F1

Subterms

    More stories

    • 263 Shares129 Views

      in Motorsport

      ‘What an idiot’ – Lewis Hamilton OUT after crashing into F1 rival Fernando Alonso on first lap of dramatic Belgium GP

      by

      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON was forced to retire in the first round of the Belgian Grand Prix after a dramatic crash in the opening lap.The Stevenage speedster went over the top of Fernando Alonso after colliding with the Apline ace in the second corner of the Spa race.

      Lewis Hamilton went over the top of Fernando Alonso in the opening lap of the Belgian Grand PrixCredit: GETTY
      Hamilton’s Mercedes was badly damaged from the crashCredit: Getty
      Hamilton soared through the air but miraculously didn’t harm the Spaniard and was able to continue driving – albeit not very well.
      After the collision, Mercedes chiefs told the Brit: “Stop, stop, stop!”
      The seven-time champion begrudgingly listened to their advice, bringing his race to a premature end.
      A furious Alonso raged on the Apline team radio: “Yeah. What an idiot!
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      “Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start.
      “But this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.”
      F1 fans were quick to react to the dramatic opening lap, with one saying: “All on Lewis there, anyway who says otherwise doesn’t watch F1.”
      Another said: “Lu lu can only drive at the front with a fast car.”
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Most read in Motorsport
      And another said: “As Fernando, said he only knows how to drive from 1st in the fastest car, complete fraud.”
      One remarked: “Alonso just turned in on him.”
      Another chimed in: “How’s that happened then?”
      Mercedes superstar Hamilton was confident of picking up his first win of the season ahead of this afternoon’s race.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton has yet to taste victory this seasonCredit: AP
      He said: “We’ve been improving, we’ve had this consistency of the recent races and great progress that the team is making, everyone pulling together and continuing to push.
      “The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start of the year!
      “It’s more like a normal racing car in terms of its characteristics so that’s positive.
      “The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. That for us was a huge boost, that we can close that gap.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down.
      “The other guys are doing an amazing job but I do believe we can close the gap.”
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS More

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Carlos Sainz to start Belgian Grand Prix on pole despite NOT finishing fastest with Lewis Hamilton fourth on grid

      by

      CARLOS SAINZ will start on pole in Spa tomorrow after penalties saw the starting grid reshuffled.Championship leader Max Verstappen set the pace in qualifying for tomorrow’s Belgian GP – but will line up for the start down in 15th place after taking on a new engine.
      Carlos Sainz is on pole for tomorrow’s Belgian GPCredit: AP
      Max Verstappen was quickest in qualifying but a penalty means he will not be on poleCredit: AP
      Lewis Hamilton will start fourth on the gridCredit: AP
      The Dutchman is one of SEVEN drivers carrying engine and gearbox-related grid drops.
      But Verstappen was the fastest out on the track and could still force his way into contention tomorrow.
      The reigning world champion himself said it would be “a shame” to not be on the podium by the time he takes the chequered flag.
      Verstappen set a fastest time of one minute 43.665 seconds to beat second fastest Sainz by a comfortable 0.632 seconds.
      Read More In F1
      He will still start ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, his closest title rival, who was fourth fastest.
      Leclerc is another who has taken a penalty for adding new power units – and drops to 16th as a result.
      Sergio Perez was third quickest for Red Bull and will move up to the front row alongside Sainz with Alpines Fernando Alonso behind on the second row.
      Lewis Hamilton could only set the seventh-fastest time in Spa but the penalties mean will start the raced in fourth.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      His Mercedes team mate George Russell is one place behind in fifth.
      Speaking after qualifying, Verstappen said: “We need to move forward, especially with a car like this it would be a shame not to be on the podium.”
      The 24-year-old leads Leclerc by a whopping 80 points in the standings with just nine races to go.
      Sainz, starting from pole for the second time in his Formula One career, was keen to seize on the opportunity to take a second win but wary of Red Bulls speed.
      He said: “Happy to be starting on pole but obviously not so happy to see the gap to Max this weekend and the gap that Red Bull has on us.”
      Alex Albon will start an impressive sixth for Williams ahead of McLarens Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauris Pierre Gasly and Aston Martins Lance Stroll.
      His team mate Sebastian Vettel will start 10th. More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Verstappen QUICKEST at qualifying but NOT on pole after penalty, Hamilton 4th – updates

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a huge boost in his chances of securing a first place finish at the Belgian GP with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc facing back of grid penalties.Leclerc and Verstappen are two of six drivers who have been penalised for using more engine parts than required.
      However, Hamilton hasn’t done himself any favours having finished 12th in Practice Three
      But the seven-time champion will get another chance to secure a good grid position for tomorrow’s GP in qualifying this afternoon.

