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      ‘I don’t care if he comes back’ – Lewis Hamilton urged to RETIRE and give younger driver a chance by Williams chief

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      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON has been urged to retire from Formula One to give the next generation of drivers their chance.The Stevenage speedster has yet to confirm if he’ll return for the 2022 season after being controversially pipped to a record-breaking eighth F1 title by Max Verstappen.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton has yet to make a decision on his racing futureCredit: PA
      Mercedes’ Hamilton was pipped to the F1 title by Max VerstappenCredit: Reuters
      Williams chief Jost Capito could care less about Hamilton returningCredit: Getty
      But Williams bigwig Jost Capito could care less if the Brit returns to the track this year, telling German outlet RTL: ” I don’t care about it.
      “I don’t really care whether he drives or not. [It’s] totally irrelevant, really totally irrelevant.”
      Capito reckons Hamilton, 37, should be satisfied with his incredible haul of championships and make way for aspiring drivers.
      He continued: “They always say there are not enough places for young drivers and then I think, if someone has been World Champion seven times.
      “He has actually done enough and could make room for a youngster, why not?”
      Hamilton is reportedly refusing to make a decision on his future until the inquiry into Verstappen’s title-clinching victory in Abu Dhabi has concluded.
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      But the FIA are no closer to completing their investigation into Michael Masi’s decision making and his infamous handling of the safety car period.
      They said in a statement: “At this stage, no decision has been taken on the outcome of the detailed analysis currently underway into the events of the last Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
      “As previously announced, the findings of this detailed analysis will be presented at the F1 Commission meeting in London on 14th February after an open discussion with all F1 drivers and then finally have to be approved at the World Motor Sport Council meeting on 18th March in Bahrain, under the authority of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.”
      Lewis Hamilton is awaiting the result of the FIA inquiry into the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixCredit: PA
      One man who hopes to see Hamilton back on the track next season is Red Bull chief Christian Horner, who told WION: “I certainly hope that Lewis will be around this year.
      “He’s still driving at an incredible level, the two drivers last year were in a league of their own.”
      The new F1 season, in which Red Bull’s Verstappen will bid to defend his controversially-claimed world title, will get commence on March 20.
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      F1 legend David Coulthard dating Swedish model 23 years his junior after ending nine-year marriage to TV star wife

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      DAVID COULTHARD put the brakes on his nine-year marriage – then kicked into gear with a Swedish model 23 years his junior.The F1 legend is said to have split with Belgian TV star Karen Minier after almost a decade as man and wife.
      David Coulthard married Belgian TV star Karen Minier back in 2013Credit: Getty
      He was spotted with Sigrid Silversand, right, at a bash with pals Amanda Holden and Chris HughesCredit: Instagram
      The F1 legend was then seen smooching the blonde beauty in LondonCredit: Instagram
      27-year-old Silversand is 23 years his juniorCredit: Instagram
      And now the Daily Mail reports the 50-year-old has been spotted canoodling with model Sigrid Silversand, 27, while out and about in London.
      The ex-McLaren and Red Bull star was seen smooching and holding hands with the blonde beauty without his wedding ring.
      Coulthard and Minier, 48, tied the knot in Monaco back in 2013 after meeting eight years earlier while she was covering the glitzy Grand Prix there for French telly.
      They have a son together – Dayton, born in 2008.
      The Scot described the arrival of his son as ‘the start of a fantastic period’ and said winning 13 races couldn’t compare with becoming a dad.
      Now a pundit for Sky Sports, Coulthard has not been seen wearing his wedding ring in over a year.
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      Silversand has almost 6,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      She poses topless and models underwear on her social media accountsCredit: Instagram
      Silversand is the latest in a string of models Coulthard has datedCredit: Instagram
      He admitted back in 2015 in an interview with the Guardian that he married for the sake of his son.
      He said: “Karen and I got married because we had a child together and I had no intention of marrying anyone else.
      “We’ve been together ten years and were married in a register office in Monaco.”
      The pair were last spotted in public together at Wimbledon in 2019 and were then pictured in the summer of 2020 having lunch with pals Amanda Holden and hubby Chris Hughes in the south of France.
      Coulthard was Hughes’ best man and Britain’s Got Talent judge Holden follows Silversand on Instagram, where she can be seen posing topless and modelling lingerie.
      The four of them were then seen together celebrating Holden’s daughter Lexi’s 16th birthday in a snap released on Insta.
      Silversand isn’t the first model to crop up in Coulthard’s dating history.
      The speed king – who started his F1 career at Williams in 1994 – was once engaged to American Heidi Wichlinski and had a four-year relationship with Brazil’s Simone Abdelnour. More

