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      Lewis Hamilton gives surprising reaction to Max Verstappen’s Sky F1 boycott as he blasts social media

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has appeared to defend Max Verstappen after the Dutchman confirmed he was boycotting Sky Sports indefinitely.World champion Verstappen, 25, and the rest of his Red Bull team are refusing interviews with Sky after reporter Ted Kravitz implied he “robbed” Hamilton of the F1 title last year.
      Hamilton supported Verstappen’s criticism of social mediaCredit: Rex
      Verstappen passed Hamilton in Abu Dhabi to dramatically win his first title last yearCredit: Getty
      On the last lap of the final race of the 2021 season, Verstappen passed Hamilton in controversial circumstances to claim a dramatic first title of his career.
      Now, just weeks on from securing a second championship in much more straightforward fashion, he has begun a war of words with Sky Sports, accusing them of fuelling negativity online.
      He said: “At the moment, social media is a very toxic place. And if you are constantly being like that, live on TV, you make it only worse instead of trying to make it better in the world.
      “You keep being… You keep disrespecting me, and one point I’m not tolerating it any more, so that’s why I decided to stop answering.”
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      In response, Hamilton, who many felt was unfairly treated during the 2021 finale, has surprisingly supported Verstappen’s point.
      As reported by The Express, he said: “Yeah, I think social media is getting more and more toxic as the years go on.
      “I think we should probably get off it, ultimately. So many people… mental health is such a prominent thing right now.
      “I know so many people reading their comments and the stuff that people say and it is hurtful.
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      “Fortunately, I don’t read that stuff but the media platforms definitely need to do more to protect people, particularly young kids and women.
      “But at the moment, they’re not doing that so I think it will just continue.”
      Kravitz’s comments came after Verstappen passed Hamilton late on to win the United States Grand Prix in Texas.
      It denied the seven-time champion a first win of 2022, with Verstappen then going on to break the season record for most victories at the Mexican GP seven days later – where he claimed a 14th win of the year.
      After the American race, Kravitz said: “[Hamilton] doesn’t win a race all year, and then finally comes back at a track where he could win the first race all year, battling the same guy who won the race he was robbed in the previous year, and manages to finish ahead of him.”
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      He then went on to add: “What a script and a story that would have been. But that’s not the way the script turned out today, was it?
      “Because the guy that beat him after being robbed actually overtook him, because he’s got a quicker car, because of engineering and Formula 1 and design, and pretty much because of [Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer] over there.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton confident Mercedes will be able to win F1 race this season after ‘huge’ result in Mexico Grand Prix

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is confident Mercedes will win an F1 race this season following a “huge” result in Mexico.The Brackley-based team, spearheaded by Hamilton and team-mate George Russell, experienced countless issues with the 2022 car earlier in the year, including relentless bouncing.
      Lewis Hamilton is determined to get at least one race win this seasonCredit: Getty
      It left them way behind rivals Red Bull and Ferrari for speed as the Austrian and Italian teams dominated.
      Neither Hamilton nor Russell have claimed a chequered flag yet – with just two races left of the season.
      This could be the seven-time world champion’s first-ever season without a single race win in 16 years in F1.
      But after a steady improvement in results – Hamilton finished second in the United States and Mexico GP with Russell fifth and fourth after qualifying in third and second respectively – the Stevenage star believes Mercedes will have something to celebrate before the end of the campaign.
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      That is despite the team relinquishing their eight-year grip on the constructors’ title.
      Hamilton, who sits fifth in the F1 drivers’ championship 200 points behind champion Max Verstappen, said: “I’m really happy to be up here and to be able to split the Red Bulls is a huge result for us.
      “We brought an upgrade into the last race and that seems to have kind of closed the gap a little bit – they still have the edge – but it was amazing for us to be fighting in qualifying and have the second and third.
      “I was speaking about in strategy about us taking a risk with one of the cars at least doing something different.
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      “I had a gut feeling that they will be on the soft to start with and when everyone took their blankets off, everyone around us was on the softs and we’re on the mediums.
      “At that moment, I thought that we may be in trouble.
      “But then again, it’s a long, long race, so I thought maybe they’ll be on a two-stop. But that medium tyre just had no drop-off.
      “So ultimately, I think they were on the right tyre strategy.
      “But I am grateful I was able to just about keep up within that first stint. That’s huge, to be able to keep up with a Red Bull.”
      The drivers have this weekend off and then head to Brazil for the penultimate race of the season.
      Hamilton has enjoyed plenty of success in Sao Paulo including one of the best race wins of his career in 2021 to set up the dramatic finale in Abu Dhabi, where the 2022 season also culminates.
      Hamilton and George Russell have made steady improvements over the yearCredit: Splash More