      TV channel: Sky Sports F1
      Live stream: NowTV
      Saturday, August 27: Qualifying 3pm
      Sunday, August 28: Belgian Grand Prix race 2pm

      Stay up to date with all the latest from Spa-Francorchamps…
      Top 10 on the grid
      With the penalties applied it is:
      Sainz, Perez, Alonso, Hamilton, Russell, Albon, Ricciardo, Gasly, Stroll and Vettel.
      Verstappen tops the timesheets
      It is Verstappen, Sainz, Perez, Leclerc, Ocon, Alonso, Hamilton, Russell, Albon and Norris.
      Verstappen looks done for the day
      Hardly unlikely anyone will beat that lap time, but with his engine and gearbox penalties, he will start in 15th place.
      Sainz is second quickest
      The Ferrari man is a whopping 0.632 seconds behind the Red Bull. Perez in P3 and Leclerc in P4.
      Verstappen has blasted his way to P1
      The Red Bull man is unstoppable and rifles in the quickest lap of the day. – He’s got penalties looming though…
      Ferrari mistake!
      “Wait! What are these tyres?” asks Leclerc over the radio to his team.
      “Sorry, that’s our mistake”, replies his engineer.
      Q3 is go
      Grid penalties mean we are still waiting to see who will line up in 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th in the race.
      Albon assured at least a sixth place start.
      Albon is through
      Ricciardo is given the boot from Q2 at the expense of the Williams.
      Schumacher, Stroll, Zhou, Gasly are joining him.
      Final seconds of Q2
      Hamilton is dangerously close to being eliminated here.
      Scrappy stuff from Leclerc
      The Ferrari man is pushing hard and nearly loses the rear of his Ferrari. He is not happy with the set-up of his car. he is currently in P6.
      Q2 is go
      We are off again at Spa and the battle to reach the top 10. Hamilton and Russell are already out on track.
      Eliminated from Q1
      Vettel, Latifi, Magnussen, Tsunoda and Bottas are all eliminated at the first hurdle.
      Great stuff from Albon
      The Williams man has got into Q2 with a fine final lap. He pushes Vettel into the drop zone.
      Mercedes are struggling
      Russell is in 10th and Hamilton is in 11th, but their car is all over the place. Big problems right now.
      Red Bull set the pace
      Early indication that Red Bull have the pace as Verstappen goes half a second quicker than Sainz after his first flying lap.
      Perez in P3 and Leclerc in P4.
      We are underway at Spa
      After the delay, there is a green light in the pitlane.
      Qualifying will start in 15 minutes
      Finally, we are due to get underway here at Spa. Barrier has been repaired and it is declared safe.
      Delay to qualifying
      There was damage to a crash barrier during the Porsche Supercup, which has forced a delay to qualifying.
      The repairs have now been completed and we are waiting for a time for when this session will start.
      Leclerc was in the gravel.
      Charles Leclerc spun off of the track in FP3, but managed to avoid a big crash with the barriers.
      The man from Monaco also had an interesting chat via the radio with his team, as he said:
      “Can we take off the noises that go with the toggles because they are a bit weird, when I hear it I think it is the engine all the time.”
      Ferrari’s engine troubles have been well documented so far this season, and that is clearly taking its toll on their drivers.
      Leclerc was in the gravel in FP3 today.Credit: Getty
      Qualifying just an hour away
      The Qualifying for the Spa GP will begin in just under an hours time.
      Sergio Perez set the fastest time in FP3, after teammate Max Verstappen appeared to have the faster car in FP1 and FP2.
      After the red flag period ended, Perez posted the quickest lap of the session so far. An even more impressive feat considering light rain was creeping in…
      Disappointing for Hamilton.
      Lewis Hamilton ended the final practice in 12th place today, ahead of qualifying.
      This is not good news for the Brit, who will be hoping for a better performance in qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s Grand Prix in Spa.
      This was expected to be a big race for Lewis, with many of his usual competitors starting from the back of the grid due to penalties.
      Perez tops the session
      The Red Bull man finishes as the quickest driver in the final practice ahead of Verstappen, who could face a further penalty for ignoring yellow flags.
      Sainz, Norris, Alonso, Russell, Leclerc, Vettel, Ocon and Gasly make up the top 10.
      Hamilton? He’s down in 12th place.
      Leclerc spins – Red flag
      The Ferrari man was pushing too hard and spins. He bounces his car off the tyre wall.
      The race director has already red flagged the session. The clock is still counting down. We have just over six minutes to go.
      Perez leads Sainz
      Finally, the big teams are getting their quick laps in. Red Bull and Ferrari both showing their hands.
      Verstappen could be in trouble here
      He’s failed to slow down for yellow flags. Maybe a penalty incoming….
      Load more entries… More

