F1

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares189 Views

      in Motorsport

      Russian Grand Prix in serious doubt after Ukraine invasion with F1 ‘closely watching’ conflict

      by

      THE RUSSIAN Grand Prix is in serious doubt after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine after a surprise statement on TV.
      The Russian Grand Prix could be taken off the F1 calendarCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Sochi has held the Russia GP since 2014Credit: AFP or licensors
      Lewis Hamilton has the most wins on the circuit with fiveCredit: AFP – Getty
      Formula One are now monitoring the situation after Ukraine that “Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine”.
      An F1 spokesperson said: “Formula 1 is closely watching the very fluid developments like many others and at this time has no further comment on the race scheduled for September.
      “We will continue to monitor the situation very closely.”
      Speaking the day before the invasion, Russian F1 driver Nikita Mazepin said he expected the race in Sochi to go ahead.
      Speaking on Wednesday, he said: “From the understanding that we’ve had with Formula 1 the race is going ahead. And you will surely see me there.
      “I have always been a big supporter of sport without politics.”
      .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      The race is scheduled to go ahead on 25th September at the Sochi Autodrom on Sunday, September 25.
      Events over the last few days have also sparked talk of the Champions League final being moved from St Petersburg, with Wembley mooted as a possible venue.
      It has been impossible to separate sport from world events with Manchester City and Ukraine star Oleksandr Zinchenko threatening Putin.
      In a deleted Instagram post Zinchenko said to Putin: “I hope you die the most painful suffering death, creature.”
      F1 World champion Max Verstappen spoke on the situation, saying: “When a country is at war it is not right to race there.”
      And four-time world champion Sebastien Vettel echoed his colleague’s sentiment.
      He said: “In my personal opinion, obviously I woke up again after this morning’s news, shocked.
      “I think it’s horrible to see what is happening. Obviously if you look at the calendar, we have a race scheduled in Russia.
      “For myself, my own opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I think it’s wrong to race in that country. I’m sorry for the people, innocent people who are losing their lives, getting killed for stupid reasons under a very strange and mad leadership.
      “I’m sure it’s something we will talk about, but as I said as GPDA, we haven’t come together yet.” More

    • 163 Shares129 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 testing LIVE: All the updates from Barcelona as Lando Norris tops leaderboards

