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      ‘A little bit lucky’ – Red Bull boss Horner says Verstappen ‘totally deserved’ F1 title despite Abu Dhabi GP shambles

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      RED BULL boss Christian Horner says Max Verstappen’s maiden Formula One title has not been tarnished by the controversy at the Abu Dhabi GP.The Dutch star’s win last month came in dramatic circumstances as FIA Race Director Michael Masi ignored safety car rules to create a one-lap showdown.
      Max Verstappen’s title win in Abu Dhabi came in controversial circumstances and has left his big rival Lewis Hamilton (left) considering his future in the sportCredit: Reuters
      But Red Bull boss Christian Horner says Verstappen’s final-day ‘luck’ came after a season in which he dominated and deserved to win the titleCredit: Getty
      The 24-year-old star was able to pass British rival Lewis Hamilton – who was a sitting duck on old tyres – to win the final-day race and F1 title in a dramatic end to the season.
      Masi’s disputed call is the subject of an internal investigation while Hamilton has made his own silent protest with question marks over whether he will return to the sport.
      But Horner says the win for his team’s main man Verstappen was fully-deserved and supported by Red Bull owner and Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz.
      He said: “I think there’s been so much controversy throughout the year and I think there’s been so much bad luck that we’ve had during the season that these things tend to balance themselves out.
      “Dietrich felt Max was very deserving. He was very proud of what he’d done and what the team had achieved.
      “I think that it was such an epic year.
      @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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      “It was probably the most competitive season in Formula One in the last 30 years, and great for Red Bull, for Max, for Honda, to come out on top.
      “Yes, we got a little bit lucky with the safety car at the end of the race, but so much bad luck had gone against us throughout the season.
      “These things, I’ve always said, tend to balance themselves out over the course of a season, and I think Max led more than 50 percent of the laps in the year, more than every other driver combined.
      “He had more pole positions, more race wins, and for me he was totally deserving.”
      F1 champ Verstappen and boxing king Canelo get the crowd going at Miami New Year’s Eve party More

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      F1 stars told they must be vaccinated against Covid to race at Australian GP to avoid another Novak Djokovic drama

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      F1 drivers have been warned they must be vaccinated against Covid at the Australian Grand Prix or risk a fate similar to tennis star Novak Djokovic.The men’s World No.1 was booted out of Australia following a humiliating vaccine row that rumbled on for almost a fortnight.
      F1 stars have been told they must have the jab to race Down UnderCredit: AP
      He was prevented from defending his Australian Open title amid fears his unvaccinated status might incite anti-vax protests in the country.
      And now F1 stars have been told in no uncertain terms they must have had the jab if they want to race Down Under.
      Australian GP Corporation chief exec Andrew Westacott said: “The rules are simple to get into the country and the rules are simple to operate in Formula One.
      “To come into the event you’ll be 100 per cent vaccinated and there won’t be an exemption sought for anyone from anyone.
      “Our arrangements have been in place well before the recent goings-on at the Australian Open.
      “These rules are understood by Formula One, they’re understood by the FIA, they’re going to be written into the sporting regulations and I’m very confident that (it) is just going to be a rite of passage to come into the country.
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      “There’s zero tolerance. Whether you’re Lewis Hamilton or Valentino Rossi in MotoGP, if you test positive, you don’t race that weekend.”
      The Aussie race is usually the sport’s annual curtain-raiser but has been pushed back to third in the calendar due to Covid restrictions.
      The 2022 season instead gets underway in Bahrain on 18th March.
      Fans are still waiting to see whether British superstar Hamilton will be on the grid with rumours of his retirement yet to be fully quashed. More

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      F1 legend David Coulthard’s former Monte Carlo hotel was sold for £30m and guests arrived by helicopter

