Motorsport

LEWIS HAMILTON intends to boycott social media over the weekend in a bid to combat racist abuse online.Football League clubs, England’s cricket board, the Lawn Tennis Association and Premiership Rugby have all supported the blackout from Friday to Monday.
Lewis Hamilton will join British sport in boycotting social media to take a stand against racist abuseCredit: Getty
And while F1 is not planning to support the movement, F1’s champion says he will.
He said: “It’s clear, and clearly in this sport, it’s clear that racism continues to be an issue.
“I think social media platforms do need to do more in order to combat this, so I’m fully supportive of the initiative.
“If me also doing it helps put pressure on those platforms to help fight against it, then for sure, I’m happy to do so.
“I’m really proud to hear that there are so many organisations getting involved.
“I’m not sure why Formula One is not part of that, but I probably will follow and support this weekend.”
Hamilton has been pioneering F1’s recent diversity and anti-racism messages.
The seven-time world champion said ahead of this weekend’s Portugal GP that he received abuse online earlier in his career and would come off social media as a result.
The Sun joins social media boycott
THE Sun is standing united with English football this weekend in response to the ongoing discriminatory abuse of players on social media.
All of our Twitter accounts including Sport, Football, TV and Showbiz will stop posting from 3pm, Friday 30th April until 11.59pm, Monday 3rd May. 
We will also support any of our journalists who want to stand with the boycott.
We are proud to back this initiative and continue our opposition to discrimination on social media. 
The Sun has consistently taken a stand against this despicable and unacceptable behaviour, no more so than in recent weeks.  

And he called on organisations like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to clamp down on the abuse.
He added: “I was subject to abuse a long, long time ago, at a time when I was younger, when I was reading social media, reading like many people do, trying to engage with people.
“But there was a period of time where I had to understand that firstly you can’t read every comment that’s on there, and you can’t take it personally.
“If you let those things get to you, then they can ruin your day.
“But I do believe that social media companies need to do more.
“There’s algorithms, there’s things they’re able to see, they’re able to take steps to help and create more of an anti-racist society. That’s what we’ve got to be pushing towards.”
Hamilton will race at the Portugal GP at the Algarve Circuit this weekendCredit: Rex

Lewis Hamilton talks to The Sun about his ‘sporting icon’ Muhammed Ali, Black History Month and how sport is tackling racism in 2020 More

FORMULA ONE legend Eddie Irvine has sold his plush Irish mansion for £2.6million.Hollywood star Matt Damon is said to have fallen in love with the swanky pad – which comes complete with hot tub and swimming pool – when he stayed there last year.
Eddie Irvine has sold his stunning Irish mansion
The F1 icon has banked £2.6m for the padCredit: Getty – Contributor
Hollywood start Matt Damon is said to have fallen in love with the houseCredit: Getty
Irvine, 55, finally found a buyer for the south Dublin mansion.
The County Down native had been looking for a buyer for the property for a number of years, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
And he finally offloaded the stunning mansion, which overlooks the Irish capital, in mid-April.
The new owner will be able to enjoy a games room with snooker and pool tables as well as a large timber decking area for barbeques.
Movie star Damon stayed at the house during lockdown last year and described his time in Ireland as ‘like a fairytale’.
The A-lister was full of praise for Dublin, saying: “It’s incredible, one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been.”
Irvine made his name as a Formula 1 driver – competing between 1993 and 2002.
He famously lost out on the world title by just two points to Mika Hakkinen in 1999, although he did help Ferrari win the Constructor’s Championship that season.
CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
The mansion boasts sprawling living spaces
The modern kitchen has space to cook and host guests
The swanky hot tub is done out in plush marble
The pad offers stunning views of Dublin
And it even has a dedicated snooker room
The modern exterior is an architectural marvel
The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

The Irishman retired from F1 in 2002 but had built up a huge property portfolio while he was competing.
Irvine recently sold a number of properties in the exclusive Venetian Islands area of Miami, Florida.
Elsewhere in F1, Lewis Hamilton has been warned that Max Verstappen is the real deal this season – and that the F1 title is at the mercy of the racing gods.
Former F1 star David Coulthard believes the Red Bull man now has the pace and maturity to take a title fight to the reigning champion.
Verstappen and Hamilton have slugged it out in this season’s opening two races, with the Dutchman getting revenge in Imola after the Brit won the season-opener in Bahrain.
With one victory each, Hamilton holds a slender one-point lead in the championships after setting the fastest lap last out.
And Coulthard expects another close battle this weekend at the Portugal Grand Prix.

🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton shows off ripped body More

LEWIS HAMILTON has been warned that Max Verstappen is the real deal this season and that the Formula One title is at the mercy of the racing gods.Former F1 star David Coulthard believes the Red Bull man now has the pace and maturity to take a title fight to the reigning champion.
Lewis Hamilton has been warned that Max Verstappen will be his biggest threat this seasonCredit: AFP
Verstappen and Hamilton have slugged it out in this season’s opening two races with the Dutchman getting revenge in Imola after the Brit won the season-opener in Bahrain.
Hamilton holds a slender one-point lead in the championships after setting the fastest lap last out – and Coulthard expects another close battle this weekend at the Portugal Grand Prix.
“Red Bull are the real deal in terms of outright pace.
“There’s no question if you can deliver the lap time in qualifying and then you don’t have reliability issues in the race.
“That’s where Mercedes have been so strong over the last several years, they have had qualifying pace and they have had unbelievable reliability.
“So the only thing that I think can stand in the way of Max and Red Bull Racing really taking this championship is the racing Gods getting involved in a few things with reliability because he is definitely experienced enough.
“He is definitely mature enough, which at 23 seems incredible but he is ready. He is more than ready.”
In the interview with MailOnline, Coulthard said he hopes the pair’s rivalry develops along the lines of Prost-Senna.
CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

He added: “We’ve seen two great races, hopefully we will have a third and at some point those guys are going to come to blows.
“There was a little bit of contact at the first corner in Imola, I think anyone who has followed Formula One for a long time will remember Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna coming together at Suzuka twice and all these other situations.
“I’m not, of course, advocating contact between two race cars but God, does it give us some memorable moments! It has got all the hallmarks of a classic season.”

🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton shows off ripped body More

MARK WEBBER says ‘tired’ Sebastian Vettel is low in confidence as he struggles to get his F1 career back on track.The four-time world champion was axed by Ferrari last season after a difficult 18 months and has so far failed to impress at Aston Martin.
Mark Webber (left) believes Sebastian Vettel (right) is ‘tired’ and low in confidenceCredit: Getty Images
Vettel, 33, was 15th in Bahrain and also classed 15th in Imola – despite failing to finish the race – looks unrecognisable from his all-conquering days at Red Bull.
And his former F1 teammate, Webber, fears the German’s time at Ferrari has taken its toll on his performances.
He said: “Seb’s confidence is incredibly low now. His time at Ferrari didn’t work out for him.
“Sport puts men and women to the test sometimes, but in his case it was a very long period of time.
“I think the standards of these cars don’t suit Sebastian very well, they are not his type of car.
“He likes cars with a lot of grip, a lot of downforce and he is a very delicate driver, with a lot of feeling with the car.
“Remember Monza in the rain the Toro Rosso? It was unbelievable, he got away from everyone that day. But when there is less grip, with the Pirelli [tyres] the cars now give you less confidence and the rules don’t suit him.
“That’s a problem for him, but it’s about being good with all the rules, look at Lewis Hamilton, he’s strong all the time.
“I think the stars have aligned against Seb. And he’s getting tired, he put a lot of effort into Ferrari.”
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £60 IN FREE BETS FOR PUNCHESTOWN
The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

Webber and Vettel had two notable fallouts at Red Bull at the Turkish GP in 2010 and then again at the 2013 Malaysian GP.
And while the two will never be close, Webber says he is unhappy to see his old rival struggling so badly.
He added: “People think I enjoy watching him suffer and no, I’m not happy.
“I want to see him do well because it’s very strange to see him so different from how he was.
“But this is F1, we can’t not complain about the drivers who don’t perform.
“It’s the top, we have to celebrate drivers like Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc or Max Verstappen performing well.
“If you are a driver who is at the end of his career, or who is suffering… you also have to talk about it.”
Meanwhile, young Brit Callum Ilott has been appointed a reserve driver for Alfa Romeo and will make his F1 debut at this week’s Portuguese GP.
Ilott, who missed out on a seat in F1 after Haas picked Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, will take part in Friday’s practice session.
Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
Mick Schumacher says ‘racing is a part of me’ in advert for Under Armour More

FORMULA ONE has approved plans for three short Saturday sprint races where championship points will be available to the top three finishers.It is the latest tweak to the rules to increase the excitement over a race weekend.
Lewis Hamilton and Co will take part in sprint racesCredit: Getty
The British GP at Silverstone, the Italian GP at Monza and the Sao Paulo Grand Prix have been earmarked for the three sprint races.
The results of those 100km races will then determine the grid for the Grands Prix, which will be run as normal on Sunday over a full race distance.
Formula One chief Stefano Domenicali said: “We are excited by this new opportunity that will bring our fans an even more engaging race weekend in 2021.
“Seeing the drivers battling it out over three days will be an amazing experience and I am sure the drivers will relish the fight.
“I am delighted that all the teams supported this plan, and it is a testament to our united efforts to continue to engage our fans in new ways while ensuring we remain committed to the heritage and meritocracy of our sport.”
FIA president Jean Todt welcomed F1’s plans to spice up the action and said it had the full support of the 10 teams and the governing body.
He added: “I am pleased to see that Formula One is seeking new ways to engage with its fans and enlarge the spectacle of a race weekend.
“It was made possible thanks to the continued collaboration between the FIA, Formula One, and all of the teams.

The British GP will be among the races to include the new sprintsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

“F1 is showing itself to be stronger than ever with all stakeholders working together in this way, and much has been done to ensure that the Sporting, Technical and Financial aspects of the format are fair.”
HOW IT WILL WORK AT SILVERSTONE, MONZA AND INTERLAGOS
Friday – Practice 1 for 60 minutes. Then qualifying in the normal format of Q1, Q2 and Q3 to determine the grid for the Sprint Race.
Saturday – Practice 2 for 60 minutes. Then the Sprint Race with 3 points on offer to the winner, 2 to the driver in second and one for the third-placed driver.
Sunday – Grand Prix over full race distance, the grid will be the classified results from the sprint race.
The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
Lewis Hamilton and Tom Brady talk about how they would each fair in each others sports More