      by

      FORMULA ONE is BACK with testing underway in Barcelona.All the teams have the opportunity to put their vehicles through their paces in Catalunya and Lewis Hamilton is keen to get on with the season underway, before renewing his rivalry with world champ Max Verstappen
      The Haas F1 team’s afternoon running was reportedly disrupted by a damaged floor, but thankfully, the crew were able to solve the issue and get Mick Schumacher back on the track to complete his laps.
      Unfortunately, Haas will still be playing catch up tomorrow despite being able to resume.
      Meanwhile Lando Norris pushed his McLaren vehicle to the limit setting a 1m 19.951s to go two lengths clear of former leader Charles Leclerc who topped the morning session for Ferrari.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Stay up to date with all the updates from F1 testing in our live blog…
      More from Horner
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Max Verstappen has nothing to prove and deserves to be champion despite the controversial ending to last season’s Formula One campaign.
      Horner told SunSport: “I don’t think it’s anywhere near his mindset. He won more races than any driver last year, he led more laps than the rest of the field combined.
      “He had an insane season last year. At the last race in Abu Dhabi, we didn’t have the faster car but we had the better strategy.
      “We got a little bit lucky with the safety car and the crash at the end of the race. But Mercedes left Lewis [Hamilton] out on both the virtual safety car and safety car on tyres that were going to have 44 laps on them.
      “So he was always going to be a sitting duck, so tactically they misjudged that race”
      Seconds out… Round 1
      Red Bull chief Christian Horner believes Mercedes new boy George Russell will be another title rival for Lewis Hamilton rather than just a team-mate.
      Horner told SunSport: “It’s the first time Mercedes have been beaten in seven years, that’s going to have hurt.
      “I’m sure they will come out all guns blazing at the start of this year.
      “George is a really talented guy, he’s very quick and I don’t think he will be a subservient second driver. He will get stuck in.
      “It’s great that we have so much talent in the sport with Verstappen, Russell, Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and, of course, Hamilton still at the top of his game”
      GETTY IMAGES
      Verstappen on Day One
      Formula One champion Max Verstappen sang the new Red Bull car’s praises on Day One.
      Verstappen said: “The car is completely different.
      “I think the RB18 looks good but of course it’s about being fast and we hope to see that.
      “Everything worked fine, so it was a good start”
      Lewis Hamilton on Day One
      Lewis Hamilton appeared to have some post-race analysis for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, who finished second and third respectively on Day One.
      Hamilton said: “You would assume that Ferrari perhaps didn’t do much development of that car and just put everything into this year’s car.
      “So does that mean that they’re several months ahead? Or a team is several months ahead of everyone?
      “We’ll wait and see”
      Hamilton still sewing
      Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton has called for “non-biased stewards” ahead of the 2022 Formula One season.
      Hamilton said: “We need to make sure we get non-biased stewards.
      “Race drivers, some are very, very good friends with certain individuals, some travel with certain individuals and tend to take more of a keen liking to some of them.
      “I think people who have no bias and are super central when it comes to making decisions”
      Rivals looking forward
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff and his Red Bull rival Christian Horner agreed that it’s time to move on from last season’s controversial Formula One finale.
      Horner said: “Maybe we have different opinions, but that’s behind us now.
      “We saw a great battle last year from the first race to the last. That has been hugely important for the rise in popularity of Formula 1.”
      Wolff agreed: “I agree with Christian that we need to move on.
      “There has been so much talk about Abu Dhabi that it came to a point that it is really damaging for all of us stakeholders of Formula 1 and we have closed the chapter and moved on.
      “Now it is about 2022. The game is on again, all points are back to zero and there are new opportunities and new risks”
      GETTY IMAGES
      Day 1 Full standings
      1) Lando Norris (McLaren) 1.19.568
      2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1.20.165
      3) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 1.20.416
      4) George Russell (Mercede) 1.20.78
      5) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1.20.929
      6) Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) 1.21.276
      7) Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) 1.21.638
      8) Fernando Alonso (Alpine) 1.21.746
      9) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1.22.246 
      10)  Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo )1.22.572
      11) Alex Albon (Williams) 1m22.760
      12) Mick Schumacher (Haas) 1m22.962
      13) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 1.23.327
      14) Nicholas Latifi (Williams) – 1.23.379
      15) Nikita Mazepin (Haas) – 1.24.505
      16) Robert Kubica (Alfa Romeo) – 1.25.909
      Session over
      Lando Norris ended the first day of F1 pre-season testing top of the timesheets in Barcelona.
      The Brit notched 103 laps on the opening day as he led both Ferraris with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz second and third.
      Defending champion Max Verstappen put in a huge shift as he completed 147, more than any other driver on the grid.
      20 minutes remain
      Lando Norris tops the time sheets with a 1.19.951.
      He’s ahead of the Ferrari duo with Leclerc in second who registered a 1.20.165 and Sainz in third who was three tenths slower.
      Verstappen putting in a shift
      The defending champion has now clocked over 130 laps, more than any other driver on the grid.
      Fernando Alonso has registered the second most with 104 laps.
      Aston Martin zooms down the straight
      Lance Stroll whizzes past the start/finish straight in the new-look Aston Martin.
      Stroll is currently 12th on the time sheet with 31 laps under his belt in Spain.
      The Canadian is currently over a second slower than his teammate Sebastian Vettel.

      Top ten (timing update)
      1) Charles Leclerc – 1m20.165
      2) Lando Norris – 1.20.474
      3) George Russell – 1.20.784
      4) Lewis Hamilton – 1.21.032
      5) Sebastian Vettel – 1.21.276
      6) Yuki Tsunoda – 1.21.638 
      7) Carlos Sainz – 1.22.134
      8) Max Verstappen – 1.22.246
      9) Alex Albon -1.22.938 C3
      10) Fernando Alonso – 1.23.317
      Norris stops in pit-lane
      The Brit’s strong start came to halt as he was wheeled back to his garage after stopping at the end of the pit-lane.Timing update:
      1) Charles Leclerc – 1.20.165
      2) Lando Norris – 1.20.474 
      3) George Russell – 1.20.784
      4) Sebastian Vettel – 1.21.276
      5) Yuki Tsunoda – 1.21.638
      6) Max Verstappen – 1.22.246
      7) Carlos Sainz – 1.22.516
      8) Fernando Alonso – 1.23.317, C3 
      9) Nicholas Latifi – 1.23.379
      10) Lewis Hamilton – 1.23.382
      Cars return on track…
      The afternoon session is underway but most of the cars have stayed in their garage.
      In recent years it’s known teams like to stick around the paddock for a long lunch….
      Verstappen is back out on track while Valterri Bottas is getting the first feel of his Alfa Romeo.
      Clocking up the miles
      Verstappen, Russell and Leclerc have spent the most time on track this morning in Barcelona.
      Verstappen with 80, Leclerc with 77 and Russell just crossing the line to complete his 76th lap of the day for Mercedes.
      Norris up to second
      The Brit is finding his groove with the new McLaren as he’s second behind Charles Leclerc.
      Norris trails Leclerc by two tenths as the young guns are looking to steal the show.
      Kubica finally sets a time
      Kubica has set his first representative lap time of 1:25.909.
      The Alfa Romeo is now nine laps in and his time has relegated the Haas of Nikita Mazepin to the bottom of the standings. 
      20 minute countdown
      Charles Leclerc is still top of the time sheets for Ferarri.
      Lando Norris has moved up to third fastest behind fellow Brit George Russell.
      1) Leclerc – 1:20:1652) Russell – 1:20:7843) Norris – 1:21:7134) Vettel – 1:21:2765) Tsunoda – 1:21:368