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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton spotted for first time ahead of 2022 F1 season as Mercedes driver grabs an iced coffee in California

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been spotted out in public for the first time since his defeat to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.The seven-time Formula One world champion was seen grabbing an iced coffee while out in California.
      Lewis Hamilton was seen grabbing an iced coffee in CaliforniaCredit: BackGrid
      It was the first time the F1 legend has been spotted out in public since last seasonCredit: BackGrid
      Hamilton, 37, has not officially confirmed whether or not he will be returning to the track this year after the fallout from last year’s final race in Abu Dhabi.
      The Brit lost out on the Driver’s Championship title to Verstappen after a controversial finale to the 2021 season.
      Rumours have since circulated suggesting that he may not return to the sport over frustrations about the FIA and Michael Masi.
      His decision will be dependent on the inquest into the title-deciding race, which will be published two days before the start of the season.
      However, it was recently revealed that he WILL be at the launch of Mercedes’ 2022 car.
      Totto Wolff and his team appear to be optimistic about his return, with Mercedes posting plenty of Hamilton content on their social media channels.
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      Most Formula One drivers have returned to pre-season training, including George Russell.
      The young star is expected to go toe-to-toe with his new team-mate this year, which could make for an even more thrilling title race.
      Meanwhile, former Mercedes co-star Valtteri Bottas admits he was confused by his parting gift from the team.
      The German manufacturer gifted the Finn his 2017 car – the year he joined the team – and Bottas joked: “I don’t have room for it!” More

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      Who is Michael Masi and what did he do? F1 race director in Abu Dhabi storm

      by

      THE F1 season ended in controversial circumstances, with Max Verstappen winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to snatch the championship from Lewis Hamilton.And the man in the midst of the chaotic storm from that final race is F1 race director Michael Masi.
      Michael Masi has been F1 race director since 2019
      SunSport understands that Masi could now be shown the door as a result of his mistakes.
      Peter Bayer, newly appointed as the FIA’s head of F1, said: “Michael did a super job in many ways. We told him that.
      “But also that there is a possibility there could be a new race director.”
      Bayer also added that the sport may split the role of race director among a number of individuals.
      He said: “These roles are divided between several people.
      “This reduces the burden on the race director. That was simply too much – the race director (was) also sports director safety and track delegate.”
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      Who is Michael Masi?
      Michael Masi has been the F1 race director since 2019.
      Masi was born in Sydney in 1978, making him 43 years old.
      The Australian has worked up from Supercars and in 2018 was appointed by the FIA as the Formula Two and Formula Three deputy race director, and deputy to F1 race director Charlie Whiting.
      Whiting tragically died three days before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 2019, with Masi assuming the role since.
      Lewis Hamilton has maintained his silence on the race – and his F1 future
      What did Michael Masi do?
      A review into the wild final race of the season is ongoing, with Masi’s use of the safety car rule called into question.
      Race director Masi ignored safety car rules and set up a single-lap shootout which decided the outcome of the F1 championship in Abu Dhabi.
      Masi allowed a number of lapped cars to unlap themselves, before letting Verstappen to pull alongside leader Hamilton for the shoot-out.
      This saw Verstappen easily overtake Hamilton – who was on older tyres – to win.
      New F1 chief Bayer is heading up the inquiry, which has promised to come up with their report on the eve of the new F1 season in Bahrain on March 18.
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      Michael Masi could be AXED as F1 race director after controversial Abu Dhabi GP denying Hamilton record eighth title

