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    New audio emerges of final moments of F1 Abu Dhabi GP including ‘sickening’ moment stewards execute Red Bull team orders

    NEW audio has emerged of the final moments of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.And it includes the ‘sickening’ moment race stewards execute Red Bull orders – allowing Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton and win the Formula One championship.
    New audio has emerged of the moment Max Verstappen pipped Lewis Hamilton to the F1 title
    Race director Michael Masi appears to obey Red Bull orders without question
    Mercedes fans were left speechless when Hamilton, who had led the whole race and was moments away from sealing a record eighth title, was pipped on the final lap by Verstappen.
    Languishing behind five lapped drivers due to a safety car, the Dutchman was allowed to waltz his way up to Hamilton thanks to a bizarre order from race director Michael Masi.
    Verstappen was on fresher tyres as the race commenced for a final nail-biting lap.
    And he managed to overtake Hamilton moments before the last bend to seal a historic title win.
    Hamilton and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff were left gobsmacked by Masi’s decision to make only the five drivers ahead of Verstappen unlap themselves, allowing him to drift back up to Hamilton and set up a showdown sprint.
    But according to F1 Jordan, new ‘sickening’ footage has come out revealing Masi appearing to act on the instructions of Red Bull chief Jonathan Wheatley without any question.
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    As Verstappen’s title hopes slipped away, Wheatley said on the radio: “Obviously those lapped cars, you don’t need to let them go right away round and catch up with the back of the pack.”
    Masi replied ‘understood’ before Wheatley continued: “You need to let them go and then we got a motor race on our hands.”
    Masi again said: “Understood, just give me a second.”
    Wheatley is then heard speaking directly to Verstappen, saying: “We think all the cars ahead of you are going to pass Hamilton, everybody behind you will stay in position.”

    However, former F1 star Damon Hill was not bowled over by the exchange.
    He replied to F1 Jordan: “Sorry to burst your hot air balloon, but it’s not new or emerging news. It does however make for uncomfortable listening, as it did at the time.
    “No one (except Red Bull) is happy about this. The question is, what does one do about it? Grateful for any ingenious ideas.” More

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    ‘So much grace’ – Spider-Man actor Tom Holland reveals dinner with fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton as F1 star makes return

    HOLLYWOOD star Tom Holland has gushed over Lewis Hamilton’s ‘grace’ after having dinner with the Formula 1 ace last month.The Spider-Man actor is currently promoting his latest film Uncharted alongside Mark Wahlberg.
    Tom Holland is currently promoting his latest filmCredit: The Mega Agency
    Lewis Hamilton has shown amazing ‘grace’Credit: AP
    But as a big sports fan, the 25-year-old loves talking about things unrelated to his new picture.
    Going off topic to chat about his fellow Brit, Holland said: “I mean, if you look at Lewis Hamilton and his career.
    “I just had dinner with him a couple of weeks ago. He’s a role model for so many people around the world.
    “What happened to him at the end of last season and his ability to lose with so much grace against all odds, in a sport that seems so elitist.
    “He’s broken just about every record and broken every glass ceiling you can think of.
    “So he’s someone who impresses me a lot, and he’s making history every day, so I congratulate him.”
    @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-zkaekv{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-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::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);}
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    Hamilton, 37, was pipped to last year’s championship by Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances back in December.
    Following events in Abu Dhabi, he embarked on a near two-month social media silence.
    He sent the internet into frenzy last weekend, however, when he proclaimed ‘I’m back’.
    And he has all but ended retirement rumours after returning to Mercedes HQ as the Silver Arrows gear up for the new season.
    Holland, meanwhile, is also a big football fan.
    The Londoner supports Tottenham Hotspur, and even recently met Son Heung-min alongside girlfriend Zendaya.
    Holland recently met Son Heung-min alongside girlfriend ZendayaCredit: https://www.instagram.com/hm_son7/?hl=en
    Hamilton, 37, has returned to Mercedes HQCredit: Twitter @MercedesAMGF1 More

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    Lando Norris signs new four-year McLaren deal worth £50m… only nine-months after being handed last contract

