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      Inside the eerie abandoned £540m F1 circuit as Vietnamese GP axed from calendar after mayor jailed for 10 years

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      VIETNAM planned to host their very first Grand Prix back in 2020.The £540million Hanoi motor race circuit was set to welcome the paddock as Formula 1 expanded its reach to new territories across the globe.
      Vietnam was due to host its first F1 GP in 2020Credit: AFP
      The coronavirus pandemic led to the inaugural edition being postponedCredit: AFP
      It has not returned to the F1 calendar since 2020Credit: AFP
      Cyclists now use the Hanoi circuitCredit: AFP
      It has been abandoned as no F1 race appears on the horizonCredit: AFP
      Motorcyclists have also been seen driving through the gates of the fenced off circuitCredit: AFP
      Vietnam signed a 10-year deal with F1 back in 2018 – an agreement which cost around £54million and was to be funded by private conglomerate, VinGroup.
      But the inaugural edition of the Vietnam GP ended up being axed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      Since then, it has not appeared on the F1 calendar.
      In 2021, it was dropped from the schedule after city mayor Nguyen Duc Chung – a major supporter of the race – was arrested.
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      He would later be sentenced to ten years in prison for corruption charges.
      State media then claimed last year that authorities had dismissed any hope of Vietnam staging a race there until at least 2029.
      However, the authorities refused to confirm this to external media outlets.
      F1 released the 2023 calendar last month, with Vietnam once again missing out.
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      And images of the track – which features a 1.5km straight and street-style third sector – show that the spectator stands have been taken away.
      The 3.5 mile circuit, which is surrounded by grass and weeds, is partly fenced off to the public.
      However, some cyclists and motorcyclists have been seen going through the gates, spilling over from the busy roads in the city.
      And another part of the circuit has been opened up for the Vietnamese people to use as public roads.
      It is not yet known if, when or what the circuit will be used for in the future.
      One side of the circuit has been opened up for day-to-day useCredit: AFP
      It is a sad sight to see the track abandoned two years after its first GP was scheduled to take placeCredit: AFP
      It is unlikely a Grand Prix will take place here before the end of the decadeCredit: AFP
      F1 fans in Vietnam have been left disappointed by the failure to stage a Grand PrixCredit: AFP More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s bitter rival Max Verstappen reveals his new F1 targets after securing second world title win

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN is now targeting more wins and titles but wants to keep the Red Bull team together after securing his second successive Formula One trophy.Like his first championship win last year over Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen, 25, claimed his second F1 title in bizarre circumstances at the Japanese Grand Prix.
      Red Bull star Max Verstappen secured his second consecutive Formula One titleCredit: The Mega Agency
      Max Verstappen is targeting more Formula One success with Red BullCredit: AFP
      The Red Bull star breezed to an easy victory at Suzuka but was unaware he had won the championship because Charles Leclerc finished second before being bumped down a place after incurring a penalty.
      Despite the initial anti-climatic realisation, Verstappen and his team-mates soon started partying.
      The Dutchman is now targeting even more success already but insists the team should stay intact.
      Verstappen said after the race: “Well, I have a few more years in F1.
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      “I hope that we can be competitive for a few more years, I want to win more races, and potentially, I want to try and win more titles.
      “But of course, that’s not going to change what I’ve already achieved. It is something I’m really proud of.
      “Everyone within the team, and everyone who is involved with us, they deserve even more than what we are showing at the moment.
      “As long as we can keep them all together. I think we are capable of even more great seasons.”
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      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was quick to congratulate Verstappen on social media after his triumph in Japan.
      Horner posted on Instagram: “Max Verstappen, you are a DOUBLE WORLD CHAMPION!” More

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      F1 legend Michael Schumacher’s nephew David breaks his spine in horror fireball motorsport crash

