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      Max Verstappen REFUSES to answer questions after swearing row as Lewis Hamilton urges him not to serve ‘joke’ punishment

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN took a vow of silence after being hit with Formula One’s ‘community service’ punishment for swearing in a press conference.The Dutchman all but refused to answer questions in yesterday’s press conference after securing second-place in qualifying behind Lando Norris.Max Verstappen remained silent about his swearing row in a press conference🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁He answered one question with “no comment” and told reporters “I would prefer if you ask these questions outside of the room”.Third-place Lewis Hamilton and Norris have rallied around the Red Bull driver with the seven-time world champion slamming the “joke” punishment.Hamilton said: “I honestly think it’s a joke. This is the pinnacle of the sport, mistakes are made.“I certainly wouldn’t do that (serve the punishment) and I hope Max doesn’t either.”Read more F1 newsFollowing the press conference, Verstappen was true to his word and met with the media outside of the press conference room to answer questions.On Friday the Dutchman was sent to stewards after he said his car was “f***ed” in the press conference.Yesterday the fuming Belgian-born driver said: “It’s ridiculous to get a penalty for that.“When you insult someone that’s clear. I didn’t even aim it at a person, it was a slip of the tongue moment.Most read in Motorsport Inside ‘magic’ F1 McClaren innovation that has flung team ahead of Red Bull but fans are calling it ‘illegal'”I actually had a chat with the stewards, they’re understanding. It’s in the rules so they have to apply something but for me it’s not the right way to go forward in our sport.”Norris joked: “He deserved it , foul language! No, it’s pretty unfair. I don’t agree with any of it.”Norris and Verstappen will battle it out at the front of the grid tomorrow with the McLaren driver trailing his title-rival by 59 points in the championship.Q3 all came down to one lap due to a crash from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at the final corner, with only two drivers having set a time on the board.Norris produced a blistering lap in the final showdown after McLaren chose to leave the pit lane first to avoid the risk of a yellow or red flag.Hamilton had struggled throughout practice but pipped team-mate George Russell to third.Oscar Piastri will start from fifth, with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso behind him.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was initially seventh but had his lap deleted due to a track limits excursion, and will start in ninth alongside Sainz in 10th.Norris said: “It was tough, especially through qualifying. I was finding it a little difficult to progress much and gain a lot of lap time,”All of the guys around seemed to get quicker and quicker, so it put me under a bit more pressure, especially with just one lap at the end.”It was good enough for pole and I’m happy with that, especially here in Singapore.Lewis Hamilton spoke in support of Max Verstappen and his punishment“A good feeling. I’ve felt good all weekend, I’ve felt confident, maybe not so much in qualy but we got the job done.”Hamilton’s third place is his best qualifying since he was second on the grid at the British Grand Prix.He said: “Qualifying has been a disaster for me all year long and I have just been working and working and working trying to get myself back up there and all of a sudden the car came to me for the first time in a long time in qualifying.”We have been moving up and down on balance. We have changed everything and the mechanics have been faultless and I hope we are in a good position to fight for the front tomorrow.”Best new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesEarlier in the day third practice was hit with chaos as a LIZARD wandered onto the track and forced a red flag.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt forced Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso to give it a wide berth on the street circuit.Meanwhile, Mercedes driver Russell said the lizard “looked like a dragon” on the team radio.Savage sackings in F1THE world of F1 can be savage, with employees discarded like used tea bags.Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.Read more tales of F1’s brutal world including one boss who was labelled an ‘executioner’ and a driver dumped by a brisk TEXT. More

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      Lando Norris pips Max Verstappen to Singapore Grand Prix pole as Brit faces do or die race in F1 calendar

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      LANDO NORRIS edged out Max Verstappen for pole position as the title-rivals prepare for battle on the front of the grid tomorrow.The Dutchman will be breathing down the McLaren driver’s neck after securing second–place, just ahead of third-place Lewis Hamilton.Lando Norris grabbed pole position for the Singapore Grand PrixSpanish driver Carlos Sainz Jr crashed the back of his car into the barriersLewis Hamilton was happy with where he placed on tomorrow’s gridNorris knows it is do or die in Singapore with the 24-year-old 59 points Verstappen in the driver’s championship with seven races to go.Carlos Sainz crashed the back of his car into the barriers prompting a red flag in Q3 leaving him to settle for tenth while his ninth-place Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc had his lap time deleted.Norris said: “It was tough. I was finding it difficult to progress and get lap time. A lot of the guys around were getting quicker and quicker, it put me under pressure.“A good feeling, I felt confident, maybe not so much in qualis but we got the job done.Read more F1 news“It gets your heart rate going, it’s good fun , the car has been feeling good. I did the job I had to do today, excited to see what we can do tomorrow.“I had faith we were quick. I didn’t have to over push, it’s a nice feeling. I kept it cool and did what I had to do.”Hamilton added: “Qualifying has been a disaster for me all year long. I have been working to try to get myself back up there.”The car came alive in qualifying, getting that lap at the end was a bit tricky. I’m really grateful. Mechanics have been faultless.Most read in Motorsport”I hope we’re in a good position to fight for the front tomorrow.”F1 star Lando Norris needed a bump start from fans when his vintage £1.5million Lamborghini ground to a halt More