      Latifi leads the way
      Nicholas Latifi is first out for Williams as he exits in the pits having already done 47 laps.
      Williams’ new-boy Alex Albon will step foot in the car in the afternoon session.

      LECLERC REGAINS TOP SPOT
      Leclerc returns to the top of the timesheet with a 1:20:165.
      The Ferrari has now clocked up over 50 laps and is looking in good nick.
      George Russell slips down to second fastest but improves with a 1:20:784.
      Verstappen has done ten more laps than his Mercedes rival Russell with 65 under his belt.
      LIMITED TIME FOR ALFA ROMEO
      The Camouflaged car hasn’t been able to do much hiding out on track, as Kubica has only managed four laps.
      Is it a worrying sign for the Italian team?

      RUSSELL IS FASTEST
      The Mercedes is looking strong and so is their new star George Russell.
      Russell’s hard work over the winter appears to be paying off as he puts in a lap of 1:21:039.
      Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferarri make up the top three.
      MAX VERSTAPPEN HITS 50
      Verstappen has completed his 50th lap of the morning as the current world champion gets to grips with the new RB18.
      George Russell currently holds the fastest lap time with a 1:21:039 in his Mercedes.
      Verstappen is third on the time sheets with a time of 1:22:246.
      Ferarri have split the two Mercedes with Leclerc clocking a time of 1:21:718.
      ALL NEW ALFA ROMEO
      Alfa Romeo welcome their new driver line up ahead of the new season after bringing in Valtteri Bottas from Mercedes and Chinese rookie Zhou Guanyu.
      But this morning, neither of them are in the car as they’ve looked to experienced reserve driver Robert Kubica to pump in the miles in Barcelona.
      Bottas is set to be in the car later this afternoon while Zhou will be stepping into the car on Thursday.

      Hamilton sets the tone
      LEWIS HAMILTON has been pictured peering into Red Bull’s garage on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
      The seven-time British world champion was spotted in the pit-lane examining Red Bull’s car for the 2022 season.
      Hamilton was eager to get a glimpse of the RB18 at the first opportunity at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

      Load more entries… More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lando Norris fastest on day one of 2022 F1 testing in Barcelona with Lewis Hamilton fifth and champ Max Verstappen NINTH

