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    Lewis Hamilton may have THREE new threats to F1 world title next season including Max Verstappen and George Russell

    LEWIS HAMILTON missed out on a record eighth F1 world title by the barest of margins this year, and could face an even tougher challenge for the gong next season. Max Verstappen won the title at Yas Marina in controversial circumstances earlier this month, and the Dutchman will be desperate to defend his title in 2022.
    Hamilton is currently tied with Michael Schumacher on seven world titlesCredit: PA
    Verstappen denied Hamilton an eighth title this season after a dramatic climaxCredit: Reuters
    There are rumours that Hamilton could RETIRE after this year’s thrilling title race, although he is expected to take to the grid once again when the season starts in March.
    Verstappen is sure to challenge him for the crown again, but new technical regulations that come into force in 2022 could also make for a wide-open title race.
    Here SunSport take a look at just who could rival Hamilton for the championship in 2022.
    Max Verstappen
    The Red Bull flyer is sure to give it his all to defend his maiden title.
    The 24-year-old has stacks of ability behind the wheel and will likely be Hamilton’s biggest challenge next year.
    Ten race wins in 2021, and 18 podiums overall, will make Verstappen a leading contender if he replicates that form in 2022.
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    George Russell
    The 23-year-old Brit is moving to Mercedes from Williams next season to replace the departing Valteri Bottas.
    Russell will be Hamilton’s team-mate, but in a much faster car he will be able to showcase more of what he can do.
    Russell will be looking to impress in his first season with MercedesCredit: PA
    Whether he will be a title challenger remains to be seen, but he impressed when racing in Hamilton’s place during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
    But as Mercedes experienced in the Nico Rosberg and Hamilton days, two drivers competing for the title could do the team more harm than good…
    Charles Leclerc
    The 2022 shake-up will see cars shoot air upwards, rather than behind them.
    That means the drivers are capable of travelling closer together, which in turn leads to closer racing.
    One man who could benefit from that is Ferrari driver Leclerc.
    Ferrari improved from sixth in the constructors standings in 2020 to third in 2021, and a further upwards trajectory could see Leclerc improve again.
    Leclerc has been improving steadily, and could improve again next seasonCredit: Getty
    Sergio Perez
    Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull, Perez showed moments of brilliance last season, finishing fourth in the driver standings.
    The 31-year-old Mexican driver is the perfect partner to Verstappen, and valiantly held up Hamilton behind him in Abu Dhabi to help Verstappen ultimately take the chequered flag.
    His title credentials remain questionable, but he’s certainly got the car to trouble Hamilton next season on multiple occasions.
    And if Russell fails to to adapt immediately at Mercedes, Red Bull will have the tactical advantage of two drivers high on the grid.
    Perez is an able to deputy to Verstappen, and will be looking to kick on next seasonCredit: Getty More

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    Lewis Hamilton unfollows EVERYBODY on Instagram amid retirement speculation after his controversial F1 title defeat

    MOTORSPORT legend Lewis Hamilton has unfollowed EVERYONE on Instagram just days after he was controversially pipped to the F1 title.Final lap drama in Abu Dhabi saw Max Verstappen overtake Hamilton, while on better tyres, after the safety car was forced to come out.
    Lewis Hamilton has 29 million followers on Instagram – but doesn’t follow anybody
    Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were pipped to the F1 title in controversial fashion
    Hamilton has a number of high-profile friends, like Kim Kardashian, but doesn’t follow any of them on Instagram
    Hamilton is believed to be devastated at how the F1 title was snatched from him
    Hamilton’s Mercedes team were furious at stewards allowing Verstappen to get past a number of lapped cars before the restart, and launched a protest at the result.
    They also submitted a notice to appeal the result – but later withdrew this to leave Verstappen as the new F1 champ.
    Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff later admitted Hamilton will NEVER get over being ‘robbed’ of the world title by FIA race director, Michael Masi.
    And while Hamilton has kept his silence following the shock in Abu Dhabi, he has made a cull on social media.
    He only followed a handful of accounts on Instagram anyway – but now that is down to zero. He previously did the same in 2019.
    Hamilton has 29million followers on the social networking site.
    Hamilton has had a cull on social media
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    Both Hamilton and Wolff shunned the FIA’s gala prize giving ceremony in Paris on Thursday.
    But they are believed to have avoided triggering a fine for failing to attend.
    But Wolff is more concerned that the seven-time world champion will now turn his back on F1 altogether.
    Wolff 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.
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    “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.”