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      F1 red flagged after GIANT LIZARD enters race track before evading stewards as drivers forced to swerve to miss ‘dragon’

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      FORMULA ONE was hit by chaos ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix as a giant LIZARD forced a red flag.Animals are a common hazard around some F1 tracks, with foxes, groundhogs and one famous incident in 2016 being dubbed “Godzilla”. A monitor lizard caused havoc during FP3 of the F1 Singapore Grand PrixCredit: GettyFernando Alonso gave the lizard, named ‘Lionel’, a wide berthCredit: GettyA race steward was caught out in a sprint race as he tried to catch the lizardCredit: GettyA 2016 incident with a lizard was dubbed ‘Godzilla’Credit: GettyToday seemed to see the sequel to the latter, as a huge monitor lizard was seen invading the race track during Free Practice 3 on Saturday morning.Nicknamed “Lionel”, the lizard was taking in the sights as it went for a stroll on the active race track just moments after the session began.Its presence forced Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso to give it a wide berth as he put in some practice laps around the street circuit – which has the most corners of any F1 track.Meanwhile, Mercedes driver George Russell said the lizard “looked like a dragon” on the team radio.READ MORE IN F1The lizard strutting its stuff caught a smile from Williams driver Alex Albon, who was seen in the paddock as he waited for the hazard to clear.Once the session was neutralised with a red flag, track stewards tried to catch Lionel to allow the session to get back underway.However, as a steward clad in a bright orange safety vest approached, Lionel then bolted off down the track.This caused an impromptu sprint race between Lionel and the steward.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSky Sports commentator David Croft was left stunned by the lizard’s pace, remarking: “I’ll tell you what, it’s got a purposeful stroll but when it wants to get a shift on, look at that.”Look at the pace of that. It’s a drag race!”F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? And after a delay of around 11 minutes, the green flag was waved to finally allow the session to get back on track. Fans rushed to social media to share their thoughts on the gate-crashing lizard.One said: “Give him a paddock pass so he doesn’t have to trespass.”A second said: “Alex stole the spotlight from the Godzilla.”A third said: “Marshals trying to match speed with lizard.”Another said: “GUYS THERES A MONITOR LIZARD AGAIN.”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 TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconA fifth added: “Why is it running like that… screaming cute fr.”A sixth said: “This was too funny,” while another said: “It’s faster than Red Bull.”Alonso might have been getting a sense of deja vu after he was also at the centre of a lizard storm in Singapore last year.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, while this year ended with the lizard being captured and safely removed, last year Alonso unfortunately left fans distraught after accidentally running over a lizard.Max Verstappen only narrowly avoided hitting a groundhog at this year’s Canadian Grand Prix, with groundhogs a common invader of the track.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Max Verstappen becomes first F1 star to be hit with never-before-seen punishment

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has been punished for SWEARING as the FIA look to steer away from bad language.The Red Bull star was summoned to the stewards after his pre-race press conference on Thursday.Max Verstappen has been punished by the FIACredit: GettyThat’s because he breached rules regarding swearing after letting an F-bomb slip as he spoke to press.Referring to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix two weeks ago, where Verstappen finished fifth, he said: “The car was f***ed.”The Dutchman was summoned to the stewards for his comment, which was in breach of the sporting code.Stewards at the Singapore Grand Prix decided that Verstappen has to “accomplish some work of public interest” for using language they deemed “coarse, rude or may cause offence”.READ MORE ON F1The details of the work Verstappen must do have to be agreed between him and the FIA.A statement read: “The driver explained that the word used is ordinary in speech as he learned it, English not being his native language.“While the stewards accept that this may be true, it is important for role models to learn to be mindful when speaking in public forums, in particular when not under any particular pressure.“Verstappen apologised for his behaviour.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe sanction comes after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem warned against the use of foul language in the sport.He said: “I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music.Four F1 stars including Max Verstappen handed warnings for overtaking after race had FINISHED as fans left baffled“We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].“We have to be careful with our conduct. We need to be responsible people. And now with the technology, everything is going live and everything is going to be recorded. At the end of the day, we have to study that to see: do we minimise what is being said publicly?“Because imagine you are sitting with your children and watching the race and then someone is saying all of this dirty language. I mean, what would your children or grandchildren say? What would you teach them if that is your sport?” More

