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    ‘I messed up big time’ – Lewis Hamilton has nightmare final qualifying for Mercedes as he crashes out in Q1 in Abu Dhabi

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S final race weekend for Mercedes started in the worst manner possible after he was eliminated from the first qualifying session.Hamilton is racing his final weekend with the Silver Arrows after a glittering 11-year career, but declared “I messed up big time” as he scored his lowest-ever qualifying result around Abu Dhabi for tomorrow’s season finale.Lewis Hamilton was eliminated in Q1 of his final race weekend with MercedesCredit: GettyIt was his lowest ever qualifying result in Abu DhabiCredit: APThe 39-year-old would have been looking to end his Mercedes career on a high before his blockbuster move to Ferrari next year.However, Hamilton came unstuck around the Yas Marina circuit as a bollard got stuck under his car in the final few corners of his lap, causing him to lack the speed to escape the drop zone.The Brit had unluckily followed Haas star Kevin Magnussen – who is also on his last race with his team – through a corner after he had knocked a bollard down after cutting a corner.And his time of 1:12.887 was only enough for P18 as he missed out on Q2 by just 0.093s.READ MORE IN F1Speaking on the team radio following the lap, Hamilton said: “I messed that up big time guys. F***ing hell.”That was bad man, jesus.”Mercedes boss Toto Wolff replied: “Yeah s*** Lewis that was bad.” His P18 in qualifying means Hamilton will start ahead of only Alpine rookie Jack Doohan and Williams driver Franco Colapinto.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMeanwhile, he will have Zhou Guanyu and Alex Albon of Sauber and Williams respectively directly ahead of him.After winning six world drivers titles with Mercedes, Hamilton’s final six races with the team have seen him score three Q1 eliminations.Lewis Hamilton demands to RETIRE in meltdown at Qatar Grand Prix as time at Mercedes heads for sad endingIt took 171 races for Hamilton to be eliminated three times from Q1 before this, while it also meant Hamilton had lost 19-5 in qualifying results against team-mate George Russell this season.Reacting to his elimination afterwards, Hamilton told BBC 5 Live: “You couldn’t make it up, you really couldn’t, but it is what it is. We gave it everything, I gave it everything, the car was in a good place. “Every practice session went well, I was ahead of my team-mate all weekend but when we got to qualifying I think as a team we didn’t perform in terms of the timing.”I was the last car on track and ran out of time ultimately, and then I got the bollard at the end which went under the car and I lost all downforce so it couldn’t have gone worse really.”On it being his last weekend with Mercedes, he added: “Every day and more than ever I’ve just tried to be really present… just trying to take it in because it’s the last time we will be racing and driving in Silver Arrows and it’s all my wins, all my success through my life so every moment is a special moment and I would have loved to get a podium for the guys this weekend and it just didn’t work out.”He also told Sky Sports F1: “Just my luck but it’s okay.”I’ve tried, we’ve tried so hard with the setup… we thought maybe a podium was possible this weekend.”To go from P1, P2 [in practice] to then be in 18th, it definitely changes the look into the weekend but I’m trying to be present, the team have been great. “My hopes are high, it is what it is, I’ll try and come back.”Speaking in the mixed zone, he added: “I don’t feel the pain. I think for me, I’ve just been very present, been enjoying every moment, getting the car in a good place.”The timing for that (bollard) to get under the car was just nuts. I don’t have any emotions, I’m pretty chill. It was an unfortunate session, with the bollard under the car…”That’s (the final sector) where we’ve struggled the most as a team this weekend. The car was feeling really good in general. P3, I was third. “So honestly I thought we could be fighting for a podium, and my race pace was second-quickest. But it wasn’t meant to be.”Hamilton also opened up on the annual drivers dinner earlier this week, saying: “Really, really happy that we’ve been doing that. “I asked Seb, asked the guys to get together for Seb’s leaving, that was really special, and we had the best time, so we set it up this year, and I hope they had a great time. “It was really funny obviously, George arriving, but it was alright.”Despite his qualifying horror show, Hamilton will start ahead of future Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc who will start at the back of the grid after he was eliminated in Q2 and will take a 10-place grid drop for taking a new battery.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis will bump Hamilton up to P17 for the race barring any further penalties across the grid.McLaren claimed a 1-2 qualifying result with Lando Norris on pole to give them a huge advantage in the constructors championship title race over Ferrari.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: 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 TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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    Unemployed ex-F1 star Daniel Ricciardo could be offered ‘blank cheque’ to make shock career move into iconic event