      by

      MICHAEL MASI could be axed as F1’s race director following the controversial end to the Abu Dhabi GP.The Australian ignored safety car rules and set up a single-lap shootout which decided the outcome of the F1 championship.
      Lewis Hamilton’s bid for a record eighth world title ended when Max Verstappen profited from a much-criticised decision by race director Michael MasiCredit: AP
      Aussie Michael Masi might lose his job as F1 race director or may have to share it with other stewardsCredit: Getty
      Race leader Lewis Hamilton was left a sitting duck on old tyres when Masi fudged the rules to line up Max Verstappen – on fresh rubber – right behind the Brit.
      Verstappen romped to glory – and the title – much to Mercedes’ anger, who threatened legal action.
      While the Silver Arrows pulled back from taking the matter to court, disgruntled Hamilton has made a silent protest with Merc boss Toto Wolff admitting there are doubts as to whether the 37-year-old would return to race this season.
      Masi too has gone to ground amid the storm and is believed to be back in Sydney, while the FIA conducts their investigation into what happened in the stewards’ room.
      However, SunSport understands that Masi could now be shown the door as a result of his mistakes.
      Peter Bayer, newly appointed as the FIA’s head of F1, said: “Michael did a super job in many ways. We told him that.
      “But also that there is a possibility there could be a new race director.”
      Bayer is heading up the inquiry, which has promised to come up with their report on the eve of the new F1 season in Bahrain on March 18th.
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      While the FIA have yet to confirm Masi will be axed, SunSport has also spoken to paddock sources who believe he should be SAVED.
      However, that proposal would see him share the role with several other stewards – a move which would allow for inconsistent decision making.
      In an interview with Austrian journalist Gerhard Kuntschick, Bayer also said team bosses would be BANNED from speaking to the race director directly mid-race.
      However, Bayer added: “[We are looking at] dividing the various tasks of the race director, who is also sports director, safety and track delegate.
      “That was simply too much. These roles are divided between several people. This reduces the burden on the race director.
      “The team managers will still be able to – they have to be able to ask questions but we want to build in a buffer with an employee who accepts these requests.
      “In the future, the race director will be able to concentrate on his task and will no longer be distracted.” More

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      F1 chiefs closing in on deal to take sport back to Las Vegas after Netflix success and Hamilton’s duel with Verstappen

      by

      FORMULA ONE chiefs are closing in on a deal to take the sport back to Las Vegas.SunSport understands that the proposed street circuit along the famous strip could see the race introduced as early as 2023.
      Lewis Hamilton’s rivalry with Max Verstappen during the F1 championship gained a lot of attentionCredit: AP:Associated Press
      F1 chiefs are closing in on a deal to take the sport back to Las Vegas in the United StatesCredit: Getty
      Three races could take place during the Formula One calendar after the Austin and Miami Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      It would mean there would be three races in the US after Austin and Miami, which makes its debut this year.
      F1’s American owners, Liberty Media, have been trying to crack their home market since buying the sport for £6billion in 2017.
      The recent success of the Netflix Drive to Survive fly-on-the-wall TV documentary, coupled with Lewis Hamilton’s duel with Max Verstappen for the title, saw the US GP in Austin become at 400,000 sell out.
      The debut race in Miami this May is also a sell-out as the popularity of F1 continues to soar in the States.
      It is the first time there is a real sense that the US market is warming to the series after a number of failed attempts in the past.
      F1 did host two races previously in Las Vegas in 1981 and 1982 at Caesars Palace but after disappointing crowds, F1 didn’t return.
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      This year’s calendar sees a record-breaking 23-races kicking off in Bahrain on March 20th.
      However, with Singapore confirming a new seven-year deal, Qatar rejoining the schedule for 2023 – plus the Las Vegas GP – that total is set to grow.
      Hamilton and Verstappen underwent a legendary battle against each other during the 2021 F1 Championship, which was won by the latter.
      Lewis Hamilton silent on F1 future because he plans career in USA, says Villeneuve More

