Motorsport

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 to make MAJOR change to 2024 race weekends after Lewis Hamilton’s ‘pointless’ comment and sarcastic Verstappen jibe

      by

      F1 SPRINTS are set to be changed in 2024 in order to make race weekends easier to follow.The format will be refreshed for the new season after complaints from the likes of Lewis Hamilton this year.
      F1 sprint weekends are set to be changed after complaints from Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Hamilton had claimed the sprint races were ‘pointless’Credit: Splash
      It was confirmed on Friday that the Sporting Advisory Committee will present their final proposal to the F1 Commission in January.
      An FIA statement read: “The Commission gave overall support for an update to the sprint format for 2024 to further rationalise the weekend by separating Sprint activities from those for the Grand Prix.
      “The final calendar for the 2024 sprint events will be published in the coming weeks.”
      Six rounds of this season’s calendar have been sprint weekends, including in Qatar as Max Verstappen clinched his third world title on a Saturday.
      READ MORE F1 NEWS
      The current format sees qualifying for the grand prix held on a Friday, with the sprint qualifying and race taking place on Saturday.
      Teams have discussed moving sprint qualifying to Friday instead, with the 100km race held on Saturday morning before GP qualifying.
      The planned changes come after Hamilton had slammed the sprint races at the Austrian GP in July after qualifying in 18th.
      “Sprint race doesn’t really matter anyways,” he admitted. “So today [I’ll] just have some fun from the back and it is what it is.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Hamilton and Max Verstappen went back and forth over sprint races last monthCredit: Getty
      “I don’t really feel any way about it to be honest. I wish I was still out there, but not today.
      “There’s nothing really to say. Just that we will focus on our job today and could’ve easily been much further up there, but yeah, I’ll just have a bit of fun at the back.”
      He has an opposing view to Verstappen, who sarcastically said: “Love it. It’s fantastic!” after winning the sprint race at last month’s United States GP.
      During the same press conference, Hamilton later quipped: “Sounds like you’re a bit bored,” in response to Verstappen’s honest views on the sprints.
      This prompted Verstappen to add: “I’m not bored but if I would be a fan, I would just be disappointed because then you more or less know about the picture.
      “If nothing crazy happens, you know what’s going to happen tomorrow so I find that a bit…
      “It takes away that magic of waking up on a Sunday morning or whatever, Sunday afternoon, and you turn on the TV and you’ve had qualifying but you’re not sure which car is going to be quickest in most of the years and yeah, it takes that magic away, I find.” More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton’s Red Bull F1 saga takes shock twist as it’s claimed his own DAD was in contact with Christian Horner

      by

      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON’S dad Anthony is claimed to have been in contact with Red Bull.It comes after Hamilton was forced to deny suggestions he had reached out to Christian Horner about joining his team.
      Anthony Hamilton, left, is claimed to have spoken to Christian HornerCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Lewis Hamilton denied Horner’s claim he had reached out to the Red Bull chiefCredit: Getty
      Hamilton accused the Red Bull chief of “stirring things” and rejected claims he or one of his representatives reached out to Horner.
      Horner said there was “an enquiry” from Hamilton and a Red Bull spokesperson has now claimed it was Anthony who made the approach.
      SunSport understands Anthony and Red Bull have been in contact – although he is no longer part of Hamilton’s management team.
      Anthony managed Hamilton early in his career but quit that role in 2010.
      READ MORE IN F1
      The Brit had been linked with an exit from Mercedes earlier this year but ended up agreeing a new deal with the Silver Arrows in August.
      That will see Hamilton remain at Mercedes until 2025 and the seven-time champion confirmed his commitment to his team by shooting down Horner’s comments.
      He said: “I don’t really know where that story’s come from. I mean I know it has come from Christian [Horner].
      “I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about because no one from my team as far as I’m aware has spoken to him.
      Most read in Motorsport
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      “I haven’t spoken to Christian, really, in years. However, he did reach out to me earlier in the year about meeting up, but that’s it.
      “I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said hopefully soon I’ll be able to fight against them in the near future – that was it.
      “So I’m not really sure, I think it’s just stirring things.” More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lando Norris’ stunning ex-girlfriend labelled ‘the definition of beauty’ as she flaunts curves in Lisbon

