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    Lewis Hamilton plays Twister with his niece and nephew and brags ‘I won’ during skiing trip with dad Anthony and family

    LEWIS HAMILTON boasted of beating his niece and nephew in a game of Twister while on a skiing holiday with family. The Formula One legend is enjoying some time away from the track following an underwhelming season this year.
    Lewis Hamilton with his niece and nephew on a family skiing tripCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    Hamilton pictured next to his dad Anthony and uncleCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    Hamilton played a family game of Twister – but showed his competitive spirit
    But the seven-time champion was still all smiles as he hit the slopes with his family.
    Hamilton, 37, smiled in a selfie with his niece and nephew as well as showing off his dad Anthony in action.
    The Mercedes star is level with Michael Schumacher as the most successful F1 drivers ever. But Hamilton is desperate for a record-breaking eighth and his competitiveness knows no bounds – even when it comes to games night.
    He uploaded an adorable video playing Twister with his niece and nephew but jokingly assured his fans: “I won.”
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    The F1 pilot had earlier been teaching his young relations how to ski at the exclusive resort.
    Hamilton is contracted to Merc until the end of 2023 and has previously declared he would not like to race in F1 beyond 40.
    That would leave Hamilton with two or three seasons left in the sport and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff is keen to make sure the Brit finishes with the team.
    He told F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast: “Certainly, Lewis’ contract is one of the topics that we will tackle over the winter.
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    “There’s no firm deadline. Absolutely, Lewis is part of the team and the team is part of Lewis. 
    “[There is] no reason [for that] to not continue. I think one of his strengths is that he’s always hungry, always eager. 
    “He’s a great sportsman but he’s also someone who is extremely driven and determined.”
    Hamilton was all smiles on the tripCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    He was teaching his niece and nephew to skiCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    Hamilton shared a number of posts on InstagramCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    Lewis Hamilton’s dad Anthony hit the slopes tooCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton More

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    Philippe Streiff dead at 67: Tributes paid to F1 icon who was left paralysed in horror pre-season testing accident

    FORMULA ONE legend Philippe Streiff has died at the age of 67 bringing the world of motorsport to mourning.Streiff enjoyed a notable career as he won the French Formula 3 championship in 1981 before moving up to F1 three years later.
    Formula One legend Philippe Streiff has died at the age of 67Credit: Rex
    Philippe Streiff enjoyed a lot of success during his motorsport careerCredit: Getty
    Philippe Streiff also left a mark in the sport after his horror accidentCredit: AFP
    The former Tyrrell and AGS driver recorded one podium finish after finishing third at the 1985 Australian Grand Prix while competing for Equipe Ligier.
    But unfortunately the Frenchman’s career was cut short after a horrific car crash during pre-season testing in Brazil in 1989.
    The former Renault star was left paralysed from the neck down but he continued to stay close with the sport.
    Streiff organised the Masters Karting Paris Bercy competition, which saw F1 stars like Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel perform.
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    The legendary driver was also key in promoting awareness of road safety and disabilities.
    Tributes poured following the news of his death with notable figures from F1 and other backgrounds paying their respects.
    Streiff’s former Tyrrell team-mate Martin Brundle tweeted: “Sad to hear this about my former teammate Philippe.
    “Lovely guy, and very stylish in and out of the car. I remember that day clearly when we were testing in Rio and he had his crash. The red flag followed by the medivac heli. Different days.”
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    F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated: “I am saddened to hear that Philippe Streiff has passed away. He showed incredible guts and determination throughout his life.
    “The way he overcame his accident and rebuilt his life was inspirational. We all send our condolences to his family at this sad time.”
    Author Richard Jenkins added: “His constant positive outlook on life despite great adversity is an inspiration to us all.
    “He was a huge help & great supporter of the upcoming Tyrrell book & will be missed by so many. He was much underrated driver too. RIP.” More

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    Michael Schumacher update as son Mick shares touching tribute leaving fans desperate for news ahead of crash anniversary