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      Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz swears in live TV gaffe… in same week FIA president tried to crack down on swearing

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      TED KRAVITZ made an unfortunate gaffe as he was heard swearing live on TV… just days after the FIA president ordered drivers to cut back on profanities.Mohammed Ben Sulayem caught the ire of Formula One drivers after complaining about the amount of swearing heard on live broadcasts during races. Ted Kravitz made a gaffe live on TV by swearing after stumbling over his wordsCredit: Sky Sports F1It came as he was doing a report live on air for Ferrari’s upgrades for the Singapore GPCredit: Sky Sports F1Kravitz was heard mumbling ‘f***ing hell, sorry’Credit: Sky Sports F1Kravitz issued a grovelling apology afterwardsCredit: Sky Sports F1He had said: “We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music. We’re not rappers, you know.“They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”Lewis Hamilton claimed there was a “racial element” to the comments, while Max Verstappen blasted, “are we five”, in his own fiery response.However, Sky Sports F1 reporter Kravitz is the next star to be caught out by the new no-swearing rule, after he uncharacteristically stumbled over his words at the Singapore Grand Prix.READ MORE IN F1While appearing live on TV before Free Practice One, Kravitz was doing a report on the upgrades Ferrari had brought to the race.But the fan favourite struggled to get his words out while talking about the Scuderia’s new front wing.He stopped mid-sentence but could then be heard mumbling: “F***ing hell, sorry. Let’s do that again.”Kravitz later issued an apology in light of his earlier X-rated slip of the tongue.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “Apologies from my side… I seek perfection but sometimes I don’t get it. “And if I mess up a first take and then I’m frustrated by myself sometimes there’s a naughty word that comes out.F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? “Obviously that was never meant to be played, that’s our mistake, we’re owning that.”I apologise that take that was not supposed to play, got played out. This happens in television sometimes, so apologies for that, we seek to do better next time.”While the veteran F1 reporter may have not been too impressed by the slip-up, fans saw the funny side.Taking to social media, one fan said: “I just started watching and laughed so hard when I heard him say it.”A second said: “The FIA banning swearing from drivers and then Ted Kravitz having the wrong take aired on Sky of him just swearing is so f***ing funny.”Savage sackings in F1THE world of F1 can be savage, with employees discarded like used tea bags.Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.Read more tales of F1’s brutal world including one boss who was labelled an ‘executioner’ and a driver dumped by a brisk TEXT.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 TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconAnother said: “Can’t believe they played one of @tedkravitz outtakes on the Ferrari front wing.”A fourth added: “A Ted Whoops… love it! So natural!”A fifth said: “Come on then @Ben_Sulayem & the @fia, you gonna summon @tedkravitz as well? What a world we live in when adults get told off for swearing.”Another said: “That bit with Ted Kravitz in the build-up to FP1 on Sky just proves we’re all human and that even the best reporters make mistakes.”All forgiven Ted, one of the best and most legendary reporters in F1 history.”READ MORE SUN STORIESKravitz, 50, has worked on Sky Sports coverage of F1 since 2012.He previously worked for BBC and ITV when they broadcast the motorsport.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Lewis Hamilton left ‘looking like a sub teacher’ & George Russell ‘like Slim Shady’ as F1 pals do hilarious fashion swap

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      FANS have been left in stitches after Lewis Hamilton and George Russell swapped outfits.Hamilton is no stranger to making bold fashion choices and his Mercedes team-mate normally opts for more everyday clothes.Lewis Hamilton and George Russell switched outfitsCredit: @mercedesamgf1The Mercedes duo styled each other in Tommy Hilfiger clothesCredit: @mercedesamgf1Russell wore an eye-catching red jacketCredit: @mercedesamgf1Fans joked Hamilton looked like a teacherCredit: @mercedesamgf1Hamilton and Russell will soon be back in their usual attireCredit: @mercedesamgf1But the British duo hilariously swapped wardrobes for a shoot with sponsors Tommy Hilfiger.They were tasked with styling each other and Russell used Mercedes chief Toto Wolff as inspiration for Hamilton’s new attire.A striped shirt, brown chinos and black loafers were chosen for the seven-time world champion.Russell deliberately gave him no socks and wanted “four centimetres of ankle” on show to match Wolff’s style.READ MORE IN F1Hamilton returned the favour by dressing his pal in a bright red jacket and baggy trousers.Fans found their new looks hilarious, with one saying: “Lewis looks like a substitute teacher.”And on Russell, another commented: “He looks like Slim Shady.”Hamilton liked his outfit, saying: “My ankles have never felt so fresh. I get the breeze through.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAs they posed for the cameras, the drivers were told they looked like a boyband.Hamilton brilliantly named them “Wrong Direction”.The pair, who are sixth and seventh in the F1 standings, will be hoping to head up the table after this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix. More

