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    Max Verstappen relaxes on holiday in Miami with stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet after amazing F1 title win

    MAX VERSTAPPEN relaxed in Miami with his stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet after his incredible Formula One title win.The Dutchman won the F1 title in spectacular but controversial fashion, beating rival Lewis Hamilton on the final lap following controversy with a safety car.
    The F1 champ strutted along a sun-kissed Miami beachCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    Girlfriend Piquet wore a slick black swimsuitCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    Verstappen enjoyed Miami alongside his girlfriend and familyCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    The 24-year-old was also voted driver of the year by his peers, landing the award ahead of Hamilton.
    Verstappen and girlfriend Piquet walked down the beach and even got into the sea for a swim.
    Piquet wore a black one-piece swimsuit, whereas Verstappen went for a more casual look.
    The Red Bull man wore a white t-shirt, patterned shorts and a cap.
    F1 will be back in late March this year with Bahrain hosting the season opener.
    Miami will also host a race after signing a 10-year contract.
    Verstappen also jumped into the sea for a swimCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    The 33-year-old looked stunning as she joined her boyfriend in the oceanCredit: MEGA AGENCY
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    The track will be 5.41km long, have 19 corners, three straights and will race around the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
    Silverstone – where Verstappen and Hamilton collided – will take place on July 3.
    And Monza falls on September 11 – both will be looking to avoid a repeat of last season which saw Verstappen’s car land on top of Hamilton’s Merc. More

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    Max Verstappen’s F1 title win ‘even sweeter’ as he beat a ‘fit and hungry’ Lewis Hamilton, claims Mark Webber

    MARK WEBBER claims Max Verstappen’s F1 title win was ‘even sweeter’ as he beat a ‘fit and hungry’ Lewis Hamilton.Verstappen secured a controversial win in the season’s final race at Abu Dhabi to lift his first-ever Formula One crown.
    Mark Webber has lauded Max Verstappen’s win over ‘fit and hungry’ Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The Red Bull ace overtook Hamilton on the final lap following a safety car decision.
    And Verstappen has since been widely lauded for ending the Mercedes ace’s domination of the sport.
    It now remains to be seen if the pair go at it again next season, with Hamilton tipped to retire.
    But former Red Bull man Webber believes there was nothing holding the Brit back at Abu Dhabi, insisting Verstappen beat Hamilton in his prime.
    Webber declared: “He (Verstappen) was watching F1 for a long time, he saw Lewis dominating the sport and was like, ‘I want a piece of that’.
    “He’s not overwhelmed by individuals, he doesn’t play people on their reputations, he doesn’t drive on their reputations.
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    “He just sees it as ‘this is my turf, I’m a racing driver and I’m going to make my presence felt’, which he does extraordinarily well.
    “So I think for him to know he went against Lewis, there was no real attrition.
    “Yes he had the puncture in Baku, the shunt in Silverstone which was Lewis’ fault, Max was a bit out of order in Saudi I felt.
    “So they’ve had their trials and tribulations but ultimately he knows he’s beaten a hungry Hamilton, a fit Hamilton.”
    Webber now believes Verstappen can go on to emulate Hamilton’s era of domination, adding: “The maturity Max’s showed for his age when he came into the sport, he has biblical levels of confidence and feel, at the highest level. These cars are not easy to get on top of early.
    “Through karting and F3, Red Bull took the risk, and he is right up there in terms of what Red Bull stands for to compete and race hard.
    “Verstappen has captivated a nation. Look at the Dutch Grand Prix this year. That was phenomenal for the sport, a new benchmark for that.
    “These [drivers] come along once every 10 years. Verstappen is absolutely phenomenal, and the sport should be embracing him.” More

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    F1 stars vote Max Verstappen as driver of year ahead of Lewis Hamilton after Red Bull ace’s dramatic Championship win

