More stories

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton warned over Max Verstappen rivalry ahead of new F1 season amid claims world champ ‘can get better’

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been warned that Max Verstappen can get even better than he was during his dominant 2022 World Championship win.Verstappen cruised to the title with four races to spare after victory in Japan last October.
    F1 world champion Max Verstappen can get even better, says Red Bull’s chief engineerCredit: Splash
    And Red Bull chief engineer Paul Monaghan said: “Max is technically extremely gifted.
    “He did a lot of work as a youngster, often guided by his father [ex-F1 driver Jos], and you can see the legacy of that.
    “He knows what he’s talking about within the car, and he knows what he wants.
    “With his engineers, they know how to deliver a car that he finds nicely-balanced, easy to drive.
    READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
    “Well, not necessarily easy to drive, but driveable. It looks after its tyres well enough that he can manage a situation.
    “If you look at his record over the past seasons he’s been with us, it’s stunning.
    “He wouldn’t achieve that if he wasn’t an exceptional driver.
    “And can he improve? Yes, of course he can. He might not thank me for saying that.
    Most read in Motorsport
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    “I think there are areas he can get a little bit better.
    “He’ll dig into himself and think what could he do better for a season, and it’s up to us to give him a car to go and demonstrate those skills.”
    Hamilton pushed Verstappen all the way in 2021, controversially losing out on the title after a last minute rule change following the withdrawal of the safety car.
    As a result of his failure to follow strict safety car rules, Michael Masi was sacked as F1 race director ahead of the following season.
    But that didn’t help Hamilton as the poor performance of his Mercedes saw him finish sixth in the Drivers Championship, failing to win a race for the first time in his career.
    Lewis Hamilton will need to get a lot more out of his Mercedes if he is to win a record-breaking eighth world championshipCredit: Getty More

  • in

    F1 star Lewis Hamilton shares brilliant story after revealing he secretly plays video games online

    LEWIS HAMILTON has shared a hilarious story of his adventures in the online video game world.The F1 star is as professional as they come and still at the top of his game at the age of 38.
    Lewis Hamilton told a funny tale of a time he played Gran TurismoCredit: Getty
    But he still affords himself some downtime and during Christmas he swaps the steering wheel for a video game controller.
    However, Hamilton does not stray too far from what he knows best, with driving game Gran Turismo his favourite.
    The Brit recently appeared at Mercedes event where he told a brilliant tale of when he once went head-to-head on the track with a fan of his.
    He said: “I have Gran Turismo and I play that sometimes during Christmas.
    READ MORE ON F1
    “And I go online and the last time I played it over Christmas there was someone with my initials like ‘LH’ or ‘Lewis’ or ‘LewisGB’ or something ’44’ and he kept taking me out, he had no idea he was racing me.”
    Hamilton has also used the off-season to bulk up ahead of the 2023 campaign.
    And he swapped the white hot atmosphere of F1 for far more chilly surroundings.
    He shared pictures down in Antarctica of him going for an 11-kilometre run as he celebrated his 38th birthday.
    Most read in Motorsport
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
    And he didn’t waste the chance to capture some of the sights either, including penguins, a seal and an old whaling facility – with Hamilton saying he was “thankful” it was no longer in operation.
    But taking to his Instagram story, Hamilton showed off a chiselled figure with the countdown for F1 testing – set to start on February 23 in Bahrain – well underway. More

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton threatened with F1 BAN if he continues to push for his personal and political causes

