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      Lewis Hamilton’s threat to quit F1 is NOT stunt with Mercedes star ‘disillusioned’ following controversial end to season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’s threat to quit F1 should NOT be dismissed as a stunt, according to McLaren CEO Zak Brown.Hamilton is “disillusioned” after the controversial end to the Abu Dhabi GP last month with Merc boss Toto Wolff unsure if the Brit will ever return to the sport.
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen went at it throughout the last F1 seasonCredit: Getty
      Hamilton was livid after FIA Race Director Michael Masi failed to apply the rules regarding the safety car, which resulted in Max Verstappen winning the race and the title.
      Hamilton has since gone to ground and not spoken about the incident and Brown says he wouldn’t be shocked to see him quit F1 altogether.
      He said: “I wouldn’t be shocked if Lewis stopped, so I don’t think anyone should take for granted that he’s coming back.
      “It is just my personal opinion he’s going to [come back] but I don’t think we should discount or not recognise his frustration, his anger.
      “Maybe he hasn’t made a decision yet. Maybe he is taking time to make that decision because once it’s made, it is made.
      “So I don’t think we should rule it out or make light of it [him quitting].”
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      It is understood that Hamilton is awaiting the outcome of the FIA’s report into the events surrounding Masi’s controversial decisions in Abu Dhabi.
      The FIA have given themselves a deadline of just TWO days before the season-opener in Bahrain on March 20th to publish their report.
      And while Brown says he wouldn’t be surprised to see Hamilton walk away, he personally thinks he will return to fight for another title.
      He added: “I think he still has a burning desire to race and that will ultimately drive his decision.
      “Sure, he’s very angry but I think racecar drivers want to race. And I think he’s a fighter.
      “I think he’ll want to come back and try and win an eighth championship. I don’t think he’s ready to retire because once you hang it up, you hang it up.
      “I don’t think he’s ready to hang it up. And I don’t think he’s going to let an incident put him into retirement.”
      The focus is on the FIA’s handling of their investigation and what they do with Masi, who faces claims his position is now untenable.
      Hamilton is upset with the way the F1 ended with the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      But Brown is confident incoming FIA President, Mohammed ben Sulayem, will make the right changes and also says a professional body of race stewards is now required.
      He said: “I have a lot of confidence in Mohammed. I have spent a good amount of time with him and I believe he will be a change agent where things need to be changed and improved upon.
      “He also consults. He’s already done the rounds with the teams talking to us about what we think, so I think he’s going to be a very good President.
      “We can be focused on Abu Dhabi but if we look at the last couple of years of the variety of incidents. Abu Dhabi was just one of them.
      “Let’s not forget that the teams had a big say in how the sport is policed and the rules and now I think we find ourselves in a situation where on track activities are over regulated.
      “I remember Niki Lauda once saying, ‘just let the drivers sort it out. That’s what we used to do’.
      “I think there needs to be somewhere in between with more leniency on letting them race.
      “To have people bending the ear of the referee, and lots of them live, makes it pretty difficult to make decisions when you’ve got a lot of noise.
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      “It’s probably good for TV that the mic was open, but we saw it created some habits and some decisions that maybe weren’t the right decisions.
      “Going forward, having more full-time stewards definitely seems to be the right way to go.”
      Meanwhile, Mercedes have confirmed they will launch their challenger for the 2022 season on February 18th. More

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      Mercedes announce launch date of 2022 car and say Lewis Hamilton WILL be there and break silence despite retirement talk

