F1

LEWIS HAMILTON is responsible for the sacking of F1 race director Michael Masi, claims Red Bull chief Helmut Marko.It was Masi who made the race-changing decision at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to steal the world championship away from Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton remained silent for months after his painful defeat in Abu DhabiCredit: Splash
Michael Masi was sacked after breaking safety rules in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
Helmut Marko believes Masi did not deserve to be sackedCredit: PA
Masi came under pressure for defying his own safety rules and last month was dismissed from his role as race director.
And Marko feels Hamilton is to blame after failing to speak out in Masi’s defence.
The Red Bull advisor told RT: “By his silence, he only wanted to show his dissatisfaction with the situation and the decisions.
“Part of that behaviour subsequently also led to Masi being removed from his role.
“I don’t think it’s right. You have to look at his performances over the years.
“If Masi had everything they are going to enter now at his disposal, it would have been easier for him to decide, a video referee and an advisor by his side.
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“Michael is now being sacrificed for that.”
After losing out to Max Verstappen Hamilton remained silent for several weeks.
His lack of public presence fuelled speculation the Brit could quit F1 altogether before it was finally revealed last month that he would be taking part in the 2022 season.
Hamilton also broke his silence by wishing his social media followers a Happy Chinese New Year.
And he later admitted that he did consider retirement after being robbed of a record eighth world title.
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FORMULA ONE have ripped up their agreement with the Russian Grand Prix promoters and say the country will NOT have a race in the future.It is another crushing blow for despot President Vladimir Putin, who was one of the key figures behind the race.
F1 have ripped up their agreement with the Russian Grand Prix promotersCredit: Getty
Russian troops pictured in the Donetsk regionCredit: Reuters
Putin struck a deal with former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone to host the Russian GP in Sochi – the venue for the country’s Winter Olympics – from 2014.
It was worth around $50million a year to F1 – who have acted swiftly following Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The sport was quick to cancel this year’s GP, which was due to be held in September, but they have now gone a step further to cancel their agreement in its entirety.
It means Putin will not see F1 race in his hometown of St Petersburg at the £200million purpose-built track, which was due to host the GP in 2023.
It comes after Motorsport UK chief, David Richards, prevented Russian and Belarusian drivers from racing in the UK, including at the British GP.
Meanwhile, Haas are still weighing up what to do with their Russian driver Nikita Mazepin, whose father is a close friend with Putin.
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But it has been confirmed that Mazepin will NOT be able to take part in this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone after Motorsport UK.
David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK said: “The entire Motorsport UK community condemns the acts of war by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and support towards all those affected by the ongoing conflict.
“We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded.
“This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine.”
Vladimir Puting pictured with former F1 supremo Bernie EcclestoneCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

RED BULL have confirmed that Max Verstappen has signed a contract extension and revealed he will stay with the team until 2028.The Dutchman already has a contract with Red Bull in place until 2023 which is worth £18million-a-year.
Max Verstappen has penned a lucrative new dealCredit: Reuters
However, his extension, which runs until 2028 is valued at a staggering £37million-a-year.
That takes his total contract up to a mind boggling £221million over seven years – the biggest driver contract in F1 history.
Verstappen, 24, who won the F1 title last season albeit in controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi, said: “I really enjoy being part of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Team, so choosing to stay to the 2028 season was an easy decision.
“I love this team and last year was simply incredible, our goal since we came together in 2016 was to win the championship and we have done that, so now it’s about keeping the number one on the car long-term.”
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the new long-term deal shows the team’s commitment to Verstappen.
Verstappen will kick off his title defence later this month in Bahrain with the first race of the season on March 20th.
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It marks a new era for F1 with dramatic new regulations relating to the car designs while Red Bull are also developing their own engine department.
Horner added: “To have Max signed with Oracle Red Bull Racing through to the end of 2028 is a real statement of intent.
“Our immediate focus is on retaining Max’s World Championship title, but this deal also shows he is a part of the team’s long-term planning.
“With the Red Bull Powertrains division working towards the new engine regulations for 2026 we wanted to make sure we had the best driver on the grid secured for that car.”
Following the announcement, Verstappen tweeted: “Really proud to announce that @redbullracing will be my home until at least 2028.
“I love this team and I am very happy to continue this amazing journey we are on for a long time.
“We have accomplished so much together already but we are definitely not done.💪✍️”
Verstappen, 24, has committed his future to Red BullCredit: PA More