    MICK Schumacher has left fans desperate for news ahead of his father’s crash anniversary following a touching tribute to the racing great.His Instagram update comes just days before the anniversary of the Formula 1 legend’s tragic skiing accident in the French Alps in 2013, which left him with severe brain injuries.
    Mick Schumacher updated his Instagram profile picture of him and his dadCredit: Instagram
    The two had a very close bondCredit: PA
    The 23-year-old told of a treasured childhood memory he shares with his familyCredit: AFP
    Today, Mick changed his profile picture to his father holding him as a child.
    The loving photo sent shockwaves through the racing community, bringing back to the fore how deeply his father was loved around the world.
    On social media, it sparked a debate among fans whether it was him paying homage or a cryptic message about his dad’s condition.
    “It has been obvious from day one that he is little more than a vegetable… very sad as I loved to watch F1 when he was in it but I don’t really like how they are trying to hide how bad he is and saying stuff that might give the impression that he is getting better,” a Reddit user said.
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    “Nine years already, I can’t believe it,” one said.
    “Lovely picture of the two together – I don’t know why it makes me anxious though, almost like a bad news feeling,” another said.
    The family has come under fire for being secretive about the ex-racing star’s state of being.
    One of his ex-managers said the Schumachers have been lying about his condition and must come out with the truth.
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    Willie Weber blasted Schumacher’s wife Corinna and his boss at Ferrari, Jean Todt, in an explosive recent interview with the Italian sports publication La Gazetta dello Sport.
    He told the paper: “I tried hundreds of times to contact Corinna and she didn’t answer. I called Jean Todt to ask him if I should go to the hospital and he told me to wait – it’s too early.
    “I called the next day and no one answered. I didn’t expect behaviour like that and I’m still angry about it. 
    “They kept me out, telling me it’s too early, well now it’s too late. It’s been nine years. Maybe they should just say it the way it is.”
    Nevertheless, the negative hype has not stopped Mick from trying to live up to his dad’s name.
    In 2021, he arrived in Formula 1 racing with the Haas Team.
    In his two seasons of racing in the big league he has started in 43 races and scored 12 points, finishing sixth in this year’s Austrian Grand Prix and eighth in the British Grand Prix.
    He also recently signed with Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s back up driver.
    However, on the 10th anniversary of Schumacher’s retirement he is still remembered as a legend.
    The seven time World Champion first retired at the end of the 2006 season after winning 91 F1 Grand Prix races but returned to the sport in 2009 to drive for Mercedes.
    He spent three years with the team but didn’t win a race before he finally quit in 2012.
    In November, his old Ferrari Formula One car became the most valuable of the “modern era”.
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    The Ferrari F2003 was sold for an immense £12.6million, breaking the previous record, which was also held by an old Schumacher model.
    The car was the one in which Schumacher won his sixth Formula One world title.
    Michael Schumacher pictured when he finally retired from Formula 1Credit: Twitter/@schumacher
    Schumacher was the seven times World ChampionCredit: Getty – Contributor
    The legendary driver pictured with his pit crew in theCredit: Twitter/@schumacher
    The pictures were tweeted on the 10th anniversary of retirementCredit: Twitter/@schumacher More

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    Lewis Hamilton slams racist trolls who targeted France’s World Cup stars after heartbreaking final loss to Argentina

    SIR LEWIS HAMILTON has slammed the internet trolls who targeted members of the French national team with sickening racist abuse after the World Cup final.France suffered a devastating World Cup final defeat to Argentina on Sunday.
    Some France stars including Kolo Muani and Tchouameni were subjected to racist abuseCredit: Rex
    Hamilton has slammed the racist trollsCredit: Getty
    Hamilton spoke out on social mediaCredit: @lewishamilton
    With the score tied at 3-3 after extra time, the match was decided on penalties and Argentina eventually lifted the trophy after winning the shootout 4-2.
    However, after the game some members of the French national team – including Aurelien Tchouameni, Randal Kolo Muani and Kingsley Coman – received vile racist abuse from social media trolls.
    Tchouameni has since limited the comments on his Instagram, while Kolo Muani has turned them off completely.
    Formula One superstar Hamilton has criticised the racist trolls in a passionate statement on social media.
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    In an Instagram story post, he wrote: “Disgusted but not surprised. @Aurelientchm and @R_kolomuani gave it everything.
    “They’re heroes to so many and deserve nothing but respect.”
    Hamilton also spoke out about the horrific racist abuse suffered by England stars Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho after last summer’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
    In an Instagram post last July, he wrote: “We saw the racial abuse online of the football players, which was devastating to see.
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    “It shows that the nation still has a long, long way to go. In my personal opinion it stems from education.
    “We also need more support from social media platforms. We had that blackout earlier in the year but it is not enough.
    “We need to stop that abuse that happens online. And this commission highlights one of the areas we can improve and I hope it starts a ripple effect of more change going forwards.”
    He also wrote: “This sort of ignorance has to be stopped. Tolerance and respect for players of colour should not be conditional. Our humanity should not be conditional.
    “Please call out those you see posting hatred online. Challenge them to see the humanity in everyone regardless of their colour.
    “Super proud of how far the England team were able to go. Super proud of Bukayo Saka, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and the entire team.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton’s F1 team-mate George Russell enjoys winter getaway to Italy with stunning girlfriend Carmen