      by

      LANDO NORRIS ended the first day of F1 pre-season testing top of the timesheets in Barcelona.The Brit notched 103 laps on the opening day as he led both Ferraris with Charles Leclerc second and Carlos Sainz third.
      Lando Norris was the quickest racer on day one of F1 testing for the 2022 season in BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen completed more laps than any other driver but could only finish ninthCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton came in fifth on day one of testing, narrowly behind team-mate George RussellCredit: PA
      Hamilton had earlier had a nose around rival teams’ garages, including Red Bull’sCredit: Splash
      Defending champion Max Verstappen put in a huge shift as he completed 147 laps, more than any other driver on the grid.
      Verstappen ended the day ninth fastest after doing long runs, as Red Bull discover their new RB18 over long stints.
      Lewis Hamilton stepped into his Mercedes for the afternoon session and completed 50 laps.
      The Brit veteran was fifth fastest, just over a tenth slower than his new teammate George Russell.
      Hamilton began the day on a spy mission, peering into Red Bull’s garage on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
      The seven-time British world champion was spotted in the pit-lane examining Red Bull’s car for the 2022 season.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      F1 has undergone the biggest overhaul of its regulations in a generation and Hamilton couldn’t wait to catch a glimpse of his rivals. 
      Hamilton said: “This morning, arriving and looking down the pit lane and seeing all the different cars, I think it’s one of the most exciting and interesting seasons that I’ve ever embarked upon. 
      “It will be interesting to see where everyone comes out and where we stand in the first race.
      ”Every year is exciting but this one is completely brand new. 
      “I’ve seen designs of our car obviously, but this is the first time you get to see the other teams out there on track. 
      “You want to keep a close eye and see why others have taken a different route. 
      “You have no idea where you stand, so it’s definitely exciting. 
      “I hope these rules deliver in terms of closer racing. It puts everyone on a closer playing field.”
      After contemplating retiring from the sport, Hamilton is back with his eyes set on eclipsing Michael Schumacher’s record by winning his eighth world title.
      But when asked if he fears Mercedes may not provide him with a car worthy of challenging for another title, Hamilton responded: “Why would I ever feel that way?
      “My team don’t make mistakes. Of course that is a risk (with the new regulations) but I trust the team. Whether it is good or bad we will work through it.”
      McLaren star Lando Norris put in a great shift and was the only racer to crack the 1min 20sec barrier in Barcelona on day one of testingCredit: Rex
      Full standings
      1) Lando Norris (McLaren) 1.19.568secs
      2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1.20.165
      3) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 1.20.416
      4) George Russell (Mercedes) 1.20.784
      5) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1.20.929
      6) Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) 1.21.276
      7) Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) 1.21.638
      8) Fernando Alonso (Alpine) 1.21.746
      9) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1.22.246 
      10)  Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo )1.22.572
      11) Alex Albon (Williams) 1.22.760
      12) Mick Schumacher (Haas) 1.22.962
      13) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 1.23.327
      14) Nicholas Latifi (Williams) – 1.23.379
      15) Nikita Mazepin (Haas) – 1.24.505
      16) Robert Kubica (Alfa Romeo) – 1.25.909 More

    • 250 Shares119 Views

      in Motorsport

      ‘We need to move on’ – Wolff and Horner AGREE to put 2021 title finale behind them after Hamilton-Verstappen controversy

      by

      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff and his Red Bull rival Christian Horner agreed that it’s time to move on from last season’s controversial finale.The Silver Arrows have been smarting from Lewis Hamilton losing the title to Max Verstappen on a dramatic final day in Abu Dhabi.
      Christian Horner (second left) and Toto Wolff (second right) agreed to put the 2021 finale behind themCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton drives the new Mercedes around Barcelona in testing on WednesdayCredit: PA
      The fallout even led to race director Michael Masi being fired and a change in regulations regarding team communications.
      But the cars hit the track in Barcelona on Wednesday for testing ahead of the 2022 season.
      And Wolff and Horner both think it’s time to look ahead to the new season rather than revisit the past.
      Red Bull chief Horner said: “Maybe we have different opinions, but that’s behind us now.
      “We saw a great battle last year from the first race to the last. That has been hugely important for the rise in popularity of Formula 1.”
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      And his rival Wolff agreed: “I agree with Christian that we need to move on.
      “There has been so much talk about Abu Dhabi that it came to a point that it is really damaging for all of us stakeholders of Formula 1 and we have closed the chapter and moved on.
      “Now it is about 2022. The game is on again, all points are back to zero and there are new opportunities and new risks.”
      The teams have a three-day test in Spain this week and three more days in Bahrain from March 10-12.
      The season begins on March 18 in Bahrain with 23 races currently on the 2022 calendar. More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 testing LIVE: All the updates from Barcelona as Lewis Hamilton arrives at circuit