    DANIEL RICCIARDO could snub an immediate return to F1 thanks to a shock offer, it’s been claimed.The beloved Australian was brutally ditched by Red Bull in September and replaced by Kiwi Liam Lawson.Daniel Ricciardo is currently a free agent following his mid-season axing by Red BullCredit: GETTYBut the Aussie is reportedly being lined up to race in two new sportsCredit: GettySpeculation over his future has been rife, with many Formula One fans believing he’ll return to the sport next season to drive for Cadillac.But according to reports, he’s set to receive an offer to race in the Australian Supercars series and NASCAR.Race.com claims Toyota are keen on having Ricciardo race for them in both competitions next year.The Japanese carmaker is said to view the 35-year-old as the ideal driver for their Supras in both competitions.READ MORE F1 NEWSIt’s also said they see Ricciardo “as someone who can drag in fans in huge numbers because of his natural charisma”.Toyota are reportedly willing to break the bank to secure Ricciardo’s services.Their pursuit of the former Renault and Toro Rosso star has been likened to a “blank cheque operation”.A Toyota source reportedly told Race.news: “[Akio Toyoda] can’t see any downside with having [Ricciardo] as the face of Gazoo Racing, which really is his pet project.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIt’s unclear whether Ricciardo will be keen on racing in the Aussie Supercars series or NASCAR.He did, however, reveal he was open to a new adventure when breaking his silence on his Red Bull departure.Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo labeled ‘great fit’ for Nascar with Williams youngster also named as ‘possible’ targetHe wrote on Instagram: “I’ve loved this sport my whole life.”It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey.”To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you.”To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me, haha, thank you.”It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it. Until the next adventure.” More

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    War between Russell and Verstappen out of control as Horner follows up dig at rival Wolff but FIA WON’T take action