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      BACK in his heyday, F1 legend David Coulthard fancied himself as a hotelier.He opened the amazing Columbus hotel in Monte Carlo, after buying a former three-star accommodation and renovating it.
      F1 legend David Coulthard was the king of Monte Carlo in the noughties and owned his own hotelCredit: columbushotels.com
      The lavish Columbus welcomed A-list guests during Grand Prix weekendCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
      The beautiful hotel overlooks the MediterraneanCredit: columbushotels.com
      Supermodel Naomi Campbell and even David and Victoria Beckham were just some of the celebrity clientele, who took in its designer bedrooms and lavish lounge.
      In 2010, The Scottish driver sold the Columbus for £30million to the same hotel group who own Hilton Park Lane in London and the Fairmont Hotel in Monaco.
      A GOOD INVESTMENT
      In 2001, Coulthard – already enamoured by living in Monaco – bought a standard three-star hotel with the idea of turning it into a luxury place to stay.
      It already had a head-start with its location, being in the lavish Fontvieille district where the rich and famous prefer to hangout.
      Overlooking the Mediterranean and the Princess Grace Rose Gardens, the Columbus boasts 181 bedrooms.
      Award-winning interior designer Amanda Rosa was behind the decor in the rooms, using cools tones and the latest appliances.
      Even PlayStations were installed to entertain gamers who stayed.
      In terms of the hotel’s amenities, opposite the lobby is a bar, as well as a trendy terraced brasserie, which offers French and Italian cuisine.
      When it’s Grand Prix weekend, both are buzzing with locals and famous faces.
      Inside a standard bedroom at the ColumbusCredit: columbushotels.com
      A stylish lobby greets guests as they enter the ColumbusCredit: columbushotels.com
      An Art Deco outdoor swimming pool is perfect for guests to lounge aroundCredit: columbushotels.com
      While, there’s also a lush Art Deco outdoor swimming pool that guests can take a dip or lounge by.
      And a state-of-the-art gym, should they want to maintain their physiques.
      Over the years, guests have included Princess Stephanie of Monaco, the Beckhams, and Naomi Campbell.
      While F1 clients are who’s who of drivers, from Kimi Raïkonnen, Romain Grosjean, Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, Paul di Resta, Daniel Ricciardo, Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, and Damon Hill.
      JET-SET
      Catering for the mega-wealthy, and being in Monte Carlo, the hotel offers plenty of activities that would appeal to the jet-set.
      Anyone arriving at Nice airport has the option of getting picked up helicopter and delivered to the Columbus.
      The Columbus caters for the mega-wealthy of Monte CarloCredit: columbushotels.com
      Upscale living has never been more comfortable than at the ColumbusCredit: columbushotels.com
      While management have also made a speedboat available for guests to rent that rests in the harbour.
      For the full VIP experience, they even supply canapes and champagne.
      As you can expect, staying at the Columbus will set you back. But it’s more reasonable given your surroundings.
      Roughly £250-per-night gets you a standard room.
      GOING, GOING, GONE
      According to reports, Coulthard sold his stake for a staggering £30m.
      That’s just £5million short of what he was said to have earned from his racing career over the years.
      The money allowed him to invest in an amazing car collection.
      Coulthard takes a seat inside his former hotelCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
      In 2010, Coulthard sold his stake in the Columbus for £30mCredit: Andrew Barr – The Sun Glasgow
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      Private hotel company London & Regional are the owners, whose portfolio includes the iconic Hilton Park Lane, the Hilton Trafalgar Square and the Hilton Green Park.
      Coulthard still has an apartment in Monaco, and enjoys spending time there.
      And you can bet he will always be welcome at the Columbus.
      F1 star Max Verstappen owns a £12m private jet that he bought from Richard Branson More

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      ‘His future may be in Hollywood’ – Lewis Hamilton silent on F1 future because he plans career in USA, says Villeneuve

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has remained tight-lipped on his Formula One future because he might be thinking about a Hollywood career.That is the view of former F1 world champ Jacques Villeneuve.
      Lewis Hamilton has remained quiet about his F1 future because he may be considering a move to HollywoodCredit: AFP
      That is the view of former world champ Jacques VilleneuveCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      British superstar Hamilton has barely said a word since he was controversially robbed of a record eighth world title on the final day of last season.
      And reports have been rife suggesting the 37-year-old will walk away from the sport before the start of the new campaign.
      The Mercedes man is a huge success away from the track with ventures including a collaboration with fashion giant Tommy Hilfiger.
      And he also writes and records his own music and even featured on Christina Aguilera’s 2018 tune Pipe.
      As a result, Canadian Villeneuve, 50, reckons Hamilton might be keeping his options open.
      He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “I interpret Hamilton’s silence as him wanting to put some distance between himself and [Mercedes chief] Toto Wolff.
      @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 Sport.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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      “After all, you can lose with style, whereas Toto behaved like someone who is playing Monopoly.
      “The moment he is losing, [he] throws the whole board into the air.
      “In doing so, Wolff suffered a lot of image damage, in my opinion.
      “Hamilton is sensitive to that because he is thinking about his future in America, maybe even in Hollywood.”
      Despite his ambition to be a success away from the track, Villeneuve says the Brit’s return will depend on the quality of the car Mercedes produce after a few problems last season.
      He added: “It depends on the car that Mercedes will give Hamilton, whether he can win easily with it or not.
      “Lewis is also a bit more tired, he has had [some] easy seasons after Nico Rosberg’s departure and he really won’t want to have another year like he experienced last season.
      “He thought he could easily bring in the record eighth title and that didn’t happen.
      ‘HURT MUCH MORE’
      “It’s like a diamond that you have in your hands and then suddenly it’s taken out of your hands.
      “In this way it hurt much more than if [Max] Verstappen would have simply led the whole race.”
      Despite the radio silence, Merc boss Zak Brown recently told RACER he is confident Ham will stick around.
      He said: “I think he’ll be back.
      “He’s a racing driver. I think he’s at the top of his game.
      “I’m sure he’s very angry, but I think race car drivers want to race and I think he’s a fighter, and he’ll want to come back and try to win an eighth championship.
      “If he is able to do that, it would elevate him above Michael Schumacher who himself is a seven-time F1 World Champion.