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      George Russell ‘ready’ to go toe-to-toe with Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes F1 battle, says legend Mark Webber

      by

      GEORGE RUSSELL is ‘ready’ to go toe-to-toe with Lewis Hamilton in their Formula One battle at Mercedes, according to Mark Webber.The rising British star, 23, joins the seven-time world champion at the Silver Arrows this season following Valtteri Bottas’ departure.
      George Russell has ambitions to challenge for the F1 title in 2022Credit: Rex
      He will be teaming up with veteran and seven-time winner Lewis Hamilton for MercedesCredit: Alamy
      And following some impressive performances for Williams, he will be ready to challenge the best in the business with an improved car – including his own team-mate and compatriot Hamilton.
      Webber told formelaustria: “Going up against Lewis will be extremely challenging.
      “But George has almost 50 races under his belt now, so he’s ready for it [60 F1 starts, 50 finishes].
      “George will know that there will be a huge shift in intensity that comes with the expectation of qualifying for the front row every week and finishing every race in the top positions.”
      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will be desperate his pair of drivers can retain the constructors’ championship – assuming Hamilton does not quit the sport.
      The Stevenage star wants revenge on Max Verstappen after the 2021 F1 season finale which saw the Dutchman claim the drivers’ crown.
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      But Russell will hope he can squeeze his way into the rivalry and challenge for the title, too.
      Testing for the new F1 season gets underway next month with the first race in Bahrain on March 20.
      Webber, who spent 12 years in F1 with three third-place finishes, also had his say on the sprint races amid talk of the new format being scrapped.
      However, he compared the endurance required to win a full race to a Grand Slam five-setter in tennis.
      The Aussie added: “In sprint racing, we need to make sure that the consumer understands what they are watching and what F1 is trying to achieve, and that is not always easy.
      “Even though the longer events sometimes get more boring, like in tennis, all the top players want to win the Grand Slams and the bigger tournaments.
      “The best of the best find a way to win in five sets.
      “So we have to be careful with the sprint races in F1 that they don’t become a bit of a lottery and reduce the prestige of the series.”
      Webber was at Red Bull for seven years and came third in the drivers’ championship three timesCredit: Getty More

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      ‘League of their own’ – Christian Horner wants ‘incredible’ Lewis Hamilton to renew rivalry with Verstappen next season

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      CHRISTIAN HORNER hopes that Lewis Hamilton sticks around in Formula 1 this season.The Red Bull chief saw his charge Max Verstappen battle tooth and nail with the Brit in last season’s controversial title battle.
      Christian Horner wants his man Max Verstappen to be taking on Lewis Hamilton againCredit: AFP
      The Brit’s future remains up in the airCredit: PA
      And despite Hamilton, 37, being his man’s biggest obstacle in retaining the championship this year, Horner hopes that he sticks around as the pair are in ‘a league of their own’.
      He told World Is One News: “I certainly hope that Lewis will be around this year.
      “He’s still driving at an incredible level, the two drivers last year were in a league of their own.
      “But ultimately, it’s his choice, it’s his career, it’s his decision, so I’m sure he will decide to do what’s best for him, what he wants to do, and that’s none of our business.”
      Hamilton has so far kept quiet on his future, not speaking publicly since Abu Dhabi.
      But Mercedes chief Toto Wolff appears cautiously optimistically about the prospect of Hamilton pairing up with new Silver Arrows acquisition George Russell.
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      He told Auto Motor und Sport: “I would wish that we had two lightning-fast drivers fighting for victory.
      “And if not, then we need these drivers to get our car back on the winning track.
      “The measure of Lewis is often wrongly questioned. Even after the events in Abu Dhabi, he immediately congratulated Max.
      “Lewis only wants one thing: fair competition on the track. We will deliver that.”
      Pre-season testing is set to take place in Barcelona between February 23-25.
      Hamilton’s former McLaren team-mate Jensen Button doesn’t believe that his old pal will turn his back on the sport.
      He said: “”I really do hope he will be racing. I think he will be racing. He wants to win that eighth title and be the most decorated Formula One driver in F1 history. And he will do that, I really do think so.”

      Jenson Button believes his old pal will stay in F1Credit: PA More