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      Lewis Hamilton admits he’s struggling with his Mercedes and says has been upstaged by his teammate George Russell

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      LEWIS HAMILTON admits he is struggling to wring the most out of his Mercedes and claims he has been upstaged by his teammate George Russell.Hamilton, 39, has decided to quit Mercedes at the end of this season to join Ferrari in a bid to help him win an eighth world championship.Lewis Hamilton admitted he is struggling with his Mercedes carCredit: GettyHamilton claims he is being upstaged by Mercedes team-mate George RussellCredit: GettyThe British legend is without a win since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP and could only qualify in 11th for the Australian GP while Russell was quick enough for seventh.It is the third race in a row where Russell has been the fastest of the two teammates and Hamilton said: “I don’t know if I’m dealing with it that great. I mean, [I am] less consistent than George.”George is doing a better job with our car, three qualifyings in a row that he’s out-qualified me. He just seems to get on a lot better than I do.”I’m just trying to keep my head above water and just continue to realise how it could be way worse.Read More on F1″It felt great in P3. It was strange because we were right there with these guys and we didn’t really understand why.”But then going into qualifying just the inconsistency within the car really messes with the mind.”But George did a good job today. It is what it is. I just have to try and do a better job tomorrow.”In the afternoon here, the wind picks up. It’s the same as P2: P1 was a bit better and then when the wind picks up, the car becomes a lot more unstable.Most read in Motorsport”This morning was nice with the calmer wind and then as soon as the wind picks up it gets a little bit stable.”But the others seem to be able to pick their pace up in qualifying.The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from Instagram”I’m not sure why it didn’t feel the same in qualifying, even though we had a lighter fuel [load], it felt better in P3.”So it’s not a great feeling for everyone on the team, but we’ll just keep working away.”CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMeanwhile, Max Verstappen took pole position while his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez was third.Carlos Sainz, who had appendicitis and missed the last race in Saudi Arabia, qualified in second place in his Ferrari.Verstappen said: “I think both of those laps felt really, really nice and that was very enjoyable.”It was a bit of a tricky weekend so far but we managed to get there in the end, so I’m very happy with that.”Ferrari seem very quick also in the long runs, so a bit of a question mark for tomorrow, but I guess that makes it very exciting, so we’ll find out tomorrow.” More

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      F1 star axed from Australian GP in ‘hardest moment I can remember’ as fans slam ’embarrassing’ decision after huge crash

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      WILLIAMS have sacrificed Logan Sargeant by dumping him OUT of the Australian GP after his teammate Alex Albon smashed up his own F1 car.Ruthless bosses saw the London-born Thai racer have a high speed accident during practice in Melbourne.Alex Albon crashed during practice, causing significant damage to his carCredit: EPAThe 27-year-old lost control and crashed into the wallCredit: X @F1Logan Sargeant has been forced to withdraw from the race as a resultCredit: GettyThe impact with the barriers saw his Willliams smashed to pieces but without enough spare parts to repair the car overnight, they decided to retire his chassis from the race.But in a big kick in the balls they decided to put the former Red Bull driver in Sargeant’s car instead, meaning the American will not get to drive.The move casts doubt on Sargeant’s future in the team and was understandably left furious with the team.The team released a press release with Sargeant quoted, although his mood is considered to be less sanguine.Read More on F1It said: “This is the hardest moment I can remember in my career and it’s absolutely not easy.”I am however completely here for the team and will continue to contribute in any way that I can this weekend to maximise what we can do.”The statement confirmed the broken chassis will be flown back to their Grove HQ to be repaired.Williams team boss James Vowles has been left red-faced by the team’s failure to have enough spares to fix Albon’s car.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd he paid tribute to Sargeant, calling him a “true team player” – words that will only grate with the American who is already fighting for his future.Vowles said: “We are hugely disappointed that the damage sustained to the chassis has meant we need to withdraw it from the weekend.F1 stars arrive at Australian Grand Prix in style as Oscar Piastri rocks up in £400,000 outfit”It’s unacceptable in modern day F1 not to have a spare chassis, but it is a reflection of how behind we were in the winter period and an illustration of why we need to go through significant change in order to get ourselves in a better position for the future.”As a result, we have had some very difficult decisions to make this afternoon.”While Logan should not have to suffer from a mistake that he did not make, every race counts when the midfield is tighter than ever, so we have made the call based on our best potential to score points this weekend.”This decision was not made lightly, and we cannot thank Logan enough for his graceful acceptance, demonstrating his dedication to the team; he is a true team player.”This will prove a tough weekend for Williams, and this situation is not one that we will put ourselves in again.”F1 fans have slammed the team’s decision to withdraw Sargeant from the race, with one person taking to X to write: “Embarrassing. I wouldn’t be shocked if this decision prevents certain drivers from joining the team in the foreseeable future — especially other teams putting young talent in the car. Lost a lot of respect for Vowles with this one.”Another agreed, adding: “Have some shame, this is beyond embarrassing and unfair. Great way to damage someone’s confidence further when he was already struggling with it.”A third commented: “Disgusting behaviour. I can’t see how the slight gain in race pace is worth the loss in team morale.”While a fourth wrote: “Totally unfair at the beginning of the season with both drivers on 0 points. Logan is being punished for Alex crashing the car.”Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admits the team stuffed up again after Lewis Hamilton was the second slowest during second practice.Mercedes appear clueless as they attempt to try and make up for their lack of speed.READ MORE SUN STORIESWolff said: “In the second session [we’ve] gone through a really quite dramatic set-up change on Lewis’ [car] and that has massively backfired.Hamilton, who is quitting the team for Ferrari, has not won a race since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021. More

