F1

MAX VERSTAPPEN is losing an eye-watering £1MILLION for every race he doesn’t win.The astonishing claim has been made by Michael Schumacher’s brother Ralf, who has also predicted whether Verstappen will stay put at Red Bull next season.Ralf Schumacher claims Max Verstappen is missing out on £1m for every race he doesn’t winCredit: GettyFormula One’s Dutch champion, who has won the last three titles, made a flying start to the campaign with some incredible victories.Verstappen, 26, won seven of the first 10 races, having secured victory in 19 out of 23 courses in 2023.But his last victory came in June’s Spanish Grand Prix.And Verstappen is now without a win in his last seven races.READ MORE IN F1His lead at the top of the championship has been cut to 59 points.While Red Bull have also been overtaken in the Constructor’s Championship by McLaren.And former F1 star Schumacher now claims that Verstappen’s failures are hitting him in the pocket.The brother of seven-time champ Michael reckons Verstappen is missing out on £1m for every race he does not win.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnd that is sure to leave the superstar frustrated.Schumacher told Sky: “It is assumed that he loses a million for every race he doesn’t win. That is unbelievable.Four F1 stars including Max Verstappen handed warnings for overtaking after race had FINISHED as fans left baffledThe brother of Michael Schumacher has also predicted Verstappen’s future at Red BullCredit: Getty“Last year he was so successful and that is a lot of money that he is missing out on, in addition to the fact that things are no longer going well in sporting terms.”Verstappen currently earns a base annual salary of £40m, with his deal expiring in 2028.But reports claim there is a break clause which could allow a rival team to swoop.And Schumacher predicts that Verstappen will not be at Red Bull much longer if his car continues to flag behind others.Schumacher added: “I am of the opinion that not everything is set in stone, as far as what will happen to Verstappen in the future is concerned.“Because I believe he has no patience and will not stay forever.”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

THE world’s tallest apartment block is set to be named after a legendary Formula 1 driver.New York boasts the record for the tallest residential building as the Central Park Tower stands at 472.5 metres.The huge building will stand at 500 metres tall in BrazilCredit: NewsflashIt will look over the incredible coastal state of Santa CatarinaCredit: NewsflashIt promises to be an astonishing feat of architectureCredit: NewsflashThe tower, which includes an infinity pool, will be named after an iconic F1 driverCredit: NewsflashBut that is poised to be overtaken by a 500-metre skyscraper that will be erected in Brazil.It will include 204 apartments, duplexes, triplexes and 19 suspended mansions.Some of these properties will cost as much as £12million.Architectural drawings of the plans – which are expected to set owners FG Empreendimentos back £414m – also show an infinity swimming pool that will overlook Balneario Camboriu in the coastal state of Santa Catarina.READ MORE IN F1And it will be named The Senna Tower in honour of iconic Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna.Three-time F1 world champion Senna died at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at the age of just 34.His niece, Lalalli Senna, is one of the designers of the building.Lalalli, an artist and anthropologist, has described the ambitious plans as a “symbol that inspires us to try to overcome our limitations”.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThree-time F1 world champion Ayrton Senna tragically died at the age of 34Credit: ReutersShe said: “Every great story begins with a journey. A journey of discovery, growth and transformation.”The Senna Tower is a work of art of monumental proportions.” Inside ‘magic’ F1 McClaren innovation that has flung team ahead of Red Bull but fans are calling it ‘illegal’She added: “The tower has this architectural form precisely to symbolise this heroic trajectory of overcoming towards our ideals and the manifestation of our profound potential.”Senna’s niece Lalalli is one of the designers of the buildingCredit: Alamy More