      by

      FORMULA ONE is BACK with testing underway in Barcelona.All the teams have the opportunity to put their vehicles through their paces in Catalunya and Lewis Hamilton is keen to get on with the season underway, before renewing his rivalry with world champ Max Verstappen.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Stay up to date with all the updates from F1 testing in our live blog…
      Top ten (timing update)
      1) Charles Leclerc – 1m20.165
      2) Lando Norris – 1.20.474
      3) George Russell – 1.20.784
      4) Lewis Hamilton – 1.21.032
      5) Sebastian Vettel – 1.21.276
      6) Yuki Tsunoda – 1.21.638 
      7) Carlos Sainz – 1.22.134
      8) Max Verstappen – 1.22.246
      9) Alex Albon -1.22.938 C3
      10) Fernando Alonso – 1.23.317
      Norris stops in pit-lane
      The Brit’s strong start came to halt as he was wheeled back to his garage after stopping at the end of the pit-lane.Timing update:
      1) Charles Leclerc – 1.20.165
      2) Lando Norris – 1.20.474 
      3) George Russell – 1.20.784
      4) Sebastian Vettel – 1.21.276
      5) Yuki Tsunoda – 1.21.638
      6) Max Verstappen – 1.22.246
      7) Carlos Sainz – 1.22.516
      8) Fernando Alonso – 1.23.317, C3 
      9) Nicholas Latifi – 1.23.379
      10) Lewis Hamilton – 1.23.382
      Cars return on track…
      The afternoon session is underway but most of the cars have stayed in their garage.
      In recent years it’s known teams like to stick around the paddock for a long lunch….
      Verstappen is back out on track while Valterri Bottas is getting the first feel of his Alfa Romeo.
      Clocking up the miles
      Verstappen, Russell and Leclerc have spent the most time on track this morning in Barcelona.
      Verstappen with 80, Leclerc with 77 and Russell just crossing the line to complete his 76th lap of the day for Mercedes.
      Norris up to second
      The Brit is finding his groove with the new McLaren as he’s second behind Charles Leclerc.
      Norris trails Leclerc by two tenths as the young guns are looking to steal the show.
      Kubica finally sets a time
      Kubica has set his first representative lap time of 1:25.909.
      The Alfa Romeo is now nine laps in and his time has relegated the Haas of Nikita Mazepin to the bottom of the standings. 
      20 minute countdown
      Charles Leclerc is still top of the time sheets for Ferarri.
      Lando Norris has moved up to third fastest behind fellow Brit George Russell.
      1) Leclerc – 1:20:1652) Russell – 1:20:7843) Norris – 1:21:7134) Vettel – 1:21:2765) Tsunoda – 1:21:368

      Latifi leads the way
      Nicholas Latifi is first out for Williams as he exits in the pits having already done 47 laps.
      Williams’ new-boy Alex Albon will step foot in the car in the afternoon session.

      LECLERC REGAINS TOP SPOT
      Leclerc returns to the top of the timesheet with a 1:20:165.
      The Ferrari has now clocked up over 50 laps and is looking in good nick.
      George Russell slips down to second fastest but improves with a 1:20:784.
      Verstappen has done ten more laps than his Mercedes rival Russell with 65 under his belt.
      LIMITED TIME FOR ALFA ROMEO
      The Camouflaged car hasn’t been able to do much hiding out on track, as Kubica has only managed four laps.
      Is it a worrying sign for the Italian team?

      RUSSELL IS FASTEST
      The Mercedes is looking strong and so is their new star George Russell.
      Russell’s hard work over the winter appears to be paying off as he puts in a lap of 1:21:039.
      Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferarri make up the top three.
      MAX VERSTAPPEN HITS 50
      Verstappen has completed his 50th lap of the morning as the current world champion gets to grips with the new RB18.
      George Russell currently holds the fastest lap time with a 1:21:039 in his Mercedes.
      Verstappen is third on the time sheets with a time of 1:22:246.
      Ferarri have split the two Mercedes with Leclerc clocking a time of 1:21:718.
      ALL NEW ALFA ROMEO
      Alfa Romeo welcome their new driver line up ahead of the new season after bringing in Valtteri Bottas from Mercedes and Chinese rookie Zhou Guanyu.
      But this morning, neither of them are in the car as they’ve looked to experienced reserve driver Robert Kubica to pump in the miles in Barcelona.
      Bottas is set to be in the car later this afternoon while Zhou will be stepping into the car on Thursday.

      Hamilton sets the tone
      LEWIS HAMILTON has been pictured peering into Red Bull’s garage on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
      The seven-time British world champion was spotted in the pit-lane examining Red Bull’s car for the 2022 season.
      Hamilton was eager to get a glimpse of the RB18 at the first opportunity at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

      F1 calendar 2022
      Here is how the season is set to shape up – with races starting in Bahrain in just under a month’s time.
      Then races make their way to Europe in April, before arriving at Silverstone in July for the British Grand Prix.

      🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Good morning and welcome to F1 testing
      Formula One testing is BACK underway in Barcelona ahead of what we hope will be another classic season.
      There are new cars, new liveries and drivers suited and booted for their new teams for the first time.
      But of course we’re expecting two familiar faces to go toe-to-toe for the F1 title this season.
      Lewis Hamilton has arrived on the track, three months after one of the most controversial moments in the history of any sport.
      The Brit is chasing his eighth world title, after being pipped by rival Max Verstappen in the last race of last season in Abu Dhabi.
      That led to Michael Masi being relieved of his duties as race director and a cloud cast over the sport’s rules.
      But one thing is for sure, a fast car will win you a race in Formula One and this is a crucial step in winning either a constructor’s or driver’s title – or ideally both.
      Load more entries… More

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      Hamilton wants ‘non-biased’ stewards and says ‘some drivers are friends with certain individuals’ after Masi controversy

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has called for “non-biased stewards” ahead of the 2022 Formula One season.The seven-time British world champion hopes future decisions made by officials are not influenced by their friendship with drivers.
      Lewis Hamilton wants ‘non-biased stewards’ ahead of the new F1 seasonCredit: AP
      Hamilton said: “We need to make sure we get non-biased stewards.
      “Race drivers, some are very, very good friends with certain individuals, some travel with certain individuals and tend to take more of a keen liking to some of them.
      “I think people who have no bias and are super central when it comes to making decisions.”
      This comes after Hamilton lost out on a record-breaking EIGHTH world-title on the final lap in Abu Dhabi last season. 
      Race director Michael Masi controversially cleared the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen under a safety car, allowing the Dutchman to have a clear run on Hamilton with fresh tyres to clinch his first championship.
      But in response to Hamilton, Red Bull boss Christian Horner denies any knowledge of drivers travelling to and from races with stewards.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Lewis Hamilton trumps his rival Max Verstappen in almost every category
      Horner said: “I don’t think there is an intended bias, I’m not aware of any stewards travelling with drivers to races. 
      “We have a new president that is looking to bolster the structure and to bring in the equivalent of VAR which is something that certainly the top teams have available to them. 
      “I certainly don’t think there was any bias from stewards during the last seasons.”
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff played down Hamilton’s suggestion of bias and agreed with Horner’s sentiment.
      He said: “I think we need professionalism in the stewards room. 
      “I don’t think there is a conscious bias to be honest.
      “It’s intelligent people, but most important is whether we talk about race direction, the support they will have back at base, or the stewards, there needs to be a standard. 
      “This is what we deserve and this is what everybody expects. 
      “I think there are some very good people that we can build upon. 
      “Most important – and we all have talked about it last year – was the topic of inconsistency.
      “There shouldn’t be a lot of room to interpret the rules. 
      “There shouldn’t be a lot of leniency depending on what a potential outcome could be, but the rules are the rules.”
      Michael Masi controversially cleared the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen under a safety carCredit: Getty More

    • 238 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Meet NZ mum-of-two Angela Cullen who is Lewis Hamilton’s confidante in the paddock and has a matching ‘Loyalty’ tattoo