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      MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S nephew broke his spine in the weekend’s horror fireball crash. David Schumacher collided with Thomas Preining on lap six of Saturday’s Hockenheimring DTM event.
      David Schumacher has broken a vertebra in his lower backCredit: PA
      The motor racer was involved in a shocking crash on SaturdayCredit: PA
      The Hockenheimring DTM event was red-flagged on lap sixCredit: PA
      Dennis Olsen’s car briefly lit up in flamesCredit: https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/hockenheim-dtm-red-flagged-after-scary-crashes/10381619/
      Both cars careered off the track at turn eight before Dennis Olsen and Rolf Ineichen also hit the barriers and Olsen’s car briefly burst into flames.
      As the race was red-flagged, the four drivers were all taken for medical examinations.
      Schumacher, son of Ralf, was initially sent home after getting the all clear, confirmed by his mother Cora on Instagram.
      But now Ralf has stated the youngster has indeed suffered a broken back.
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      He told Motorsport Magazine: “When David came home, he was still complaining about back pain.
      “We then decided to go to a hospital in Salzburg to have an MRI done.
      “It turned out that a lumbar vertebra was broken.
      “According to the treating physicians, this means a break of around six weeks for David.”
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      Despite the break, Bild report Schumacher will not require surgery.
      And his six-week recovery coincides with the end of the DTM series which finished at the weekend.
      But rival driver Preining blamed Schumacher, whose cousin Mick drives for Haas in Formula One, for the terrifying crash in western Germany.
      Cora responded by hitting out at the Austrian on social media.
      She wrote: “David Schumacher is doing well, that’s the most important thing.
      “Nevertheless, I have to say that I absolutely don’t think it’s okay for Thomas Preining to make negative comments about our son every time without any self-reflection.
      Schumacher was initially given the all clear before the break was detectedCredit: PA
      A collision with the barrier caused Olsen’s issuesCredit: https://www.motorsport.com/dtm/news/hockenheim-dtm-red-flagged-after-scary-crashes/10381619/
      “He himself had oversteered and did not have his car under control. It’s always easier to look for faults in others.”
      Seven-time F1 world champion Michael has been out of the public eye since suffering a severe brain injury in December 2013 during a skiing accident in the French Alps.
      He was placed in a medically induced coma until June 2014 and is now back home in Switzerland with his family.
      Since the horrifying incident nearly nine years ago, Michael, 53, has lived an extremely private life – with very few updates on his health.
      Mick’s F1 future, meanwhile, is up in the air – with Haas yet to renew his contract beyond the end of this year.
      Thomas Preining slammed rival driver Schumacher for causing the incidentCredit: PA
      Part of the cars had to be taken away by tractorsCredit: PA More

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      Lewis Hamilton congratulated over 2021 F1 title win after Red Bull cost cap breach as fans call for him to win crown

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been congratulated for winning the 2021 F1 world title after Red Bull were found to have breached the salary cap.Red Bull were found guilty of overspending last year, when Verstappen controversially pipped Hamilton to the title in the final race of the season.
      Lewis Hamilton has been congratulated as 2021 world championCredit: Reuters
      Red Bull have been found guilty of overspending in the year Max Verstappen pipped Hamilton to the crownCredit: AP
      Verstappen’s team were found to be responsible for a “minor” breach of the regulations, going over the £114million limit by £5.7m.
      Their punishment is expected to be a fine, and not a points deduction that would see Verstappen stripped of last year’s title.
      But some are already congratulating Hamilton for being 2021 world champ, before the punishment is confirmed.
      Rich Energy, a British drinks company and former partner of Haas, took to Twitter to weigh in on the row.
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      The company, founded by William Storey, have already decided that Hamilton should be crowned as 2021 champion.
      They called stripping Verstappen of his first title an “easy decision” for the FIA, the governing body for F1.

      A tweet said: “An easy decision for the FIA now. It is imperative that the integrity of the great sport of Formula One is maintained.
      “Congratulations Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes AMG on a well-deserved world title in 2021.”
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      While Red Bull are only expected to be fined for their overspending, other fans have also already crowned Hamilton as champion for last year.
      One said: “All hail the 2021 F1 Champion, Sir Lewis Hamilton.”
      Another wrote: “Sir Lewis Hamilton, the only legitimate World Champion of 2021.”
      And a third said: “Say it with me now. Lewis Hamilton is the 2021 Formula One World Champion.”
      Verstappen narrowly beat Hamilton to the title in 2021 by eight points after winning the final race of the campaign in Abu Dhabi.
      Former race director Michael Masi allowed five cars to unlap themselves after a late safety car which enabled Verstappen, on fresh tyres, to overtake Hamilton on the last lap.
      Lewis Hamilton has been congratulated for winning last year’s world title by a former Haas partnerCredit: https://twitter.com/rich_energy More

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      Lewis Hamilton relaxes after another controversial F1 race by popping wheelies with £135 remote control monster truck