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has been voted as F1 driver of the year by his fellow racers. The flying Dutchman landed the award ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who he beat to the title in dramatic circumstances with one lap remaining of the final race of the season.
    Verstappen was voted by his fellow peers as 2021 driver of the yearCredit: AP
    He beat Hamilton to the prize after dramatically beating him to the titleCredit: PA
    According to MotorSport Week, Verstappen topped the voting from his fellow drivers in a poll organised by F1 chiefs.
    Interestingly drivers from Mercedes and Red Bull declined to participate, as did those from Alfa Romeo.
    That left 14 drivers left to vote using the current F1 point-scoring system – 25 points for first, 18 points for second, 15 points for third and so on.
    And it was Verstappen who topped the list, ahead of Brit rival Hamilton.
    Verstappen also reportedly came out on top in a vote undertaken by F1 team bosses, again ahead of Hamilton.
    The 24-year-old won a maiden F1 title after 10 race victories across the season, and a further eight podiums.
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    Hamilton, 36, on the other hand won eight races, and a finished on the podium an additional nine times in 2021.
    The pair went into the final race of the season at Yas Marina LEVEL on points, with Hamilton seemingly coasting to victory with five laps left.
    But a late Safety Car after a Nicholas Latifi crash cued the most incredible finish, with Verstappen controversially overtaking Hamilton with one lap left.
    Mercedes protested the result on two counts, but were rebuffed by F1 chiefs and chose not to appeal the decision.
    McLaren’s Lando Norris was voted by his peers as the third-best driver of the year, with Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles LeClerc fourth and fifth respectively.
    Verstappen’s Red Bull partner Sergio Perez, and Hamilton’s Mercedes team Valtteri Bottas, failed to make the top 10.
    Fernando Alonso was voted sixth for his efforts with Alpine, while AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was seventh.
    Incoming Mercedes driver George Russell finished in eighth after his impressive season for Williams.
    And Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Mick Schumacher (Haas) were voted ninth and tenth respectively.
    Schumacher, son of F1 legend Michael, received a number of votes despite not scoring a single point during the season.
    Norris was voted as the third best driver of the yearCredit: PA More

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    Lewis Hamilton would have won title but Mercedes ‘missed a trick’ in final moments of Abu Dhabi GP, reveals Ecclestone

    FORMER F1 chief Bernie Eccleston believes Lewis Hamilton would have won an eighth world title if Mercedes had deployed a smarter strategy. Hamilton was pipped to the championship by Max Verstappen on the last lap of the last race at a dramatic Abu Dhabi GP.
    Eccleston reckons a better Mercedes strategy would have seen Hamilton win the titleCredit: Getty
    Instructions could have been sent to Bottas to wind the engine down, which would have resulted in the Safety Car staying on the trackCredit: The Mega Agency
    Hamilton was beaten at the death by Dutchman Verstappen in dramatic and controversial circumstancesCredit: Getty
    But Mercedes could have possibly made sure the Safety Car stayed on the track until the end of the race after it was called out with five laps left to go.
    That would have meant the leading driver at the time, Hamilton, would have won the race and also the title.
    Eccleston was asked by Swiss outlet Blick whether Mercedes could have “radioed to [Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri] Bottas to let the car coast because they want to preserve the engine.”
    Had they done so, in all likelihood the Safety Car would have stayed out and Hamilton would have won the race.
    And Eccleston responded: “Pretty clever. I thought of that too, and it would have been ideal to make sure the Safety Car stayed out and the race wouldn’t have been restarted.
    “Many people would have been upset, but there wouldn’t have been any changes to the final result.”
    @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 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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    He was then asked if they failure to make the call to Bottas had been costly in handing the championship over to Verstappen.
    Eccleston replied: “Right, and I don’t know if Toto Wolff, with a third of the team shares, is still in the same strong position as before.
    “But we will find out at some point.”
    The controversial result still leaves Hamilton chasing an eighth world title.
    His seven championships so far is the joint most of all time, tied with Michael Schumacher.
    But following the events that unfolded at Yas Marina, speculation has been rife that Hamilton could even RETIRE from the sport.
    However the 36-year-old Brit is expected to take to the grid again next season with Mercedes, but could face an even tougher battle for the title.
    New F1 regulations mean Hamilton could face three fresh challengers for the driver’s prize in 2022. More

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    Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s brutal F1 title race must see rule changed in 2022, claims Nico Rosberg

    FORMER Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg says rules need to be changed after Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s physical title race.The 2021 season went right down to the wire and ended up with Verstappen controversially clinching his first F1 title on the final lap.
    Former F1 champ Rosberg wants to see the rules changedCredit: AFP
    Verstappen won his first F1 title in controversial fashionCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    The Dutchman clinched the win on the final lap using soft tyres, whilst Hamilton was stuck on hardsCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    There was also a fiery debate around Safety Car procedures.
    How drivers overtake each other, as well as wheel-to-wheel action has also been scrutinised.
    But 2016 champ and former rival of Hamilton says the newly-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has the opportunity to make changes.
    Speaking to Sky Sports, Rosberg said: “The sport needs to make progress.
    “It starts even with all the overtaking, the wheel-to-wheel action.
    “The FIA needs to tighten all that up so that we don’t have all these discussions.
    @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);}EPIC DOWNTIMEIS your downtime as epic as it could be?

