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      Mercedes boss prepared for Lewis Hamilton quitting F1 and ready for ‘curveballs’ as champ’s contract talks drag on

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      MERCEDES are preparing for “curveballs” as F1 king Lewis Hamilton’s future remains in doubt just two months before the new season.
      But team boss Toto Wolff says he’s unfazed by Britain’s seven-time world champion still not agreeing a new contract.

      Lewis Hamilton has yet to sign a new Mercedes deal but team boss Toto Wolff says he’s not worried and will respect whatever the Brit decidesCredit: PA:Press Association

      Reigning champ Lewis Hamilton has said he is in no rush to sort out his future but the 2021 F1 season is scheduled to start in MarchCredit: PA

      Hamilton, who was 36 on Thursday, insists he wants to stay with Mercedes, where his deal expired on December 31.
      And of the unsettled situation, Wolff told Autosport: “It doesn’t worry me at all, because I will always respect Lewis’s decisions.
      ‘Whether this is staying with us for a long time, or whether that means leaving the sport and pursuing different interests.

      “I think we need to be ready for all kinds of curveballs being thrown at us.

      “But at the same time, we talk a lot, and we are very transparent with each other. I think there is more to achieve together.”
      Hamilton has been very laidback publicly over a new deal, which is expected to be worth £40million a year.
      At first he suggested it might be tone deaf to talk money while people are losing their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.
      He then insisted he was just focused on retaining the title… but when that was in the bag he still said there was no rush.

      Reports in Italy suggested there were three sticking points over a new contract: salary, plus Hamilton wanting a share of the team’s prize money and a freebie AMG One hypercar.
       In contrast, Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas sorted out an £8m one-year contract last August.
      And as they wait for Hamilton’s future to be decided, Mercedes will continue developing this year’s car based on the assumption he will be driving it.

      Lewis Hamilton wins Sports Personality of the Year 2020 after passing F1 legend Michael Schumacher for most wins ever More

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      Nikita Mazepin ‘needs to grow up’ says Haas boss after Russian rookie shared video of himself groping woman on Instagram

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      NIKITA MAZEPIN needs to “grow up” according to Haas boss Guenther Steiner.
      Last month the controversial Russian driver posted a video on social media that showed a woman being groped in the back of a car.

      Nikita Mazepin has apologised for his actionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The footage was deleted and Mazepin subsequently apologised but there has been a considerable campaign to get the 21-year-old kicked out of the sport.
      There have been calls for Haas, F1 and the sport’s governing body to take a stand against Mazepin, who was once banned for punching British racing driver, Callum Ilott.
      And Haas team principal Steiner admitted that the case is not yet closed, as they weigh up how to handle Mazepin, whose father is a tycoon and provides lucrative financial backing.
      Steiner said: “He did something he shouldn’t have done, and we were very outspoken about what we thought about it at the time.

      “He’s apologised and he knows it was wrong, and now we need to work on it to give him the best opportunity to learn from this, concentrate on his racing and ensure he doesn’t do it anymore.
      “He knows that. He realises that what was done wasn’t right. I’m not the type of guy who kicks in the face someone who’s on their knees – that’s not right.
      “This is a young man who needs to grow up and for sure we have dealt with this and we will continue to deal with this.”
      NO SECOND CHANCES
      It is unknown what Haas are planning to do with Mazepin but Steiner says there will be consequences if such an event happens again.

      In his column on The Race, he added: “We are not saying that this was OK and letting him get away with it. We are educating him and will keep on educating him for his future.
      “There will be consequences if this or something similar happens again. We have put things in place that will help him to get better and make sure this doesn’t happen again; not to make the same mistake again, because this was a clear mistake.
      “And he took responsibility, which for me was very important. I always say if you know what you did wrong you can do better. If you are in denial, then it doesn’t work.
      “People have an opinion, that’s fine, also internally people didn’t like what happened, and this is why we continue to take this seriously
      “But the full details of what we did, and what we are doing – I don’t want to disclose. This is not done and dusted, this is an ongoing thing, we are not moving on like nothing ever happened.

      Mazepin’s father provides financial backing to the Haas team

      The young driver has been told to grow up

      The Russian posted this apology on Instagram

      “I’m aware of the response on social media – and social media can be your friend and it can also be your enemy.
      “People have an opinion, that’s fine, also internally people didn’t like what happened, and this is why we continue to take this seriously.
      “This is a distraction that we don’t want, but sometimes these things happen. Of course, I would have rather this had not happened, but we got in this position and now we have to work on it, it’s part of our job.”

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      F1 2021 season schedule already ripped up with Australia moved back, Bahrain to kick it off and Vietnam GP AXED

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      FORMULA ONE chiefs have been forced to redraw their calendar for the start of the season – moving the Australian GP back to November.
      The Chinese GP will also be bumped from its original date of April 11th amid the ongoing travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

      Lewis Hamilton won the shortened 2020 F1 season and the 2021 calendar has also been reshuffledCredit: AFP

      It means that the season will now kick off in Bahrain on March 28 before heading back to Europe, with the San Marino GP at Imola on April 18.
      It is widely expected that the Portuguese GP at Portimao will now fill the slot for May 2 left vacant following the collapse of the Vietnam GP.
      Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One, said: “We are pleased to confirm that the number of races planned for the season remains unchanged.
      “The global pandemic has not yet allowed life to return to normal, but we showed in 2020 that we can race safely as the first international sport to return and we have the experience and plans in place to deliver on our season.

