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      ‘Beginning of the end’ – Ex-F1 star convinced Max Verstappen’s Red Bull destined to fail with ongoing Horner feud

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      GERHARD BERGER believes Red Bull are destined to fail if Christian Horner and Helmut Marko continue feuding. The duo have locked horns on numerous occasions throughout the past two seasons, with Horner even reportedly wanting Marko out in 2023. Christian Horner has been under pressure over the last yearRed Bull advisor Helmut Marko has locked horns with Horner over team choicesThe feud could affect Max Verstappen’s bid for a fifth straight titleThis continued into last year with the pair clashing over Red Bull’s driver line up for the upcoming season. Marko, who is a senior adviser at Red Bull and head of the driver development programme, is said to have preferred Liam Lawson while Horner was keen on Franco Colapinto after he replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams. Berger, who was the first F1 driver to be sponsored by Red Bull and later co-owned Toro Rosso, said: “It is often the beginning of the end when such topics dominate.”Formula 1 is so complex and so competitive that you can only be successful if everyone in the team puts their shoulders to the wheel, if everyone agrees and communicates well with each other.”READ MORE F1 NEWS”The Red Bull brand always exudes happiness and a cool image. Suddenly everything changed. “Completely atypical for the team, there were no more clear statements.”Marko also stuck the knife in when saying that Max’s dad Jos was a “bigger fan” of Mercedes boss Toto Wolff than Horner last term.The father of Red Bull’s star driver Max Verstappen publicly called for Horner to leave the team last season after he had been accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHorner was cleared by a Red Bull investigation, but Wolff publicly tried to sign the reigning world champion amid the unrest. Berger has also slammed Red Bull’s handling of Sergio Perez’s exit after the Mexican driver’s chaotic season. Hollywood star Idris Elba invests in brand new Formula E team as he reveals ‘deep and personal’ reason for decision Gerhard Berger has a history with Red Bull RacingPerez suffered a disastrous fourth and final season with Red Bull last year as he finished on 152 points to his team-mate Verstappen’s 437, which put a massive dent in Red Bull Constructors’ Championship hopes. When asked about the situation with Perez, Berger added: “You could see that things were no longer working well. “Nobody in this business understood that he was given another contract then. “There could have been reasons like marketing or the contract situation.”But when things did not improve after that, they gave him three more races and then two more, and refused to take a decision. “I couldn’t see a clear line there. In Mateschitz’s time, Red Bull was always known for its clarity.”F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      Hollywood star Idris Elba invests in brand new Formula E team as he reveals ‘deep and personal’ reason for decision

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      IDRIS ELBA has invested in a brand new Formula E team – and has revealed the “deep and personal” reason for the decision.The Hollywood star, 52, is part of a star-studded group to get involved in KIRO CUPRA.Idris Elba is part of a group who have invested in Formula E team Kiro Race CoIdris Elba visited Kiro Race Co HQIdris Elba has revealed the sweet reason for his investmentKiro Race Co are hoping to take the Formula E world by stormCredit: GettyElba believes Formula E combines sport, entertainment and sustainability – something close to his heart.And the sport’s CEO, Jeff Dodds, also believes the new investment group can help grow the sport on a global scale.Announcing the news, a statement read: “Kiro Race Co (“KIRO”), the newest team competing in the FIA Formula E World Championship as CUPRA KIRO, is thrilled to announce expanded ownership with a group of highly strategic investors as the fully-electric motorsport series’ 2024/25 season continues.”Joining lead investors David Kaplan and Bennett Rosenthal, the powerhouse investment group now includes: Golden Globe-winning actor and producer Idris Elba; major league sports team owners Tony Ressler, Larry Berg and Shaun Neff; media deal-makers Navid Mahmoodzagedan, Steve Bornstein and Rick Hess; and strategic advisors Jeffrey Assaf, Caleb Kramer and Michael Woronoff.READ MORE SPORT STORIES”This investment underscores the shared belief in Formula E’s immense potential and growing commercial appeal, following the acquisition of Kiro Race Co by The Forest Road Company, a Los Angeles-based investment firm, in October 2024.”With unparalleled expertise across the business, media, sports, and entertainment sectors, the diverse investor group signifies the start of a compelling new era for KIRO and will be pivotal in the strategic positioning of the team’s long-term growth as a sports franchise.”Elba revealed the team’s vision “resonated with me on a deep, personal level” as he explained his latest investment.The Wire star said: “Formula E is at the perfect intersection by blending sport and global entertainment with sustainability.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I’m proud to be joining the grid with CUPRA KIRO at this pivotal moment.”The team’s vision for the future, desire to innovate, and commitment to excellence resonate with me on a deep, personal level, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in its journey to the front of the grid.”Idris Elba teams up with Grey Goose for new trackFormula E CEO, Dodds, revealed his excitement and called it a “transformative moment” which could “catalyse growth for the entire championship”.Dodds said: “The arrival of this new investor group marks a transformative moment for Kiro Race Co and serves as a resounding endorsement of its strategic growth plan.”This impressive group brings unparalleled expertise and a diverse, well-rounded perspective that will catalyse growth not just for the team, but for the entire championship.”But this is not Elba’s first foray into motorsport.In 2022, the Luther actor – who also performs as a rapper, singer and DJ – launched the Idris Elba Speed Academy, an initiative launched to nurture future racing talent from communities underrepresented in the world of motorsport.A year later, SunSport revealed ex-Formula One engineer Rob Smedley was also hoping to change the future of motorsport – with a little bit of help from Elba. More