    • 263 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton releases new +44 clothing range based on lucky number ahead of Belgium GP as he chases first F1 win

      by

      SIR Lewis Hamilton has launched his own clothing brand after finally breaking his Instagram following duck – and it involves his lucky number.Fans of the F1 superstar went into a frenzy after he recently followed +44 on the social media app.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton has long used the number 44Credit: GETTY
      And he’s launched a clothing brand with the numberCredit: PLUS 44
      And the account has since revealed it’ll be selling merchandise designed by the seven-time champion.
      Hamilton shared a picture of himself donning a white top with the logo on his Twitter on Friday night.
      His accompanying caption read: “Eye of the storm.”
      Plus 44 is currently selling short and long-sleeved t-shirts and a fluorescent yellow poncho.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      Forty-four, of course, is Hamilton’s race number – which he’s used since F1 drivers were allowed to have them in 2014.
      But the Stevenage speedster didn’t randomly choose the number.
      He said: “Of course, each year I start, basically it’s a new fresh start for everyone.
      “I always start with the number 44 because that’s the number that I had on my go-kart when I was eight years old.
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Most read in Motorsport

      “It was my dad’s car registration number, F44, so each year it’s just a new chance to rise to the challenge.”
      Mercedes superstar Hamilton has yet to taste victory this season, although he’s confident of picking up his first win.
      Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Belgian Grand Prix, he said: “We’ve been improving, we’ve had this consistency of the recent races and great progress that the team is making, everyone pulling together and continuing to push.
      “The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start of the year!
      “It’s more like a normal racing car in terms of its characteristics so that’s positive.
      “The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. That for us was a huge boost, that we can close that gap.
      Read More on The Sun
      “It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down.
      “The other guys are doing an amazing job but I do believe we can close the gap.”
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Boxing

      F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Hamilton boost as SIX drivers face back of grid penalty including Leclerc & Verstappen

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a huge boost in his chances of securing a first place finish at the Belgian GP with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc facing back of grid penalties.Leclerc and Verstappen are two of six drivers who have been penalised for using more engine parts than required.
      And Hamilton is yet to win a race this season but if the seven-time champion can pull off a victory, he can gain some ground on Verstappen who leads on 258 points.

      TV channel: Sky Sports F1
      Live stream: NowTV
      Saturday, August 27: Practice Three 12pm, Qualifying 3pm
      Sunday, August 28: Belgian Grand Prix race 2pm

      Stay up to date with all the latest from Spa-Francorchamps…
      Still dry at Spa
      And in another shock, it is he the two Alfa Romeos who at at the top of the time sheets followed by the two Aston Martins.
      FP3 is go at Spa
      Final chance to make some changes before qualifying. If you missed it yesterday, there are a host of grid penalties on the way, so Lewis Hamilton will be hoping that his penalty-free grid position will allow him the chance to fight for a win.
      Spa to stay.
      Building on our earlier announcement that Spa will remain a destination for F1 drivers next season, journalist Fernando Tornello has given us an update on the situation.
      Spa is a favourite track for many F1 fans, and is coated in heritage, as is the Belgian Grand Prix.
      It seems that they are renewing their contract with Spa for at least three years. It will be announced in the next few hours.Fernando TornelloVia Twitter
      Ollie Bearman wins in F3
      Ollie Bearman has won the Formula 3 sprint race in Spa this morning, with the Ferrari academy driver putting in a great performance to get his maiden victory.
      This is how the top 10 looked from that race:
      The top 10 from today’s Formula 3 sprint race in Spa. Credit: @FIAFormula3 via Twitter.
      Spa WILL be back next year.
      While we will no longer see the French grand prix next year, F1 fans will be glad to hear that we will be back at Spa next season.
      This was confirmed via the Sky Sports F1 Twitter account, and many fans are pleased with the outcome.
      Spa is considered a legendary track among F1 fanatics, and it is great news that we will be back, in Spa, inevitably in the rain next year.
      Nice touch, Pierre.
      Pierre Gasly always leaves a bouquet of flowers track-side at Spa, in memory of Anthoine Hubert.
      Gasly and the Formula 2 driver learned to race together, studied together and even lived together for six years.
      A beautiful touch from the Frenchman…
      Credit: Alamy
      Pressure’s on, Lewis.
      Lewis Hamilton is yet to win a Formula 1 race this season, and may not have a better chance to do so than this weekend in Spa.
      The two normal front runners this season, Verstappen and Leclerc, both have penalties that will see them start from the back of the grid, which will give Lewis a huge boost in the race tomorrow.
      No one could get close to Verstappen in practice yesterday, so you wouldn’t bet against him fighting through the pack, but this one is certainly set up for Lewis to put on a really good show.
      The Brit finished 6th in practice yesterday, which was higher than Mercedes team mate George Russell, who finished the practice down in eighth.
      Lewis Hamilton will be hoping to win the Belgian Grand Prix tomorrow.Credit: Getty
      Spa break
      Lewis Hamilton has been handed a huge boost ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix with title leaders Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen set to be demoted to the back of the grid.
      The Brit driver is still looking for his first win of the season and will likely not get a better chance this season with both frontrunners having to fight through the pack.
      Leclerc and Verstappen are just two of SIX drivers set to take penalties, with several teams choosing to take new power units and having to start from the back of the grid as a result.
      McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo and Haas’ Mick Schumacher are the other drivers set to be penalised.
      The penalties have been confirmed by the governing body the FIA after the first practice session.
      Teams are believed to be taking the penalties at this race as it is easier in to overtake in Belgium and make up places than other tracks.