      “It is great news that we have already been able to agree a rescheduled date for the Australian Grand Prix in November and are continuing to work with our Chinese colleagues to find a solution to race there in 2021 if something changes.
      “We are very excited to announce that Imola will return for the 2021 season and know our fans will be looking forward to the return of Formula One after the winter break and our revised season opener in Bahrain.
      “Obviously, the virus situation remains fluid, but we have the experience from last season with all our partners and promoters to adapt accordingly and safely in 2021.”
      Australian authorities have placed extensive travel restrictions on arrivals to control the spread of the disease with new arrivals forced into special hotels to quarantine for up to three weeks.

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      It means that F1 and the organisers have moved the date of the race back to November 21 in the hope that those conditions will be lifted.
      The travel restrictions have also played havoc with the Shanghai race, with F1 now committed to find an alternative date for the GP.
      However, the return of GPs in Portimao and Imola mean that F1 is still on course for a record-breaking 23-race season, which will end in Abu Dhabi on December 12.

      The 2021 F1 season will begin at Bahrain on March 28 before heading to EuropeCredit: AFP or licensors

      With the Vietnam GP axed this year, there will be no need for the street circuit in Hanoi once againCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Mercedes chief prepared for Lewis Hamilton quitting F1 and ready for ‘curveballs’ as champion’s contract talks linger on

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      MERCEDES are preparing for “curveballs” as F1 king Lewis Hamilton’s future still lies in doubt just two months before the new season.
      But team boss Toto Wolff says he is unfazed by Britain’s seven-time world champion still not agreeing a new contract.

      Lewis Hamilton has yet to sign a new Mercedes deal but team boss Toto Wolff says he’s not worried and will respect whatever the Brit decidesCredit: PA:Press Association

      Reigning champ Lewis Hamilton has said he is in no rush to sort out his future but the 2021 F1 season is scheduled to start in MarchCredit: PA

      Hamilton, who was 36 on Thursday, insists he wants to stay with Mercedes, where his deal expired on December 31.
      And of the unsettled situation, Wolff told Autosport: “It doesn’t worry me at all, because I will always respect Lewis’s decisions.
      ‘Whether this is staying with us for a long time, or whether that means leaving the sport and pursuing different interests.

      “I think we need to be ready for all kinds of curveballs being thrown at us.

      “But at the same time, we talk a lot, and we are very transparent with each other. I think there is more to achieve together.”
      Hamilton has been very laidback publicly over a new deal, which is expected to be worth £40million a year.
      At first he suggested it might be tone deaf to talk money while people are losing their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.
      He then insisted he was just focused on retaining the title… but when that was in the bag he still said there was no rush.

      Reports in Italy suggested there were three sticking points over a new contract: salary, plus Hamilton wanting a share of the team’s prize money and a freebie AMG One hypercar.
       In contrast, Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas sorted out an £8m one-year contract last August.
      And as they wait for Hamilton’s future to be decided, Mercedes will continue developing this year’s car based on the assumption he will be driving it.

      Lewis Hamilton wins Sports Personality of the Year 2020 after passing F1 legend Michael Schumacher for most wins ever More

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      McLaren sign option to race in Formula E for 2022/23 season but insist they are still committed to Formula One

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      McLAREN have signed an option to race in Formula E for the 2022/23 season – but say they are still committed to Formula One.
      The Woking-based team are one of F1’s stalwarts and have signed up to the Concorde Agreement, which binds the team to the sport until 2025.

      McLaren chief Zak Brown outlined plans for F2Credit: Alamy Live News

      However, they are also weighing up whether to join the popular all-electric series in its ninth season.
      A statement from McLaren said: “McLaren Racing announced today it has signed an option to enter the FIA Formula E World Championship in Season Nine, as part of its ongoing evaluation of potential new motorsport platforms.
      “The option provides McLaren with the choice to enter the championship as one of a maximum 12 entries for the 2022/23 season.”
      The team are currently prevented from competing aS they are the exclusive battery supplier to the series.

      However, that deal ends next year, paving the way for them to start their own FE team.
      Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing said: “We’ve been closely observing Formula E for some time and monitoring the series’ progress and future direction.
      “The opportunity to take an option on an entry, together with the completion of the McLaren Applied supplier contract with the FIA at the end of Gen 2, gives us the necessary time to decide if Formula E is right for McLaren as a future competition platform.”
      McLaren-Renault came third in last season’s contructors’ championship, behind Red Bull and Mercedes.