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    “It would be better for the sport if it was much easier to understand. Also in wheel-to-wheel racing; who is now right and wrong, what needs to be done.
    “A quick decision is made, and we go on.
    “We need to get rid of all these discussions, that’s important.” More

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    Martha Earnhardt dead at 91: Mom of Nascar legend Dale Sr and grandmother of Dale Jr passes away as racing fans mourn

    THE mother of Nascar legend Dale Earnhardt Sr and grandmother of Dale Earnhardt Jr died on Christmas evening at the age of 91. The famed Nascar family released a statement on Sunday confirming Martha Earnhardt’s death, calling her “the matriarch to multiple generations of race fans.”
    Martha Earnhardt was mother to Dale Earnhardt and grandmother to Dale Earnhardt JrCredit: Getty Images
    Her family called her the ‘matriarch to multiple generations of race fans’
    “As we grieve her loss and begin to imagine life without our beloved ‘Mamaw,’ we find solace in knowing she is at peace in eternal glory and in joyous reunion with her husband Ralph and sons Dale, Randy and Danny,” Kelley Earnhardt Miller posted on Twitter.
    Kelley is the daughter of Martha and sister of Dale Earnhardt Jr.
    In an obituary posted to the Nascar website, Zack Albert wrote that Martha was a “treasure” to millions of fans, and regularly opened her home to travelers visiting the “Dale Trail,” a series of racing landmarks around Cabarrus County.
    Martha only raced once, Albert wrote, in a “powder puff derby” at Hickory Speedway.
    “She crashed, lamenting the lack of practice before the event,” Albert wrote.
    “I just wasn’t meant to be a race-car driver,” Martha reportedly said after the attempt.
    @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);}
    Nascar officials also released a statement grieving the loss.
    “We extend our condolences to the family and friends of Martha Earnhardt,” the Nascar statement read.
    “Martha was not only the matriarch of a legendary Nascar family, but a beloved and respected figure within our industry and throughout the fanbase.
    “We will dearly miss her grace, compassion and welcoming demeanor.”
    Dale Earnhardt Sr was known as one of the best Nascar drivers of all time, winning a total of 76 Winston Cup races and seven Winston Cup championships.
    During the Daytona 500 in February 2001, Earnhardt Sr died in a three-car crash during the final lap of the race.
    Dale Earnhardt Jr, now semi-retired, was nicknamed the “Pied Piper of Daytona.”
    He won the Daytona 500 in 2004 and 2014 and totaled 26 wins in the Cup Series.
    Kelly Earnhardt Miller co-owns JR Motorsports, a stock car racing team, with her brother Dale Jr.
    We pay for your stories!Do you have a story for The US Sun team? More

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    Lewis Hamilton may have THREE new threats to F1 world title next season including Max Verstappen and George Russell

