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    Mick Schumacher considered by AlphaTauri to become new driver for 2023 F1 season after being axed by Haas

    ALPHATAURI considered signing Mick Schumacher for the 2023 F1 season after he was axed by Haas.The 23-year-old parted ways with American based team at the end of the last campaign and he will be replaced by veteran Nico Hulkenberg.
    Mick Schumacher was considered by AlphaTauri before becoming Mercedes’ reserve driverCredit: Getty
    Schumacher has now signed for Mercedes, becoming their reserve driver for the 2023 season.
    However, AlphaTauri were keen on giving the son of seven-time world champion Michael, a place on the grid.
    Team principal Franz Tost revealed he was keen on the German but opted for Nyck de Vries instead to come in for the departing Pierre Gasly.
    Tost told RTL: “Schumacher was an issue [of conversation] for me, personally.
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    “I would actually have liked to have Mick in the car. Mick is talented and also has what it takes to drive successfully in F1.”
    But the move for him did not materialise because AlphaTauri is owned by Red Bull.
    Schumacher has strong connections to their rivals Ferrari, via his father and coming through the academy there, making the switch hard.
    Tost cited “political reasons” for why no discussions ever took place.
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    The new F1 season begins with testing on February 23 ahead of the first race taking place on March 5.
    And Tost is hopeful Schumacher will get the chance to drive Mercedes’ new W14 car soon.
    He said he can learn a lot from being in and around one of F1’s strongest teams and he hoped the driver can regain his confidence and make it back to the starting grid in the future. More

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    F1 fans in hysterics after 5ft 3in driver Yuki Tsunoda poses alongside ex-basketball star… who is TWO FEET taller

    FORMULA ONE fans have been left in hysterics as driver Yuki Tsunoda posed for a photo with ex-basketball star Mamadou N’Diaye.The AlphaTauri driver had the snap with N’Diaye during a party believed to be at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai.
    Fans loved seeing the height difference between Yuki Tsunoda and Mamadou N’DiayeCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    The physical differences between the two sports were clear to see in the picture.
    The Japanese driver was towered over by N’Diaye as there was a near TWO-FOOT height difference between the unlikely friends.
    Tsunoda measures in at 5ft 3in, whereas Senegalese basketball star turned coach is a whopping 7ft.
    And fans could not help but laugh at the picture once it hit social media.
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    One tweeted: “I mean, everyone would look tiny next to a 7ft giant?”
    A second commented: “Yuki literally pocket-sized.”
    A third wrote: “Freaking hell, Yuki looks like a real-life hobbit.”
    A fourth said: “Tears streaming down my face.”
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    A fifth added: “68cm of height difference, like wow, humans are awesome actually.”
    N’Daiye last played for Correcaminos UAT Victoria in the LNBP, the top league in Mexico before moving into coaching.
    During his days with UC Irvine, he was the tallest player in the NCAA Division I. More

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    Lewis Hamilton breaks silence over his REAL relationship with F1 rival Max Verstappen and reveals he ‘respects’ him

    LEWIS HAMILTON came clean on his real relationship with Max Verstappen.The Formula One rivals have been pitted against each other in recent years with the veteran driver facing his strongest challenge on the track for years.
    Lewis Hamilton gave an honest insight into his relationship with Max VerstappenCredit: AP
    Their intense battle for the 2021 championship featured multiple flashpoints on and off the circuits with collisions and a war of words culminating in the controversial finale in Abu Dhabi as Hamilton was robbed of a record-breaking eighth world title.
    Verstappen defended his crown in 2022 and is preparing to try and win a hat-trick in the upcoming season.
    But Hamilton and Mercedes will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous campaign and challenge for the titles.
    However, despite their frosty receptions for each other at times, Hamilton insists he has no issues with Verstappen – and talk of any such problems is “fairytales”.
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    But he cannot speak on behalf of the 25-year-old Dutchman.
    The Stevenage star, 38, told Formula One Magazine: “People like to talk about there being problems between Max and me.
    “I respect him.
    “He is a lot younger, so maybe he has a problem with me.
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    “But I am not sure about that and I actually assume not. Although I can’t speak for him.”
    Hamilton added: “He did everything he had to do in 2021, so why should I have a problem with him? 
    “He performed and delivered every weekend, nobody can take that away from him.”
    Hamilton and Verstappen will lock horns again for the first time in 2023 at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.
    That is the first of 24 races scheduled for this year, although the fourth round in mid-April is still to be confirmed.
    It was due to be staged in Shanghai but was cancelled in December due to ongoing Covid problems in China. More