      Ricciardo finished fifth in last season’s drivers’ championshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Daniel Ricciardo managed to take fifth place in the drivers’ championship.
      Meanwhile, Cyril Abiteboul has left his role as boss of the Renault F1 team, which has been rebranded as Alpine for 2021.
      It follows the arrival of former Suzuki MotoGP team boss Davide Brivio, who has joined as CEO.

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      Pierre Cherpin, 52, placed in induced coma with severe head injury and collapsed lung after horror crash in Dakar Rally

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      FRENCH motorcyclist Pierre Cherpin has been placed in an induced coma after crashing in the Dakar Rally.
      The 52-year-old, taking part in his fourth Dakar, came off his bike during the seventh stage in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

      Pierre Cherpin was competing in his fourth Dakar RallyCredit: Alamy

      Pierre Cherpin (left) taking part in the 2015 Dakar RallyCredit: Alamy

      He was immediately rushed to hospital in the north-west city of Sakaka and underwent emergency surgery.
      Cherpin suffered major head trauma, a collapsed lung and a broken rib, according to France TV.
      Cherpin’s partner offered an encouraging update on his condition this morning.
      Magali wrote on Facebook: “Pierre had a good night without complications, and that’s a good omen!

      “They monitor the evolution of the lung lesion and the hematoma.
      “He will be ‘woken up’ very gradually within 24 to 48 hours.
      “As Olivier says, the outlook is reassuring. Thanks again for your so positive support.”
      Portuguese motorcyclist Paulo Goncalves and Dutch rider Edwin Straver tragically lost their lives in last year’s Dakar Rally.

      It was announced on Sunday that three-time race winner Hubert Auriol had passed away at the age of 68.

      The Frenchman was the first competitor to win the Dakar Rally on a motorbike and in a car.
      Auriol later became the director of the race.
      The Dakar Rally said in a statement: “He inspired generations of riders and drivers and has been an integral part of the rally throughout its history.”

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      Mercedes boss braced for Lewis Hamilton quitting F1 and ready for ‘curveballs’ as champ’s contract talks linger on

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      MERCEDES are preparing for “curveballs” as F1 king Lewis Hamilton’s future still lies in doubt two months before the new season. But team boss Toto Wolff claims he is unfazed by Britain’s seven-time world champion still not agreeing a new contract. Hamilton, who was 36 on Thursday, insists he wants to stay with Mercedes, where his deal expired on […] More

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      F1 star Lewis Hamilton wakes up on his birthday unemployed as fresh £40m-a-year Mercedes-deal talks rumble on

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      WHEN Lewis Hamilton woke up on the beautiful and secluded Caribbean Islands of Turks and Caicos this morning to celebrate his 36th birthday, it is probably fair to assume being unemployed did not register.
      But the reality is that F1’s current world champion is out of work after his contract with Mercedes expired on December 31.

      Lewis Hamilton is still without a contract to race in F1 next seasonCredit: Reuters

      Hamilton has always maintained his desire was to stay with the Silver Arrows, and while he said he was in no rush to sort negotiations out over a new deal – expected to be worth £40million a year – the reality is now he is no longer being paid at all.
      Initially he said the time was not right to be talking about a new, lucrative contract in the middle of a pandemic when people were losing their jobs.Fair enough.
      He then adopted a different reason, saying he wanted to focus on winning the title before discussing his contract.
      Again, that’s understandable.

      Then, once he’d won title No7, he insisted there was still no rush and that ideally it would be signed before Christmas. Well, obviously that deadline has also passed.
      Yes, it is all rather strange given that F1 contracts for in demand drivers are normally sorted early in the season.
      Take a look at Hamilton’s teammate, Valtteri Bottas, who signed his £8million one-year contract last August.
      It might be a ‘no brainer’ as Merc’s Head of Motorsport, Toto Wolff keeps saying, that Hamilton will re-sign with the team.

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      On December 18, Wolff and Hamilton confirmed that the serious talks had not started yet, however, until it is done, there is always a concern he could go elsewhere or quit.
      At this point there is no reason to suspect that Hamilton will walk away and refuse to sign, but there is a growing feeling that something is not quite right over what should have been a pretty standard renewal.
      The last deal took a ten-hour discussion between Wolff and Hamilton in the Brit’s kitchen and concluded with a pizza, but this time it is rumbling on.
      In the meantime, Mercedes will continue to develop their car for 2021 based on the presumption that Hamilton will be driving it, but the lack of a contract in place has started some wild rumours that Merc say are ‘pure fiction’.
      Reports in Italy suggested there were three sticking points.
      One, the salary of the contract. Two, that Hamilton wanted a share of the team’s prize money on top. And three, a freebie AMG One hypercar.

      For the meantime, Mercedes say they are not worried about Hamilton’s lack of signature, after all, where else would he go – other than retire?
      A spokesperson told SunSport: “There are no reasons to be concerned”, rightly pointing out that 2020 was vastly different from a normal F1 season.
      So while Hamilton relaxes on  the beach with sand between his toes, at Merc’s Brackley HQ there is also no show of any panic.

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