    MERCEDES F1 driver George Russell has been enjoying a winter holiday with his stunning girlfriend.Russell and his partner Carmen Montero Mundt went on a trip to Italy as he continued his downtime before the next F1 season.
    George Russell took a winter trip to ItalyCredit: Instagram / @georgerussell63
    The F1 star went with his girlfriend Carmen MonteroCredit: Instagram / @georgerussell63
    During the trip they enjoyed some pastaCredit: Instagram / @georgerussell63
    As well as some Italian coffeeCredit: Instagram / @georgerussell63
    George Russell enjoys trip to Italy with stunning girlfriend Carmen MundtCredit: Instagram / @georgerussell63
    The Mercedes driver is on break during the F1 off-seasonCredit: Instagram / @georgerussell63
    Russell also visited a tailorsCredit: Instagram / @georgerussell63
    They went for a drive during a stunning sunsetCredit: Instagram / @georgerussell63
    The pair went and visited the Leaning Tower of Pisa and enjoyed some authentic Italian pasta during their holiday.
    He shared pictures of the trip on his Instagram page, which showed him posing for a snap on an Italian street.
    The post was accompanied with the caption: “Italia”.
    Fans loved the pictures, as one commented: “Perfect, Giorgio! Always match the aesthetic”.
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    A second wrote: “Eat pasta, drive fast”.
    A third added: “Eat and drink well eh?”
    Although some were more interested in the cardigan he was wearing in one of the pictures, one said: “George, with all due respect, what are you wearing?”
    A second added: “My brother in Christ, hire a stylist”.
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    Russell has been with Carmen since 2020, who works as an investment broker.
    The 24-year-old Mercedes driver will be back in action on March next year when F1 returns.
    The season was set to have 24 races but with the cancellation of the Chinese Grand Prix, there are only 23.
    However, Formula 1 is currently considering a replacement race.
    The pair have been dating since 2020Credit: Getty
    Earlier this year they went to an NBA game in MiamiCredit: AP
    They also attended the “No Time To Die” World Premiere at the Royal Albert Hall last yearCredit: Getty More

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    Lewis Hamilton and F1 drivers urged to fight free speech ban after FIA announce new rules following protests last season

    LEWIS HAMILTON and his fellow Formula One stars have been urged to fight against new laws limiting free speech. F1’s governing body, the FIA, have introduced new rules into the sport which limit the ability for those in the sport to express themselves.
    Lewis Hamilton has been urged to keep speaking out despite new rulesCredit: Getty
    The likes of Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have been outspoken on social issues in the pastCredit: Getty
    The new doctrine states participants cannot make or display “political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality… unless previously approved in writing by the FIA.”
    It comes following the World Cup, which was marred by political controversy as Fifa declared they would sanction political gestures, such as the “One Love” armbands, in Qatar.
    But F1 drivers have been urged to rebel against the “brutal” and “hypocritical” rules that have been brought in.
    Speaking to the Telegraph, Rob Koehler, chief executive of Global Athlete, said: “Without athletes, the sport does not exist.
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    “It is blatantly hypocritical to tell athletes to stick to their sports and stay out of politics while the FIA consistently leverages politics to their advantage.”
    Hamilton, along with the now-retired Sebastian Vettel, has been one driver who has remained an outspoken voice on political issues both outside and inside of F1.
    And Koehler added: “Freedom of expression is a basic fundamental human right and sport rules cannot supersede human rights.
    “Many people look up to athletes as agents of change.
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    “The example set by the FIA is that every child, youth and adult watching the sport should remain silent on social justice issues.
    “It is simply wrong. Shame on the FIA.
    “Athletes are humans first, athletes second.
    “It is also clear that the FIA is taking a page out of Fifa’s playbook to silence athletes.”
    The FIA explained the change to Article 12.2.1 of the sporting code was done “to align itself to the practices of other similar international sports organisations such as Fifa, IOC and Fiba on the matter of neutrality.”
    Koehler slammed the move, saying: “In 2020, athletes took a stand against the IOC and IPC to force them to relax their rules on freedom of expression.
    “I hope the drivers do the same. This is brutal.”
    Seven-time world champion Hamilton previously wore a shirt that read “Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” in 2020, and has remained outspoken on a variety of social issues.
    Likewise, Vettel highlighted issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and Climate Change prior to his retirement.
    After initially promoting the taking of the knee and the “We Race As One” slogan, F1 ditched the knee gesture at the start of 2022 with president Stefano Domenicali declaring “action” rather than “gestures” were needed.
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    The new move from F1 has also been slammed online, with SunSport’s Ben Hunt declaring: “Outlawing freedom of speech is not progress.”
    A jewellery ban introduced by the FIA earlier this season also saw them come under fire. More