    LANDO NORRIS has signed a new four year deal at McLaren worth up to £50million.The Brit, who only signed a deal with the Woking-based team nine months ago, has agreed a new package – killing off interest from Red Bull and Mercedes.
    Lando Norris has signed a bumper new £50m four-year deal with McLarenCredit: Splash
    The Brit, 22, took four podiums last season and was wanted by Red Bull and MercedesCredit: AP
    Norris, 22, who finished last season in sixth place in the drivers’ championship after taking four podiums, says he was approached by rival F1 teams.
    However, he says his decision to commit until the end of the 2025 season shows his faith in the team.
    He said: “I am extremely happy. McLaren is a big part of my career and my life so to stay for another four years is pretty amazing.
    McLaren are people I’ve grown up with. The people I’ve come into Formula One with.
    “More than anything, we’d love to continue what we have and try to reach that dream of ours, which is to get back to winning races and to eventually try and win championships.
    “This deal is more about solidarity, for me and the team and that level of confidence in both of us.
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    “I see it as a benefit for myself to have this longer contract and for the team, it is a performance benefit and motivation.
    “I want to give the whole team the confidence that I’m here to stay. I want to keep trying to achieve things with them.”
    Norris says he was approached by rival teams about his availability, and had ‘little chats here and there’ but McLaren acted swiftly to fend off attention in their star driver.
    And the Monaco-based star said that while he had discussions with others, he always kept McLaren in the loop.
    He added: “There were opportunities that I knew would be coming up in the future with various teams, but this put out a strong message on how I believe in Mclaren, even with those opportunities that could arise.
    “I had to weigh up all the factors and I looked at all the best options for me in what I think I can achieve.
    “Of course there will now be opportunities for other drivers to go to Red Bull or Mercedes, who knows if I would have had those opportunities.
    “But the fact I chose to stay at McLaren is the good thing about this and is the strong message.”
    McLaren boss Andreas Seidl confirmed that Norris’s new deal did not contain any ‘get outs for both sides’ and added that it was all part of the team’s plans, having tied down several other key staff to long-term deals.
    He said: “The beauty of this new agreement that we have in place is that there’s no get outs on both sides, which is simply the important message that we wanted to give to the team.”
    Norris finished last season in sixth place in the drivers’ championshipCredit: Rex More

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    How Max Verstappen has spent winter break, from holiday with Kelly Piquet, meeting Coulthard and partying with Canelo

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has been enjoying a well deserved break since his controversial F1 championship victory in December.Since his win in Abu Dhabi, aside from defending the nature of his Michael Masi-assisted triumph, he’s spent quality time with his girlfriend, travelled the world and hooked up with some other sporting legends.
    The Dutchman received his trophy at the FIA Prize Giving gala alongside girlfriend Kelly PiquetCredit: Getty
    Max Verstappen began his off season by meeting David CoulthardCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    Max and Kelly partied together in MiamiCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    He started his break by meeting Formula 1 legend David Coulthard in the sunshine.
    Sharing a picture to Instagram, he wrote: “In good company for my first interview as a World Champion.”
    Verstappen, 24, then attended the lavish FIA Prize Giving gala just before Christmas alongside glamorous girlfriend Kelly Piquet.
    He received the trophy after Mercedes dropped their legal challenge, before spending a very happy Chrimbo at home with his stunning partner.
    The loved-up couple then got properly into the party spirit, by jetting out to Miami for New Year’s Eve.
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    The happy couple spent Christmas togetherCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    Verstappen partied with Canelo in MiamiCredit: TikTok @alemarrufogg
    The reigning F1 world champion hit the gym upon his return from holidayCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    While over there, Max partied with pound-for-pound boxing king Canelo Alvarez, whipping up a crowd in the process.
    Up on stage with the Mexican great, Verstappen shouted: “Let’s f*** s*** up!”
    Canelo, 31, then thrilled the crowd further by adding: “Let’s f****** party!”
    After returning to Europe things calmed down a little for Verstappen, who then began to ramp up preparations for another long, tough season.
    But he has had room for another little holiday in the meantime.
    He and Kelly jetted out to Austria in the back end of January for a break.
    Kelly, 33, shared a stunning video of the pair taking in beautiful mountainous scenery as they enjoyed a helicopter ride.
    After returning to Monaco, Verstappen again built up his season preparations, sharing plenty of content of his gym workouts.
    He has also been for runs with a view by the ocean in the principality.
    Verstappen will have to be at his best this season, with Lewis Hamilton all but ending retirement talk this week by returning to Mercedes HQ.
    The 37-year-old had been off the grid since events in Abu Dhabi, but tweeted ‘I’m back’ over the weekend – sending his fans into a frenzy.
    Max and Kelly took a trip over the mountains togetherCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    Verstappen has been jogging by the sea in MonacoCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
    Lewis Hamilton is back in the pictureCredit: Twitter @MercedesAMGF1 More