      Practice 3
      Practice 3 gets underway from 12pm UK time tomorrow.
      Then there’s qualifying from 3pm.
      The big race takes place 2pm on Sunday.
      FP2 is done
      Verstappen tops the session – a whopping 0.862 seconds clear of Leclerc.
      Norris is in P3 and Stroll in P4 in another encouraging session for the Canadian.
      Sainz is fifth and Hamilton sixth, who is the best-placed of the two Mercedes drivers. Russell is down in eighth.
      Here comes the rain
      It has started and we are in for another early finish here. Lap times will not improve.
      No one can get close to Verstappen
      He is in a class of one. So much quicker than the rest. He does have grid penalties, otherwise this was looking far too easy.
      Leclerc reacts to Verstappen’s lap time
      He’s told the Dutchman is 0.862 seconds ahead of his best time. “Wow…that is quick”, he says over the radio.
      Verstappen setting the pace
      The world champion is top of the timesheets in an otherwise dull session so far.
      Only Vettel has notched double-figures in the way of laps and he is in 18th.
      FP2 is go
      Second session underway in Spa. The track is damp and we have a 40 percent chance of rain in this sesion.
      Verstappen latest
      McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alpine’s Eseban Ocon, Alfa Romeo’s Valterri Bottas and Haas’ Mick Schumacher are the other four drivers who will start from the back.
      Verstappen to start from BACK of grid
      Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will start from the BACK of the grid at the Belgian Grand Prix.
      The Red Bull and Ferrari aces are two of six drivers to be penalised for using too many engine parts.
      FP1 is done – Ferrari set the pace
      Sainz and Leclerc top the session in Spa, the two are separated by just 0.069 seconds.
      Verstappen is third quickest 0.217 seconds off Sainz’s best time and Russell is fourth.
      Hamilton down in 9th place and Norris in 13th.
      It is raining
      A wet end to the session at Spa meaning lap times will not improve. Under three minutes to go and it is Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen, Russell as the top four.
      Green light
      We are going again after a lengthy delay to recover the Haas. Eight minutes on the clock remain in FP1.
      Red flag – Magnussen stops on track
      He has a mechanical problem – says “his engine is out”, and is told to stop the car.
      This session has been stopped for the time being as they recover his car.
      No penalty for Williams
      Pretty mad that Williams have been let off there. Looked a slam dunk penalty to me.
      Ocon has a problem
      He radios his Alpine team to inform them and the ask him to bring the car in to the pits for them to check it over. He was eighth quickest.
      Near miss!
      Verstappen almost wipes out Latifi in the pitlane. What were Williams doing calling him out into the pitlane with the Red Bull man approaching at such speed.
      That’s likely to be a fine for the Williams team due to an unsafe release.
      Green light in the pit lane
      We are go for the Belgium GP – the season is back after the summer break.
      Lots of new parts on these cars, so expect of running – despite the wet conditions.
      New engines on the way for a number of drivers – details to follow once confirmed with the FIA – but the grid on Sunday could see a number of top drivers starting at the back of the grid.
      Load more entries… More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc to start from BACK of grid, SIX drivers penalised

      by

      THE Formula One season gets back underway and Lewis Hamilton is looking to salvage his season with a fresh start at the Belgian Grand Prix.The seven-time F1 world champion has been on a trip to Africa to unwind during the mid-season break and has come back refreshed and raring to go.
      Max Verstappen currently leads the standings on 258 points ahead of Charles Leclerc on 178pts and Sergio Perez on 173.
      So there remains a lot to play for in the second half of the season – get set to see how it unfolds as the F1 calendar rolls on once more.