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      Lewis Hamilton slams FIA president for ‘racial element’ in criticism that compared swearing drivers to rappers

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      LEWIS HAMILTON reignited his feud with Mohammed Ben Sulayem by saying there was a “racial element” to his comments comparing swearing drivers to rappers.The FIA president has asked F1 to limit the amount of swearing, usually from drivers over team radio, on TV coverage of races.Lewis Hamilton claims there was a ‘racial element’ to  Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s remarksCredit: GettyBen Sulayem compared swearing drivers to rappersCredit: RexBen Sulayem said: “We have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music. We’re not rappers, you know.“They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”Ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton said: “I don’t like how he’s expressed it.“Saying ‘rappers’ is very stereotypical and if you think about it, most rappers are black. So really pointed it towards we’re not like them.READ MORE IN F1“So I think that was the wrong choice of words. There’s a racial element there.”Hamilton did understand Ben Sulayem’s wider point, saying: “You forget that there are kids that are listening. So I agree in that sense.”Max Verstappen also snapped back after he was cautioned over swearing in a press conference.The Red Bull driver said his RB20 car was “f**ked” which led host Tom Clarkson to remind the world champion to watch his language.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSVerstappen said: “I sometimes swear, that’s true, but that will apply to everyone in this room.”Insulting someone is something else.Formula One’s Highest Earners“We are unlucky that it is all broadcast and people can then pick it up.”The car is f***ed – can’t I say that? “How old are we, five or six years old? That is ridiculous.“And even if children of that age watch this, when they get a bit older they will probably also use a swear word when they are with their friends.”This is not the first time drivers and Ben Sulayem have locked horns, with his feud with Hamilton long-standing.The seven-time world champion slammed new rules about wearing jewellery in his Mercedes cockpit in 2022.Hamilton was forced to remove his nose stud ahead of the 2022 British Grand Prix.He was then granted an FIA medical exemption to wear the piercings following “concerns about disfigurement” the following season.Ben Sulayem also fined Hamilton £42,000 for failing to attend the FIA’s prize-giving gala in the days after his defeat to Verstappen in the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Brit supported Susie Wolff, the F1 Academy managing director, in her legal dispute against Ben Sulayem.Wolff lodged a case against the FIA following its conflict of interest inquiry into her last year, which was dropped after two days.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      ‘Are we five?’ fumes Max Verstappen as F1 star snaps after being told off in Singapore press conference

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      MAX Verstappen has hit back at the FIA after being told to cut back on his swearing. The reigning F1 World Champion turned the air blue as he addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s Singapore GP.Max Verstappen was not impressed after being told off for swearing at a press conferenceCredit: The Mega AgencyThe Dutchman has not topped a podium since winning at the Spanish GP in JuneCredit: GettyVerstappen finished fifth in Baku last weekend and claimed his Red Bull car was “f**cked” from Q1 onwards. Asked on Thursday why teammate Sergio Perez appeared to have the upper hand in Azerbaijan, Max replied: “I don’t know, man, different setup.””So, as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f**ked.”Tom Clarkson, hosting the press conference, immediately intervened to apologize for the profanity. READ MORE ON F1 He told Verstappen to “watch his language going forward.” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently requested teams to tone down swearing during public events and on track mics. He told Motorsport.com: “I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music.”We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut a frustrated Verstappen let rip when a reporter asked for his thoughts on the request. The three-time F1 champ shrugged: “Everyone swears.F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? “Some people a bit more than others. It also depends a bit on what language you speak.”Referencing his previous comment about his car, Verstappen continued: “I mean, it’s not even that bad, right? I mean, the car was not working. “The car is ‘effed’, yeah, and then ‘excuse me for the language’, but come on, what are we? Five-year-olds, six-year-olds? “Even if a five-year-old or six-year-old is watching, I mean, they will eventually swear anyway, even if the parents will not allow it.”When they grow up, they will walk around with their friends and they will be swearing. So, you know, this is not changing anything.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁Verstappen won 19 out of 23 races in 2023 on his way to the title.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut 2024 has proved a tougher year, despite the Dutchman currently leading the drivers standings with 313 points. Verstappen has not won since topping a podium way back in June at the Spanish Grand Prix. More