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    Alfa Romeo run special camouflage car in first public outing during F1 testing in Barcelona to keep new livery a secret

    ALFA ROMEO have done a good job of keeping their 2022 livery under wraps by fielding a camouflage car at F1 testing in Barcelona.Preparations are continuing for the upcoming 2022 F1 season, with testing taking place in the Spanish city.
    Alfa Romeo are conducting testing in a one-off camouflage liveryCredit: AP
    The official livery is not being revealed until SundayCredit: Rex
    The special design caught they eye at F1 testing in BarcelonaCredit: Rex
    And while the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren have already revealed their cars for next season, Alfa Romeo are yet to do so.
    The ninth-placed finishers in the Constructor’s Championship from last year don’t officially unveil their new livery until Sunday, February 27.
    So as a result a special one-off snazzy camouflage look is being used at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for F1 testing this week.
    Mercedes recently revealed their new W13 retro-looking car to high praise from fans of the Silver Arrows.
    Meanwhile Ferarri unveiled their new F1-75 car earlier this month too, which they hope will compete with Mercedes and Red Bull this year.
    Back at Alfa Romeo Valteri Bottas will partner Zhou Guanyu behind the wheel of the new C42 for the upcoming season.
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    The Finnish driver joins the team after being replaced at Mercedes by George Russell.
    And he’ll be hoping to help Alfa Romeo to more than the meagre 13 points they scored in the entire 2021 campaign.
    Only a pointless season from backmarkers Haas stopped Alfa Romeo from finishing rock bottom of the Constructor’s Championship.
    Elsewhere at testing in Barcelona Lewis Hamilton was spotted having a cheeky look into the Red Bull garage.
    The seven-time world champ went on a stroll down the pit lane as he gears up for a shot at a record eighth F1 world title this year.
    And he couldn’t resist a sneak peek at rival Max Verstappen’s car.
    Hamilton recently ended months of retirement speculation by confirming he would return to the grid for a sixteenth year behind the wheel. More

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    Watch cheeky Lewis Hamilton peer into Red Bull garage on spy mission on first day of F1 testing after title heartbreak

    CHEEKY Lewis Hamilton went on a spy mission peering into Red Bull’s garage on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. The seven-time British world champion was spotted in the pit-lane examining Red Bull’s car for the 2022 season.

    Hooded Hamilton strolled down the pit-line peering into garages looking at his rivals’ carsCredit: SPLASH NEWS
    Hamilton was checking out all of the garages in the pit-lane – including the Williams teamCredit: SKY SPORTS
    Hamilton was eager to scope out the competition and get a glimpse of the RB18 at the first opportunity at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
    He also took a look at most of the other teams during his stroll, in which he wore a hood and a mask and a long coat.
    The Brit is hungry to clinch his record-breaking EIGHTH world title after cruelly missing out on the last lap in Abu Dhabi last season.
    The FIA controversially cleared the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen under a safety car, allowing the Dutchman to have a clear run on Hamilton with fresh tyres to clinch his first championship.
    This dramatic Grand Prix led to a social media blackout from Hamilton for over two months, which led to questions regarding whether or not he would walk away from the sport.
    But Hamilton ended silence with the message: “I’ve Been Gone. Now I’m Back!”
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    The Brit confessed he had lost faith in the sport after the debacle which led to race director Michael Masi being axed from his role by the FIA.
    He said: “It was obviously a difficult time for me to be honest. I just unplugged. I switched off.
    “I think that firstly, one side of it is I deserve to be able to switch off at the end of the year anyway.
    “I had my family around me, which was a rare occasion for us all to be together, and I just focused on being present with them.
    “Obviously it took time to digest what had happened, which is still difficult to fully understand everything.
    “But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so I put my focus into training, getting healthy and enjoying the time off.” More

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    Toto Wolff insists Lewis Hamilton is NOT Mercedes No1 as George Russell prepares for his debut season at reigning champs