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    F1 owners Liberty Media ‘reject stunning £16BILLION bid from Saudi Arabia to take over sport’

    FORMULA 1 owners have reportedly rejected a £16billion bid from Saudi Arabia to take over the sport.The bid is believed to have been made by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
    The PIF have reportedly had a £16billion bid for F1 rejectedCredit: Getty
    The current owners of Formula One are Liberty Media.
    The media company took over the sport itself in 2017, having completed the purchase for £3.56bn.
    However, they have now rejected a bid for the motorsport from the PIF worth £16bn, according to Bloomberg.
    The report revealed that an approach was made last year by the PIF, but the negotiations broke down in the early stages.
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    However they are believed to remain interested in buying the sport should Liberty Media decide to cash in.
    Formula One would be only the latest in Saudi Arabia’s sporting ventures.
    The PIF took over Newcastle United from Mike Ashley in 2021 and has also hosted some major boxing fights and created the breakaway LIV Golf Tour.
    Saudi club Al-Nassr recently signed Cristiano Ronaldo in a £175million-a-year deal.
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    The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix has been criticised by fans of the sport as they accused of ‘sport washing’ since it was added to the calendar in 2021.
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    The term is used to describe the use of sports by individuals, groups, corporations, or governments as a practice to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing.
    Human rights issues in Saudi Arabia has been consistently raised, with driver Lewis Hamilton insisting he would have to raise awareness while in the country. More

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    Mick Schumacher shares loving snap of dad in touching tribute to F1 legend amid health battle

    MICK SCHUMACHER has changed his Twitter profile picture to a throwback snap of him and his F1 legend dad Michael.Seven-time world champion Michael, 54, has not been seen or heard from since a horror ski crash back in 2013.
    Michael Schumacher has not been seen since his skiing accidentCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Mick Schumacher has been a part of Formula 1 since 2021Credit: Splash
    But fellow F1 racer Mick, who recently left Haas and became Mercedes’ reserve driver, has continued to show support for his father.
    On Monday, he shared an old photo of him and his dad on Twitter.
    The snap, which is already his Instagram profile pic, is a shot of his dad holding a young Mick during his racing days.
    The 23-year-old added the caption: “#NeuesProfilbild”, which translates to “#NewProfilePicture”.
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    Earlier this month, Mick wished his dad a happy birthday as he turned 54.
    He said: “Happy birthday to the best Dad ever ❤️ love you!”
    And Michael’s Instagram account responded to the thousands of birthday wishes he received.
    The message read: “Thank you so much everybody for the warm birthday wishes!
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    Mick shared this old picture of him and his dad on TwitterCredit: Twitter / @SchumacherMick
    “They are greatly appreciated 👍. #TeamMichael #KeepFighting #KeepFightingMichael.”
    Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently spoke about his team acquiring the younger Schumacher as their reserve driver for the 2023 season.
    The German spent two years with Haas but was released at the end of the 2022 campaign.
    Yet despite mixed fortunes in F1 so far, Wolff is excited to have him on board.
    The Mercedes boss said: “I believe that if we can provide him with a safe environment to develop further, he can be a good driver in a full-time seat in the future.
    “We had to let Nyck [de Vries] go in the same way for him to have a career, now that could also happen with Mick.
    “Whether it’s with our team or whether we have to let him go, we don’t know yet.
    “He will contribute enormously as he has already driven the new car and he has been in Formula 1 for two years. He will be super helpful in the simulator and when judging the car.
    “It’s good to have him on track and in the debriefing area.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton is NOT part of Jim Ratcliffe’s Man Utd takeover bid despite previously hinting he would get on board

