by allowing lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake.
    That resulted in a one-lap sprint to decide the title, Verstappen’s fresher tyres making all the difference.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}latest f1 news.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    New FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem admitted last month that Hamilton is “not 100 per cent ready” to commit his future to the sport.
    Ben Sulayem claimed: “I don’t think he’s 100 per cent ready to respond right now.
    “We don’t blame him. I understand his position.”
    While former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone admitted he did not think the Brit would be returning.
    The 91-year-old told Blick: “I don’t think he’s coming back. His disappointment is too big. And you can somehow understand it.
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    “Now it would be time to tackle his dream of becoming a fashion entrepreneur with seven world titles like Michael Schumacher.”
    Hamilton is due to report back to Mercedes duty on February 23 for pre-season testing.
    The opening race of the 2022 season will take place in Bahrain on March 20. More

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    Red Bull fear ‘limit’ on Max Verstappen’s career following Lewis Hamilton battle in ‘massively exhausting’ season

    MAX VERSTAPPEN’S Formula 1 career may have been shortened by the ‘massively exhausting’ battle with Lewis Hamilton last year.The Dutchman, 24, was involved in one of the all-time great battles as he and Hamilton took their championship tussle all the way to the final race of the season.
    Verstappen claimed his first F1 title in dramatic fashion last yearCredit: PA
    Hamilton pushed Verstappen all the way to the final lap of the final raceCredit: PA
    And in a remarkably controversial, dramatic finish, Verstappen overtook the seven-time champion on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to claim his maiden title.
    It was one of the most intense title fights in the history of the sport.
    And Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko fears the tussle could have limited Verstappen’s longevity in Formula 1.
    Speaking to Autorevue, he said: “We were all at the limit. And you are also much more susceptible to the flu.
    “Thank God some people only got the coronavirus after Abu Dhabi [including team principal Christian Horner]. That was good timing.
    “And Max also said that he couldn’t stand such an intensity anymore.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    “He still wants to drive for a while, but if that’s the case every year, then it [his career] is limited.”
    Yet despite Marko’s comments, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is hoping Hamilton will return for another title fight with Verstappen in 2022.
    There has been speculation over the Brit’s future in the sport.
    But Horner is adamant he wants to see the pair renew their rivalry in the upcoming season.
    He told World Is One News: “I certainly hope that Lewis will be around this year.
    “He’s still driving at an incredible level, the two drivers last year were in a league of their own.
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    “But ultimately, it’s his choice, it’s his career, it’s his decision, so I’m sure he will decide to do what’s best for him, what he wants to do, and that’s none of our business.”
    If Hamilton does choose to line up for the 2022 season then he will be part of an all-British Mercedes pair.
    George Russell will replace Valtteri Bottas for the coming year as he makes the move to the Silver Arrows from Williams. More