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      Ben Hunt: Max Verstappen’s total dominance in record-breaking F1 season shows Red Bull star is no ‘cost-cap champion’

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN’S 14th win of the season set a new Formula One record for most victories in a year.It also takes his tally to 34, putting him sixth in the list of GP winners — just seven shy of Ayrton Senna fifth-place mark.
      Max Verstappen broke the record for most wins in a season in a year of total dominanceCredit: Rex
      Verstappen celebrated the achievement on the podium alongside Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez in MexicoCredit: Splash
      He has also broken the record for most points in a single season, set by Lewis Hamilton in 2019.
      And he has single-handedly helped Red Bull stop Mercedes’ most dominant run in F1 history when it comes to the constructors’ championship.
      That’s all rather good for Red Bull, but incredibly disappointing for F1’s motorsport director Ross Brawn, who introduced new rules this season to level the playing field.
      Red Bull have won 16 of this year’s 20 races, and we still have two more to go in Sao Paulo and Abu Dhabi.
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      Verstappen says he doesn’t care about statistics and I remember Hamilton saying the same in the past.
      He said: “It is just an incredible season for the team. I never thought I’d be able to win 14 races in a year.
      “I was never really interested in stats. I just live in the moment. I just try to do the best I can every weekend.
      “That for me is the most important — that I go home and can say I maximised everything.”
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      Quite surprisingly, given his achievements, the magnitude has been lost in a row over the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP and the cost-cap row.
      He has been hammered on social media and dubbed ‘cost-cap champion’ plus the bitter fallout with Sky F1 and subsequent boycott over pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz’s comments.
      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner feels that Verstappen’s performances this year have gone unnoticed.
      He said: “What we’re seeing this year with Max, we are witnessing something very special.
      “I sometimes think his achievements don’t receive the plaudits they should.
      “He has won the most Grand Prix in a year, within 20 races, and two sprint races — and he’s not won all of them from pole.
      “He has had to fight and race for a lot of those victories.
      “It is an absolutely outstanding year, from a driver who is absolutely at the top of his game.
      “The level of consistency is incredible.”
      It is difficult to disagree but surely it is only a matter of time before he finally gets that recognition, especially if he keeps on breaking records.
      LANDO FAN RAP
      LANDO NORRIS wants a crackdown on punters in the exclusive area during Grand Prix weekends.
      In Mexico, Max Verstappen was soaked in beer and Pierre Gasly had his bag rummaged through.
      Norris said: “If people are aggressive and grab you all of the time, biff them out.
      “I love having the fans in here, especially when it’s kids. Kids are kids, that’s cool.
      “It’s more the older people. There’s just not as much respect for personal space as there should be.”
      ALL TYRED OUT
      IT has come to something when Ferrari are offering Mercedes race strategy advice.
      The Italian team are now famous for their bungled calls on tyre choices and pitstops.
      Yet Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto reckoned Mercedes got it wrong for a second race in a row.
      He said: “They maybe have lost the last race by not choosing the right tyres.
      “So I think it’s not only down to us somehow to make different choices or making mistakes.”
      GHASTLY FOR GASLY
      PIERRE GASLY will walk a seven-month disciplinary tightrope if he is to avoid a one-race ban.
      The Frenchman, who joins Alpine next season, had a penalty point added to his licence for an incident with Lance Stroll, meaning he has collected five in a month.
      Two more points before May next year would see the AlphaTauri driver cop a ban.
      HEDWORTH A HERO
      MY hero of the weekend was Alice Hedworth, Red Bull communications manager who looked after Sergio Perez’s media commitments in his home GP.
      Mexican Perez, the country’s most popular sports star, was mobbed at every turn with poor Alice dragged along in the melee — quite literally — with his 15 security guards!
      Formula One 2022Everything you need to know about F1 this season