      by

      LUISINHA OLIVEIRA had fans reaching for their dictionaries with her latest social media post.The Portuguese model is no stranger to the glam lifestyle.
      Luisinha Oliveira had fans reaching for their dictionariesCredit: instagram @luisinhaoliveira99
      Luisinha posed up against a window with a sun-lit backgroundCredit: instagram @luisinhaoliveira99
      Luisinha had an all-black look for the photoCredit: instagram @luisinhaoliveira99
      Luisinha was taken the photo in LisbonCredit: instagram @luisinhaoliveira99
      And she showed off a fabulous look in front of a stunning partly red sun-lit backdrop in Lisbon.
      Luisinha, the ex-girlfriend of Formula One star Lando Norris, could be seen sitting up next to a window.
      She could be seen in a blackout look with her top off the shoulders.
      Fans were enamoured by the post and rushed to the comments.
      READ MORE ON INFLUENCERS
      One fan said: “I’m in love.”
      A second said: “The definition of beauty.”
      A third said: “You’re so pretty.”
      Another said: “The sunset in the back 🙌🏼.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      While a fifth added: “Prettiest human on earth.”
      Luisinha, 23, dated McLaren ace Norris for a year before splitting in September 2022.
      She was often seen cheering him on from the paddock during their time together.
      The pair split on good terms.
      Luisinha has 377,000 followers on Instagram.
      Luisinha works as a modelCredit: instagram @luisinhaoliveira99
      Luisinha dated F1 star Lando Norris for one yearCredit: Getty
      Luisinha has 377,000 followers on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/luisinhaoliveira99/
      Luisinha is often seen flaunting her curves on social mediaCredit: Instagram @luisinhaoliveira99 More

    • 150 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 set to trial never-before-seen feature at season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

      by

      ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE will be trialled for the first time at the Abu Dhabi GP this weekend.AI will be used to try to regulate track violations by drivers.
      The Abu Dhabi GP will see AI be trialledCredit: Rex
      This season has seen cars often cross the white line at the edge of the track which has resulted in lap times being lost in qualifying and in the race.
      This weekend will hopefully be different as the FIA will be using “Computer Vision” technology to analyse the edge of the track.
      It will work out the number of pixels going past the edge of the track in Abu Dhabi and judge if the cars have strayed too far.
      The FIA’s head of remote operations and deputy race director Tim Malyon has insisted that Computer Vision has been effective in medicine.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      He said: “They don’t want to use the Computer Vision to diagnose cancer.
      “What they want to do is to use it to throw out the 80 per cent of cases where there clearly is no cancer in order to give the well-trained people more time to look at the 20 per cent.
      “And that’s what we are targeting.”
      He believes that the use of AI would reduce the number of infringements being looked at.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      He added: “The biggest imperative is to expand the facility and continue to invest in software, because that’s how we’ll make big strides.
      “The final takeaway for me is be open to new technologies and continue to evolve.
      “I’ve repeatedly said that humans are winning at the moment in certain areas.
      “That might be the case now but we do feel that ultimately, real-time automated policing systems are the way forward.”
      The problems caused by cars crossing the white lines were seen in the Austrian Grand Prix as there were 1,200 potential violations being processed by four people.
      In Qatar, there were eight people processing the violations but due to the amount, there were some breaches that went unpunished. More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton slams F1 rival Christian Horner for ‘stirring things’ and says ‘I don’t understand what he’s on about’

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has accused Christian Horner of “stirring things” after the Red Bull chief claimed he was keen to join them from Mercedes.Horner told the Daily Mail that a representative of Hamilton’s had reached out to him about joining Red Bull to work alongside Max Verstappen.
      Lewis Hamilton has slammed Christian Horner for “stirring things”Credit: Rex
      Horner had claimed that a member of Hamilton’s team had reached out to him about Hamilton joining Red BullCredit: Getty