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been threatened he could be BANNED from F1 races if he continues to push for his personal and political causes.Seven-times world champ Hamilton, 38, has become a global advocate for anti-racism and diversity.
    Lewis Hamilton is a global advocate for anti-racism and diversityCredit: Getty
    The Stevenage-born driver also raced with a rainbow flag on his helmet in Qatar in a public show of his support for the LGBTQ+ community.
    But now, in a demand that could spark an angry backlash from the Brit, Hamilton has been ordered to ask for WRITTEN PERMISSION from motorsport chiefs before making any “political, religious and personal statements”.
    And if he was to act without the green light, he risks being black flagged and BANNED from racing.
    The hardline stance was made by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, a Dubai-born former rally driver who was elected head of the FIA in December 2021, 
    READ MORE IN F1
    Ben Sulayem said: “We are concerned with building bridges. 
    “You can use sport for peace reasons.
    “But one thing we don’t want is to have the FIA as a platform for private personal agenda.
    “The FIA should be neutral, I believe. We need the superstars in to make the sport.
    Most read in Motorsport
    “If there is anything, you take the permission. 
    “If not, if they make any other mistake, it’s like speeding in the pit lane. If you do it, it’s very clear what you get.”
    He added: “We will divert from the sport. 
    “What does the driver do best? Driving. They are so good at it, and they make the business, they make the show, they are the stars. Nobody is stopping them.
    “There are other platforms to express what they want. Everybody has this and they are most welcome to go through the process of the FIA, to go through that.”
    It means Hamilton will now need to make a formal written request for any social or perceived political statement or protests – risking punishment if he acts without approval.
    That demand is likely to bring an angry response from the Mercedes man, who believes he has a duty to use his platform to highlight discrimination in all of its forms.
    It looked like a determined effort by the FIA – under lobbying from the Middle East and other countries criticised for alleged human rights breaches and anti-LGBTQ+ actions  – to shut down drivers from using their voice and platform.
    Read More on The Sun
    Ben Sulayem, though, insisted: “I want to improve and clean up the sport.
    “I have my own personal things, OK, but it doesn’t mean I will use the FIA to do it.
    Mohammed ben Sulayem has risked a backlash with his decisionCredit: Rex More

  • in

    Topless Lewis Hamilton shows off ripped body as Mercedes star bulks up for 2023 F1 season

    LEWIS HAMILTON showed off a ripped physique as he gears up for the new season of Formula One. The seven-time world champion is coming off the back of his worst season ever, having failed to earn a race win and finishing sixth in the driver’s championship – his lowest position ever.
    Lewis Hamilton showed off a ripped physiqueCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
    The F1 star is enjoying his downtime before the new season startsCredit: Rex
    He has enjoyed some time cooling off in AntarcticaCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
    In his downtime in the off-season, Hamilton swapped the white hot atmosphere of F1 for far more chilly surroundings.
    He shared pictures down in Antarctica of him going for an 11-kilometre run as he celebrated his 38th birthday.
    And he didn’t waste the chance to capture some of the sights either, including penguins, a seal and an old whaling facility – with the Brit saying he was “thankful” it was no longer in operation.
    But taking to his Instagram story, Hamilton showed off a chiselled figure with the countdown for F1 testing – set to start on February 23 in Bahrain – well underway.
    READ MORE IN F1
    He has previously opened up on the huge demands F1 has on his body, including significant dietary requirements and his body weight changing by up to HALF A STONE in a single week.
    However, on track in 2023, Hamilton is looking to bounce back to once again challenge two-time champion Max Verstappen for the title – something Mercedes team-mate George Russell believes them both to be capable of.
    This being said, Hamilton has one year left on his deal with Mercedes and has hinted at the possibility of retirement owing to there being “other things” he wants to do.
    He said: “Sometimes you wake up and have this feeling: I don’t want to do this anymore.
    Most read in Motorsport
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN UP DEALS
    “And sometimes you wake up and think: I can still do other things my whole life, there is definitely more I want to achieve.”
    One major project Hamilton is a part of is the launch of a new film and TV company.
    It already has a few ideas in the pipeline, including a documentary on Hamilton’s life and an unnamed F1 movie set to star Brad Pitt.
    Hamilton will be hoping to get back to challenging rival Max VerstappenCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton celebrates birthday with £200m mega-yacht cruise to see penguins in Antarctica