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has found a novel way of relaxing after another controversial F1 race – by popping wheelies on a remote-controlled monster truck. The seven-times World Champion finished 5th at the weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix after being frustrated for much of the race by Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
      A gleeful Lewis Hamilton had fun taking his monster truck out for a spinCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/?hl=en
      The F1 star enjoyed doing wheelies with his remote-controlled car as he enjoyed his downtime away from the trackCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/?hl=en
      He then had to watch former title rival Max Verstappen pick up his second F1 crown, a year after he pipped Hamilton to last year’s title in dramatic and contentious circumstances.
      The Brit put all of that on the backburner as he enjoyed his downtime before the US Grand Prix.
      Hamilton posted a video of himself buying a remote-controlled Lunchbox branded truck, which is valued at £135.
      The video shows the F1 star excitedly handling the yellow vehicle and bouncing it on the store counter.
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      Hamilton then nods in satisfaction before buying the toy and taking it outside.
      The 37-year-old then drives it around in glee, at one point exclaiming “it’s so cool!”
      He then starts tipping the truck on its back wheels as he drives it around before shouting “it does wheelies!”
      Before his youth karting and then his F1 career, Hamilton used to race remote-controlled cars around and has previously spoke of his passion for it.
      Hamilton is still looking for his first F1 win of the seasonCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/?hl=en
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      The Mercedes driver will be back to racing in a real car when F1 goes to Austin later this month as he prepares for the final four races of the season.
      But the sport is caught in a cycle of controversy at the moment and it continued in the last race in Japan.
      Verstappen’s inevitable crowning was almost overshadowed by confusion over the rules.
      F1 chiefs also have questions to answer after Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly was left furious by the appearance of a recovery truck on a wet track in Suzuka.
      And fans were angry after Red Bull were found to have breached cost cap rules yesterday.
      These recent issues come on top of an ongoing row about Hamilton’s jewellery and debates over races ending under the safety car. More

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      Max Verstappen being handed F1 title at Japan GP was rule ‘mistake’ – admits Red Bull chief Christian Horner

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      RED BULL team boss Christian Horner has admitted that Max Verstappen’s title win at the Japanese Grand Prix was a “mistake” due to the rules. Confusion reigned after Sunday’s rain-hit race at Suzuka as the Dutchman was crowned champion in a race that had only been half-completed.
      Red Bull celebrated consecutive Driver’s Championships after some initial confusion in JapanCredit: Rex
      A heavy downpour saw the race red-flagged only a couple of laps after it began, with the remainder run under timed conditions due to the rules.
      While historical precedent would normally mean reduced points as the full race was not fully completed, instead drivers received the full allocation of points at the chequered flag.
      This appeared due to a glaring loophole in the rules introduced by the FIA, F1’s governing body, after last year’s heavily-criticised Belgian Grand Prix.
      The 25 points for winning the race was enough to crown Verstappen champion after title rival Charles Leclerc lost 2nd place due to a penalty.
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      Horner admitted the confusing spectacle should not have happened despite his 25-year-old driver securing another F1 crown.
      The team principal told reporters: “I think it’s a mistake that wasn’t included after the issues in Spa last year.
      “We were under the strong impression that only with 75 per cent of the race completed would full points be scored.
      “So we felt we were going to be one point short. But, in the end, Checo’s move on Charles nailed Max the championship. So you can see his surprise, the team’s surprise. But what a wonderful surprise.”
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      Verstappen himself admitted his coronation was “confusing”, “weird” and “quite funny”.
      The Red Bull driver’s second title had been inevitable for some weeks after he pulled a commanding lead on his rivals with a series of race wins.
      But the confusion over the rules echoed the far more controversial ending to last season, when safety cars ruled were implemented incorrectly and effectively lost Lewis Hamilton a record-breaking championship.
      Sunday’s race decider also attracted condemnation for reasons outside of the points confusion.
      Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly was left furious after a recovery tractor arrived on track to clear up the debris of Carlos Sainz’s crash.
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      The incident came eight years after Jules Bianchi lost his life after hitting a recovery vehicle at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix in wet conditions.
      Meanwhile, even more controversy raged around the sport yesterday after Red Bull were found to have breached the cost cap. More

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      F1 cost cap rule explained amid huge row that could see Lewis Hamilton crowned 2021 champ instead of Max Verstappen

