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      I felt I was missing a lung after fighting virus during Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, reveals Max Verstappen

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN says he felt like he was “missing a lung” when he raced in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.The Dutchman, who was battling a virus, went from 15th on the grid to finish second behind team-mate Sergio Perez.
      Max Verstappen has opened up on his health ahead of the Australian Grand PrixCredit: Alamy
      He also set the fastest lap of the race to score a bonus point that means he leads the drivers’ championship ahead of this weekend’s Australian GP.
      The reigning world champion says he is still not fully-fit and will use the three-week break before the Azerbaijan GP to get back to full health.
      Verstappen said: “I was not looking forward to the break but then I got really ill and I have just been struggling since that time.
      “I refused to believe in myself for a long time because, at home, I was really ill. I could barely walk around and I felt like I was missing a lot.
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      “I got to Saudi Arabia believing that the virus was gone because normally when you get sick, after two or three days you are alright and you can do your workouts.
      “But then I jumped into the car for practice, and even after just one lap, I felt like I had to recover for two laps to be able to breathe normally.
      “It felt like I was missing a lung.
      “It definitely did affect me, which I didn’t like because it was one of the first races where I felt like I was physically limited.
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      “That’s really frustrating when you’re out in the car, but since then I’ve been trying to work on it, trying to improve it, and it has improved a lot.
      “But for me now these next three weeks are just about getting back to full fitness. Hopefully for the rest of the year it should be okay.”
      Verstappen is hoping to make it three world championship wins in a row this season and his car is supposedly the fastest ever, according to rival Lewis Hamilton. More

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals he will NOT speak to Michael Masi as F1 director returns for Australian GP after title loss

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      LEWIS HAMILTON said he will not speak to Michael Masi – the sacked Formula One race director – because “there is nothing to say”.Michael Masi will make his first return to the Formula 1 paddock at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
      Masi’s presence at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix could evoke bad memories for HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Verstappen controversially overtook Hamilton to win the dramatic title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand PrixCredit: AFP
      According to The Mail, the seven-time world champion will refuse the opportunity to receive an explanation from Masi for his mishandling of the 2021 season decider.
      Masi was the man in charge when Hamilton and Max Verstappen took their fight for the 2021 world title to the last race of the season.
      The Mercedes driver looked to be cruising towards Championship number eight until Nicholas Latifi’s crash brought out a safety car.
      In an astonishing turn of events, Masi appeared to incorrectly interpret the regulations regarding a safety car restart.
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      One swift decision wiped out Hamilton’s lead as the group of lapped drivers between him and Verstappen was ordered to pass through.
      When the safety car was pulled in with one lap remaining, Verstappen overtook Hamilton on fresher tyres to seal his maiden title.
      The subsequent FIA report blamed “human error”, but did not alter the result.
      The investigation also saw the race director relieved of his duties, and he has been absent from F1 race weekends ever since. 
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      Masi left the FIA last summer before moving home to Australia and being appointed chairman of the V8 Supercars Commission.
      When asked by reporters whether he would seek out an explanation from Masi, Hamilton replied: “I don’t [plan to]. I am just focused on my future. I am focused on trying to get back to winning. There is nothing to say”.
      The 38-year-old is facing up to the prospect of another challenging year, with his Mercedes unable to compete against Verstappen’s superior Red Bull.
      Hamilton finished fifth in the opening two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. More

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      Lewis Hamilton breaks silence after Nelson Piquet is fined £780,000 for vile racist and homophobic remarks about F1 star