      HONDA OFF MARC
      MARC MARQUEZ says Honda are already running late with their Moto GP title challenger for 2023.
      The Spaniard, 29, said: “We are delayed and Honda know we’re in delay, so we will have one chance.
      “I hope to test something interesting in Valencia because what you try in Malaysia in February is the bike you will race.”

      FORMULA E will beat F1 by being the first to race in South Africa next year.
      The all-electric series will visit Cape Town in its 17-race schedule in 2023.
      It also kept Africa as part of the tour after dropping the Marrakesh ePrix.
      Read More on The Sun
      THE Mexican Grand Prix was the 20th race this season and there are two left.
      There will be 24 races in 2023 so it was good to hear Toto Wolff say F1 plans on enforcing a two-week winter break to help ease extra pressure on staff. More

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      Lewis Hamilton slams ‘toxic’ social media and claims everyone should come off it for sake of their mental health

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has slammed “toxic” social media and urged people to come off it. The seven-times World Champion has never been afraid to give his view on things outside the track.
      Hamilton made his feelings on social media clearCredit: Getty
      And while he continues to search for his first race win of the season after a frustrating tactical error left him high and dry in Mexico, Hamilton had an important message for his fans.
      He urged people to put their mental health above social media and criticised “hurtful” comments that people leave.
      He said: “Social media is getting more and more toxic as the years go on and I think we should all come off it ultimately.
      “Mental health is such a prominent thing right now. So many people are reading the comments and the stuff people say, and it is hurtful. 
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      “Fortunately, I don’t read the stuff but the media platforms need to do more to protect people, particularly young kids and women, but at the moment they are not doing that so I think this will just continue.”
      His observation comes just days after he had his own social media run-in with former teammate Fernando Alonso.
      The outspoken Spaniard suggested that Hamilton’s titles were of less value than Verstappens’ as the Brit only had to “fight [his] teammate.”
      In response, Hamilton posted a picture on Twitter of himself on the top step of the US Grand Prix podium in 2007 looking down on his then-McLaren teammate Alonso.
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      F1 also finds itself at a particularly divisive time as old rows rear their heads and drivers being booed becoming an increasingly common sight.
      Confirmation that Red Bull broke the cost cap has led to fans question the legitimacy of their title victories.
      And the team have even boycotted Sky after roving F1 reporter Ted Kravitz claimed that Hamilton had been “robbed”. More

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      Lewis Hamilton says it was ‘awkward’ being booed at Mexico GP amid Red Bull cost cap breach – but is defended by Perez

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has admitted that it was “awkward” being booed at the Mexican Grand Prix. Jeering reigned down on the seven-times World Champion as he gave his post-race interview yesterday.
      Hamilton is still searching for that elusive first win of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Sergio Perez celebrated a second podium at his home race in MexicoCredit: Splash
      Perez could be seen wagging his finger at the crowd as they boo HamiltonCredit: https://twitter.com/sainzhub/status/1586840208162562050/photo/1
      He was defended by home hero Sergio Perez who tried desperately to urge his countrymen and women to stop booing.
      It is the latest sign of the heated division that runs among fans after last season’s controversial ending.
      Max Verstappen and Perez found themselves on the receiving end of boos at the US Grand Prix last week.
      Hamilton still sought to praise Mexico despite his reception and rued a dodgy strategy that left him far off eventual winner Verstappen.
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      He said: “It has definitely been a bit awkward this time around with boos all day. But, nevertheless, I have so much love for Mexico and for the people here.
      “I was so close [to Verstappen] in that first stint but I think the Red Bull was clearly too fast and ultimately they had the better tyre strategy.
      “I’m not sure the hard tyre was the right tyre at the end. I thought we should have started the race on the soft [rather than the medium], but obviously we had the opposite tyre to them.”
      As the Brit spoke and was booed, Perez wagged his finger at the crowd to try and get them to stop.
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      He managed to climb onto the podium in his home race as he watched teammate Verstappen claim a record-breaking 14th win in a single season.
      With the Driver’s and Constructor’s Championship wrapped up, much of the end of season intrigue is coming from off the track.
      After weeks of tension, Red Bull were punished for breaching F1’s cost cap which has reignited unease over Verstappen’s title win last season.
      This unease has spread from fans into the paddock with Red Bull now boycotting Sky Sports after reporter Ted Kravitz claimed Hamilton was “robbed” of the title last year. More