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      Fans convinced Max Verstappen will play VILLAIN in new F1 movie as trailer shows battle with Brad Pitt

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has been spotted in a wheel-to-wheel battle with his new rival… Brad Pitt!The duo appear to be locked in a ferocious on-track battle in the latest new movie called ‘F1’ which stars Fight Club actor Pitt as a driver called Sonny Hayes. Max Verstappen hunting down Brad Pitt in new F1 movie.F1 fans are speculating on social media that Verstappen could be painted as the villain of the movieThe Red Bull car was seen battling ferociously with Pitt’s character Sonny HayesThe movie is set to be released in the summer of 2025 and also features actors Damson Idris, Kerry Condon and Javier Bardem, while Lewis Hamilton has helped produce the film.Warner Bros. released a second teaser of the upcoming F1 film on Sunday night, and among others, it seemed to show the defending world champion Verstappen taking on Pitt in his Red Bull. Filming took place during the 2024 season, with Pitt and the film crew spotted at different tracks across the calendar. The new clip has sent F1 fans into meltdown on social media with many unhappy that Verstappen may be painted out as the villain once again. READ MORE F1 NEWSOne fan said: “THEY ARE ABOUT TO MAKE MAX THE VILLAIN OF THIS MOVIE I HAD ENOUGH.”Another tweeted: “Of course Max is the f***ing villain again.”A third fan added: “Not Max now villainised in the fictional F1 universe too.”Someone else wrote: “Oh so max IS gonna be the villain of the movie huh.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA fifth commented: “100 bucks says Max is the main villain of this movie.” Pitt left fans in stitches when he was spotted filming a fake interview in the background of a distraught Lando Norris who was unhappy with his third-place finish at Silverstone. Lewis Hamilton models new Ferrari gear but fans notice ‘hideous’ issue The Hollywood star was also seen ‘fainting’ at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after filming a heavy crash for the movie. Then in the season finale in Adu Dhabi, Pitt was even pictured on the podium in first-place alongside Charles Leclerc and George Russell.The name of the film ‘F1’ was released last July and left many scratching their heads that the creative geniuses in the production team could not have come up with a more original name. More

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      Ex-champion motorbike racer jailed for rape of girl, 7, as judge slams sexual predator for taking ‘no responsibility’

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      A FORMER motorbike champion has been slammed by a judge for not taking responsibility as he was jailed for the rape of a 7-year-old girl.Connor Behan, 33, denied all charges against him before he was found guilty of rape, sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity in front of a child.Connor Behan has been jailed for 18 years over after being found guilty of rape, sexual assault, and engaging in sexual activity in front of a childCredit: SWNSThe former Isle of Man TT rider came to the attention of police in 2022, after the victim reported him to her teacherCredit: AlamyBehan, of Newcastle-Under-Lyme, sexually assaulted the victim on multiple occasions starting in May 2019, when she was just seven-years-old, the jury heard.They endured physical and psychological suffering from the abuse according to prosecutor Mark Connor. Following the week-long trial, Judge Michael Leeming stated: “You accept no responsibility for your actions and you continue to deny them but I cannot accept it.”You have no awareness, you have no empathy, and there is an element of victim-blaming throughout your pre-sentence report.”Read more SportBehan became an Irish road race super twin champion in 2014 and was active in the circuit from 2004 and 2015. He was jailed for 18 years and handed a restraining order at Chester Crown Court on Friday following years of abuseThe former Isle of Man TT rider came to the attention of police in 2022, after the victim reported him to her teacher.Using a seminal detection dog, police found traces of the disgraced rider’s semen on a blanket owned by the victim.Most read in MotorsportDenying all charges, he was found guilty of rape, sexual assault, and engaging in sexual activity in front of a child following a week-long trial last year.A victim statement said: “As a result of it I cannot be close to anyone.”It affects everything and I take it out on my family and on my friends.”Defending, Adam Watkins said Behan had an issue with drinking and drug-taking due to the death of his father.He added: “It does not explain or excuse his conduct but it is an idea of his difficulties at the time.”Behan will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.Following the verdict, DS Scott Graves said: “Firstly, I would like to commend the victim who is now just 10 years old, for her bravery and courage shown throughout this investigation and trial. Sadly there are no winners in this case, however I truly hope this result will provide her closure.”Behan sexually abused his victim for a sustained period of time – he showed no remorse, denying everything throughout the investigation.”Thankfully, the jury were able to see through his lies, and he will finally be held accountable for what he’s done.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I hope this result will allow the victim to eventually move on with her life, now that Behan will be unable to hurt her ever again.”Behan was found unanimously guilty for the string of abhorrent offences at Chester Crown Court last December where he was also found not guilty of an additional count of sexual assault by touching of a child under 13. More