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    Lewis Hamilton less motivated in 2022 F1 season and gave George Russell a wake-up call at end, claims Sky Sports pundit

    LEWIS HAMILTON was less motivated in 2022 but gave George Russell a wake-up call once he recovered, according to Sky Sports’ Karun Chandhok.The F1 pundit compared the seven-times world champion to legendary driver Ayrton Senna after Hamilton faced a series of new challenges last season.
    In his first season at Mercedes, George Russell got the edge on his far more experienced teammate Lewis HamiltonCredit: AFP
    Not only did he have to get over the gut-wrenching end to the 2021 season, Hamilton also had new teammate Russell to contend with.
    And most alarmingly for the 37-year-old, he was also tussling with a Mercedes car which was uncompetitive after sweeping rule changes.
    Former F1 driver Chandhok, who has been a pundit on Sky since 2019, believes these factors contributed to Hamilton’s sluggish start to the season.
    The Former HRT racer told Sky Sports: “Lewis, at the start of the year, I’m sure his motivation wasn’t there. And I can understand that.
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    “It reminded me of Senna in 1993, this was a guy who was the number one driver of his generation, he arrives at the opening race and goes ‘God, I’m only capable of qualifying on the third row of the grid.’
    “Where’s the motivation? Then we got to Barcelona, they turned a little bit of the corner and he rose to the challenge.
    “At the start of the year, it was looking really good for Russell, he was regularly outqualifying Lewis.
    “I think he had a bit of a wake-up call in that middle part of the year when Lewis lifted his game, and I think George went on a run where he couldn’t get ahead. I think he thought ‘woah, I’ve woken the beast!'”
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    Hamilton’s form picked up hugely in the second half of the season and he was desperately close to wins at Silverstone, Austin and Brazil.
    But ultimately it was Russell who enjoyed Mercedes’ only victory of the season at Interlagos.
    And he grabbed the constructor’s only pole of the campaign in Hungary.
    The win in Brazil helped Russell finish 35 points clear of Hamilton.
    It is the first time Hamilton has been beaten on points by a teammate since 2016, and the first time ever he has not picked up a single win in an F1 season. More

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    Max Verstappen reignites feud with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez with comments about number two drivers in F1

    MAX VERSTAPPEN reignited his feud with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez by telling F1’s number two drivers to “accept” they are second best.Verstappen claims things go “completely wrong” if team No2s live in a “fairytale world” of not agreeing their partner is “just a bit better”.
    Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has openly clashed with Sergio PerezCredit: Reuters
    Verstappen stood by his decision not to let Perez pass and has now said number two drivers must accept their placeCredit: Getty
    The world champion’s comments follow a public spat with Perez that erupted at last month’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
    Verstappen ignored team orders to let Perez pass him for fourth place, having warned before the race he would not make way.
    The Mexican blasted: “It shows who he really is.”
    Nut not only did Verstappen himself hit back, his mum accused Perez of cheating in a now-deleted message.
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    Replying to criticism of her son on Instagram, Sophie Kumpen posted: “And then in the evening cheating on his wife.”
    Her remark appeared to relate to a video posted online in June showing Perez dancing with mystery women in Monte Carlo.
    He later apologised for his behaviour but said it was just a “bad party” and that his marriage was “more united than ever”.
    Now Verstappen has waded in again – by comparing Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes partner Valtteri Bottas more favourably to other number two drivers.
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    The Dutch two-time F1 king told Viaplay, via Motorsport Week: “Every year he starts fresh, but after a few races you realise it’s not going to happen again and you accept your role
    “He [Bottas] still finished on podiums, he won a few races and took pole positions.
    “You just have to accept that the driver next to you is just a bit better. That’s fine, that can happen.
    “It’s important that he accepted it. Some drivers can’t do that and then it goes completely wrong.
    “Then they don’t survive for very long. I’m not going to name names, but you have to accept your role. You can’t live in a fairytale world.”
    The Red Bull saga has captivated seven-time world champ Hamilton – but not in a way that F1 chiefs will appreciate.
    The Brit said this month: “It feels like the Kardashian show, it’s pretty hilarious.” More