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      Max Verstappen breaks incredible Michael Schumacher record as astonishing winning F1 season continues at Red Bull

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN wrote his name into the Formula One history books with victory at the Mexican Grand Prix.The Red Bull speedster notched his 14th win of an incredible campaign at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday night.
      Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the Mexican Grand PrixCredit: GETTY
      Victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was the Dutchman’s 14th of the seasonCredit: REX
      It broke the joint record previously held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian VettelCredit: GETTY
      Verstappen had already wrapped up his second consecutive F1 title well before last weekend’s race.
      But the win in the Mexican sun saw him break the record for the most wins in a season.
      F1 legends Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel previously held the record for the most wins in a season.
      In the 2004 season, Ferarri legend Schumacher won 13 out of 18 races.
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      The outgoing Vettel, meanwhile, won 13 of 19 races in 2013 when he was at Red Bull.
      The record, however, is now Verstappen’s alone.
      And with two more races of the season remain – the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi Grand Prixs – the Dutchman could stretch the record to 16 victories.
      Verstappen, 25, was over the moon after making the record his own, saying on his team radio: “Amazing guys, 14 wins in a season, unbelievable.”
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      Shortly after leaving the podium, the fan favourite said: “Of course, the start helped me out a lot for the rest of the race.
      “We were also on a different strategy to the other cars around us but again, an incredible result.
      “The pace of the car was really nice. We had to look after our tyres because it was a really long stint on the mediums but we made it work.
      “It’s an incredible atmosphere and we love to come here.
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      “It’s been an incredible year so far, we are definitely enjoying it and we’ll try to go for more (victories).”
      Verstappen will bid to pick up his 15th victory of a dominant season a week on Sunday at the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. More

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      Lewis Hamilton questions Mercedes strategy after defeat to Max Verstappen in F1 Mexico GP following Russell battle

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      LEWIS HAMILTON was left to question Mercedes’ strategy after he lost out to Max Verstappen in the Mexican Grand Prix. Tyre choices proved to be crucial for all the cars up and down the grid with overtaking traditionally difficult around this circuit.
      Lewis Hamilton only has two races left to try and claim his first win of the seasonCredit: Getty
      With Hamilton and his teammate George Russell starting third and second respectively, behind Verstappen, hopes had risen that the seven-times World Champion could challenge for his first win of the season.
      But strategy proved to be the undoing.
      Mercedes had Hamilton and Russell start on the medium tyre and switch to the long-life but less grippier hard tyres, whereas Red Bull had Verstappen start on the quicker soft tyre before moving onto the surprisingly durable medium.
      Hamilton thought this was the major difference between both teams in the race.
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      He told Sky Sports after the Mexican Grand Prix: “When I was on the medium tyres there wasn’t really any degradation when they pulled me in, so I think ultimately we should have been on the softs.
      “It’s something that I had asked and questioned. I thought maybe one of us, the two Mercedes, should have a soft to be able to attack.
      “When both Red Bulls, and everyone behind, took their tyres off [at the beginning of the race] and had softs, I thought ‘shoot’.”
      But an upbeat Hamilton added: “It may be a loss for us today but still this is good points. [There are] so many positives [to take]. The upgrade really, really worked in the last race.
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      “We still have improvements to make, which we probably won’t make in the rest of this year, but we know exactly where we need to improve for next year.”
      Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff admitted that the team messed up on strategy, adding that Red Bull’s soft-to-medium combination “wasn’t even on the radar.”
      Meanwhile, Russell reflected on an exciting first-lap when he duelled with Hamilton before eventually losing second place.
      He said: “I think the last four races for me have been probably scrappy and going into turn one, I knew I wouldn’t be able to overtake Max around the outside.
      “And then when I had Lewis there, probably if it was anyone else but my team-mate, I’d have just ran him off the road.” More