    CHRISTIAN HORNER snapped back at Toto Wolff by saying “I’d rather be a terrier than a Wolff”.The Mercedes boss unleashed his fury at Horner on Thursday by labelling him a “yapping little terrier” amid the furious row between George Russell and Max Verstappen.Christian Horner has shown there’s no puppy love lost with Toto WolffCredit: https://www.instagram.com/christianhorner/Mercedes chief Wolff is caught up in the rowCredit: RexIt came as it emerged Verstappen will escape any punishment from the FIA over Russell’s allegations.Horner lapped it up in Friday’s press conference, revealing he is a huge fan of terriers and once owned four of them, while aiming a cheeky dig at the Mercedes chief’s surname.Two were even named Flavio and Bernie, presumably after former Renault boss Flavio Briatore and ex-F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone.The Red Bull boss, 51, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, said: “I love terriers, I think they are great dogs.READ MORE F1“I had four of them and a couple of Airedales, which is the king of the terriers.“I had a couple of West Highland terriers called Bernie and Flavio. And the good thing about a terrier is they’re tremendously loyal.“Bernie, he was an aggressive little dog, he’d go for anybody. Flavio, he was a bit more chilled and he probably ate a bit too much as well.“But I think to be called a terrier is that such a bad thing? They’re not afraid of having a go at the bigger dogs.Most read in MotorsportGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen are still at loggerheadsCredit: GettyHorner posted a pic of his terrier Bernie on Instagram later on to fan the flamesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/christianhorner/CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“You know, rather be a terrier than a wolf.”Horner only continued to fan the flames by later posting an image of the terrier Bernie on his Instagram.’Full-time menace’ Lando Norris stokes flames in Verstappen vs Russell ‘head in the wall row’ with cheeky Instagram postRussell and Verstappen’s war of words has dominated the build-up to Formula 1’s final race of the year.But Wolff and Horner have been at each other’s throats for years and have provided several viral moments on the hit Netflix show Drive to Survive.The spat is giving F1 fans a reminder of the duo’s fierce conflict in 2021 when Lewis Hamilton missed out on a record eighth world title to Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi desert that year.As for whether he is worried that Verstappen and Russell’s feud could spill over onto the track this weekend, Horner added: “No, not at all.“Max, he’s a very straight shooter. He just tells you exactly how he sees it. He tells the truth exactly, what he feels.“Obviously he had a large amount of frustration last weekend. The way things played out in a scenario that we haven’t seen before and subsequent grid penalty.“He turned it into motivation and made a lightning start, led the race into the first corner, and won the Grand Prix, which is the best possible response.“Now, obviously, a lot’s been made of it Thursday. It is pantomime season, we’re getting ready for Christmas. There’s maybe an element of end of term blues there, but I don’t think it’ll have any effect.”With Hamilton set for his last race with Mercedes this weekend before joining Ferrari for the 2025 season, Horner said Wolff’s focus should be elsewhere.He added: “It needs to be about what you do on the track. I mean, there’s a sort of a love-hate relationship, where I think Toto loves to hate me.“It’s one of those things. I would have assumed he sort of got a bit more on his plate with obviously it’s Lewis’s last race for that team.Horner and wife Geri Horner are animal loversCredit: https://www.instagram.com/gerihalliwellhorner/“I think they should be celebrating that rather than focusing on other aspects.”Wolff, who gatecrashed Russell’s press conference on Thursday to slam Horner, also said that the Red Bull boss had been too “weak” to properly control Verstappen.Horner hit back at this and said: “Regarding Toto’s other comments, I’m not going to rise to the bait of that. Everybody manages themselves and their teams in different ways.“We’ve won 122 races. We’ve won 14 world championships. I think we’re doing alright.”Verstappen is set to escape any further punishment from the stewards despite allegedly saying he would put Russell’s “f***ing head in the wall” in Qatar.The stewards are not set to investigate the serious allegations that Russell dropped on Thursday ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.The British 26-year-old claimed Verstappen threatened to put his “f****** head in the wall” by deliberately crashing into him at the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend.Mercedes star Russell also branded the four-time world champ a “bully” with the Dutchman hitting back by labelling him a “backstabber” and “loser”.Russell and Verstappen’s feud simmers away with the duo sitting on opposite ends of the table at the driver’s dinnerEyebrows have been raised over the FIA’s lack of intervention considering they recently clamped down so hard on swearing punishments.In Singapore, Red Bull’s Verstappen was ordered by FIA stewards to “accomplish some work of public interest” after dropping the F-bomb to describe his car.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fined for saying f*** in a post-race news conference in Mexico.Russell and Verstappen’s feud continues to simmer away with the duo sitting on opposite ends of the table at the driver’s dinner on Thursday night.Lewis Hamilton invited the drivers ahead of his last race at Mercedes, while his former teammate Valtteri Bottas got the bill.Norris wrote on Instagram: “2024 dinner! and yes, the two your thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible.He followed the message with a crying laughing emoji and a smiling emoji while Verstappen commented with a steak emoji, alluding to the beef with Russell.READ MORE SUN STORIESVerstappen was all smiles yesterday, blocking out the drama to announce he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet.He said: “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way. We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle.” More

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    Inside very awkward F1 end-of-season dinner with Verstappen and Russell ‘sat as far away from each other as possible’