      by

      WORLD champions Mercedes have announced February 18 as the date for the launch of their car for the upcoming 2022 season. And the team, led by Toto Wolff, will reveal the car that they hope will challenge for the title during the 2022 F1 season again in a month’s time – and Lewis Hamilton WILL be there.
      Mercedes are close to officially unveiling their new car for the 2022 seasonCredit: Getty
      The unveiling will be the first time Hamilton speaks after controversially losing the F1 driver’s title to VerstappenCredit: PA
      Hamilton lost out on the driver’s title to Max Verstappen, but Mercedes still took home the constructor’s championship.
      And the Brit is set to challenge this year in the new W13 car, which will be officially unveiled in a “special digital launch event” at Silverstone.
      This will be attended virtually by both Mercedes drivers, Hamilton and fellow Brit George Russell.
      The team are set to revert to a silver livery after two years in black colours as they bid to claim a NINTH consecutive constructor’s championship.
      But new regulations mean the car will be vastly different to last season, as F1 chiefs have implemented the biggest changes to cars yet in the 71-year history of the sport.
      The aim is to level the playing field, and cut out a two-way battle for both the driver and constructor’s titles.
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      Mercedes are the fourth team to confirm a date for the launch of their new car, after Aston Martin (Feb 10), McLaren (Feb 11) and Ferrari (Feb 17).
      Their announcement confirmed Hamilton’s attendance and the Brit will break his silence after the controversial end to the 2021 season.
      New driver Russell will also be present for his first day as a Mercedes driver after replacing Valteri Bottas, but all eyes will be on Hamilton.
      The 37-year-old has been the subject of intense speculation regarding his position in the sport in recent weeks.
      He is set to address the media for the first time next month following the events in Abu Dhabi last month, which saw Verstappen snatch the title from him.
      Hamilton’s future hangs in the balance and is dependent on the outcome of an inquest into the title-deciding race, which is expected to be published TWO days before the start of next season.
      The results of the inquest are crucial to Hamilton’s future, according to Sky Sports.
      Hamilton unfollowed everyone on Instagram last month in the aftermath of the chaotic title decider at Yas Marina.
      And his silence has only heightened speculation that he may have already competed in his last F1 race. More

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      F1 calendar 2022: Grand Prix schedule, testing, tracks and results as Hamilton aims to regain crown in bumper season

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON may have lost last year’s F1 title in controversial circumstances, but this time he’ll be gunning to get his gong back. Max Verstappen picked up his maiden championship in the final race of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.

      The new season is upon us with testing set to get underway in February, as Mercedes and Red Bull look set to battle it out for the Constructors’ Championship yet again.
      Rumours over Hamilton’s future in F1 have been swirling in recent weeks but he’s yet to give any indication he’s taking a break or retiring from the sport.
      Until then, strap yourselves in for one of the most hotly-anticipated seasons in F1 history.
      Here is how the F1 calendar unfolds for the 2022 season…
      Pre-season testing
      First test

      Wednesday, February 23 – Day 1, First Test, Barcelona
      Thursday, February 24 – Day 2, First Test, Barcelona
      Friday, February 25 – Day 3, First Test, Barcelona

      Second test

      Thursday, March 10 – Day 1, Second Test, Bahrain
      Friday, March 11 – Day 2, Second Test, Bahrain
      Saturday, March 12 – Day 3, Second Test, Bahrain

      F1 calendar 2022
      Practice, Qualifying, Sprint & Race times TBC.
      🇧🇭 Bahrain Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
      Friday, March 18:
      Saturday, March, 19:
      Sunday, March 20:

      🇸🇦 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Jeddah Street Circuit
      Friday, March 25:
      Saturday, March 26:
      Sunday, March 27:

      🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Albert Park Circuit
      Friday, April 8:
      Saturday, April 9:
      Sunday, April 10:

      🇮🇹 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
      Friday, April 22:
      Saturday, April 23:
      Sunday, April 24:

      🇺🇸 Miami Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Miami International Autodrome
      Friday, May 6:
      Saturday, May 7:
      Sunday, May 8:

      🇪🇸 Spanish Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
      Friday, May 20:
      Saturday, May 21:
      Sunday, May 22:

      🇲🇨 Monaco Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo
      Friday, May 27
      Saturday, May 28
      Sunday, May 29

      🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Baku City Circuit
      Friday, June 10:
      Saturday, June 11:
      Sunday, June 12:

      🇨🇦 Canadian Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal
      Friday, June 17:
      Saturday, June 18:
      Sunday, June 19:

      🇬🇧 British Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
      Friday, July 1:
      Saturday, July 2:
      Sunday, July 3:

      🇦🇹 Austrian Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
      Friday, July 8:
      Saturday, July 9:
      Sunday, July 10:

      🇫🇷 French Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
      Friday, July 22:
      Saturday, July 23:
      Sunday, July 24:

      🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Hungaroring, Budapest
      Friday, July 29:
      Saturday, July 30:
      Sunday, July 31:

      🇧🇪 Belgian Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
      Friday, August 26:
      Saturday, August 27:
      Sunday, August 28:

      🇳🇱 Dutch Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Zandvoort
      Friday, September 2:
      Saturday, September 3
      Sunday, September 4:

      🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
      Friday, September 9:
      Saturday, September 10:
      Sunday, September 11:

      🇷🇺 Russian Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Sochi Autodrom
      Friday, September 23:
      Saturday, September 24:
      Sunday, September 25:

      🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Marina Bay Street Circuit
      Friday, September 30:
      Saturday, October 1:
      Sunday, October 2:

      🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Suzuka Circuit
      Friday, October 7:
      Saturday, October 8:
      Sunday, October 9:

      🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
      Friday, October 21:
      Saturday, October 22:
      Sunday, October 23:

      🇲🇽 Mexico City Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
      Friday, October 28:
      Saturday, October 29:
      Sunday, October 30:

      🇧🇷 Sao Paulo Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
      Friday, November 11:
      Saturday, November 12:
      Sunday, November 13:

      🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
      🏆 Grand Prix result:

      Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
      Friday, November 18:
      Saturday, November 19:
      Sunday, November 20:

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      ‘It’s not fair on Max’ – Ralf Schumacher blasts Lewis Hamilton for skipping F1 gala following Abu Dhabi GP heartbreak

      by

      RALF SCHUMACHER blasted Lewis Hamilton for skipping the Formula One gala following the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.Hamilton, 37, missed out on a record-breaking eighth world title when he was pipped on the final lap of the season by Max Verstappen.
      Lewis Hamilton has been accused of disrespecting F1 champion MAx VerstappenCredit: Alamy
      Ralf Schumacher hit out at the Brit for snubbing the end-of-season galaCredit: Rex
      And in the acrimony that followed with Mercedes launching an immediate protest before giving up on their appeal, the Brit snubbed the end-of-season party.
      Now Schumacher, younger brother of seven-time world champion Michael, has claimed the driver’s behaviour is disrespectful to the new champ Verstappen.
      He told Sky Sports in Germany: “It’s not at all fair to Max Verstappen to skip the gala.”
      After the Abu Dhabi finale, Hamilton said ‘we will see about next year’ in a cryptic interview with Jenson Button.
      Neither he nor his Mercedes team did any further media following the race and he has not posted on social media since.
      And there is growing speculation the Stevenage star could retire before the 2022 season.
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      Should he leave Mercedes, Schumacher reckons Sebastian Vettel would be the ideal replacement, especially after Otmar Szafnauer left his role as Aston Martin team principal.
      He added: “He has the experience, he still has the speed, and above all he knows the Mercedes car – or the engine. I think the Aston Martin concept is very close.”
      Hamilton’s future in the sport hangs in the balance on the outcome of the inquest into the title-deciding race which saw race director Michael Masi fail to apply the rules with regard to the safety car.
      Merc boss Toto Wolff met the newly-elected FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem last week and said Hamilton is disillusioned by the outcome of the race which saw Verstappen win the title.
      Merc are desperate to find out the outcome of the investigation before the 37-year-old decides if he wants to race on.
      But a statement from the FIA said that the findings will not be presented until the opening day of the 2022 season in Bahrain – a total of THREE months after the race in Abu Dhabi.
      Mercedes have posted a series of tweets of Hamilton – dubbed ‘Mr Mercedes’ – to hint their star driver will be joining winter testing at the end of February.
      However, even former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone reckoned Hamilton’s time was up because he is ready to explore other ventures.
      Ecclestone said: “I don’t think he is coming back, I think he will not race next year.
      “His disappointment in Abu Dhabi was too great, and I understand him.”
      Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season More

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      F1 chief Masi ‘buckled under pressure’ from Wolff and Horner in Lewis Hamilton’s Abu Dhabi loss to Max Verstappen