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has praised the decision to fine Nelson Piquet for his racist and homophobic language.It was confirmed earlier this week that three-time F1 world champion Piquet, 70, has been slapped with a £780,000 fine after footage emerged of his remarks about Hamilton in a 2021 interview.
      Lewis Hamilton has commented on the Nelson Piquet fineCredit: Reuters
      Piquet’s horrid racist and homophobic language has seen him receive a fineCredit: Getty
      Piquet was commenting on Hamilton’s British Grand Prix crash with Max Verstappen, who is dating Piquet’s daughter, Kelly.
      The decision was made by a Brazilian court after charges were brought against Piquet by four human rights groups.
      Now Hamilton, who became an honorary citizen of Brazil last year, has given his response to the punishment.
      Speaking in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open Grand Prix this weekend, he said: “Back when it happened I made comments on it – I still believe that we generally shouldn’t be giving people that are just full of hate a platform.
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      “I’d like to acknowledge the Brazil government. I think it’s pretty amazing what they have done in holding someone accountable, showing people that it’s not tolerated.”
      Piquet, who was also seen using racist and homophobic language when discussing Hamilton’s 2016 title loss to Nico Rosberg, has apologised to the Mercedes driver, but also insisted his words were mistranslated.
      Hamilton is the only black driver in F1.
      He went on to add: “Racism and homophobia is not acceptable and there is no place for it within our society.
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      “I love that they (the Brazilian government) have shown that they stand for something.
      “I wish that more governments out there would do that, such as you’ve just seen in Uganda, and there are other countries in Africa and the Middle East – there’s a lot of that can be learned from that.”
      In his decision, Judge Pedro Matos de Arrudo said the amount of compensation was given “in the sense that one should not only appreciate the reparative function of civil liability but also (and perhaps mainly) the punitive function so that, as a society, we can someday be free from the pernicious acts that are racism and homophobia”.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton is preparing for the third race of the 2023 season in Australia this weekend.
      He has managed back-to-back fifth places in the opening two Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
      But Mercedes are still a long way off the pace set by Red Bull. More

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      Lewis Hamilton given worrying update over his car by Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff ahead of Australian Grand Prix

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      TOTO WOLFF says Mercedes “won’t get carried away” by their “promising” result in Saudi Arabia.George Russell was fourth while Lewis Hamilton came home in fifth place in Jeddah.
      Merc boss Toto Wolff isn’t getting carried awayCredit: Rex
      But despite the solid result, it is not enough to convince Wolff from ditching this season’s car in favour of some sweeping design changes.
      Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Australian GP, Wolff said: “The progress we saw in Saudi Arabia was encouraging.
      “We maximised the package we had and scored some solid points.
      “More importantly, we continued to learn and understand more about our development direction.
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      “Everyone back at base has been hard at work to turn these learnings into performance.
      “The signs we are seeing back at the factory are promising.
      “We have got to take it step by step, though, and won’t get carried away until we see performance translated into lap time on track.
      “The competitive order behind Red Bull is tight, with small margins having a big effect on points scored.
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      “There remains a significant gap to the front and that is ultimately what we are interested in closing.”
      Wolff, 51, previously warned that Mercedes remain half a year away from competing back at the top of the order.
      He said: “I think the lag is probably between six and 12 months, because that’s the time it really took for us to figure out what was actually happening with the [2022] car.
      “That means we just need to double the development speed, a stronger development slope which the logic and rationale speaks for it, that we could have [it].” More

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      Mercedes ‘could end relationship with Lewis Hamilton at end of season due to staggering salary’

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      MERCEDES could reportedly part ways with Lewis Hamilton at the end of the F1 season.The decision could come as the British driver has earned a staggering £60million-per-year from his contract.
      Mercedes could let Lewis Hamilton’s contract expireCredit: AP
      According to The Times, the Brackley-based team could move on from the seven-time world champion once his current deal expires.
      The report suggests that the prospect of this has been raised by “many Hamilton detractors”.
      While there is still every chance that the 38-year-old could extend terms with Mercedes.
      In January it was reported that he was set to be offered a two-year extension worth £62m-per-year.
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      The deal is also rumoured to include a 10-year ambassadorial role for when he does eventually retire, worth £22m-a-year.
      Mercedes’ main sponsor Ineos, founded by potential Man United owner  Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will reportedly pay 90 per cent of the contract.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton was recently told Mercedes are up to 12 MONTHS in development behind rivals Red Bull.
      Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have secured one-two finishes in the opening two races of the season.
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      Indeed, Hamilton claimed he had “never seen a car so fast” after Verstappen breezed past him on lap 12 of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
      Consequently, Mercedes have admitted they need to look at changing their W14 car concept altogether, with “radical” changes set to be introduced.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Lewis Hamilton admits ‘some days I feel like stopping’ but quells F1 retirement talk with beach run before Australia GP

