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    Lewis Hamilton retirement hint dropped by Mercedes in cryptic tweet suggesting Brit will NOT quit F1 ahead of new season

    LEWIS HAMILTON looks set to continue his Formula One career – after hints he would retire before the new season.The British hero, 36, missed out on a record-breaking eighth world championship on the last lap of the 2021 season.
    Lewis Hamilton appears set to continue in Formula One with Mercedes in 2022
    Max Verstappen overtook him in dramatic fashion after significant help from the safety car and race director Michael Masi to snatch his maiden title.
    And there were fears Hamilton would call it a day in the sport after the heartbreaking finale.
    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.
    “Now, tied for seven titles with Michael Schumacher, it is the perfect time for him to fulfil his dream and be a fashion entrepreneur.”
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    But Hamilton’s team Mercedes took to Twitter in the New Year – suggesting Hamilton is fired up and raring to go in 2022.
    They posted a photo of the Stevenage superstar wearing his race suit looking pensively into the light.
    The caption said: “Adversity causes some to break; others to break records.”
    Hamilton has not posted on social media since the Abu Dhabi GP more than three weeks ago and unfollowed everybody on Instagram.
    He has also been ignoring newly-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s messages – and skipped the FIA end-of-season gala.
    But despite the radio silence, Ben Sulayem is confident Hamilton will be battling to reclaim the world title when the season starts in Bahrain in March.
    He said: “No, I don’t think he will quit.
    “I’ll ask your question: did Lewis declare that he’s not going to race? No. Exactly. Being a driver, you declare yourself, you don’t let the rumours talk.
    “I’m confident that Lewis will return. Lewis is a big part of motorsport, and of course of Formula One, the new era can add to Lewis’ wins and achievements, and also Verstappen is there.
    “I am very confident that you will see a very challenging Formula One season next year.”
    Max Verstappen clinched his first world title in dramatic fashion to pip HamiltonCredit: Getty More

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    Lewis Hamilton ‘sells incredibly rare Pagani Zonda supercar he once crashed for £8.5million’

    LEWIS HAMILTON has made a healthy £7million profit after selling his rare Pagani Zonda supercar for £8.5m.The 36-year-old purchased the vehicle for £1.6m with the motor specifically made for the seven-time Formula One world champion.
    Formula One star Lewis Hamilton has sold his Pagani Zonda for £8.5millionCredit: Car Scoops
    Hamilton once crashed the rare supercar in 2015 in Monaco ahead of the Brazilian Grand PrixCredit: Splash
    And according to Italian magazine Quattroruote, the British icon has now parted ways with the Pagani Zonda 760 LH.
    The one-off car, which boasts a purple exterior, was personally ordered from Horacio Pagani by Hamilton seven years ago.
    They state that Hamilton has decided to cash in on the vehicle for ethical reasons, with the Mercedes star keen to drive electric cars in the future.
    The Zonda 760 LH is capable of reaching 217mph, and can go from 0-60mph in less than three seconds.
    Hamilton once famously crashed the whip into three parked cars in 2015 in Monte Carlo ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.
    He revealed that the accident was a result of heavy partying and a lack of sleep that caused him to lose control.
    Hamilton has made almost £7m profit after buying the vehicle for £1.6mCredit: Rex Features
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    The Arsenal fan remarked: “It was a result of heavy partying and not much rest for a week and a half.
    “I am a bit run down. I have been non-stop and trying to fit training in at the same time and not getting a lot of sleep.”
    Hamilton has also stated that despite his love for the car, he hated getting behind the wheel of it initially.
    He said: “The Zonda is terrible to drive!
    “It’s the best-sounding car I own, but handling-wise it’s the worst.”
    Hamilton suffered heartache last month when he was controversially robbed of a record eighth world title after Max Verstappen won the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
    He has since unfollowed everyone on Instagram following the race in the United Arab Emirates with ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone declaring he will retire from the sport. More

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    Lewis Hamilton was ‘lucky a few times this season’ despite controversial 2021 F1 title loss to Max Verstappen, say Honda

    LEWIS HAMILTON had his own share of the luck last season despite the safety car shocker that robbed him of the F1 title.That’s according to engine-maker Honda, whose units powered Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to victory in the Abu Dhabi finale.
    Lewis Hamilton congratulated Max Verstappen in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Mercedes superstar Hamilton had been on track for a record eighth championship at last month’s Yas Marina shoot-out.
    But a controversial safety car decision gave Verstappen clear air to leapfrog his rival and claim his first drivers’ title.
    Now Honda F1 boss Masashi Yamamoto has pointed to incidents such as the red flag at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as moments that went Hamilton’s way earlier in the season.
    He told Japanese outlet Autosportweb: “Lewis made a mistake, went off the track and lost a lot of time.
    “However, the red flag allowed his car to be repaired and he was able to make up the lost lap time.
    “Lewis has been lucky a few times this season and this was one of them.”
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    Merc bosses and F1 pundits were up in arms at the call by race director Michael Masi to allow a handful of lapped cars through before resuming racing in Abu Dhabi.
    Hamilton even hinted at retirement as fuming team principal Toto Wolff compared the controversy to Maradonna’s notorious Hand of God.
    The pair later shunned the FIA ceremony that saw Verstappen officially crowned world champion.
    The 36-year-old Hamilton has so far remained tight-lipped about his future and recently set the rumour mill spinning after unfollowing EVERYONE on Instagram. More