      by

      FORMULA 1 race director Michael Masi ‘buckled under pressure’ from team principals at the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, according to former world champion Damon Hill.In the final race of the 2021 season, Masi made the dramatic decision in the closing stages of the Grand Prix to allow lapped cars to unlap themselves before the safety car came in.
      Horner, left, is the team principal for Red Bull and Wolff, right, is the team principal for MercedesCredit: Getty
      Masi has come under fire for his decisions at the Abu Dhabi GPCredit: Getty
      This then left Max Verstappen directly behind Lewis Hamilton with just over one lap remaining.
      And with the Dutchman on fresh soft tyres, he was able to pass the seven-time champion to claim his first world title in remarkable fashion.
      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and Mercedes counterpart Toto Wolff both made their cases to Masi during the final laps of the race as they petitioned for their drivers.
      And Hill, who won the world title in 1996, believes that may have influenced Masi in his decision-making.
      Speaking on Sky Sports’ YouTube show, he said: “The teams that [had cars lapped] were all on the radio demanding – imagine if you were receiving that lot all at the same time – ‘can we overtake?.
      “I don’t need to defend Michael Masi, but we were at the end of 39 Grands Prix in 17 months, a lot of them at new venues.
      @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);}
      Verstappen went past Hamilton on the final lap of the seasonCredit: PA
      “He was exhausted, he was under pressure and he made some bad decisions to expedite the system and put the two cars together.
      “I think he was swayed by the calls from Christian Horner saying ‘you’ve got to unlap these cars’.
      “I think he was trying to do the right thing and in doing that, breached [the FIA’s] own regulations.
      “The teams can’t run a strategy if the race director can overrule and change the fundamental sporting regulations as he sees fit.”
      He continued: “I think the radio calls are absolutely fascinating and very revealing that Michael Masi and the decisions he was making were changing by the second because he had the ambition of not finishing under the Safety Car, at the same time wanting to not ruin the World Championship showdown, so he had a lot to deal with.
      “I think he buckled under the pressure from both teams who were on the radio.
      “This is something they are going to look at and say you cannot have people as powerful as Toto Wolff and Christian Horner badgering the race director when he’s trying to sort out the race.
      “He had a lot on his plate, he needs back-up. I think it was fair in the past, we had Charlie Whiting and Herbie Blash was backing him up, so he had his mate next to him who could help.
      “It was just an awful mess at the end and it’s left this chaos and sense of dissatisfaction about how it ended.”
      Mercedes initially launched an appeal to protest the outcome of the Abu Dhabi GP.
      But they later retracted the complaint as a potential court battle was avoided.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton’s future in the sport remains up in the air just two months out from the start of the 2022 season.
      And Wolff admitted last month that the Brit was feeling the mental effects of losing the title in such a controversial manner.
      He said: “Lewis and I are disillusioned at the moment. We are not disillusioned with the sport – we love the sport with every bone in our body and we love it because the stopwatch never lies.
      “But if we break that fundamental principle of sporting fairness and authenticity, then suddenly the stopwatch doesn’t become relevant anymore because we are exposed to random decision-making, it is clear you may fall out of love with it.
      “You start to question if all the work you have been putting in – all the sweat, tears and blood – can actually be demonstrated by performance on track, because it can be taken away randomly.
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      “It’s going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened on Sunday, I don’t think we will ever get over it. That’s not possible. And certainly not as a driver.
      “I very much hope that the two of us and the rest of the team can work through the events but we will never overcome the pain and the distress that was caused on Sunday.
      “To be honest, still today I can’t even understand what was happening. For me, that still seems like a nightmare.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton called greatest ever driver is ‘difficult to justify’, according to F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart

      by

      FORMULA 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart called it ‘difficult to justify’ saying Lewis Hamilton is the greatest ever driver.The Brit failed to beat Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles after losing out to Max Verstappen for the World Championship.
      Sir Jackie Stewart called it difficult to compare Lewis Hamilton’s achievements to those of the pastCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Lewis Hamilton missed out on winning his EIGHTH F1 world championshipCredit: Splash News
      He has already overtaken the German’s record of 91 race wins.
      But Stewart, who won the driver’s championship three times, described it as near-impossible to compare Hamilton’s achievements to speedsters of yesteryear.
      The 82-year-old said last year that the modern-day racing calendar being busier, as well as Hamilton having a ‘so superior’ car and engine to other competitors, makes comparison tricky.
      Speaking on the In The Fast Lane podcast in October 2020, Stewart said: “I don’t think that you can account [for] that sort of level of success.
      “Just because today there are 20, 22 races, whereas in the old days when for example Juan Manuel Fangio, raced maybe sometimes six, eight or nine races a year in Formula 1.
      ‘To say that Lewis is the greatest driver of all time, would be difficult for me to justify, in the sheer power of what the other drivers were doing.
      “Lewis drives extremely well, make no mistake, I’m not in any way diminishing his skills, but it isn’t the same.
      “Lewis made a very good decision when he left McLaren at that time and went to Mercedes-Benz. And I take my hat off to him for making that decision.
      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “But frankly, the car and the engine are now so superior that it’s almost unfair on the rest of the field.”
      Due to difficulties comparing the modern-day car and calendar with that of the past, Stewart doesn’t even have Hamilton in his top three racing drivers of all time.
      He added: “Juan Manuel Fangio in my mind is the greatest driver that’s ever lived.
      “With Jim Clark as the second-greatest, even ahead of [Ayrton] Senna.”
      Fangio won five world titles in the 1950s. Scottish racer Clark won two world titles in 1963 and 1965.
      At the time of his death, at the age of 32, Clark had won more F1 races and achieved more podiums than any other driver.