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    Michael Schumacher’s old car flops at auction, selling for a third of the estimate despite its superstar former owner

    MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S old company car has flopped at auction.The F1 legend’s Mercedes C63 AMG Estate fetched only £23,300 when £81k was expected.
    All-time great Michael Schumacher was given the car in 2010 but despite such a pedigree it only fetched the average value for such a modelCredit: Bonhams/Peter Singhof 2021
    German ace Schumacher won seven world F1 titles from 1994 to 2004 but his legendary status failed to attract big bids for the Mercedes EstateCredit: PA:Press Association
    But a customised Tesla Roadster he drove to Nations Cup glory with Sebastian Vettel in the same year, 2010, roared up to £116,700.
    Schumacher, 53, has largely been cared for at home since suffering a life-changing brain injury in a 2013 ski crash.
    Few details of his condition have emerged since, although it’s understood the German has had stem cell treatment in an attempt to regenerate his nervous system.
    But Schumacher’s place as one of motorsport’s all-time greats is assured.
    His former estate car was a prize exhibit at Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques du Monde [‘The World’s Leading Brands’] auction in Paris.
    Instead, though, it only made the typical price for a model of that age and mileage owned by you or I.
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    Schuey was given the family ‘runaround’ vehicle in January 2010 as he prepared for an F1 comeback.
    Daimler GP had just bought the Brawn GP team – renaming it ‘Mercedes GP’.
    That meant star man Schumacher needed a car away from the track to reflect the team’s new status.
    The Merc estate he was given goes from 0-60 in under 4.6 seconds and is laced with £15,000 worth of extras.
    Schuey kept it for six months and most of its mileage was done by its second owner, a Swiss man, from 2011-2015.
    A Mercedes engineer then bought it, changing the wheels but barely clocked up 1,000 kilometres in three years.
    And its last owner, from 2018 until January this year, only drove it in summer.
    That took the mileage from a 457-horsepower, 6.2-litre V8 engine up to 94,450miles.
    SCHUEY TESLA SPARKS INTEREST
    Now it’s up to the unnamed auction winner to see if the small piece of history gets the same careful treatment.
    In contrast, a Tesla Roadster sparked huge interest at the auction as it eventually sold for £116k.
    Schumacher and Vettel raced in the electric speedster at the 2010 Race of Champions.
    Current models of the car can reach 60mph in 1.9secs.
    And this particular one was adapted for the event 12 years ago, with a roll bar and carbon racing seats added.
    Its auction value was also given a kick up the boot by the fact several drivers signed part of the rear spoiler. More

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    Horner trolls Mercedes by paying £4k for tour of their F1 factory but Red Bull boss could be banned from entering

    CHRISTIAN HORNER made a cheeky £4,000 bid to win a tour of the Mercedes F1 team’s factory.However, the Red Bull boss could be stopped from enjoying his prize due to some of the T&Cs with the prize.
    Red Bull chief Christian Horner saw Max Verstappen win the 2021 world title and now wants a brazen look at the base of big rivals MercedesCredit: Splash
    Mercedes principal Toto Wolff and main driver Lewis Hamilton hope the Brit can regain the world title from Red Bull’s Max VerstappenCredit: Splash
    Horner made the bid at the Autosport Awards last Sunday for a “money can’t buy” tour of Merc’s Brackley HQ.
    Red Bull say the bid was legit, with the money from the auction going to the Grand Prix Trust.
    However, Mercedes have not yet decided to accommodate his mischievous attempt at a not-so-secret spying mission.
    A Merc spokesman told SunSport: “We haven’t discussed it yet.
    “To do so, we’d have to waive the terms and conditions under which it was offered — always pays to read the small print!”
    The terms on the prize state “that employees of other Formula One teams are not eligible to take this tour”.
    Ironically, just as Horner tries to check out the Mercedes base, their main man Lewis Hamilton has been given the all-clear to improve security at his £18m London home.
    Kensington and Chelsea Council gave permission for the seven-time world champ to replace railings at the front of the mansion with a taller barrier.
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    Hamilton is revving up for his bid to wrestle back the throne after Red Bull star Max Verstappen snatched the 2021 crown thanks to a controversial last-lap restart of the final Grand Prix.
    Talk of Hamilton quitting in frustration has eased, especially as he has been out for early-morning runs with Mercedes trainer Angela Cullen.
    Nonetheless, Hamilton has been largely silent since his Abu Dhabi anguish in December.
    Race director Michael Masi failed to follow rules as he left the Brit a sitting duck for Verstappen to overtake him on his fresher tyres.
    The FIA are still deciding if Masi should be sacked for allowing Verstappen to overtake lapped cars. More