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    Max Verstappen relaxes on holiday in Miami with stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet after amazing F1 title win

    MAX VERSTAPPEN relaxed in Miami with his stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet after his incredible Formula One title win.The Dutchman won the F1 title in spectacular but controversial fashion, beating rival Lewis Hamilton on the final lap following controversy with a safety car.
    The F1 champ strutted along a sun-kissed Miami beachCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    Girlfriend Piquet wore a slick black swimsuitCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    Verstappen enjoyed Miami alongside his girlfriend and familyCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    The 24-year-old was also voted driver of the year by his peers, landing the award ahead of Hamilton.
    Verstappen and girlfriend Piquet walked down the beach and even got into the sea for a swim.
    Piquet wore a black one-piece swimsuit, whereas Verstappen went for a more casual look.
    The Red Bull man wore a white t-shirt, patterned shorts and a cap.
    F1 will be back in late March this year with Bahrain hosting the season opener.
    Miami will also host a race after signing a 10-year contract.
    Verstappen also jumped into the sea for a swimCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    The 33-year-old looked stunning as she joined her boyfriend in the oceanCredit: MEGA AGENCY
    @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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    The track will be 5.41km long, have 19 corners, three straights and will race around the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
    Silverstone – where Verstappen and Hamilton collided – will take place on July 3.
    And Monza falls on September 11 – both will be looking to avoid a repeat of last season which saw Verstappen’s car land on top of Hamilton’s Merc. More

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    Max Verstappen’s F1 title win ‘even sweeter’ as he beat a ‘fit and hungry’ Lewis Hamilton, claims Mark Webber

    MARK WEBBER claims Max Verstappen’s F1 title win was ‘even sweeter’ as he beat a ‘fit and hungry’ Lewis Hamilton.Verstappen secured a controversial win in the season’s final race at Abu Dhabi to lift his first-ever Formula One crown.
    Mark Webber has lauded Max Verstappen’s win over ‘fit and hungry’ Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The Red Bull ace overtook Hamilton on the final lap following a safety car decision.
    And Verstappen has since been widely lauded for ending the Mercedes ace’s domination of the sport.
    It now remains to be seen if the pair go at it again next season, with Hamilton tipped to retire.
    But former Red Bull man Webber believes there was nothing holding the Brit back at Abu Dhabi, insisting Verstappen beat Hamilton in his prime.
    Webber declared: “He (Verstappen) was watching F1 for a long time, he saw Lewis dominating the sport and was like, ‘I want a piece of that’.
    “He’s not overwhelmed by individuals, he doesn’t play people on their reputations, he doesn’t drive on their reputations.
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    “He just sees it as ‘this is my turf, I’m a racing driver and I’m going to make my presence felt’, which he does extraordinarily well.
    “So I think for him to know he went against Lewis, there was no real attrition.
    “Yes he had the puncture in Baku, the shunt in Silverstone which was Lewis’ fault, Max was a bit out of order in Saudi I felt.
    “So they’ve had their trials and tribulations but ultimately he knows he’s beaten a hungry Hamilton, a fit Hamilton.”
    Webber now believes Verstappen can go on to emulate Hamilton’s era of domination, adding: “The maturity Max’s showed for his age when he came into the sport, he has biblical levels of confidence and feel, at the highest level. These cars are not easy to get on top of early.
    “Through karting and F3, Red Bull took the risk, and he is right up there in terms of what Red Bull stands for to compete and race hard.
    “Verstappen has captivated a nation. Look at the Dutch Grand Prix this year. That was phenomenal for the sport, a new benchmark for that.
    “These [drivers] come along once every 10 years. Verstappen is absolutely phenomenal, and the sport should be embracing him.” More

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    F1 stars vote Max Verstappen as driver of year ahead of Lewis Hamilton after Red Bull ace’s dramatic Championship win

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has been voted as F1 driver of the year by his fellow racers. The flying Dutchman landed the award ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who he beat to the title in dramatic circumstances with one lap remaining of the final race of the season.
    Verstappen was voted by his fellow peers as 2021 driver of the yearCredit: AP
    He beat Hamilton to the prize after dramatically beating him to the titleCredit: PA
    According to MotorSport Week, Verstappen topped the voting from his fellow drivers in a poll organised by F1 chiefs.
    Interestingly drivers from Mercedes and Red Bull declined to participate, as did those from Alfa Romeo.
    That left 14 drivers left to vote using the current F1 point-scoring system – 25 points for first, 18 points for second, 15 points for third and so on.
    And it was Verstappen who topped the list, ahead of Brit rival Hamilton.
    Verstappen also reportedly came out on top in a vote undertaken by F1 team bosses, again ahead of Hamilton.
    The 24-year-old won a maiden F1 title after 10 race victories across the season, and a further eight podiums.
    @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);}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);}