    MAX Verstappen and George Russell were sat as “far away from each other as possible” during the F1 driver’s end-of-season dinner.The Red Bull and Mercedes pair have been locked in a bitter war of words with Russell accusing the four-time champ of being a “bully”.Lando Norris posted a cheeky Instagram post stoking the flames of Max Verstappen and George Russell’s feudVerstappen and Russell were sat on opposite ends of the tableVerstappen accused Russell of being two-facedBut Russell has responded by labelling Verstappen a ‘bully’ and accusing the Red Bull ace of threatening himRussell claimed that Verstappen threatened to purposefully go out of his way to crash into him and “put my f***ing head into the wall”. It reportedly occurred during a heated private exchange following a controversial decision from the stewards last week.World champ Verstappen was furious at being demoted a place from pole position for driving “unnecessarily slowly” as they prepared for their final flying laps in qualifying in Qatar.The Dutchman later accused the Brit of “exaggerating” and being two-faced for the evidence he gave to the stewards.READ MORE ON F1But the two were forced into close proximity in what was sure to be an awkward and tension-filled end-of-season dinner ahead of the final race weekend of the calendar in Abu Dhabi.In a post on Instagram, Norris confirmed the pair were kept away from each other to avoid any face-to-face conflict at the meal.The McLaren ace shared an image of all 20 drivers smiling at the camera alongside the caption: “2024 dinner! And yes, the two you’re thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible.”In the comments, Verstappen hinted at the “beef” between himself and Russell by posting a steak emoji. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Mercedes driver shared the picture to his own accounts but made no reference to the elephant in the room, simply captioning it: “Class of 24.”Verstappen and Russell were all smiles in the image and were separated by five of their colleagues at the plush restaurant.Lewis Hamilton in awkward car journey with George Russell and Carlos Sainz after Las Vegas GPLewis Hamilton was tucked away in the corner next to Charles Leclerc, who will be his team-mate at Ferrari next season. And Russell shared an image of the dinner on his Instagram, where he revealed that former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas picked up the tab.Perhaps a loaded revelation, as tradition states that the world champ must foot the bill.Just hours earlier, Russell told reporters: “I find it all quite ironic considering Saturday night he said he’d purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and, quote, ‘Put my f***ing head in the wall.'”So to question somebody’s integrity as a person while saying comments like that the day before, I find very ironic.”I’m not going to sit here and accept it. People have been bullied by Max for years now.”And you can’t question his driving abilities but he cannot deal with adversity. Lewis stood up to him in 2021 and lost that championship unfairly.George Russell”Whenever anything has gone against him, Jeddah ‘21, Brazil ‘21, he lashes out.”For me, those comments on Saturday night and Sunday were totally disrespectful and unnecessary because what happens on track – we fight hard – it’s part of racing. “What happens in the stewards’ room, you fight hard, but it’s never personal.”He’s a four-time champion. Lewis is the champion I aspire to be – hard but fair; never beyond the line. We have a duty as drivers.”The meal, which was the last one to be organised by Hamilton as a Mercedes driver, is held every year to commemorate the end of the campaign ahead of the final race at the Yas Marina Circuit.Russell, 26, added: “The second he does not have the fastest car, he crashes into Lewis, slams his team and loses the plot.”Straight after, 25 per cent of his engineering team were sending CVs because they said they can’t deal with a guy like that.”Lewis stood up to him in 2021 and lost that championship unfairly.”Can you imagine Max losing the way Lewis lost it? [Former race director Michael] Masi would be fearing for his life.”READ MORE SUN STORIESVerstappen was crowned a four-time world champ after clinching the 2024 title with a fifth-placed finish at the Las Vegas GP, before winning in Qatar over the weekend.The 27-year-old has also just announced he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet.Verstappn and Piquet are expecting a babyCredit: GettyF1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: 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 TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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    F1 superstar Max Verstappen to become a dad as he and partner Kelly Piquet announce they are expecting baby

    FORMULA 1 world champion Max Verstappen has announced he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet.The Red Bull driver, 27, confirmed the news on social media on Friday morning.Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet are expecting their first child togetherCredit: GettyThe F1 driver announced the news with this picture on social mediaCredit: Instagram / @maxverstappen1Verstappen and Kelly have been dating for four yearsCredit: Instagram @kellypiquetThe Red Bull driver recently claimed his fourth consecutive drivers’ championshipCredit: GettySpeaking on Instagram, Verstappen, who claimed his fourth successive world title last month, said: “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way ❤️.We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle 💫.”While Kelly added: “Cannot express how happy we are. Thank you for all the sweet warm messages.”I understand how these announcements can be challenging for those who are longing for a child.READ MORE IN F1″While such news is often a joyous occasion, it can also evoke feelings of sadness, frustrating, or longing in those who are struggling with this.”If that’s you, I’m sending all my love, my deepest hugs and magic your way.”Dutchman Verstappen has been in a relationship with Kelly, 35, daughter of three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet, for four years.The pair met in 2016 – bonding over having fathers who were F1 drivers – with Verstappen’s father Jos having raced in the sport for more than 100 races.Most read in MotorsportVerstappen and Kelly live together in MonacoCredit: RexKelly is often seen in the F1 paddock supporting VerstappenCredit: GettyThe couple regularly share pictures together on social mediaCredit: instagram/kellypiquetLove blossomed in 2020 and they soon moved in together into a £13million Monaco mansion.Kelly previously dated former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat and has a daughter – born in 2019 – with the Russian.The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from InstagramIn June this year she was forced to address unsavoury accusations made against her relating to past relationships.She said: “A note from me and a gentle reminder to all…”The online world can be a wonderful place for various reasons, but a very scary one when wrong information and lies are thrown around.”I am unsure of the appropriate approach to address hate stemming from falsehoods. I have considered composing a response and letting it stand.”Verstappen has made headlines this week for a furious row with Mercedes driver George Russell.The world champion accused Briton Russell of lying to influence stewards in Qatar last weekend.Verstappen was handed a one-place grid penalty for driving “unnecessarily slowly” to block Russell during qualifying.Verstappen has made headlines for a row with George Russell this weekCredit: GettyVerstappen has accused Russell of lying, while the Brit came back with claims the Dutchman threatened to put him in the wallCredit: AlamyKelly previously dated ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, right, and the pair have a daughter togetherCredit: GettyIn response to Verstappen claiming he has “lost all respect” for his rival, Russell hit back by claiming the Dutchman threatened to put his “f****** head in the wall”.Russell said: “Whenever anything is not going his way he lashes out with unnecessary anger and borderline violence.”He said to me he is going to purposely go out of his way to crash into me and put my ‘f***ing head in the wall’.”I saw in his eyes that he meant it. I’ve lost respect for him.”People have been bullied by Max for years. He’s been enabled because nobody’s stood up to him.”Verstappen denied the accusation, responding: “That’s not true. He’s trying to exaggerate it again.”He’s a backstabber. You shouldn’t talk too much about people like that, because they’re just losers.”I’ve never experienced anything like that from the stewards. I found his behaviour unacceptable.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It has nothing to do with him being head of the Drivers’ Association. He simply lied.”The F1 season concludes on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. More