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      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON has admitted that he feels like “stopping some days” but urged fans to keep on fighting in an uplifting message. The F1 legend has struggled over the past year in an uncompetitive Mercedes car after years of dominating the sport.
      Rpped racer Lewis Hamilton worked out on a beach in Australia as he sent a message to followersCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      The Brit has shared his positive worldview with fans on InstagramCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Hamilton has finished 5th in the opening two races of the seasonCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      The 38-year-old has had to watch helplessly while Max Verstappen begins his own era of success in an unstoppable Red Bull car.
      Few will be surprised if the Dutchman waltzes to another race win at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.
      But ahead of the third Grand Prix of the season, Hamilton took to Instagram to inspire his fans with a stirring post about not giving up.
      The star jogs shirtless across a beach as he tells his fans to “have a good week”.
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      And in the caption he adds: “Some days I feel like stopping. When I start to feel this way I dig deep and remember I’m on a mission. 
      “Whether you realise it or not, you’re on a mission too. We’re all chasing something.
      “Some dream or goal that will make us better people, make our lives more fulfilling, and make us proud of ourselves.
      “Some days it’ll feel impossible to get there, but it’s not. We can get it. We will get it.
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      “I know you’re with me, I feel the love and support and just know I’m sending it back to you tenfold. We got this.”
      Hamilton was within a lap of securing a record-breaking eighth F1 title in the final Grand Prix of 2021.
      But then one of F1’s most controversial moments ever occurred as safety car rules were not followed by former race director Michael Masi and Verstappen overtook the Brit on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi race.
      Since then sweeping technical changes has seen Mercedes fail to engineer a car that can keep up with rivals.
      Rumours have swept through the paddock in the recent weeks of a potential Hamilton switch to Ferrari or even Verstappen’s Red Bull team. More

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      Lewis Hamilton told Mercedes are 12 MONTHS behind Red Bull with Brit’s contract up at end of season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been told Mercedes are up to 12 MONTHS in development behind rivals Red Bull.The Brackley-based team have struggled to keep pace with reigning constructor champs Red Bull across the last two seasons.
      Toto Wolff has warned Mercedes are ‘six to 12 months’ behind Red Bull’s car developmentCredit: Splash
      It comes with Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes deal up at the end of the seasonCredit: AP
      Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have secured one-two finishes in the opening two races of the season.
      Indeed, Hamilton claimed he had “never seen a car so fast” after Verstappen breezed past him on lap 12 of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
      Meanwhile, the 38-year-old has finished P5 in both races, while team-mate George Russell has finished P7 and P4 in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia respectively.
      Consequently, Mercedes have admitted they need to look at changing their W14 car concept altogether, with “radical” changes set to be introduced.
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      However, team principal Toto Wolff has warned the team remain at least half a year away from competing at the top of the order.
      Wolff told reporters in Jeddah: “I think the lag is probably between six and 12 months, because that’s the time it really took for us to figure out what was actually happening with the [2022] car.
      “That means we just need to double the development speed, a stronger development slope which the logic and rationale speaks for it, that we could have [it].
      “[Red Bull’s] gains are going to be incrementally smaller if their concept is mature.
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      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year
      “Aero-wise, wind tunnel time can help a bit but not hugely, and we’ve just got to get our act together.
      “If we fundamentally understand where we need to put the car, then the steps are going to be large, but we need to be perfect.”
      This time scale comes with Hamilton’s Mercedes contract up at the end of the season.
      The seven-time world champion has been linked with Ferrari and Red Bull, though Christian Horner shut down such rumours from Red Bull’s camp.
      Hamilton has so far DISMISSED talk of retirement, at least until he wins his eighth world title.
      Hamilton will be hoping for better fortunes when the lights go out for the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. More

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      F1 strugglers McLaren need a result in Australian Grand Prix or they could face losing young Brit star Lando Norris