    TOTTO WOLFF insisted Lewis Hamilton is not the No1 man at Mercedes – because the team do not rank their drivers. Hamilton has a new team-mate with the Silver Arrows this season.
    Toto Wolff claims there is no hierarchy between Lewis Hamilton and George RussellCredit: AFP
    George Russell returned from his loan at Williams and is ready to compete for the title in his debut season with the reigning constructors’ champions.
    And team principal Wolff denied suggestions Russell is simply there to support Hamilton on the track.
    The Austrian said to Sky Sports: “We never had a situation where one and two.
    “They have equal opportunities and the same car.
    “This year, the interesting situation is we have in George the up-and-coming star [in one seat], and undoubtedly the best Formula One driver ever in the other seat.
    “So the dynamic is new and clearly it’s something that we will try to steer in a direction that has the most positive effect on developing the car and making us overall competitive.”
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    Valtteri Bottas spent five years alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, but it was clear he played second fiddle to the Brit.
    They won five constructors’ championships together but Hamilton fell agonisingly short of an eighth drivers’ title on the final lap in Abu Dhabi in December.
    Now with Alfa Romeo, Bottas revealed he found it tough as the obvious No2.
    He told SunSport: “When I joined Mercedes, it was difficult for me to take the lead because of Lewis being there.
    “With him being in the team, it was always difficult for me to take that lead role.
    “So now it is different and a fresh start for me — and having that lead role is a good feeling.
    “There were great moments and I enjoyed working with Lewis and Toto, but I am also really excited for my new chapter.”
    ‘WORK WELL TOGETHER’
    Speaking at Mercedes’ launch of their new 2022 season car last week, Russell was confident he and Hamilton will make a strong partnership.
    The 24-year-old from King’s Lynn said: “I think we’re pretty similar. Time will tell.
    “From what I’ve seen, I do think we have a similar way of driving, where we always try and find the limit of the tyre, but not often trying to go over the limit.
    “[We’re] pretty smooth in our general approach… I think we’ll be in a very similar boat. I have no doubt that we’ll be working well together.”
    The first days of pre-season testing take place this week with another round in March before the F1 season gets underway in Bahrain on March 20. More

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    Lewis Hamilton urges F1 chiefs to share results of probe into Abu Dhabi controversy to help ‘move on positively’

    LEWIS HAMILTON says everyone needs to see details of the investigation into the botched Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Formula One to finally move on.Britain’s seven-time F1 world champion has been notably restrained in his condemnation of December’s farce at the Yas Marina Circuit which cost him a record eighth title.
    Lewis Hamilton has been busy promoting Mercedes’ new W13 car ahead of the new seasonCredit: Daimler AG
    Fans, pundits and F1 alumni have all aired views on the confusing safety car-related decision which allowed Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to pip Mercedes star Hamilton to the title on the final lap of last season.
    But despite it all prompting him to consider his future in the sport, Hamilton, 37, has largely kept kept shtum and off the social media grid as the sporting world had its say.
    The only definite consequence of the FIA’s probe is the sacking of the race director who made the disputed in-race call, Michael Masi.
    Full details are due to be presented to the World Motor Sport Council on March 18, two days before the 2022 season-opening race in Bahrain.
    Hamilton has now emerged back into the public eye to help promote Merc’s new W13 car.
    And when asked by reporters about the FIA’s investigation, he said: “I’ve not seen it – I didn’t think it was out yet.
    @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-1x7hydu{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-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::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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    “I’m excited to see the results from that report.
    “I think hopefully everyone will get to see it, and to have perhaps a better understanding of everything.
    “I think ultimately, like everything, it’s down to understanding where we’ve been, so we can move forwards in a positive light.”

    🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info More

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    Radio conversations between F1 team bosses and race director BANNED from being aired after 2021 title race controversy

    FORMULA ONE fans will no longer be able to hear radio conversations between team bosses and race directors, according to reports. Previously exchanges were broadcasted to F1 supporters, which culminated in the controversy during 2021 season finale.
    Reports claim talks between F1 team bosses and race directors will no longer be aired to fansCredit: Getty
    Former Race Director Masi was sacked for his role in the F1 2021 season finaleCredit: Getty
    But that will be no more as of the 2022 campaign, according to reports.
    German outlet Bild claim talks between team bosses and race management will be censored for the upcoming season.
    They report new FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed the changes for the 2022 calendar.
    Fans were able to listen in on discussions between former race director Michael Masi and team bosses during the now infamous Bahrain GP in December.
    Masi was later sacked for his role in the race after allowing Verstappen the chance to overtake Lewis Hamilton with half a lap left of the season.
    He was accused of being manipulated by Red Bull to set-up a final lap showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen.
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    The Australian will be replaced by Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, with the latter expected to act as a deputy.
    Elsewhere veteran Herbie Blash, who worked with former race director Charlie Whiting, will return as a senior advisor.
    As of 2022 race directors will also benefit from the use video referees, who will review decisions mid-race.
    And while radio conversations between team bosses and race control will be censored, discussions between team bosses and drivers will continue to be broadcasted, according to reports.
    Only selected discussions will be aired to fans, and also on a time delay from live events. More

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    F1 legend Fernando Alonso BACKS Michael Masi’s controversial Abu Dhabi decision and sympathises with axed race director

    SACKED F1 race director Michael Masi has been backed over his handling of the Abu Dhabi GP fiasco by Fernando Alonso.The Australian was investigated by the sport’s governing body [FIA] after he failed to follow strict safety car rules in the season finale and then fired.
    Michael Masi lost his job as F1’s race directorCredit: Getty
    Fernando Alonso, right, pictured alongside team-mate Esteban Ocon, has shown some support for sacked MasiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Masi was accused of being manipulated by Red Bull to set-up a final lap showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
    The upshot was that Verstappen on fresh tyres was able to pass Hamilton half a lap from the end of the race and win the race and the title.
    But Alonso, 40, who was team-mates with Hamilton during their time together at McLaren, told The Race: “On the whole theme of Abu Dhabi, maybe I have a different opinion, I don’t think that there was anything wrong there.
    “I don’t think that they changed it [the race control structure] because of Abu Dhabi, or I hope not.”
    Hamilton, his Mercedes team and F1 fans were furious that the outcome of the thrilling championship had been fudged, with the Brit claiming it was “manipulated”.
    Masi will be replaced by Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich with the latter expected to act as a deputy with veteran Herbie Blash, who worked with former race director Charlie Whiting, returning as a senior advisor.
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    A statement from new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed the structural changes, which will see Masi offered a new, as yet unknown role, within the organisation.
    Red Bull boss Christian Horner says Masi has been treated ‘harshly’.
    He told talkSPORT: “It’s a difficult one, and it’s the FIA’s business.
    “I think it is harsh, I think he was in a very difficult position last year.
    “We felt a lot of the decisions went against us last year.
    “When you look at what he has at his disposal in terms of resource, compared to what the teams have, it’s such a massive difference.
    “It’s good to hear they are bringing in things like the VAR equivalent and one of the most experienced guys in Herbie Blash.
    “I just think there was so much pressure put on the removal of Michael and that’s not right. That’s my personal feeling.” More

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    German racer fined £17,000 for URINATING on Abu Dhabi track – with fee halved after grovelling apology to UAE chiefs

    A German racing driver has landed himself in hot water after URINATING on track during a race in Abu Dhabi.Alfred Renauer realised he needed the toilet as the race was temporarily halted due to a red flag.
    Renauer (right) laughed off the toilet malfunction after the raceCredit: Getty
    And after coming to the conclusion he could not wait, the 36-year-old opted to take matters into his own hands.
    He jumped out of his car and climbed over a crash barrier to ensure he had some privacy.
    Renauer then relieved himself before jumping back in his car to finish the remainder of the race.
    Unfortunately, a marshal caught the driver out and reported the matter to race chiefs.
    To make things worse, public urination is a punishable offence in the UAE and so action was taken.
    The swift toilet stop looked set to cost him a stunning £17,000 as UAE motorsport fined him heavily for the incident.
    @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-1x7hydu{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-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::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 IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS.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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    Half of the fee was set as a probationary amount.
    But that was rescinded when Renauer wrote to organisers apologising for his toilet malfunction.
    Despite halving his fine, it was still a costly decision to jump out of his car and relieve himself.
    But ultimately Renauer was able to win the race with his Herberth Motorsport team – a healthy consolation for his financial setback. More