EX-FORMULA One chief Bernie Ecclestone has shockingly defended ‘honourable’ Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Ecclestone, 91, made his comments in an interview with Times Radio – after Putin ordered a military advance into Ukraine.
Bernie Ecclestone has defended ‘honourable’ Vladimir PutinCredit: Reuters
The conflict has seen Russia become a pariah on the world stage, with countries around the globe imposing various financial, business and travel sanctions.
Russian sports stars and teams have also been affected by bans in their respective fields.
However, Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, have failed to take decisive action against athletes despite cancelling the Russian GP.
And it has now emerged that former F1 supremo Ecclestone, who brought a Grand Prix to Russia in 2014, hailed Putin as ‘honourable’ just one day after he attacked Ukraine.
Speaking to Times Radio on February 25, Ecclestone said: “As a person I found him very straightforward and honourable.
“He did exactly what he said he was going to do without any arguments.
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“[The Russian Grand Prix] depends very much on what the exact situation is between Ukraine and Russia.
“It’s not going to make any difference if there is a race in Russia to anything else that has happened in the world.
“I suppose it is the people who are engaged in the event who would decide on it, because maybe other people think it was the right thing for Russia to do.
“So how can anyone else judge exactly what is happening today?”
Ecclestone has previously expressed his admiration for Putin, saying in 2019: “If someone had a machine gun and was prepared to shoot Putin, I would stand in front of him because he’s a good guy.
“He’s never done anything that isn’t doing good things for people.”
And in 2017, Ecclestone said: “Honestly, I think the guy should rule Europe. Mr Putin has impressed me more than anyone because he’s a guy who says he’s going to do something and does it.
“He’s a first class person.” More

NIKITA MAZEPIN will NOT be able to take part in this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone after Motorsport UK blocked all Russian and Belarussian racers from competing.Less than 15 hours after F1’s governing body, the FIA, failed to take decisive actions against Russian and Belarussian competitors, the UK’s motorsport organisation has.
Nikita Mazepin has been banned from racing at SilverstoneCredit: Getty
Motorsport UK blocked all Russian and Belarussian racers from competingCredit: Reuters
Nikita Mazepin’s father, billionaire oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, has close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK, says they have “considered the appropriate response to the ongoing acts of war and aggression conducted in Ukraine by Russia and Belarus”.
Richards said: “The entire Motorsport UK community condemns the acts of war by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and support towards all those affected by the ongoing conflict.
“We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded.
“This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine.”
Yesterday at an extraordinary meeting led by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the World Motor Sport Council agreed that competitors holding Russian and Belarussian racing licences could still race under an “FIA flag”.
However, Motorsport UK has gone a step further by stopping them, including Mazepin, from competing full stop.
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The Motorsport UK statement added: “No Russian/Belarusian licenced teams are approved to enter motorsport competitions in the UK.
“No Russian/Belarusian licenced competitors and officials are approved to participate in UK motorsport events.
“No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (on uniform, equipment and car) to be displayed at Motorsport UK permitted events.
“The Motorsport UK decision was made in full consultation with the UK Government and national sports governing bodies to ensure that there is a unilateral response to the crisis.”
Richard added: “It is our duty to use whatever influence and leverage we might have to bring this wholly unjustified invasion of Ukraine to a halt.
“We would encourage the motorsport community and our colleagues around the world to fully embrace the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee and do whatever we can to end this war.
“Motorsport UK stands united with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the FAU, the Ukrainian motorsport community and the Ukrainian people and calls for the violence to end with a peaceful resolution.”
Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season More