      TV channel: Sky Sports F1
      Live stream: Now
      Friday, August 26: Practice One 1pm, Practice Two 4pm
      Saturday, August 27: Practice Three 12pm, Qualifying 3pm
      Sunday, August 28: Belgian Grand Prix race 2pm

      Stay up to date with all the latest from Spa-Francorchamps…
      Leclerc reacts to Verstappen’s lap time
      He’s told the Dutchman is 0.862 seconds ahead of his best time. “Wow…that is quick”, he says over the radio.
      Verstappen setting the pace
      The world champion is top of the timesheets in an otherwise dull session so far.
      Only Vettel has notched double-figures in the way of laps and he is in 18th.
      FP2 is go
      Second session underway in Spa. The track is damp and we have a 40 percent chance of rain in this sesion.
      Verstappen latest
      McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alpine’s Eseban Ocon, Alfa Romeo’s Valterri Bottas and Haas’ Mick Schumacher are the other four drivers who will start from the back.
      Verstappen to start from BACK of grid
      Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will start from the BACK of the grid at the Belgian Grand Prix.
      The Red Bull and Ferrari aces are two of six drivers to be penalised for using too many engine parts.
      FP1 is done – Ferrari set the pace
      Sainz and Leclerc top the session in Spa, the two are separated by just 0.069 seconds.
      Verstappen is third quickest 0.217 seconds off Sainz’s best time and Russell is fourth.
      Hamilton down in 9th place and Norris in 13th.
      It is raining
      A wet end to the session at Spa meaning lap times will not improve. Under three minutes to go and it is Sainz, Leclerc, Verstappen, Russell as the top four.
      Green light
      We are going again after a lengthy delay to recover the Haas. Eight minutes on the clock remain in FP1.
      Red flag – Magnussen stops on track
      He has a mechanical problem – says “his engine is out”, and is told to stop the car.
      This session has been stopped for the time being as they recover his car.
      No penalty for Williams
      Pretty mad that Williams have been let off there. Looked a slam dunk penalty to me.
      Ocon has a problem
      He radios his Alpine team to inform them and the ask him to bring the car in to the pits for them to check it over. He was eighth quickest.
      Near miss!
      Verstappen almost wipes out Latifi in the pitlane. What were Williams doing calling him out into the pitlane with the Red Bull man approaching at such speed.
      That’s likely to be a fine for the Williams team due to an unsafe release.
      Green light in the pit lane
      We are go for the Belgium GP – the season is back after the summer break.
      Lots of new parts on these cars, so expect of running – despite the wet conditions.
      New engines on the way for a number of drivers – details to follow once confirmed with the FIA – but the grid on Sunday could see a number of top drivers starting at the back of the grid.
      Lew close to a win
      Lewis Hamilton believes he is finally closing in on his first win of the year as he goes into this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
      Hamilton is on the longest winless run of his F1 career – a streak that stretches back to the Saudi race in December.
      But the 37-year-old, who has won at least one race every year he has been in F1, is confident of breaking his 2022 duck.
      Brit Hamilton, who was second in Hungary last time out, said: “We’ve been improving, some great progress, everyone pulling together.
      “The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start!
      “The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. It was a huge boost, that we can close the gap.
      “It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down now.”
      First practice is minutes away
      Expect the cars to roll out of the pits at 1pm UK time, which is 2pm CET.
      Credit: Reuters
      Max Verstappen is in the building
      The world champ is looking relaxed and even has his knees out in the Belgian sunshine.
      And of course it’s not far for his loyal oranje army of supporters to follow him in Spa.
      Credit: Rex
      Hello and welcome to Spa!
      The F1 season is finally BACK and there are new car upgrades and the drivers have been able to put their feet up.
      Now, Lewis Hamilton is looking to eat into Max Verstappen’s huge lead at the top of the F1 title standings.
      But it would be some challenge, even more so than last season, when he nearly pipped the Dutchman at the post for the title.
      And we all remember what happened in Abu Dhabi.
      Those wounds have clearly taken time to heal for Hamilton – and that is hardly surprising.
      But he will be hoping his garage have their act together and a car that can challenge the dominance of Red Bull and Ferrari so far this year.
      Either way, expect chat about what porpoising is, plenty of aerodynamic talk – but hopefully some great racing.
      Load more entries… More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton handed huge Belgian Grand Prix boost with Leclerc and Verstappen set to be demoted to back of grid