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    Lewis Hamilton warned new Mercedes team-mate George Russell won’t be title ‘wingman’ by Red Bull chief Christian Horner

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been warned he will have more than just Max Verstappen to worry about this season.Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Mercedes new-boy George Russell will be another title rival for Hamilton — rather than just a wingman.
    Lewis Hamilton faces a title battle from his new team-mate George Russell this seasonCredit: PA
    Christian Horner says Hamilton won’t have a ‘wingman’ to help him beat Max Verstappen this yearCredit: PA
    Hamilton will no longer have Valtteri Bottas by his side, who was labelled a “sensational wingman” by Merc boss Toto Wolff during his five years with the German giants.
    Hamilton, 37, also described Bottas as his “best team-mate” after driving alongside him for four of his seven world crowns.
    But Horner expects Russell, 24, to provide fellow Brit Hamilton with more of a fight from the other half of Merc’s garage, rather than playing second fiddle.
    Horner told SunSport: “It’s the first time Mercedes have been beaten in seven years, that’s going to have hurt.
    “I’m sure they will come out all guns blazing at the start of this year.
    “George is a really talented guy, he’s very quick and I don’t think he will be a subservient second driver. He will get stuck in.
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    “It’s great that we have so much talent in the sport with Verstappen, Russell, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and, of course, Hamilton still at the top of his game.”
    Last season’s sensational rivalry between Red Bull ace Verstappen and Hamilton ended with the Dutchman’s controversial one-lap shootout victory in Abu Dhabi — and, as a result, Michael Masi was sacked as Formula One’s race director.
    Britain’s 2009 world champion Jenson Button believes Verstappen will want to prove last year’s triumph was not simply down to Masi’s failure to follow safety car rules.
    Button said: “It’s a world championship he has won — but I’m sure he wants to go and win another so he can say, ‘Look, it wasn’t down to Michael Masi’.
    “It’s always difficult when there’s a controversial ending but he’s an exceptional talent and I said that from the word go.” Yet Horner believes Verstappen has nothing to prove and deserves to be champion.
    He added: “I don’t think it’s anywhere near his mindset. He won more races than any driver last year, he led more laps than the rest of the field combined.
    It’s the first time Mercedes have been beaten in seven years, that’s going to have hurt.Christian Horner
    “He had an insane season last year. At the last race in Abu Dhabi, we didn’t have the faster car but we had the better strategy.
    “We got a little bit lucky with  the safety car and the crash at the end of the race.
    “But Mercedes left Lewis out on both the virtual safety car and safety car on tyres that were going to have 44 laps on them.
    “So he was always going to be a sitting duck, so tactically they misjudged that race.”
    Testing for the new season gets underway in Barcelona tomorrow — and Horner is looking to compare Red Bull’s new car, the RB18, against their rivals following the drastic new rule changes as F1 attempts to improve wheel-to-wheel racing.
    There are fears the team will be playing catch-up on the development of their motor having focused all their time and energy towards last year’s title fight.
    Horner admitted: “There’s always that risk. Last year was a demanding year and when you have got an opportunity to go for a championship, you have to take it.
    “So has that impacted this year? It’s impossible to say at this point.
    “But the team has worked with such dedication and determination, I’m convinced we will have a good car.
    “You get an impression after the first test but you won’t get a true picture, because people run different fuel loads — though you will get an impression on how your own car is performing.
    “Particularly at the first test, we will focus on ourselves and not get sucked into the time sheets.
    Hamilton had described replaced Valtteri Bottas as the ‘best team-mate’Credit: Getty
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    “You then start to realise the work you’ve done over the winter and if it provides the results you were hoping for.
    “It’s so limited testing… just six days, so three days a driver.
    “Compared to any other sport, there wouldn’t be that limited amount of practice, so we have to make every lap count.” More