    RACE ace Lewis Hamilton had a really ice birthday with a trip to see penguins in Antarctica.The seven-time F1 world champion was in (South) Pole position as he celebrated with the cruise on a £200million mega-yacht.
    Lewis Hamilton strikes a pose on a trip to see penguins in Antarctica
    The racing driver was joined by US Olympic snowboard gold medallist Shaun White
    Hamilton, 38 last Saturday, joined US Olympic snowboard gold medallist Shaun White, 36, on board M/Y Octopus.
    He was spotted in a video White posted on Instagram as the group snapped Adélie penguins in Antarctica’s Victoria Land.
    Hamilton also posed in a bright orange snowsuit for his own pictures and videos online.
    The 414ft Octopus, which costs £1.8million a week to charter, was built for late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and is owned by Swedish billionaire Roger Samuelsson.
    Read More on Lewis Hamilton
    The vessel boasts a glass-bottomed aquarium, dive centre and underwater robot.
    The racing driver also posted a video of him running with the “Eye of the Tiger” song playing over the top.
    Hamilton took this selfie in the South Pole
    The 414ft Octopus, which costs £1.8million a week to charter, was built for late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen More

  • in

    George Russell gives fresh update on Mercedes car for 2023 season and if him and Hamilton can compete with Red Bull

    GEORGE RUSSELL is confident Mercedes can challenge Red Bull in the 2023 F1 season.Him and team-mate Lewis Hamilton managed just one victory between them in 2022, and that came in the penultimate race when Russell won the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
    George Russell and Lewis Hamilton endured a disappointing 2022 seasonCredit: Rex
    Seven-time champ Hamilton failed to win a single race for the first time EVER, finishing a career-low sixth, two places behind Russell.
    The season was dominated by Max Verstappen and Red Bull, who won 17 of the 22 races.
    As a result, they finished a massive 244 points ahead of Mercedes in the constructors standings.
    Despite the team’s worst season for a decade, Russell is optimistic they will come back stronger in 2023.
    read more on f1
    Asked if Mercedes can challenge for the title, he told Crash: “I think when you look at the development we have brought this year, and the rate at which we’ve closed the gap, there’s nothing telling us we can’t achieve this.
    “We’ve been pretty clear now for about two months which targets we have to hit in terms of development.
    “And I am pretty confident if we do achieve that, we will have a car that we can compete with Red Bull.
    “At the start of this year, we qualified behind Alfa, behind Haas.
    Most read in Motorsport
    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    “I remember in Imola, I finished fourth but I was the same pace as Lando [Norris] and I had Valtteri [Bottas] chasing me down in the Alfa. 
    “They were quicker than us in that race and Lewis was in P10 or P9.
    “But you look at us now and where we are in comparison to those cars that probably haven’t had the similar development as the likes of Ferrari and Red Bull, we’ve made massive strides. 
    “The fact now we are in a position to fight for race victories shows a lot. So, I’ve got every bit of confidence in this team. 
    “Maybe straight out of the blocks, we weren’t the fastest car because of where we were coming from.
    “But the rate of development, I’ve got every hope that we can definitely fight for the championship next year.”
    The 2023 season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5. More

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton goes on 11km run in Antarctica and jogs past penguins and seals in freezing conditions on his birthday