    LEWIS HAMILTON is not part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s bid to buy Manchester United, according to reports.The seven-time F1 champion hinted back in September that he might be prepared to get involved with a potential takeover.
    Sir Jim Ratcliffe has launched a bid to buy Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
    But Lewis Hamilton is not involved in the dealCredit: PA
    At the time, Hamilton said: “I haven’t had time to catch up with Jim since I was in Namibia (during the mid-season break).
    “I haven’t had a call from him asking if I want to be involved in that just yet but I do want to get more and more involved in teams.
    “But Jim’s part-boss and part-partner, I would say we’re more partners because we’re in this together and I hope in the future to do something with Jim and build with him, I don’t know when that’ll be or what that’ll be.”
    Boyhood United fan Ratcliffe publicly registered his interest in the club this week as he hopes to takeover from the Glazers.
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    The 70-year-old, who’s worth £15billion and is Britain’s richest man, first revealed he was keen last summer.
    Despite his previous comments though, the Independent claim that Hamilton is NOT currently active in his offer.
    United announced back in November that the club was up for sale with the Glazers prepared to sell their entire stake.
    A deal is expected to cost around £9billion.
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    On the pitch, United go in search of a tenth consecutive victory against Crystal Palace tonight.
    Should they prove successful, they will climb up to third in the Prem and move six points behind Arsenal ahead of their meeting on Sunday. More

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    F1 fans ‘crying’ as Sebastian Vettel shares picture of Michael Schumacher nearly decade after horror ski accident

    FORMULA ONE fans have been left emotional after Sebastian Vettel shared a throwback picture with Michael Schumacher. The four-times world champion retired from the sport at the end of last season after a sensational racing career spanning almost 15 years.

    Vettel said goodbye to F1 at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
    He long admired fellow German and F1 legend Schumacher, who won seven titles across the 90s and 2000s.
    Schumacher was involved in a ski accident in 2013 and has not been seen in public since.
    But Vettel shared an old picture of the ex-Ferrari driver which touched many F1 fans.
    The Instagram snap showed Schumacher knelt over a young Vettel, sat in a small silver go-kart.
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    Wearing a red cap, Schumacher looks over Vettel while holding a flag in his right hand.
    A small audience of people are visible in the background for the competitive karting race in Germany.
    Vettel captioned the photo: “Receiving last Orders (NRW Cup Final, Kerpen, Germany).”
    Fans were loving the heartfelt photo.
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    One wrote: “This right here. This is cute.”
    Another said: “Seb, I don’t want to cry but now you are making me.”
    A third said: “Who’s cutting onions man?”
    Schumacher won the world championship in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton and then every year from 2000 to 2004 at Ferrari.
    Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson would all win F1’s greatest prize before Vettel began his own reign of dominance between 2010 and 2013 for Red Bull.
    In recent years Vettel has taken up a mentoring role for Michael’s son Mick, who is now a reserve driver with Mercedes after two years racing with Haas.
    Mick posted his own emotional message to his father earlier this month on Michael’s birthday. More

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    F1 hero Jackie Stewart gives heartbreaking health update on dementia-stricken wife as he reveals she can no longer walk

    SIR JACKIE STEWART revealed his wife Lady Helen can no longer walk due to her dementia.The Formula One legend explained Helen, 81, was first diagnosed with the condition seven years ago.
    Sir Jackie Stewart spoke about wife Helen on Good Morning BritainCredit: Getty
    The pair were childhood sweethearts and married in 1962Credit: Tom Farmer
    Stewart and Helen celebrate after victory at the 1969 Dutch Grand PrixCredit: Alamy
    Stewart and Helen at Wimbledon in 2019Credit: Getty
    But she has now worsened and has trouble remembering conversations as well as being left unable to walk.
    Stewart, 83, says she is still “wonderful” ahead of her 82nd birthday on Saturday.
    Appearing on Good Morning Britain, he said: “She’s wonderful, of course, she can no longer walk, sadly.
    “And now if I have a chat with her as I do a lot, very quickly the last conversation disappears.
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    “Helen was identified about seven years ago, but it’s now pretty bad, and she has a birthday actually, coming up this weekend on Saturday.
    “She doesn’t want to hear this, but she is, I think, going to be 82. She’s always been a great looker.”
    Stewart continued by explaining he has seven nurses who take care of Helen, providing around the clock support.
    In 2018, he set up the charity Race Against Dementia and also spoke about the severity of the condition.
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    Stewart added: “I am very, very fortunate because of my racing career, I can afford to have seven neuro nurses looking after Helen.
    “Two at a time, because it’s 24 hours a day, but few people can afford that, and really, dementia is now the biggest killer in the world, even more than cancer.
    “There’s more people dying of dementia than cancer and the latest statistic is one in three people are going to die of dementia and yet there is no cure.” More