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      F1 Mexican Grand Prix LIVE RESULT: Dominant Verstappen WINS to set record, Hamilton picks up second place – reaction

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has set a new record of the most wins in an F1 season after a dominant victory at the Mexican Grand Prix.The Dutch star charged to his 14th win this season as he finished in cruise control in Mexico City.
      Lewis Hamilton finished second, though he was a long way behind the Red Bull ace.
      Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez was third to gain a podium place in his home race.

      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports F1

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      Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…
      All eyes turn to Brazil
      In a race Lewis Hamilton showed his absolute best last year, will that be the location of his first win of the season?
      The Sun will be here to take you through every lap!
      Drivers onto the podium
      One last massive cheer for Sergio Perez, who finished P3 in his home race.
      Perez: “I gave my best”
      “Overtaking is so difficult here.
      “It’s a good podium in front of this crowd.”
      Hamilton: “So much love for Mexico”
      “I was so close in that first stint, but the Red Bull was just too fast.
      “I’m not sure it was the right tyre in the end.”
      Verstappen: “The Start helped me a lot”
      “An incredible result, the pace of the car was really nice.
      “We are definitely enjoying it, and will try to go for more.”
      Ricciardo driver of the day
      A pulsating final few laps for Ricciardo sees him finish P7 despite the 10 second penalty.
      He has also been named driver of the day.
      Russell secures fastest lap
      A final lap effort from Russell sees Mercedes take the fastest lap point for the second week in a row.
      Another P2 for Hamilton
      Perez follows Hamilton to make it a podium in his home race!
      MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MEXICAN GRAND PRIX!
      Russell pits for fastest lap
      Can Mercedes grab an extra point with a fastest lap attempt?
      Ricciardo flying
      Despite the penalty, Ricciardo is on pace to finish P7!
      A great effort from the honey badger!
      No stops up top
      No drivers at the front have pitted, despite Russell’s insistence of a stop.
      Alonso is out!
      VSC is deployed!
      Alonso fading
      Looks like there could be some damage for Alonso, and he is fading towards the places outside of the points.
      Verstappen cruising to victory
      It’s looking like another comfortable victory for the world champion, with the lead to Hamilton over 13seconds.
      Ricciardo making big moves
      With a 10second penalty on him for the collision with Tsunoda, he is now looking to overtake Ocon for 7th.
      Really nice to see for the McLaren driver, who is currently without a seat for next year.
      10 laps to go
      With 10 laps to go, it looks as if there’s not much the Mercedes’ can do to catch their respective Red Bulls.
      Perez approaching DRS range
      It could be problem time for Hamilton…
      Mercedes convinced of Red Bull drop off
      The radio message to Hamilton suggest that they still believe they’re in the right tyres to catch their own Red Bull in front of them.
      Tsunoda out the race
      The collision has left Tsunoda unable to continue, and he is the first driver to retire today.
      Colission between Tsunoda and Ricciardo
      The McLaren was looking for the overtake and it seemed like he got the job done illegally, as Tsunoda goes off the track.
      Race waiting to burst into life
      With 20 laps to go, we’re still waiting for the big moments in this race.
      Can Perez channel the energy of the home crowd and push Hamilton for P2?
      Russell gaining on Perez
      It looks as if Russell has adapted to these tyres better than Hamilton, and he’ll be encouraged that Perez is not exactly pushing his teammate for P2.
      Bottas making moves
      Both Ocon and Bottas overtake Zhou, who is yet to pit.
      A nice exit sees the former Mercedes driver stay in touch with the Frenchman for P8.
      Lovely overtake from Ocon
      Every point is crucial in the midfield, and Ocon moves into the points with an overtake on Bottas.
      Load more entries… More