      But the Brit driver has rubbished the claims in an interview ahead of this weekend’s season closer in Abu Dhabi.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I don’t really know where that story’s come from. I mean I know it has come from Christian [Horner].
      “I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about because no one from my team as far as I’m aware has spoken to him.
      “I haven’t spoken to Christian, really, in years. However, he did reach out to me earlier in the year about meeting up, but that’s it.
      REAM MORE ON F1
      “I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said hopefully soon I’ll be able to fight against them in the near future – that was it.
      “So I’m not really sure, I think it’s just stirring things.”
      Hamilton had been linked with an exit from the Mercedes in recent times, but ended up agreeing a new deal with the Silver Arrows this August that will see him stay put until 2025.
      When probed further about the Horner’s claims, Hamilton doubled down on the fact there had been no talks.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      He said: “There aren’t any confidential discussions. You know Christian, he loves that kind of stuff.”
      The 38-year-old has been struggling at Mercedes over the last two years and is now just one race away from going two seasons without a single win.
      Meanwhile Red Bull have made this year’s competition essentially a nine month long procession due to their dominance.
      Max Verstappen tied up his third consecutive World Championship in Qatar with SIX races still to go.
      The Belgian-Dutch driver has won all but three of this year’s Grand Prix with his teammate Sergio Perez winning two of the races he was unsuccessful in. More

    • 138 Shares169 Views

      in Motorsport

      Who is Frederik Vesti? Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes replacement in Abu Dhabi

      by

      FREDERIK VESTI has big gloves to fill as he’ll be replacing Lewis Hamilton this weekend in Abu Dhabi.A host of young drivers are set to appear in what is the grand finale of the 2023 F1 season.
      Frederik Vesti will be behind the Mercedes wheel in Abu DhabiCredit: Reuters
      And Mercedes have confirmed that Vesti, 21, will be in the driving seat on the Yas Marina Circuit.
      But who is Vesti and why have Mercedes given him the nod over seven-time champion Hamilton?
      Who is Frederik Vesti?
      Born on January 13, 2002, Frederik Vesti is currently competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Prema Racing, but he is a member of the Mercedes Junior Team.
      The Dane’s love for racing came from age 10 when he competitively started karting before officially starting his career in Danish Formula Ford, finishing fourth in the championship.
      Read more in F1
      Vesti had two respectable F3 campaigns where he finished fourth overall back-to-back which resulted in promotion to F2 during the 2021 calendar year.
      However, the Danish driver’s biggest achievement to date came in 2019 when Vesti impressively raced to the Formula Regional European Championship.
      Why is Frederik Vesti racing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023?
      An F1 rule introduced last year requires each team to run a rookie for two practice sessions across the season.
      Vesti previously took part during the first Practice in Mexico last month in place of George Russell.
      Most read in Motorsport
      And the Danish driver is second in the F2 standings ahead of the final round at the Yas Marina circuit with a huge opportunity to clinch the championship this weekend.
      Vesti will first appear in FP1, though, and told Mercedes’ official website: “Driving in FP1 in Abu Dhabi is another step in my career.
      “Getting my first experience of an official session on an F1 weekend in Mexico was a big moment. I learnt so much, and it was great being able to support the team and work with Lewis and George.
      “I’m looking forward to building on that experience at Yas Marina. It’s a track I know well and that will no doubt make it easier to get up to speed in the one hour of practice.
      “I’m extremely excited to get back behind-the-wheel of the W14 for FP1 and then the post-season test. Once again, I want to say a big thank you to the team for giving me this opportunity.”
      When is the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023?

      The F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, November 26.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 1pm GMT – 5pm local time.
      Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is the allocated track for this final event and it can host approximately 60,000 spectators.
      Max Verstappen finished in pole position during the 2022 edition. More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Start time, stream, TV channel, full schedule for FINAL race of a Verstappen-dominated season

      by

      WE have come to the end of what has been a thrilling F1 season as the drivers prepare for the Abu Dhabi GP – and it was complete domination by Max Verstappen.The Red Bull legend goes into the final race of this campaign a staggering 276 points ahead of second-place Sergio Perez.
      Lando Norris was all smiles after his horror crash during the Las Vegas GPCredit: Instagram @Landonorris
      And Verstappen avoided Lando Norris’ horror crash in Las Vegas last weekend to win and take his tally up to 18 for the calendar year.
      Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton blew his chance of jumping up to second by finishing seventh on the Sin City circuit.
      However, the British mogul is guaranteed to secure a spot on the podium no matter what the final result is.
      But only four points separate Mercedes in second and Ferrari in third which makes it interesting.
      Read more on F1
      When is the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023?