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    Lewis Hamilton ends retirement speculation with F1 legend returning to Mercedes HQ TODAY to get first look at 2022 car

    LEWIS HAMILTON will clock in for his day at work in 2022 today – ending speculation he will quit F1.Hamilton is expected at the team’s Brackley HQ to run through the finer details on their 2022 F1 car.
    Lewis Hamilton will end speculation over his F1 future todayCredit: Daimler AG
    He is expected at Marcedes’ Brackley HQ to run through details on their 2022 F1 carCredit: Getty
    This season will see radical new designs introduced to make the racing closer and more competitive.
    Hamilton broke his silent protest at the weekend with his first post on social media since losing his F1 title in controversial circumstances.
    At the Abu Dhabi GP, Race Director Michael Masi failed to obey safety car rules allowing Max Verstappen to pass Hamilton on his way to winning the race and the title.
    Hamilton’s silence, coupled with Merc boss Toto Wolff’s claim that he did not know whether Hamilton would return to F1 as he was left ‘disillusioned’ with the sport, raised doubts as to whether the 37-year-old would retire.
    However, his work at the factory sends the strongest signal yet that he intends to return to fight for a record eighth world title.
    Hamilton, who shared a clip of him running yesterday, was leading by ten seconds going into lap 54 in last season’s finale, only to have victory cruelly snatched away after the deployment of a safety car.
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    He has since been accused of trying to get FIA Race Director Michael Masi the sack, after he failed to obey the correct rules by allowing lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake.
    That resulted in a one-lap sprint to decide the title, Verstappen’s fresher tyres making all the difference.
    Hamilton’s day in the factory comes after his new teammate George Russell spent time adjusting to the team at Brackley on Monday.
    The opening race of the 2022 season will take place in Bahrain on March 20.
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    Speculation has been rife for months that the Brit may retire after his controversial title lossCredit: Alamy More

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    ‘Welcome back, Lewis Hamilton’ – Mercedes drop biggest hint yet Brit is NOT retiring after controversial F1 season end

    MERCEDES have dropped the biggest hint yet that Lewis Hamilton will race for them this season with another social media tease.The 37-year-old had remained silent since December’s controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – where he controversially lost his world title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
    Lewis Hamilton shared a clip of himself running on social media yesterdayCredit: Instagram
    Mercedes have now dropped the biggest hint yet he will return after posting this snap and a ‘Welcome back’ messageCredit: Twitter @MercedesAMGF1
    The Brit is understood to have been considering QUITTING the sport.
    That was after he missed out on a record eighth championship on the final lap in the Middle East.
    But Hamilton suggested he is ready to go again to his 26.8million Instagram followers last week.
    He shared a snap of him smiling in front of the Grand Canyon captioned: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”
    Mercedes were quick to comment, as they messaged: “Welcome back.”
    ‘He is back’ soon started trending on social media, to which Mercedes shared and then messaged again: “That’s right.”
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    Hamilton continued his social media comeback yesterday by sharing a video of him running with physio Angela Cullen captioned it with: “Back at it.”
    Now Mercedes have provided the clearest indication yet that he will be behind the wheel again in March once the new season gets underway.
    They showed an image of him in his racing suit looking at messages of support received on social media along with the message ‘Welcome back’ as they tagged him in it.
    There still has been no official confirmation yet from the team or driver, but it’s the biggest hint yet he will be back in action next season.
    And there is unlikely to be any further comment until the FIA delivers the results of its investigation into what happened in Abu Dhabi.
    Hamilton was leading by ten seconds going into lap 54 in last season’s finale, only to have victory cruelly snatched away after the deployment of a safety car.
    He has since been accused of trying to get FIA Race Director Michael Masi the sack, after he failed to obey the correct rules by allowing lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake.
    That resulted in a one-lap sprint to decide the title, Verstappen’s fresher tyres making all the difference.
    Hamilton is due to report back to Mercedes duty on February 23 for pre-season testing.
    The opening race of the 2022 season will take place in Bahrain on March 20. More