MAX VERSTAPPEN has penned a new £37million-a-year contract with Red Bull.And now the reigning champion is in the same pay bracket as bitter title rival Lewis Hamilton.
Max Verstappen is now in the same pay bracket as rival Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
The Red Bull star has penned a whopping £37m-a-year contract after winning the F1 titleCredit: Alamy
The Dutch driver, 24, will now be tied to the team until after his 30th birthday after committing his future to them.
He visited Red Bull’s factory in Milton Keynes yesterday to wrap-up his bumper extension after initially agreeing terms while in Barcelona last week for pre-season testing.
Verstappen’s pay rise has now fired him right up alongside £40m-a-year Hamilton as Formula One’s top earner.
However, given the length of his contract, it could be argued that it is the most remunerative package in F1 history.
Red Bull have yet to officially confirm that Verstappen has agreed to the extension but are believed to be set to confirm the news later this week.
However, Sun Sport understands that it is all done and despite reports elsewhere, it is worth £37m per year.

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had been trying to lure Verstappen over to them but that move broke down at Silverstone in 2020.
The driver was involved in a 180mph collision with Hamilton and needed hospital treatment afterwards.
But he was upset with how enthusiastically Mercedes celebrated victory while medics attended to him.
Verstappen begins his title defence in Bahrain in 18 days.
That will be his eighth season in F1 and debuting aged 17 in the 2015 Australian Grand Prix for Toro Rosso.

🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info More

FORMULA ONE’S governing body, the FIA, have failed to follow other sports in taking decisive action against Russian athletes.F1 was swift to act by cancelling the Russian GP following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian driver Nikita Mazepin will be allowed to race in the F1 2022 seasonCredit: Getty
Russia have caused mass destruction and death by invading UkraineCredit: AFP
But, somewhat staggeringly, the FIA have decided to allow Russian and Belarusian drivers to continue to drive.
New president Mohammed Ben Sulayem presented the verdict from an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council held on Tuesday.
It means controversial Haas driver, Nikita Mazepin, will be allowed to continue to drive in F1 – assuming he is retained by his team.
Mazepin – son of billionaire oligarch Dmitry who has ties to Putin – will not technically be representing Russia and will race under an “FIA flag”.
Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
“We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine.”
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A statement from the FIA confirmed that no competitions would take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice and that flags, symbols or anthems associated with those countries would be used.
Ben Sulayem’s failure to take strict action on Russian drivers will upset Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine, who had urged the FIA to intervene.
Haas will now decide on whether to stick with error-prone Mazepin, whose father also part-owns Russian fertiliser company Uralkali, the F1 team’s sponsor.
Dmitry is close to President Putin and the two met only last month.
He is believed to be at risk of being targeted by the sanctions designed to paralyse the Russian economy. 
Mazepin, 22, already has one of the most controversial F1 racing careers, which was almost terminated before he’d even done a single race.
In December 2020, he posted an Instagram story in which he appeared to inappropriately grope a woman’s breasts.
Mazepin was involved in pre-season testing in Barcelona last weekCredit: PA
The Haas team rebuked Mazepin’s actions and called the video “abhorrent” and while the Russian later apologised, he subsequently deleted it from social media.
The controversy led to the hashtag “#WeSayNoToMazepin” trending on Twitter with fans calling on Haas to cancel his contract.
And in 2016, Mazepin was banned for a race for hitting fellow racer Callum Ilott twice in the face after the Brit accidentally blocked him during a practice session.
Meanwhile, fellow Russian, former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat, had earlier pleaded with the FIA not to ban Russian drivers.
Kvyat wrote on social media calling for a peaceful end to the conflict in Ukraine but stopped short of condemning the actions of Putin.
Referring to the war as the “situation in Ukraine”, Kvyat also said it was “unfair” that Russian athletes were being targeted. More