      The F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, November 26.
      It is scheduled to get underway at 1pm GMT – 5pm local time.
      Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi is the allocated track for this final event and it can host approximately 60,000 spectators.
      Max Verstappen finished in pole position during the 2022 edition.

      What TV channel is the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2023 on and can it be live streamed?

      The F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports F1.
      Subscription members of Sky Sports can stream the entire action on the Sky Go app or Sky Sports website.
      The race will also be available to NOW TV users via all mobile devices and tablets.
      Alternatively, SunSport will have lap-by-lap coverage of the whole race including podium reaction.

      FULL schedule
      Friday, November 24

      Practice 1 – 9:30am
      Practice 2 – 1pm

      Most read in Motorsport
      Saturday, November 25

      Practice 3 – 10:30am
      Qualifying – 2pm

      Sunday, November 26

      Race – 1pm

      Race times in GMT which is +4 hours ahead of Abu Dhabi
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year

      Driver standings
      Here are the current F1 Driver standings:

      Max Verstappen / Red Bull Racing / 549
      Sergio Perez / Red Bull Racing / 273
      Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes / 232
      Carlos Sainz / Ferrari / 200
      Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin / 200
      Lando Norris / McLaren / 195
      Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 188
      George Russell / Mercedes / 160
      Oscar Piastri / McLaren / 89
      Lance Stroll / Aston Martin / 73
      Pierre Gasly / Alpine / 62
      Esteban Ocon / Alpine / 58
      Alexander Albon / Williams / 27
      Yuki Tsounda / Alphatauri / 13
      Valtteri Bottas / Alfa Romeo / 10
      Nico Hulkenberg / Haas / 9
      Daniel Ricciardo / Alphatauri / 6
      Zhou Guanyu / Alfa Romeo / 6
      Kevin Magnussen / Haas / 3
      Liam Lawson / AlphaTauri / 2
      Logan Sargeant / Williams / 1
      Nyck De Vries / Alphatauri / 0  More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      New 360-degree on-board video of Norris’ 180mph Las Vegas F1 crash leaves fans’ stomachs in knots at ‘terrifying speed’

      by

      NEW footage of Lando Norris’ 180mph crash at the Las Vegas Grand Prix has emerged, leaving fans astonished.The McLaren driver, 24, lost control of his car on lap three before colliding with the barriers and sliding down one of the main straights.
      Lando Norris was discharged from hospital after being checked over following his crashCredit: Getty
      Norris was driving at 180mph when his car span out of controlCredit: Twitter @f1_darth_toto
      He spun around and flew down the straight backwardsCredit: Twitter @f1_darth_toto
      Norris eventually hit the wall at 70mphCredit: Twitter @f1_darth_toto
      He eventually came to a stop on the run-off at turn 12, thumping into the wall at 70mph.
      Norris was subsequently taken to hospital for checks, but was thankfully promptly discharged.
      And a new angle of the horrific crash gives an insight into how the Brit would have felt in the car.
      Norris was flying down the track when his McLaren suddenly spun out of control.
      READ MORE IN F1
      As well as the disorientating nature of the crash, the on-board camera also shows the impact of the final shunt as he hits the wall.
      And Formula 1 fans were stunned by the seriousness of the collision – which was evident in the original footage where a distressed Norris could be heard telling his team he was “all good” on the radio following the crash.
      Reacting on social media, one said: “Newly released 360° camera footage of Lando Norris’ accident in Las Vegas.
      “Absolutely terrifying amount of speed. Not surprised in the slightest that he had to go to the hospital after this.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      Another added: “Wow, the car just snapped out of nowhere…”
      A third replied: “Woah. A surprise he came out of that OK.”
      While a fourth responded: “The broadcast camera angle really did not do justice to the speed at impact. At first I was surprised he even went to the hospital 🗿.”
      Max Verstappen won the inaugural Las Vegas GP to claim a record-extending 18th win of the season.
      Charles Leclerc came home to secure second for Ferrari, while Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate rounded off the podium. More