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      Lewis Hamilton won’t last two years at Ferrari, predicts Bernie Ecclestone who says 7-time champ has ‘lost motivation’

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      BERNIE ECCLESTONE doesn’t believe Lewis Hamilton will be a success at Ferrari. The seven-time F1 champion is making the switch from Mercedes to the Italian giants for the 2025 season.Bernie Ecclestone has talked down Lewis Hamilton’s chances of an eighth F1 championshipCredit: SplashThe 40-year-old has joined Ferrari ahead of the 2025 seasonCredit: GettyHamilton, 40, won his last title in 2020 but is eager to top the standings again. He recently piloted his new Ferrari for the first time ahead of the season opener in Melbourne on March 16. But ex-Formula 1 CEO Ecclestone, 94, doesn’t believe the move will prove a success.Ecclestone told The Telegraph: “He won’t last [two years].READ MORE ON F1″Piero Ferrari, who has taken him there, still thinks they’ve done the right thing. “I hope they have. I hope they haven’t just jumped in and end up wishing they hadn’t.”Ecclestone believes Hamilton’s age will prove a hindrance for the legendary driver.And he isn’t convinced the Stevenage-born star has the same drive he had during his youth. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEcclestone continued: “I have thought with Lewis, ‘He’s getting tired. He has lost motivation.’”If he had never won a world championship, it might be different, because then there would be an incentive to win one. But he has won seven.”Fans miss Lewis Hamilton’s first lap in a Ferrari as thick fog engulfs iconic F1 circuit Even Hamilton’s fashion sense wasn’t safe from Ecclestone’s ire in the bombshell interview. He continued: “Lewis gets himself up front in a way where you can dislike him. “How a guy who has won a few world titles and has a few dollars in the bank can dress the way he dresses. I’m not a fan of that.”He has a lot of talent as a driver. As much as people credit him with? No, but still enough to win races. “I don’t know why he does all this other nonsense. He needs to get out of the music business and whatever else.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHamilton will join his fellow F1 drivers in London next month to kickstart the season at a new launch event. For the first time in the sport’s history, all ten teams will come together at the O2 Arena to unveil their new liveries. More

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      Netflix trying to secure broadcasting rights for F1 in historic first for streaming giants

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      NETFLIX is working to secure broadcasting rights to Formula One, according to reports.It would be the first time Netflix branched out into season-long mainstream sports rights. Netflix is working to secure broadcasting rights to Formula OneNetflix is “considering a bid” to cash in on the success of its Drive to Survive series.Sources said that the streaming giant is “expected to bid” for the rights in the United States starting from the 2026 season, according to The Times.ESPN currently holds the US rights under a £72m deal, but it is understood that the broadcaster’s exclusivity period to negotiate a new contract with F1 has just expired.That has opened the market for bids from any other interested party but ESPN can always bid again.READ MORE ON F1There has been huge growth in F1 fan numbers in the US – which hosts three of the 24 races a year – and the rights would be relatively cheap.Sky Sports has the UK live rights until 2029, and has a deal with Channel 4 for it to show the British Grand Prix live and highlights.Netflix’s interest in F1 would not appear to threaten the Sky/F1 partnership at the moment as it would be US-focused.Netflix – who have over 280MILLION paying subscribers – has so far restricted its live sports content to one-off or short-term events.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe platform dipped their toes into live sport for the first time last year for Mike Tyson’s boxing comeback against YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul.Paul’s unanimous win turned out to be the most-streamed sporting event ever as it peaked at 65 million streams.F1 fans convinced Ferrari are changing iconic red livery for Lewis Hamilton’s debut season after week-long teaseNetflix has also hired Kate Jackson, ESPN’s vice-president of production, who oversees the network’s F1 coverage, reports the Sports Business Journal.The movie makers announced a stunning $5BILLION (£3.8bn) deal with the WWE to air events in the US and worldwide in December.Netflix showed two NFL games during the Christmas Day special in 2024, where singer Beyonce performed during the half-time show.It has also agreed deals with Fifa for the US rights for the 2027 and 2031 women’s World Cup.Other platforms such as Apple have also been linked with bidding for the F1 rights. More