      @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);}
      Senna won three world titles in 1988, 1990 and 1991 before tragically losing his life when crashing at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
      SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt disagrees with Sir Jackie however, putting Hamilton at No1.
      Senna bags second spot with Schumacher, winner of seven world titles, in third.
      Clark is fourth with Fangio in fifth.
      Inside the new-look Mercedes car Lewis Hamilton is bidding to win record eight F1 title in ahead of new season More

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      Legendary F1 commentator Murray Walker left huge estate worth over £11 million

      by

      FORMULA One commentator Murray Walker has left a £11.7million fortune. The voice of motorsport, who died aged 97 in March, bequeathed almost all his estate to wife Elizabeth, whom he married in 1959.
      Walker, whose broadcasting career spanned more than 50 years, had wanted his fortune shared among numerous charities had his wife not survived himCredit: PA:Press Association
      The couple had no children.
      In his simple, two-page will, he also left £20,000 to a friend.
      Walker, whose broadcasting career spanned more than 50 years, had wanted his fortune shared among numerous charities had his wife not survived him.
      His breakneck “Go, go, go” catchphrase heralded the start of F1 races for decades but he was also known for his occasionally mangled phrases, or “Murrayisms”.
      He had previously worked in advertising and came up with the famous slogan “Opal Fruits, made to make your mouth water”.
      @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 The Sun.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);}
      Max Verstappen in sensational threat to quit F1 over Red Bull engineer who helped him take Lewis Hamilton’s world title More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future in balance with investigation into Abu Dhabi shambles to be published TWO DAYS before season

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON and his Mercedes team have been stunned to discover the FIA won’t publish their investigation into the controversial Abu Dhabi GP until TWO DAYS before the first race of the season.Hamilton’s future in the sport hangs in the balance on the outcome of the inquest into the title-deciding race which saw race director Michael Masi fail to apply the rules with regard to the safety car.
      Lewis Hamilton’s future in the sport hangs in the balanceCredit: Getty
      Merc boss Toto Wolff will meet the newly-elected FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem today and says Hamilton is disillusioned by the outcome of the race which saw Max Verstappen win the title.
      Hamilton has since stayed silent on social media with Merc desperate to find out the outcome of the investigation before the 37-year-old decides if he wants to race on.
      But a statement from the FIA said that the findings will not be presented until the opening day of the 2022 season in Bahrain – a total of THREE months after the race in Abu Dhabi.
      It said: “The FIA administration, under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has started the detailed analysis of the events of the last Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
      “On January 19, an item on the agenda of the Sporting Advisory Committee will be dedicated to the use of the Safety Car.
      “The outcome of the detailed analysis will be presented to the F1 Commission in February and final decisions will be announced at the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain on 18 March.”
      @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);}
      It is believed that Merc want Masi removed from his position as race director after fudging the outcome of the season finale.
      Masi did not follow the rules with regard to the safety car, resulting in a single lap showdown with Hamilton and Verstappen.
      However, the Dutchman was on fresh tyres and Hamilton was a sitting duck, with the Merc man claiming the race was “manipulated”.
      After the Abu Dhabi finale, Hamilton said ‘we will see about next year’ in a cryptic interview with Jenson Button.
      Neither he nor his Mercedes team did any further interviews following the race.
      Lewis Hamilton and race rival Max VerstappenCredit: Getty More