      “I don’t think he’s ready to retire.
      “This is my own personal opinion, I’ve not talked to him, because once you hang it up, you hang it up.
      “I guess you could come back as some have done, but I don’t think he’s ready to hang it up and I don’t think he’s going to let an incident put him into retirement.”
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      Terrifying moment rally car flips off a CLIFF in high-speed crash at Monte Carlo as drivers miraculously escape injury

      by

      THIS is the terrifying moment a rally car was sent flying over a cliff after smashing into a wall.But both drivers Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria somehow walked away from the shunt unscathed.
      Two drivers escaped unhurt after a terrifying rally crash in Monte Carlo
      Adrien Fourmaux lost control of his M-Sport Ford Puma and crashed into a rock faceCredit: Rex
      The scary incident happened at the World Rally Championship in Monte Carlo on Friday morning.
      M-Sport Ford Puma driver Fourmaux came storming round a left-handed bend but seemed to misjudge the turning.
      His car then smashed into the rock face and was sent on multiple flips over the barriers.
      It eventually came to a stop after it fell off a cliff and landed around 30 metres below.
      And footage has emerged on social media showing the horrifying incident which fortunately resulted in no casualties.
      But team principal Richard Millener conceded that Fourmaux’s participation in the four-day event is likely over.
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      Millener said: “He has had a very heavy accident by the looks of things.
      “From what I can see it looks like quite a dirty corner he has gone to cut the line and I guess the cars in front have pulled a bit of mud out, and he just went head on into a mountain, and it has just flipped him over the barrier and 20 to 30 meters down the bank.
      “The car looks fairly heavily damaged so I suspect that will be the end of the rally for this one which is a real shame.
      “It is not what we wanted as we talked about making sure we get to the end, and it is difficult when they feel like they have good confidence and his comments last night about the car last night were very positive and he took that into today.
      “It is another hard lesson in the development cycle, there is not much we can do.” More

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      F1 bans race promoters from putting on military aviation displays as part of fight for sustainability

      by

      FORMULA ONE chiefs have banned military aircraft from flying over tracks before races in a bid to cut their carbon footprint.Gas guzzling military aircraft are regularly seen flying over tracks ahead of races.
      Displays of military aircraft ahead of F1 races have been bannedCredit: PA
      That means the Red Arrows will no longer fly over Silverstone ahead of the British Grand PrixCredit: AP
      But F1 chiefs have informed promoters they’ve made the executive decision to put an end to the practice.
      In an email seen by RacingNews365, F1 have conveyed their desire to become more carbon neutral.
      Italian F1 journalist Daniele Sparisci confirmed the news in the latest issue of Corriere della Sera.
      He wrote: “From this season, the Grand Prix organisers will no longer be able to use military aircraft for air displays before the start of the races.”
      It’s claimed the ban on military aviation is in a bid to ‘support F1’s sustainability objectives’.
      Concerns that the spectacular displays of the aircraft could also be perceived as countries flexing their military muscles were also said to have prompted the ban.
      @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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      The ban – which is set to come into place this year – will bring about the end of the spectacular displays ahead of the Italian and British Grand Prixs.
      The Aeronautica Militare has regularly flown over Monza ahead of the famous Italian Grand Prix.
      And the Red Arrows have done the same at Silverstone ahead of the British Grand Prix.
      The Italian Air Force will no longer fly over MonzaCredit: GETTY
      The ban on pre-race aviation is currently limited to military planes and helicopters, meaning civilian and commercial aircraft will still be permitted to fly on race day.
      But they’ll be allowed to do so if the aircraft is being powered by sustainable fuels.
      The new F1 season, in which Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will bid to defend his controversially-claimed world title, will get underway on March 20.
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      F1 could scrap controversial sprint races this year due to stand-off over money, says McLaren boss Zak Brown