    LEWIS HAMILTON missed out on a record eighth F1 world title by the barest of margins this year, and could face an even tougher challenge for the gong next season. Max Verstappen won the title at Yas Marina in controversial circumstances earlier this month, and the Dutchman will be desperate to defend his title in 2022.
    Hamilton is currently tied with Michael Schumacher on seven world titlesCredit: PA
    Verstappen denied Hamilton an eighth title this season after a dramatic climaxCredit: Reuters
    There are rumours that Hamilton could RETIRE after this year’s thrilling title race, although he is expected to take to the grid once again when the season starts in March.
    Verstappen is sure to challenge him for the crown again, but new technical regulations that come into force in 2022 could also make for a wide-open title race.
    Here SunSport take a look at just who could rival Hamilton for the championship in 2022.
    Max Verstappen
    The Red Bull flyer is sure to give it his all to defend his maiden title.
    The 24-year-old has stacks of ability behind the wheel and will likely be Hamilton’s biggest challenge next year.
    Ten race wins in 2021, and 18 podiums overall, will make Verstappen a leading contender if he replicates that form in 2022.
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    George Russell
    The 23-year-old Brit is moving to Mercedes from Williams next season to replace the departing Valteri Bottas.
    Russell will be Hamilton’s team-mate, but in a much faster car he will be able to showcase more of what he can do.
    Russell will be looking to impress in his first season with MercedesCredit: PA
    Whether he will be a title challenger remains to be seen, but he impressed when racing in Hamilton’s place during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
    But as Mercedes experienced in the Nico Rosberg and Hamilton days, two drivers competing for the title could do the team more harm than good…
    Charles Leclerc
    The 2022 shake-up will see cars shoot air upwards, rather than behind them.
    That means the drivers are capable of travelling closer together, which in turn leads to closer racing.
    One man who could benefit from that is Ferrari driver Leclerc.
    Ferrari improved from sixth in the constructors standings in 2020 to third in 2021, and a further upwards trajectory could see Leclerc improve again.
    Leclerc has been improving steadily, and could improve again next seasonCredit: Getty
    Sergio Perez
    Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull, Perez showed moments of brilliance last season, finishing fourth in the driver standings.
    The 31-year-old Mexican driver is the perfect partner to Verstappen, and valiantly held up Hamilton behind him in Abu Dhabi to help Verstappen ultimately take the chequered flag.
    His title credentials remain questionable, but he’s certainly got the car to trouble Hamilton next season on multiple occasions.
    And if Russell fails to to adapt immediately at Mercedes, Red Bull will have the tactical advantage of two drivers high on the grid.
    Perez is an able to deputy to Verstappen, and will be looking to kick on next seasonCredit: Getty More

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    Lewis Hamilton unfollows EVERYBODY on Instagram amid retirement speculation after his controversial F1 title defeat

    MOTORSPORT legend Lewis Hamilton has unfollowed EVERYONE on Instagram just days after he was controversially pipped to the F1 title.Final lap drama in Abu Dhabi saw Max Verstappen overtake Hamilton, while on better tyres, after the safety car was forced to come out.
    Lewis Hamilton has 29 million followers on Instagram – but doesn’t follow anybody
    Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were pipped to the F1 title in controversial fashion
    Hamilton has a number of high-profile friends, like Kim Kardashian, but doesn’t follow any of them on Instagram
    Hamilton is believed to be devastated at how the F1 title was snatched from him
    Hamilton’s Mercedes team were furious at stewards allowing Verstappen to get past a number of lapped cars before the restart, and launched a protest at the result.
    They also submitted a notice to appeal the result – but later withdrew this to leave Verstappen as the new F1 champ.
    Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff later admitted Hamilton will NEVER get over being ‘robbed’ of the world title by FIA race director, Michael Masi.
    And while Hamilton has kept his silence following the shock in Abu Dhabi, he has made a cull on social media.
    He only followed a handful of accounts on Instagram anyway – but now that is down to zero. He previously did the same in 2019.
    Hamilton has 29million followers on the social networking site.
    Hamilton has had a cull on social media
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    Both Hamilton and Wolff shunned the FIA’s gala prize giving ceremony in Paris on Thursday.
    But they are believed to have avoided triggering a fine for failing to attend.
    But Wolff is more concerned that the seven-time world champion will now turn his back on F1 altogether.
    Wolff said: “Lewis and I are disillusioned at the moment. We are not disillusioned with the sport – we love the sport with every bone in our body and we love it because the stopwatch never lies.
    “But if we break that fundamental principle of sporting fairness and authenticity, then suddenly the stopwatch doesn’t become relevant anymore because we are exposed to random decision-making, it is clear you may fall out of love with it.
    “You start to question if all the work you have been putting in – all the sweat, tears and blood – can actually be demonstrated by performance on track, because it can be taken away randomly.
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    “It’s going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened on Sunday, I don’t think we will ever get over it. That’s not possible. And certainly not as a driver.
    “I very much hope that the two of us and the rest of the team can work through the events but we will never overcome the pain and the distress that was caused on Sunday.
    “To be honest, still today I can’t even understand what was happening. For me, that still seems like a nightmare.”

    The F1 superstar shares a number of blast-from-the-past photos on his social media
    Hamilton shows off happy times with his beloved pets
    The Brit shares snaps from his life on Instagram More