SERGIO PEREZ’S father was rushed to hospital after being found unconscious on his bathroom floor.Antonio Pérez Garibay, the dad of Red Bull driver Checo, was hospitalised over a pre-heart attack after Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.The father of Red Bull driver Sergio Perez was rushed to hospital after the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCredit: GettyAntonio Perez Garibay was found unconscious on his bathroom floorCredit: GettyThe medical emergency came after Perez crashed out of Sunday’s raceCredit: GettyAccording to Mexican media, Perez Garibay suffered a pre-infarction, a condition that can present itself in the form of chest pain ahead of a heart attack.The medical emergency is said to have happened on Sunday morning immediately after his son was involved in a race-ending crash with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in Baku.He is understood to have collapsed in the bathroom of his Mexico City home, with emergency services from the Mexican Red Cross quickly transporting him to receive urgent medical attention.A press release from his press office said: “The incident occurred following his son’s impact during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, in a collision with driver Carlos Sainz.READ MORE IN F1“Perez Garibay was found unconscious in the bathroom of his Mexico City home, where paramedics attended to provide immediate medical attention. “He was rushed to a hospital in the capital, where he is currently under medical observation and in stable condition. We thank you for your expressions of support and affection.”Pictures of the 65-year-old – who is also a popular local politician – were also released, showing him in a hospital bed as he recovers.He currently remains in hospital under observation, where it is understood he will remain for a few days while checks are carried out.Most read in MotorsportA statement from his racing organisation, Scuderia Perez, to Planet F1 said: “Mr. Perez Garibay is stable but remains in intensive care under constant medical review, focusing mainly on his heart and other vital organs. “The specialists in charge have indicated that his condition continues to be closely monitored.”In the meantime, Perez Garibay has been active on social media, posting pictures of his son with the caption “Viva Mexico” and sharing photos of the Grito de Independencia Ceremony.As quoted by Mexican outlet Medio Tiempo, Perez Garibay said: “Everything happened after the [Perez] accident. The shock of the accident may have caused it.“They are already checking my heart to see why I fainted.”Perez, 34, had been jostling for position with Sainz in the closing stages of the race when they had an unfortunate coming together when Perez’s front right wheel clipped the rear left of his rivals, causing the Ferrari to veer to the left and cause both to crash into the wall.Pictures released from his office release showed him receiving treatment in hospitalCredit: XNo further action was taken by race stewards for the incident, with onboard footage showing neither driver had turned their wheel in a way which could have caused the collision.Perez blasted Sainz, 30, as “an idiot” over the team radio before he was seen getting out of his car and going over to the Spaniard while he was still in his car to confront him about the crash.On the incident, a calmed down Perez later told reporters: “I felt that exiting Turn 2, there was plenty of room between both cars, and within a metre or two, we ended up making contact.”It’s very unfortunate. It all happened so quickly. I think Carlos was trying to follow the tow from Charles as he went to the inside and that really made things really hard.”Meanwhile, Sainz said: “I was attacking Charles into Turn 2 and then I exited Turn 2. Checo [Perez] was on my left. “We normally do a slight drift towards the left into the long straight, which I did like every other lap, and suddenly for some reason I don’t understand, Checo and I collided, which is unfortunate and also very disappointing.”He added: “We’ve spoken already. [But] we need to analyse. I’m not someone who wants to put blame on either an excuse or put blame on another driver. It’s racing, everything happens super-fast.“My feeling today is honestly I did nothing wrong, I didn’t do any erratic manoeuvre, put him against the wall or anything like that. READ MORE SUN STORIES”We were just, like every other lap, drifting a bit, a tiny, tiny little bit towards the left because that’s where the racing line is and we just touched. It is what it is.”F1 returns with another street circuit with the Singapore Grand Prix next weekend.Perez crashed with Carlos Sainz in Sunday’s raceCredit: X @SkySportsF1Race stewards did not punish either driver for the incidentCredit: X @SkySportsF1🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁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 Ocon More