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      SPRINT RACES could be scrapped for the 2022 F1 season, just one year after they were introduced.A disagreement over the money involved in increasing the number of sprints in the F1 season from three to six could see them wiped out altogether.
      A stand-off over money could see F1 sprint races scrapped in 2022Credit: Getty
      The British, Italian and Brazilian GP’s each had one of the controversial sprint races the day before the main race, instead of the traditional qualifying session.
      And wherever the drivers finished in those sprints, was where they started on the grid for the main race on the Sunday.
      Eight out of 10 teams must agree on the details for the increase in sprint races, but McLaren boss Zak Brown claims there are issues related to the money involved.
      As a majority needs to agree on the vote, teams can essentially hold the others hostage in exchange for more money.
      And Brown said, as quoted by the BBC: “A couple of teams, and one team in particular, wanted a $5m (£3.7m) budget cap increase, which was just ridiculous.
      “And no rational facts behind it. When you challenged them, they go to what if and could and you’ve got to anticipate. You sit there and go ‘This is just nonsense’.”
      @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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      But for the 2023 season the number of teams needed to agree on a vote for the sprint races drops to just five.
      So Brown continued: “Maybe there can be a compromise raised and we raise it a little bit, and we start in 2022 or we skip 2022, and a couple of these teams should have to explain to the fans why there is no sprint races.”
      This latest twist to the drama-filled world that is F1 comes amid speculation Lewis Hamilton could RETIRE from the sport.
      The FIA are set to publish results from an inquiry concerning the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix just two days before the start of the 2022 season.
      And Hamilton’s future is said to hang in the balance, depending on the result of that inquiry.
      Hamilton unfollowed everyone on Instagram last month in the aftermath of the chaotic title decider at Yas Marina.
      And his silence has only heightened speculation that he may have competed in his last F1 race.
      However he is set to speak for the first time next month at the official launch of Mercedes’ car for the 2022 season, where questions on his future are sure to be posed to him. More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s threat to quit F1 is NOT stunt with Mercedes star ‘disillusioned’ following controversial end to season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’s threat to quit F1 should NOT be dismissed as a stunt, according to McLaren CEO Zak Brown.Hamilton is “disillusioned” after the controversial end to the Abu Dhabi GP last month with Merc boss Toto Wolff unsure if the Brit will ever return to the sport.
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen went at it throughout the last F1 seasonCredit: Getty
      Hamilton was livid after FIA Race Director Michael Masi failed to apply the rules regarding the safety car, which resulted in Max Verstappen winning the race and the title.
      Hamilton has since gone to ground and not spoken about the incident and Brown says he wouldn’t be shocked to see him quit F1 altogether.
      He said: “I wouldn’t be shocked if Lewis stopped, so I don’t think anyone should take for granted that he’s coming back.
      “It is just my personal opinion he’s going to [come back] but I don’t think we should discount or not recognise his frustration, his anger.
      “Maybe he hasn’t made a decision yet. Maybe he is taking time to make that decision because once it’s made, it is made.
      “So I don’t think we should rule it out or make light of it [him quitting].”
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      It is understood that Hamilton is awaiting the outcome of the FIA’s report into the events surrounding Masi’s controversial decisions in Abu Dhabi.
      The FIA have given themselves a deadline of just TWO days before the season-opener in Bahrain on March 20th to publish their report.
      And while Brown says he wouldn’t be surprised to see Hamilton walk away, he personally thinks he will return to fight for another title.
      He added: “I think he still has a burning desire to race and that will ultimately drive his decision.
      “Sure, he’s very angry but I think racecar drivers want to race. And I think he’s a fighter.
      “I think he’ll want to come back and try and win an eighth championship. I don’t think he’s ready to retire because once you hang it up, you hang it up.
      “I don’t think he’s ready to hang it up. And I don’t think he’s going to let an incident put him into retirement.”
      The focus is on the FIA’s handling of their investigation and what they do with Masi, who faces claims his position is now untenable.
      Hamilton is upset with the way the F1 ended with the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      But Brown is confident incoming FIA President, Mohammed ben Sulayem, will make the right changes and also says a professional body of race stewards is now required.
      He said: “I have a lot of confidence in Mohammed. I have spent a good amount of time with him and I believe he will be a change agent where things need to be changed and improved upon.
      “He also consults. He’s already done the rounds with the teams talking to us about what we think, so I think he’s going to be a very good President.
      “We can be focused on Abu Dhabi but if we look at the last couple of years of the variety of incidents. Abu Dhabi was just one of them.
      “Let’s not forget that the teams had a big say in how the sport is policed and the rules and now I think we find ourselves in a situation where on track activities are over regulated.
      “I remember Niki Lauda once saying, ‘just let the drivers sort it out. That’s what we used to do’.
      “I think there needs to be somewhere in between with more leniency on letting them race.
      “To have people bending the ear of the referee, and lots of them live, makes it pretty difficult to make decisions when you’ve got a lot of noise.
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      “It’s probably good for TV that the mic was open, but we saw it created some habits and some decisions that maybe weren’t the right decisions.
      “Going forward, having more full-time stewards definitely seems to be the right way to go.”
      Meanwhile, Mercedes have confirmed they will launch their challenger for the 2022 season on February 18th. More