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      Mercedes sign wonderkid Ethan Jeff-Hall, 16, who achieved feat not even seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton managed

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      MERCEDES have snapped up 16-year-old wonderkid Ethan Jeff-Hall for their junior team.Jeff-Hall turned heads after dramatically securing the CIK-FIA World Championship title on the last lap of the final race in 2024.Mercedes have snapped up 16-year-old wonderkid Ethan Jeff-HallCredit: AlamyNot even seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton achieved such a feat.Hamilton – who won six world titles with Mercedes – didn’t get his hands on a world karting crown before bursting on to the motorsport scene in 2007 at 22 years old.Jeff-Hall is bidding to follow in Lando Norris’ footsteps, after the McLaren star took the karting title in 2014 before joining F1.Fellow Brit Jeff-Hall is now gearing up for his maiden outing in single-seaters after being confirmed as Mercedes’ latest prodigy.READ MORE F1 NEWSThe rising star out of Trent Valley Kart Club is set to burn rubber for Argenti Motorsport in the British Formula 4 championship this season.Mercedes are connected to Argenti through founder and team manager Michael Meadows, who has family ties to the Silver Arrows. When news of his step-up was confirmed, Jeff-Hall said: “I’m excited and ready to face the challenge. “Winning championships like Ginetta Juniors and the FIA World Karting title has taught me a lot about consistency, adaptability and handling pressure at the highest level.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“It’s a new chapter, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.”Jeff-Hall joins a star-studded cast in the Mercedes junior programme. Kenzo Craigie, 14, clinched the junior world karting crown in 2024 and remains in the academy, as does runner-up James Anagnostiadis.Fans miss Lewis Hamilton’s first lap in a Ferrari as thick fog engulfs iconic F1 circuit Female prodigy Luna Fluxa is also in the team’s line-up for 2025. While Chinese prospect Yuanpu Cui remains with the Brackley-based unit after representing Argenti Motorsport last term.For Jeff-Hall, there’s hope he could one day represent the Silver Arrows on the F1 grid one day.Mercedes have a proven commitment to nurturing their junior drivers.Former whizz-kids Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will represent the team on the F1 grid this season.READ MORE SUN STORIESAntonelli’s career path in particular will be one that every talented youngster within their ranks will want to emulate. Aged just 18, he was the once chosen by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to be fast-tracked into F1 to fill the sizeable void left by Hamilton after the 41-year-old’s decision to leave for rivals Ferrari.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      Generous Lewis Hamilton splashes out on incredible custom gift for 3,000 ex-Mercedes colleagues after Ferrari switch

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      LEWIS HAMILTON gifted his former Mercedes colleagues a custom piece of artwork as a show of gratitude after leaving the Formula One giants at the end of last season.The 40-year-old called time on his 11-year stint with Mercedes in December after signing a huge contract with Ferrari.Lewis Hamilton started at Ferrari last monthCredit: AlamyHamilton gifted his ex-colleagues a special piece of artwork after leaving Mercedes at the end of 2024Credit: EPADuring his time with the German team he won six world championship titles among other individual accolades.And to show his gratitude for the support his colleagues gave him over the decade, Hamilton commissioned a unique piece of artwork from renowned motorsport artist Paul Oz.The piece depicts the seven-time world champion’s car at the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.Each of his 3,000 former colleagues received a print of the artwork, with the original painting taking pride of place at the team’s Brackley headquarters.Read More in FootballIn a recent Instagram post which has now been deleted, Oz said: “Now that it’s public knowledge and all 3,000 Mercedes GP employees have received their prints of this, I can talk about it.”Commissioned by Lewis himself as a departing present for everybody at Mercedes… class act!”My only remit was that I should focus on the car rather than Lewis, and so I chose to paint an image from Monaco 2019, just a few days after Niki Lauda passed and the team ran a red halo to remember Niki. Lewis stuck it on pole then dominated the race.”Oz is a renowned motorsport portrait artist and sculptor who also created the busts of Bruce McLaren, Ayrton Senna, James Hunt and Niki Lauda at McLaren’s base in Woking. Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHamilton is currently taking part in pre-season testing with his new team in Barcelona.The 2025 F1 season kicks off next month in Australia.Lewis Hamilton visits Ferrari HQ as he arrives at Maranello for his first official day with the Scuderia More