MAX VERSTAPPEN and three other drivers avoided punishment for overtaking after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix had finished.Verstappen, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg were all issued warnings after they were spotted overtaking under the Virtual Safety Car.Max Verstappen was issued a warning for overtaking after the Azerbaijan GP was overCredit: RexThe Dutchman overtook a number of cars after crossing the finish lineCredit: XA Virtual Safety Car was in place after a dramatic crash late in the raceCredit: X @SkySportsF1Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez both crashed out of contentionCredit: X @SkySportsF1Despite the race having already been won by Oscar Piastri by the time the overtaking was completed, drivers still have to avoid overtaking while the VSC is in place – which it was.The VSC had been brought in following an astonishing crash on the penultimate lap of the Baku City Circuit that saw podium chasers Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez crash out of contention.Fortunately for the four drivers caught overtaking, the decision was taken to issue warnings rather than offering up penalties.However, the stewards have warned that any repeat offending “may lead to significant penalties”.READ MORE IN F1A statement read: “While passing after the chequered flag is not unusual, it is prohibited in the case of yellows, Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car procedures.”While the drivers were aware of where the incident was, they could not have known if emergency equipment or marshals were being dispatched onto the track, and so have to proceed with caution. “The Stewards are aware that this has happened earlier this season and was not noticed at the time. “We are therefore warning the driver concerned, along with all other competitors. Further breaches may incur significant penalties.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFans were confused at first by the warnings and took to social media to react.One wrote: “But the race was over, right? I don’t understand where the infraction was committed there? Maybe I’m stupid, but I don’t understand…”Watch F1 star Lando Norris drive unique McLaren P1 car round Silverstone – but can you spot why it’s so incredible?While another added: “If Verstappen gets penalised for this I’m suing the FIA.”Others sided with the FIA, reiterating that rules are rules and the drivers need to follow them for everyone’s safety.One posted: “The point is, the hazard is still on the road. It is not a video game where you cross the finish line and all sudden the road is clean. There was still two cars crashed into each other.”And a second reiterated: “VSC is VSC.. rules still apply even if its after the race.”The chaos in Baku meant George Russell jumped into third place behind Charles Leclerc in second.While Oscar Piastri upstaged Lando Norris as McLaren soared into the lead of the Constructors’ Championship.The result means McLaren now boasts a 20-point lead in the constructors’ standings over Red Bull.Oscar Piastri was the winner in BakuCredit: Getty More

THIS is the horrifying moment a huge crash occurred during a Formula Two race.With all drivers on the grid at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the lights went out to signal the start of the race.Kush Maini’s car did not get off the line and Pepe Marti went into the back of himCredit: X @SkySportsF1Marti’s car slid across the track on its sideCredit: X @SkySportsF1Debris covered the trackCredit: GettyMaini’s car was taken away destroyedCredit: GettyBut disaster struck for Kush Maini as his car failed to start, leaving him stationary on the track.A couple of drivers were able to swerve the Invicta Racing driver – but Pepe Marti was unable to avoid a collision.He smashed into the back of Maini and destroyed the back of his car.Marti was sent flying, with his vehicle flipping onto its side and sliding across the tarmac.READ MORE IN F1Debris covered the track and Oliver Goethe was also unable to continue after he was knocked against the wall as he tried to avoid a dangerous pile up.Fellow driver Isack Hadjar was heard panicked on the team radio, saying: “Oh my God, that was really bad.”Thankfully, F2 confirmed all three drivers were OK.And Goethe was seen speaking to a marshal straight after he climbed out his car.Most read in MotorsportFans have hailed how all managed to escape without an injury as a “miracle”.Others commented: “Such a scary incident, so grateful everyone is okay.”Watch F1 star Lando Norris drive unique McLaren P1 car round Silverstone – but can you spot why it’s so incredible?And another added: “Thank goodness for the halo and a good chassis.”Analysing the crash, Sky Sports commentators said: “It is worst case scenario.”It’s always the drivers towards the rear of the field, they are doing a higher when you get there. Your reaction time is ever reduced as you go back through the rows of the grid.”Those in front use their great reaction times to dart out of the way. You’re unsighted until so late.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More