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      FORMULA ONE is set for one of the biggest rows in years which could yet see Lewis Hamilton crowned as 2021 F1 world champion.This Wednesday, the sport’s governing body [FIA] will publish their investigation into teams’ spending during last season.
      Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to last year’s titleCredit: Getty
      There is now financial controversy regarding the winCredit: Getty
      Last year, new budget cap rules were introduced to stop teams from spending more than £114million on developing their cars.
      This was in the hope of making the grid more competitive and prevent certain teams dominating thanks to quicker cars.
      In previous seasons, the likes of Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari have spent over three times that amount at a serious disadvantage to those teams lower down the grid.
      The FIA have outlined strict penalties for breaking the rules, including disqualifying teams and drivers from last year’s championship.
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      What is the background?
      Teams were supposed to submit their financial reports back in March – yet the deadline elapsed.
      Now, the FIA have the accounts, which have all passed through auditors, they will be able to establish whether teams have spent more than they should have done.
      If they are under, they are issued a certificate this coming Wednesday. If they have gone over, they won’t.
      The rumours are that Red Bull and Aston Martin are two teams that have overspent but they are likely to plead their innocence.
      As it’s the first year of the rules there are confusions as to what and what is not included in small details like providing staff with free food in their respective canteens or sick pay.
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      What if a team does NOT get a certificate?
      It will depend on how much they are over. If their spending is deemed as minor – under five per cent of the £114m – £5.7m – they will be sanctioned by the FIA.
      While the list of penalties include points deductions for teams and drivers, there is a growing feeling it will be a financial penalty.
      Should a team accept that punishment then they would be issued the certificate on the proviso of paying the fine.
      If they do not accept the penalty, it will be escalated further through an independent panel.
      However if the amount is more then it is classed as a “material” breach. That means the case is immediately passed to the independent panel.
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      Who are the independent panel?
      A minimum of six and a maximum of 12 people will form the panel.
      They are picked from an undetermined number of people suggested by the FIA’s General Assembly and a group of no less than five F1 teams.
      The panel has not yet been assembled and it could take time to put together but they will be financial and legal experts.
      Crucially, they will have the power to determine the punishment, as stipulated in the rules, such as points deduction, financial penalties or even disqualification from the championship.
      What if a team still refuses to accept it?
      Then the matter still has the potential to progress to the International Court of Appeal, who will decide the matter.
      This is what Mercedes had threatened last December following the controversial outcome to the title decider in Abu Dhabi, but decided against pursuing that option. More

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      Red Bull GUILTY of breaching F1’s spending cap but Lewis Hamilton will still NOT be awarded Max Verstappen’s 2021 title

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      RED BULL have been found guilty of breaking F1’s cost-cap rule – however their punishment will NOT see Lewis Hamilton handed last year’s title.The sport’s governing body – the FIA – have finally published their analysis of the team’s accounts for last season, which saw the introduction of the spending limit for the first time.
      Red Bull will NOT be stripped of last year’s titleCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton missed out on an eighth world title in controversial fashion last yearCredit: Rex
      The amount was set at £114million for 2021 and was brought in to increase the competitiveness across the field, with top teams previously spending three times that amount to gain a massive advantage.
      As a result, teams were forced to restructure their businesses to comply with the rules, however, despite being adamant that they were under the limit, Red Bull were found to be over it.
      Amazingly, given the FIA’s promise to provide increased transparency under the stewardship of new president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the report did not disclose the amount Red Bull went over.
      However, it did amount to less than five percent (£5.7million) of the £114million total triggering a “minor” breach of the regulations.
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      A list of possible penalties included stripping Verstappen of the title he won in 2021 in controversial circumstances, however, the punishment is now expected to be a fine.
      It means he will retain both last year’s and the title he clinched on Sunday in Japan.
      Red Bull do have a right to appeal but are expected to cough up the penalty in a decision that will leave their rivals furious.
      Key figures at rivals Ferrari and Mercedes feel the term “minor” is misleading, for any breach of the cost cap is still a performance benefit.
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      So, should Red Bull argue their sums were over due to including sick pay and providing free food for staff in their canteen, their rivals would suggest that money could be spent on car development.
      At Suzuka on Sunday Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto interestingly said his team’s designs were “cars that have been developed maintaining and respecting the budget cap itself”.
      He said: “We know how much, even if it’s a minor breach, it would have implied in terms of performance.
      “I mentioned $5m (£4.5m) is about half a second, even one or two million is about one or two-tenths which is about from being second on the grid or being on pole and maybe having the fastest car.
      “Obviously it’s about 2021. It’s an advantage you gain over the following seasons.”
      Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton said the previous week that even a $300,000 (£270k) additional spend could have changed the outcome of the 2021 battle.
      At the Singapore GP he said: “I remember last year in Silverstone we had our last upgrade and fortunately it was great and we could fight with it.
      If we had spent $300,000 on a new floor or an adapted wing it would have changed the outcome of the championshipLewis Hamilton
      “But then we would see Red Bull every weekend or every other weekend bringing upgrades. They had, I think, at least four more upgrades from that point.
      “If we had spent $300,000 on a new floor or an adapted wing it would have changed the outcome of the championship, naturally, because we would have been in better competition in the next race you had it on.”
      Aston Martin, who were also rumoured to have over spent, were still issued with a compliance certificate despite filling in a form incorrectly.
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      An FIA statement said that while Red Bull triggered a “minor” breach, both Aston Martin and Williams were guilty of a “procedural” breach.
      A statement from the FIA said: “The FIA cost cap administration is currently determining the appropriate course of action to be taken under the financial regulations with respect to Aston Martin and Red Bull and further information will be communicated in compliance with the regulations.” More