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      McLAREN will commemorate their 60th anniversary this year – but there is not much to celebrate about their start to this season.It is a worrying time for Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing, as they sit bottom of the constructors’ championship without a single point.
      McLaren risk losing Lando Norris if they don’t get a result in Australian Grand PrixCredit: Reuters
      Oscar Piastri, the Aussie at the centre of that tug-of-war with Alpine last year, goes into his home race this weekend in 19th place in the drivers’ championship.
      He’s ahead of only one driver – McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, the vastly talented Brit, who finds himself languishing in last place.
      There is no escaping the fact McLaren are in a bad shape on track.
      Norris, who has a long-term contract with the team, has continually faced questions about his future with McLaren.
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      Until now he has put on a brave face, saying he always knew that the team were gearing up for 2024 – and had faith in the construction of their new windtunnel – with a view of fighting for the title in 2025.
      Yet it begs the question, can he – or more like will he – be prepared to wait until then? Norris is a winner and it is no secret that he was once courted by Red Bull.
      He is smiling now, but will that still be the case if we reach the mid-season point and McLaren are not improving?
      I doubt it. If anything, their results show they are going backwards.
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      Of course, the optimistic will rightly point out that it was a mechanical issue that stopped Piastri in Bahrain and Norris’s Mercedes-supplied engine was at fault for his pitstops every 10-laps.
      In Saudi too, a first lap contact with Piastri saw a wing endplate fly into the air and subsequently damage Norris’s car.
      Brown has responded swiftly by axing James Key, who had been with the team since 2018, saying it was a change that has been needed “for some time”.
      In the reshuffle David Sanchez will return to McLaren from Ferrari – but not until January 2024 – meaning his arrival will not be felt until midway through that year.
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      McLaren have struggled during this Formula One seasonCredit: Reuters
      By that point, it could be too long for Norris to wait for the improvements.
      I desperately feel that McLaren need a solid result in Melbourne this weekend, otherwise the pressure – and the question marks – will continue.
      FORMULA E
      PEOPLE keep on telling me that F1 is boring now that Max Verstappen is winning – well maybe they should tune in to Formula E.
      The racing this season has been excellent, there is a different winner every race and now there is some real needle between the drivers.
      After they collided in Brazil, title contender Jake Dennis labelled Dan Ticktum a “plonker” who is racing “in his own little world”.
      Ticktum is no stranger to controversy and once overtook 10 cars under safety car conditions to catch and crash into a rival.
      “It’s just a target on my back now,” said Dennis. “That’s two races now where I’ve been driving my own race and some plonker 100 metres behind just forgets to brake and just smashes into me.
      “It’s just typical. I don’t know what else I can do. I don’t know what he was thinking; I’ve seen the onboard and he’s like in his own little world.
      “I’m pretty annoyed with Dan, I don’t know what the situation is with that but he just forgot to brake and smashed into me.”
      Bring it on!
      MOTOGP
      SPARE a thought for poor MotoGP rider Marc Marquez, who will miss the Argentina GP following his crash in Portugal.
      The Spaniard, who has been plagued by injuries, broke the thumb of his right hand when he collided with RNF rider Oliveira on Sunday.
      Marquez underwent an operation in Madrid where he had two screws inserted to realign his thumb and will not be fit enough to race in Argentina on April 2nd.
      Marquez has not been able to complete a full season without injury since 2019 when he won his sixth title.
      WSERIES’ MAJOR PLANS
      WSERIES – the all-female open-wheeled racing championship is still alive and hoping to attract new investment to go racing this year.
      The series was cut-short last season after the Singapore GP when an investor pulled out and since then, F1 have launched their own academy targeting female racers.
      However, the WSeries CEO, Catherine Bond Muir, has been trying to bring in new funds so the championship can continue.
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      MEMORY LANE
      JENSON BUTTON made his NASCAR debut and finished 18th at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
      The 2009 F1 world champion was driving a Ford Mustang during the 68-lap race where he went up against Kimi Raikkonen, who was also making his debut in the series. The Finn finished in 29th place. More