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    ‘Full-time menace’ Lando Norris stokes flames in Verstappen vs Russell ‘head in the wall’ row with cheeky Instagram post

    LANDO NORRIS admitted he would like to see George Russell and Max Verstappen’s bitter war of words continue because it is “amusing”.Red Bull world champion Verstappen and Mercedes star Russell have been embroiled in a vicious war of words since last week’s Qatar Grand Prix.Lando Norris posted a cheeky Instagram post stoking the flames in Max Verstappen and George Russell’s war of wordsVerstappen accused Russell of being two-facedCredit: RexBut Russell has responded by labelling Verstappen a ‘bully’ and accusing him of threatening himCredit: RexVerstappen, 27, said he had “lost all respect” for the Brit and accused him of being two-faced after receiving a grid penalty by stewards following a complaint from Russell on a cool-down lap in qualifying.But Russell, 26, clapped back ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi season finale by labelling the Dutchman a “bully” by threatening to put his “f****** head in the wall”.McLaren driver Norris was the last driver in the running against Verstappen for the driver’s title this season, while he also had his share of scraps with his compatriot on track this season.Off-track the 25-year-old is friendly with both and refused to be drawn into choosing sides between his Formula One rivals when speaking about the feud.READ MORE IN F1Instead, Norris was only looking out for himself and joked he wanted the beef to continue.Speaking to Sky Sports, he said while smirking: “I hope it doesn’t get smoothed out, I hope they stay fighting and arguing cause it’s amusing to watch.”Answering more seriously, Norris continued: “It depends, every driver has their own way of doing things.”I don’t think Max tries to intimidate, Max just says the truth in his opinion… People don’t like to hear the truth nowadays in life.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”He’s honest and gives his opinion, I’m okay with that. Sometimes I disagree and sometimes I agree but that’s life.”I respect Max a lot and I respect George a lot but I don’t mind if they lose respect for one another.”Max Verstappen claims he has ‘lost all respect’ for F1 star George Russell in X-rated rantNorris also joked about the driver beef following the end-of-season driver’s dinner. He shared a picture of all 20 F1 drivers together after a dinner party and captioned the post: “2024 dinner! And yes, the two you’re thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible.”Reacting to the post, one fan said: “Part-time F1 driver full-time menace.”A second said: “Lando giving us what he knows we all want.”A third added: “Lando what a Gossip girl!”Ex-F1 star David Coulthard said: “Dinner with a side serving of drama in the caption.”Verstappen also replied with an emoji of a cut of meat.While the driver’s title has concluded, the constructor’s championship has gone down to the wire, with McLaren holding a 21-point lead over Ferrari.READ MORE SUN STORIESOther news on the grid has seen Jack Doohan replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine for the final race of the season before he takes the seat next year.It is also Lewis Hamilton’s final race for Mercedes after an 11-year career with the team in F1 which yielded six world drivers titles and eight constructors championships.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: 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 TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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    George Russell claims Max Verstappen threatened to crash into him and ‘put my f***ing head in the wall’