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      F1 team forced to change name before Australian Grand Prix after ban introduced

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      A FORMULA ONE team will be forced to change its name this weekend due to strict advertising laws in Australia.The Stake F1 team will be renamed Kick Sauber at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.The Stake F1 team will be renamed this weekend due to advertising restrictionsCredit: The Mega AgencyZhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas will be racing for Kick SauberCredit: GettyFormerly Alfa Romeo, the team was rebranded to Stake earlier this year after a two-year sponsorship deal was struck with the online betting company.However, strict rules in Australia prohibit gambling advertising during live sport on both broadcasting and online platforms between 5:00am and 8:30pm.That means the team’s other main sponsor, Kick, will take over naming rights for the weekend.The team will become Kick Sauber this weekend and in Spain, Belgium and Qatar later this year.Read More on F1Following the first two races of the year, Kick Sauber are one of four teams yet to score any points.Pit stop issues have prevented Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas from breaking into the top 10 so far this season.Both drivers have voiced concerns about the issue ahead of this weekend’s race.Bottas said: “We haven’t fixed the issue 100 per cent because there’s a lead time for certain components and materials that we need, but I think we should be in a better place and I’ll have more confidence coming into the pits this weekend.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSOscar Piastri arrived at Albert Park on Thursday morning wearing the shirt of his favourite AFL team, RichmondCredit: GettyLewis Hamilton also arrived in styleCredit: Splash”Fingers crossed everything goes smooth and hopefully that way we can have clean races and fight for points.”Zhou added: “I think it was clear we need to redesign the whole equipment system for the pit stop crew.Top 10 ultimate sporting jackpots revealed, including World Cup and F1 World Championship”Of course, unfortunately, we can’t really redesign right now but we are already making a few adjustments on the wheel nut and the wheel guns and making sure the issue is solved. Fingers crossed we can get it all going.”I think we seem to have good race craft as a team, we just need to clean up a little bit the weekend.”Obviously the pit stop is the key. Love the track, love the place, the fans and the atmosphere is always one of the best of the year, so really happy and enjoyable coming to Melbourne.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      F1 stars arrive at Australian Grand Prix in style as Oscar Piastri rocks up in £400,000 outfit