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    Hamilton, 36, on the other hand won eight races, and a finished on the podium an additional nine times in 2021.
    The pair went into the final race of the season at Yas Marina LEVEL on points, with Hamilton seemingly coasting to victory with five laps left.
    But a late Safety Car after a Nicholas Latifi crash cued the most incredible finish, with Verstappen controversially overtaking Hamilton with one lap left.
    Mercedes protested the result on two counts, but were rebuffed by F1 chiefs and chose not to appeal the decision.
    McLaren’s Lando Norris was voted by his peers as the third-best driver of the year, with Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles LeClerc fourth and fifth respectively.
    Verstappen’s Red Bull partner Sergio Perez, and Hamilton’s Mercedes team Valtteri Bottas, failed to make the top 10.
    Fernando Alonso was voted sixth for his efforts with Alpine, while AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was seventh.
    Incoming Mercedes driver George Russell finished in eighth after his impressive season for Williams.
    And Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Mick Schumacher (Haas) were voted ninth and tenth respectively.
    Schumacher, son of F1 legend Michael, received a number of votes despite not scoring a single point during the season.
    Norris was voted as the third best driver of the yearCredit: PA More

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    Lewis Hamilton would have won title but Mercedes ‘missed a trick’ in final moments of Abu Dhabi GP, reveals Ecclestone

    FORMER F1 chief Bernie Eccleston believes Lewis Hamilton would have won an eighth world title if Mercedes had deployed a smarter strategy. Hamilton was pipped to the championship by Max Verstappen on the last lap of the last race at a dramatic Abu Dhabi GP.
    Eccleston reckons a better Mercedes strategy would have seen Hamilton win the titleCredit: Getty
    Instructions could have been sent to Bottas to wind the engine down, which would have resulted in the Safety Car staying on the trackCredit: The Mega Agency
    Hamilton was beaten at the death by Dutchman Verstappen in dramatic and controversial circumstancesCredit: Getty
    But Mercedes could have possibly made sure the Safety Car stayed on the track until the end of the race after it was called out with five laps left to go.
    That would have meant the leading driver at the time, Hamilton, would have won the race and also the title.
    Eccleston was asked by Swiss outlet Blick whether Mercedes could have “radioed to [Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri] Bottas to let the car coast because they want to preserve the engine.”
    Had they done so, in all likelihood the Safety Car would have stayed out and Hamilton would have won the race.
    And Eccleston responded: “Pretty clever. I thought of that too, and it would have been ideal to make sure the Safety Car stayed out and the race wouldn’t have been restarted.
    “Many people would have been upset, but there wouldn’t have been any changes to the final result.”
    @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);}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);}

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    He was then asked if they failure to make the call to Bottas had been costly in handing the championship over to Verstappen.
    Eccleston replied: “Right, and I don’t know if Toto Wolff, with a third of the team shares, is still in the same strong position as before.
    “But we will find out at some point.”
    The controversial result still leaves Hamilton chasing an eighth world title.
    His seven championships so far is the joint most of all time, tied with Michael Schumacher.
    But following the events that unfolded at Yas Marina, speculation has been rife that Hamilton could even RETIRE from the sport.
    However the 36-year-old Brit is expected to take to the grid again next season with Mercedes, but could face an even tougher battle for the title.
    New F1 regulations mean Hamilton could face three fresh challengers for the driver’s prize in 2022. More

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    Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s brutal F1 title race must see rule changed in 2022, claims Nico Rosberg

    FORMER Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg says rules need to be changed after Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s physical title race.The 2021 season went right down to the wire and ended up with Verstappen controversially clinching his first F1 title on the final lap.
    Former F1 champ Rosberg wants to see the rules changedCredit: AFP
    Verstappen won his first F1 title in controversial fashionCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    The Dutchman clinched the win on the final lap using soft tyres, whilst Hamilton was stuck on hardsCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    There was also a fiery debate around Safety Car procedures.
    How drivers overtake each other, as well as wheel-to-wheel action has also been scrutinised.
    But 2016 champ and former rival of Hamilton says the newly-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has the opportunity to make changes.
    Speaking to Sky Sports, Rosberg said: “The sport needs to make progress.
    “It starts even with all the overtaking, the wheel-to-wheel action.
    “The FIA needs to tighten all that up so that we don’t have all these discussions.
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    “It would be better for the sport if it was much easier to understand. Also in wheel-to-wheel racing; who is now right and wrong, what needs to be done.
    “A quick decision is made, and we go on.
    “We need to get rid of all these discussions, that’s important.” More