      by

      WHEN Lewis Hamilton lost his crown as the king of F1 back in December, he was comforted by confidante and performance coach Angela Cullen.The 47-year-old New Zealand mum-of-two has been a constant presence in the seven-time world champion’s life in the paddock since 2016.
      Lewis Hamilton and Angela Cullen share a special bondCredit: Rex
      Cullen has been a constant presence in the paddock for Hamilton since 2016Credit: Rex
      Their bond is so strong they share matching ‘Loyalty’ tattoos on their wrists.
      If he is to wrestle back supremacy this season from Max Verstappen, he will need to lean on Cullen, who he has called “the greatest thing to happen to him”, for sage advice.
      The only lady for Lewis
      Last October, Hamilton forced his way into the title reckoning by winning three races in a row.
      After a wretched start to the season, he was back on the trail of Verstappen.
      His attentions for his thrilling comeback to keep his season alive went straight to Cullen.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      Hamilton revealed: “Angela and I are naturally incredibly close. We pretty much live together.”
      Previously, he said: “People for sure won’t understand it, naturally, because they see it from a distance, but she has been one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life.
      “I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of people… and she’s the single hardest-working woman that I get to be around.
      “She’s focused, selfless, and she makes my weekends peaceful. Every day I wake up, whatever time it is, she’s just positive – never a single day has she been negative, so that’s very, very important.”
      A physiotherapist by trade
      Born and raised in Auckland, Cullen played hockey for New Zealand between the ages of 15 and 21.
      She completed a health science degree, majoring in physiotherapy, in her homeland before moving to the UK.
      When Cullen arrived on our shores, she worked with track and field athletes, cyclists, and triathletes on the British Olympic team and at the English Institute of Sport. 
      Cullen cheers on Hamilton at the Mexican Grand Prix in 2018Credit: Rex
      Hamilton’s beloved bulldog Roscoe is trusted with CullenCredit: Rex
      But it was colleague Peter McKnight who pushed her towards the direction of Hamilton, suggesting the pair should work together.
      “At the time, Angela was mainly working with corporate clients, but when the opportunity to work with Lewis came up we thought, ‘Why not give this a go?'” McKnight told Telegraph Sport.
      “It has worked out perfectly.
      “There’s also just something quirky about it: a woman in her forties, with a family at home, two young kids, and then there’s this mid-thirties racing driver. It might seem a really weird match, but it just works.”
      Glam life
      Now based in Switzerland, Cullen is married to a cycling coach and has two children.
      Although, working in F1 means she enjoys the jet-set lifestyle and is rarely home when the season commences.
      The outdoor adventure-type often shares her exploits on Instagram, where she has an astonishing 320,000 followers.
      “I am so blessed in my job for many things but one of the most significant in terms of well-being is being on the move the entire day,” she once posted.
      “On any given race weekend day I can do up to 18,000 steps, this is such a blessing… and I don’t sit down at all.
      “This is a choice… staying upright, moving keeps my body fit and mobile, in a world where computers and devices are making us more sedentary, to be able to move constantly throughout the day is such a blessing.”
      When she’s not travelling around the world with Hamilton, Cullen enjoys the outdoor life in Switzerland
      Cullen helps Hamilton remain focused and alleviates the pressures of race day
      With Cullen by his side, Hamilton will be hopeful he can retain his title from fierce rival Max VerstappenCredit: Rex
      What she provides Lewis is simple. She blocks out the pressures and demands on him during a race day.
      She said: “I see my role as removing the noise of the race weekend to ensure things run as smoothly as possible, managing schedules, and timings of travel, nutrition, focusing on energy management to ensure the driver arrives on Sunday with the best possible perpetration to give the optimal performance.”
      If Lewis is successful in overcoming Verstappen this coming season, Cullen will be in some way responsible for his success. More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Alfa Romeo run special camouflage car in first public outing during F1 testing in Barcelona to keep new livery a secret

      by

      ALFA ROMEO have done a good job of keeping their 2022 livery under wraps by fielding a camouflage car at F1 testing in Barcelona.Preparations are continuing for the upcoming 2022 F1 season, with testing taking place in the Spanish city.
      Alfa Romeo are conducting testing in a one-off camouflage liveryCredit: AP
      The official livery is not being revealed until SundayCredit: Rex
      The special design caught they eye at F1 testing in BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      And while the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren have already revealed their cars for next season, Alfa Romeo are yet to do so.
      The ninth-placed finishers in the Constructor’s Championship from last year don’t officially unveil their new livery until Sunday, February 27.
      So as a result a special one-off snazzy camouflage look is being used at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for F1 testing this week.
      Mercedes recently revealed their new W13 retro-looking car to high praise from fans of the Silver Arrows.
      Meanwhile Ferarri unveiled their new F1-75 car earlier this month too, which they hope will compete with Mercedes and Red Bull this year.
      Back at Alfa Romeo Valteri Bottas will partner Zhou Guanyu behind the wheel of the new C42 for the upcoming season.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      The Finnish driver joins the team after being replaced at Mercedes by George Russell.
      And he’ll be hoping to help Alfa Romeo to more than the meagre 13 points they scored in the entire 2021 campaign.
      Only a pointless season from backmarkers Haas stopped Alfa Romeo from finishing rock bottom of the Constructor’s Championship.
      Elsewhere at testing in Barcelona Lewis Hamilton was spotted having a cheeky look into the Red Bull garage.
      The seven-time world champ went on a stroll down the pit lane as he gears up for a shot at a record eighth F1 world title this year.
      And he couldn’t resist a sneak peek at rival Max Verstappen’s car.
      Hamilton recently ended months of retirement speculation by confirming he would return to the grid for a sixteenth year behind the wheel. More