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      FORMULA ONE stars arrived at Albert Park in style ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.Home town hero Oscar Piastri was swamped by fans when he arrived at the Melbourne circuit on Thursday morning.Oscar Piastri arrived in a Richmond footie shirtCredit: GettyThe 22-year-old was also wearing a £400,000 Richard Mille watchCredit: GettyLewis Hamilton arrived wearing an orange Balmain jacketCredit: SplashThe 22-year-old was wearing the shirt of his favourite Aussie Rules team, Richmond.Some eagle-eyed fans also noticed that he was wearing a top-of-the range piece by boutique watchmaker Richard Mille, one of McLaren’s sponsors.The Aussie was wearing the RM 67-02 Automatic Winding Extra Flat ‘Alexander Zverev’ model, worth around £400,000, while signing autographs.Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton typically arrived in style too, wearing an orange Balmain jacket and blue jeans.READ MORE IN F1Stake driver Zhou Guanyu donned a Christian Dior varsity jacket worth around £4,000 with some red sunglasses.And RB star Yuki Tsunoda was spotted wearing a pastel pink suit jacket with matching trousers and white trainers.Teen superstar Ollie Bearman was also seen arriving at the circuit, but he was dressed in Ferrari’s team gear.The 18-year-old made his F1 debut at the Saudi Arabian GP, but he will not feature this weekend following the return of Carlos Sainz.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSainz was ruled out of the Saudi GP earlier this month after undergoing emergency surgery for appendicitis.Bearman stepped in at the last minute to replace him and finished seventh in the race, earning six points.Brit F1 sensation Oliver Bearman, 18, seals impressive 7th in first ever GP as Max Verstappen wins in Saudi ArabiaReigning world champion Max Verstappen won the first two races of the season, with his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez finishing second on both occasions.Zhou Guanyu donned a £4,000 Christian Dior varsity jacketCredit: GettyYuki Tsunoda was wearing a pastel pink suit jacket and trousersCredit: GettyOllie Bearman arrived dressed in Ferrari gearCredit: Getty🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s wife Susie files criminal complaint against FIA over controversial conflict of interest probe

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      SUSIE WOLFF has revealed that she has filed a criminal complaint against the FIA.The Scot, 41, was accused of exchanging confidential information with husband and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff in December last year.Susie Wolff has launched a legal complaint against the FIACredit: GettyWolff, 41, was left appalled by allegations made against herCredit: RexAt the time she labelled allegations “misogynistic” and claimed to be “deeply insulted”.She has now taken things a step further by launching legal action.In a statement posted to social media, Wolff wrote: “I can confirm that I personally filed a criminal complaint in the French courts on the 4th of March in relation to the statements made about me by the FIA last December.”There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter.READ MORE F1″I feel more than ever it is important to stand up, call out improper behaviour and make sure people are held to account.”Whilst some may think silence absolves them from responsibility – it does not.”A magazine last year claimed that rival team bosses had raised concerns that Wolff was sharing confidential information from employers Formula One Management (FOM) to her husband Toto.Wolff is employed by F1’s commercial rights holder FOM and in her role as the director of the sports all-female series, F1 Academy, reports directly to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.Most read in MotorsportAt the time, the FIA announced that its compliance unit had launched an investigation into the matter.A statement read: “The FIA is aware of media speculation centred on the allegation of information of a confidential nature being passed to an F1 team principal from a member of FOM personnel.Inside the top secret Mercedes facility that Lewis Hamilton uses before every F1 race and is adapted to every track “The FIA Compliance Department is looking into the matter.”Wolff responded on social media: “It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such a manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour, and focused on my marital status rather than my abilities.”The FIA dropped its investigation just 48 hours later, saying it was “satisfied” F1 had measures in place to protect against the sharing of information between the Wolffs.In that time, all nine of Mercedes’ rival F1 teams denied making any such complaints about Wolff’s conduct.And the affair left senior figures in F1 questioning the judgement of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.Lewis Hamilton then blasted the FIA for their bungling of the situation at their prizegiving gala in Baku.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt is not the only scandal the FIA finds itself wrapped up in, following recent allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner by a female employee.In contrast to its public statement regarding Wolff, the FIA has so far refused to say whether it is looking into Horner’s behaviour.Lewis Hamilton slammed the FIA’s conductCredit: PA More

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      Oliver Bearman, 18, will not keep Ferrari F1 place for Australian GP despite amazing debut in Saudi

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      OLIVER BEARMAN will be on standby for this week’s Australian Grand Prix as Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz is expected to be back to fitness for the race.The Brit, 18, was called up as an 11th hour-replacement for Sainz after the Spaniard had appendicitis ahead of qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP.Oliver Bearman is set to return to F2 at the Australian GPCredit: GettyCarlos Sainz has recovered from appendicitisCredit: GettyBearman is dating TikTok star Estelle OgilvyEstelle studies law at universityCredit: Instagram / @silly_lettuceBearman defied expectations to come home in seventh place in Jeddah on his F1 debut.However, he is now likely to return to his Formula 2 duties with Sainz fit again to compete.Bearman will get behind the wheel of Prema Racing’s car as he is cheered on by his TikTok sensation and law student girlfriend Estelle Ogilvy.”Carlos Sainz is expected to be back in the car,” Ferrari said.READ MORE IN F1Sainz, who is out of contract at the end of the season having lost his seat for 2025 to Lewis Hamilton, was third behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez at the season-opening Bahrain GP last month.Speaking ahead of this week’s Australian GP, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said: “We expect to be frontrunners on this track, which could produce a similar pecking order to the one seen in Jeddah.”We intend adopting an aggressive approach with the aim of putting pressure on the team that’s won the first two races.”Meanwhile, Russian driver Nikita Mazepin has overturned the European Union sanctions against him.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMazepin was axed by the Haas team due to his father’s links to Russia’s president Vladimir Putin.Dmitry Mazepin has bankrolled his son’s motorsports career but Nikita was sacked by Haas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Who is Ferrari’s new star Oliver BearmanHowever, he has now been removed from the EU sanctions list – although any F1 return is highly unlikely. More