    GEORGE RUSSELL dropped a bombshell accusation that Max Verstappen said he would “put his head in the f***ing wall” in Qatar.The ugly row between the Brit and the Red Bull driver has exploded into an all out war ahead of this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.George Russell has hit out at Max VerstappenCredit: GettyRussell has labelled Verstappen ‘violent’, ‘aggressive’ and a ‘bully’Credit: AFPVerstappen, right, was handed a one-place grid penalty in Qatar after he and Russell went before the stewardsCredit: GettyIt all started last time out in Qatar when Verstappen was hit with a one-place grid penalty after driving “unnecessarily slowly” and blocking Russell in qualifying.Despite qualifying in pole position for his first race as a four-time world champion, Verstappen was forced to start the race from second, although he went on to win it.Russell said: “I have known Max for a long time and I know what he is capable of and he said to me he is going to purposely go out of his way to crash into me and put my f***ing head in the wall.”I knew that was a bit of a heat in the moment thing but when I went to see him the next day in the driver’s parade I saw in his eyes that he means it.READ MORE IN F1″He is a four time world champion and when I compare his actions to Lewis Hamilton, Lewis is the sort of world champion that I aspire to be like. The way he fought Max in 2021, hard and fair but never beyond the line.”I’ve got an eight-year-old nephew who has just started go karting, who watches all of my races.”For a world champion to be saying he’s going to go out of his way to crash into someone and put them on their eff-ing head that is not the sort of role models we should be.”Verstappen has been involved with a number of spats this season, including in Budapest in July when he crashed into Hamilton and fought with his own team on the radio.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRussell added: “The second he does not have the fastest car, Budapest for example. He crashes into Lewis, slams his whole team and he loses the plot.”Straight away after that race 25 percent of his engineering team were sending their CV’s to Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin because they said they can’t deal with a guy like that.Max Verstappen chokes back tears as he thanks Red Bull on team radio after winning fourth F1 world title”Lewis stood up to him in 2021, and Lewis lost that championship unfairly. Could you imagine the roles being reversed? I mean, [Michael] Masi would be fearing for his life.”Verstappen doubled down on his scathing attack of the Mercedes driver, calling him a “backstabber” and a “loser”.The Dutchman also accused the Mercedes driver of “lying” to influence the stewards’ decision to penalise him.Verstappen said: “No [I have no regrets]. I meant every word. I’ve never experienced anything like that from the stewards.”I found his behaviour really unacceptable.”It has nothing to do with him being head of the drivers’ association [Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, of which Russell is a director]. He simply lied about what he was or wasn’t doing, and certainly influenced the stewards.”He’s backstabber. You shouldn’t talk too much about people like that, because they’re just losers.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMercedes boss Toto Wolff crashed Russell’s press conference, dubbing Christian Horner a “yapping little terrier” after the Red Bull boss called the Brit “hysterical”.SunSport has approached the FIA for a comment on Russell’s accusation but they are yet to respond. More

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    British driver wins F1 Academy title then is immediately stripped of honour after last-minute change

    BRITISH driver Abbi Pulling will have to earn the F1 Academy title this weekend… despite having already been declared the champion.The bizarre situation comes after some last minute changes to the women-only series.Abbi Pulling had been declared champion last weekendCredit: RexTwo races had been scheduled to take place in Qatar last weekend.But due to barrier repairs, the second was cancelled.This meant that Pulling, 21, held an unassailable lead heading into the final races of the season in Abu Dhabi.It saw the Alpine driver declared champion and she even celebrated her triumph.READ MORE IN F1But she will now have to earn it again, after organisers decided to add a third race to this weekend’s schedule in Abu Dhabi.This late addition means that 84 points are now on offer, which means that Pulling’s current lead of 83 points is not quite enough to declare her the official champ.In truth, it would take something astonishing for the Brit to not be champion.Each race offers 25 points for a win.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA further two are earned for securing pole, while a bonus point is added for fastest lap.Organisers have confirmed that two points will be declared for securing pole in each of the three races.Ferrari urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract by F1 legend after star’s ‘worrying’ admission This means that 84 points will be available this weekend, with Pulling 83 ahead of closest rival Doriane Pin.Pin, 20, had earned pole for last weekend’s second race that never was in Qatar.Despite the race not going ahead, Pin has retained those two points.Formula One teams each nominate a driver and have their livery on a car in the Academy, a series on their support programme aimed at helping female racers climb the ladder.The last woman to start an F1 Grand Prix was the late Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976.Pulling, 21, will have to earn her title againCredit: Getty More