    LEWIS HAMILTON celebrated his 38th birthday by going on an 11-kilometre run past penguins and seals in the freezing Antarctic.The seven-time Formula 1 world champion is gearing up for the 2023 season which kicks off with the first race in Bahrain on March 5.
    Lewis Hamilton went on an 11km run in AntarcticaCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    A video on his social media showed him running next to the seaCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    ‘Eye of the Tiger’ played over the top of the clipCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    Hamilton showed the penguins he saw while out on his runCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    He also ran past a seal chilling on the roadCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    Hamilton also shared a picture of an old whaling facilityCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
    And such is the time of year of the Brit’s birthday, he cannot rest at all as he hit the icy roads for training.
    Hamilton shared a video on his Instagram story of him running in the cripplingly cold and snowy weather with a gilet and hat on.
    He then turned the camera to show his followers the penguins and seals in front of him.
    Hamilton added the caption: “11km run in Antarctica, best run ever when you run past penguins and seals.”
    READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
    He also shared an image of an old whaling facility where oil used to be stored.
    And he said: “An old whaling facility where they killed whales and stored their oil in these tanks.
    “Thankful it’s no longer done here!”
    The legendary racing driver then posted another video of him running with the “Eye of the Tiger” song playing over the top.
    Most read in Motorsport
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
    Hamilton is hoping for a more successful 2023 campaign after failing to win a race last year for the first season in his F1 career.
    Red Bull dominated both the drivers and constructors championships as Max Verstappen, 25, claimed a second title.
    Hamilton finished 214 points adrift of the Dutchman, while Mercedes were 244 points behind Red Bull in the constructors standings.
    But the Brit, who is once again going for a record-breaking eighth title, believes as many as five teams could be involved in the fight for victory this year.
    He said: “I’d like to think that we’re going to be the ones that are competing with them and being able to beat them [Red Bull] again, I do believe that for sure.
    “But I really hope that Ferrari are strong in the following years. They’ve definitely had a difficult year but there’s been some strong signs, obviously, that you’ve seen this year, which has been nice to see.
    “And it’s been nice to see Ferrari doing well again.
    “So, I hope that it’s more than a two-way battle next year. I hope there’s at least three of us.
    “If not, surprisingly, maybe more. Like, why can’t McLaren be there? We’ll see.
    “Or even Alpine has been doing amazing. So, we’ll see.”
    Read More on The Sun
    George Russell secured Mercedes’ only victory in 2022 as he claimed the Sao Paulo GP.
    The 24-year-old also pipped Hamilton in the overall standings, finishing 35 points clear of his team-mate. More

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton wants a FIVE-TEAM tussle for the 2023 F1 title as Mercedes driver gears up for tilt at eighth crown

    LEWIS HAMILTON wants a five-team tussle for the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship.The 2022 season was dominated by Red Bull, who triumphed in 17 of the 22 races.
    Lewis Hamilton is set to be back in title mix this yearCredit: Getty
    This led to Max Verstappen romping to the title, with Red Bull easily winning the constructors championship too.
    Hamilton’s Mercedes showed signs of life towards the end of the campaign, with team-mate George Russell winning the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
    Ferrari demonstrated potential earlier in the campaign, and Hamilton also wants McLaren and Alpine to join the fight at the front of the grid.
    The Brit, who recently celebrated his 38th birthday, said: “I’d like to think that we’re going to be the ones that are competing with them and being able to beat them [Red Bull] again, I do believe that for sure.
    READ MORE F1 NEWS
    “But I really hope that Ferrari are strong in the following years. They’ve definitely had a difficult year but there’s been some strong signs, obviously, that you’ve seen this year, which has been nice to see.
    “And it’s been nice to see Ferrari doing well again.
    “So, I hope that it’s more than a two-way battle next year. I hope there’s at least three of us.
    “If not, surprisingly, maybe more. Like, why can’t McLaren be there? We’ll see.
    Most read in Motorsport
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST OFFERS FOR EXISTING CUSTOMERS
    “Or even Alpine has been doing amazing. So, we’ll see.”
    McLaren ditched Aussie Daniel Ricciardo, who will now back-up Verstappen and Carlos Sainz at Red Bull, for his compatriot from Down Under Oscar Piastri.
    While Alpine replaced Aston Martin-bound veteran Fernando Alonso with Pierre Gasly – who will partner his fellow Frenchman Esteban Ocon.
    Hamilton has 12 months remaining on his Mercedes contract, and is not close to agreeing to an extension.
    The 2023 campaign will get underway in Bahrain on March 5.
    Everyone will be looking to catch Red BullCredit: Reuters More