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a huge boost ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix with title leaders Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen set to be demoted to the back of the grid. The Brit driver is still looking for his first win of the season and will likely not get a better chance this season with both frontrunners having to fight through the pack.
      Charles Leclerc is looking to turn his fortunes around after Ferrari’s form fell off a cliff in the last few racesCredit: Rex
      Max Verstappen has an 80 point lead in the Driver’s ChampionshipCredit: Rex
      Lewis Hamilton has not won an F1 race since December’s Saudi Arabian Grand PrixCredit: Rex
      Leclerc and Verstappen are just two of SIX drivers set to take penalties, with several teams choosing to take new power units and having to start from the back of the grid as a result.
      McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo and Haas’ Mick Schumacher are the other drivers set to be penalised.
      The penalties have been confirmed by the governing body the FIA after the first practice session.
      Teams are believed to be taking the penalties at this race as it is easier in to overtake in Belgium and make up places than other tracks.
      READ MORE IN F1
      It will throw the cat among the pigeons as F1 returns from its mid-season break at the legendary Spa circuit.
      Leclerc and Verstappen have won all but two races between them this season but their low starting positions could open the door to other drivers.

      Lewis Hamilton finished 2nd at the Hungarian Grand Prix and was very competitive at last month’s chaotic British Grand Prix.
      The seven-time World Champion is also on a run of five podiums on the bounce as Mercedes gradually close the gap to Ferrari and Red Bull.
      Most read in Motorsport
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      His team-mate George Russell may also now believe his first victory is within reach with the Brit snatching his first ever pole at Hungary in the last race.
      Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, both with only a sole win so far this season, may also think their team-mates’ penalties could open opportunities for the race victory.
      After his early season struggles, Hamilton is feeling increasingly positive about his Mercedes car.
      He told the Belgian Grand Prix press conference that the Merc was becoming “more of a racing car” after its uncompetitive showing in the early races.
      The 37-year-old also had an active summer break as he toured Africa to explore his roots. More

    • 200 Shares129 Views

      in Motorsport

      Who is Charles Leclerc’s girlfriend Charlotte Sine and when did Ferrari F1 star start dating her?

      by

      CHARLES LECLERC is in full swing at Ferrari as he looks to challenge Max Verstappen for the F1 title.And while promising things are expected of him inside the car, the Monegasque has had a huge charge off the track – boasting a new girlfriend in Charlotte Sine.
      Leclerc and Sine have only recently started dating following his break-up with ex Giada Gianni
      Who is Charlotte Sine?
      Charlotte is a Monegasque resident and current architecture student.
      She has lived in Monaco all her life, with her new boyfriend also hailing from the principality.
      Charlotte was born on September 19, 1999, and speaks French, English and Italian.
      She is on Instagram with nearly 33k followers – regularly posting photos of her travels and with Leclerc.
      READ MORE ON MOTORSPORT
      Charlotte Sine regularly posts of her travels around the world on her Instagram account
      Sine is a Monaco native, also home to her boyfriend and F1 star Leclerc
      When did they start dating?
      It’s no secret that the pair are dating, with Charlotte’s Instagram showing posts of the pair together.
      Although the first photo shared was taken 10 weeks back – they have reportedly been dating for a few months.
      Leclerc however, has not yet posted any pictures with his new girlfriend in-sighting a potential ‘secret relationship’.
      Everything you need to know about F1 this season

      Sine is an architectural student
      Who is Charles Leclerc’s ex?
      Charles Leclerc’s ex may be a face more familiar to fans of the Monaco driver.
      Charles dated Italian-born Giada Gianni, spending over four years together and were rumoured to have been engaged.
      But it was reported that the Ferrari star broke up with Giada to focus on his Formula One career – with the Italian stating in an Instagram video: “Charles left me. He wants to devote himself only to Ferrari.”
      But the Formula One driver did not take long to form a relationship with his new girlfriend Charlotte.

      Charles Leclerc was dating Italian bombshell Giada Gianni More