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      F1 star Pierre Gasly fulfils ‘lifelong dream’ by becoming co-owner of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry’s former club

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      FORMULA ONE driver Pierre Gasly has invested a small part of his multi-million fortune in French football club FC Versailles.The historic club once boasted names including Thierry Henry and Hatem Ben Arfa.Pierre Gasly has invested in French semi-professional club FC VersaillesCredit: ReutersLe FC Versailles est fier d’accueillir Pierre Gasly, pilote de Formule 1 français, comme troisième associé propriétaire. 🤝Lire le communiqué. 👇— FC Versailles 👑 (@FCVersaillesOff) March 18, 2024

      Gasly and girlfriend Kika Cerqueira Gomes attend PSG games when they canCredit: GettyGasly, 28, has purchased a stake in FC Versailles – a club in the Parisian suburbs who were recently promoted to the French third tier.The Alpine driver is a huge football fan and supports French giants Paris Saint-Germain, as he often flaunts the club jersey around the F1 paddock.The proud Frenchman will join the semi-professional club as a joint shareholder alongside President Alexandre Mulliez, and his partner Fabien Lazare.The Versailles-based outfit are best known for having Henry as part of their youth set up in the 1990s.READ MORE F1 NEWSHis official statement read: “I am delighted to get involved with FC Versailles.”I have always wanted to get involved in professional football.”With Alexandre and Fabien, we share values, ambition and a keen competitive spirit which will allow us to positively develop the club. “This is the start of a very beautiful story. Go Versailles!”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe club currently occupies the 10th position in the French third division.Gasly reportedly connected with Mulliez through shared acquaintances.Ask Me Anything – BWT Alpine F1 Team Technical Director, Matt Harman sits down with Reddit, YouTube AlpineBut his disastrous start to the 2024 F1 season has somewhat clouded his new business venture.During opening weekend at the Bahrain GP he finished 18th, while the following week he was dead last in Saudi Arabia. As a result, he is rock bottom of the Drivers World Championship standings.In terms of investments, it’s been less than a year since Alpine garnered attention from notable figures across sport and entertainment.The consortium of investors is made up of Otro Capital, RedBird Partners and Maximum Efforts Investments.The latter is led by Hollywood actors and Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.Anthony Joshua, golfer Rory McIlroy, and footballers Trent Alexander-Arnold and Juan Mata have also invested in the F1 team through Otro Capital. More

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      Geri Halliwell will not be at husband Christian Horner’s side at Australian Grand Prix amid sexting scandal

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      SINGER Geri Halliwell will not be at scandal-hit husband Christian Horner’s side at this weekend’s F1 race.She has supported the Red Bull Racing boss, 50, at two grand prix amid a storm over sexts to a team aide.Geri Halliwell will not be at Christian Horner’s side at this weekend’s F1 raceCredit: GettyThe Spice Girl has supported the Red Bull Racing boss amid a sexting scandalCredit: SplashBut Geri, 51, will not be in Australia. A source said: “She never intended to fly to Melbourne and won’t be changing plans. “But she remains 100 per cent behind Christian.” The couple were seen walking hand-in-hand and exchanging awkward kisses at the Bahrain Grand Prix.READ MORE ON F1Spice Girl Geri appeared red-eyed and uncomfortable as she stood by her man hours after hundreds of embarrassing WhatsApp messages were leaked online. The mum of three seemed more composed at the Saudi Arabia race a week later.Horner’s accuser is appealing against an internal probe that cleared him.The couple were seen walking hand-in-hand in BahrainCredit: GettyGeri Halliwell appears WITHOUT Red Bull F1 boss husband Christian Horner at Commonwealth Day Service amid sexting storm More