    The F1 superstar shares a number of blast-from-the-past photos on his social media
    Hamilton shows off happy times with his beloved pets
    The Brit shares snaps from his life on Instagram More

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    Lewis Hamilton WILL retire from F1 after controversial Abu Dhabi loss, says Ecclestone after talks with Brit’s dad

    LEWIS HAMILTON will RETIRE from Formula One following the Abu Dhabi controversy, claims Bernie Ecclestone after holding talks with the former world champion’s dad.The British legend, 36, was edged to the 2021 title – what would have been a record-breaking EIGHTH – by Max Verstappen following a shocking final race of the season.
    Ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has claimed Lewis Hamilton will retire following talks with his dadCredit: Getty
    Ecclestone spoke to Hamilton’s dad, Anthony, and claimed F1 is not at the forefront of his mind following the Abu Dhabi contorversyCredit: PA
    The Dutchman was able to overtake Hamilton on the final lap to his win first world crown after a safety car drama that sparked TWO appeals from Mercedes over race director Michael Masi’s decision making.
    Ever since, there has been speculation a ‘disillusioned’ Hamilton could QUIT F1 – with the Brit even unfollowing everyone on his Instagram to further the rumours.
    And ex-F1 chief Ecclestone, 91, has now revealed he’s spoken to Hamilton’s dad, Anthony, and believes the Mercedes star won’t return for the 2022 season, which starts in Bahrain in March.
    Ecclestone told Blick: “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.”
    @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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    Ecclestone added: “A couple of days ago I spoke with his father…
    “I realised immediately that he did not want to talk about the future of his son, so we just talked about business.”
    Ecclestone continued by saying Hamilton has ‘nothing to gain’ and can ‘only lose’ following Verstappen’s rise to the very top.
    Hamilton remained classy in defeat, despite the controversial nature of losing his world crown.
    Shortly after, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed both he and Hamilton had grown ‘disillusioned’ following the ‘nightmare’ decision.
    Wolff 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.
    “It’s going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened.
    “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.
    “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 unfollows EVERYBODY on Instagram amid retirement speculation after controversial F1 title defeat

    MOTORSPORT legend Lewis Hamilton has unfollowed EVERYONE on Instagram just days after he was controversially pipped to the F1 title.Final lap drama in Abu Dhabi saw Max Verstappen overtake Hamilton, while on better tyres, after the safety car was forced to come out.
    Lewis Hamilton has 29 million followers on Instagram – but doesn’t follow anybody
    Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were pipped to the F1 title in controversial fashion
    Hamilton has a number of high-profile friends, like Kim Kardashian, but doesn’t follow any of them on Instagram
    Hamilton is believed to be devastated at how the F1 title was snatched from him
    Hamilton’s Mercedes team were furious at stewards allowing Verstappen to get past a number of lapped cars before the restart, and launched a protest at the result.
    They also submitted a notice to appeal the result – but later withdrew this to leave Verstappen as the new F1 champ.
    Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff later admitted Hamilton will NEVER get over being ‘robbed’ of the world title by FIA race director, Michael Masi.
    And while Hamilton has kept his silence following the shock in Abu Dhabi, he has made a cull on social media.
    He only followed a handful of accounts on Instagram anyway – but now that is down to zero. He previously did the same in 2019.
    Hamilton has 29million followers on the social networking site.
    Hamilton has had a cull on social media
    @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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    Both Hamilton and Wolff shunned the FIA’s gala prize giving ceremony in Paris on Thursday.
    But they are believed to have avoided triggering a fine for failing to attend.
    But Wolff is more concerned that the seven-time world champion will now turn his back on F1 altogether.
    Wolff 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.
    @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);}Read More Sun Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    “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.”

    The F1 superstar shares a number of blast-from-the-past photos on his social media
    Hamilton shows off happy times with his beloved pets
    The Brit shares snaps from his life on Instagram More

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    Lewis Hamilton fans get sneak peek of new Mercedes W13 as F1 team get to work on winning back title from Max Verstappen

    MERCEDES have introduced their new car for the 2022 F1 season – and fans are very excited.It is less than two weeks since the curtain came down on the 2021 campaign with Lewis Hamilton controversially losing out to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the last lap.
    Mercedes are working on their new car – the W13Credit: Twitter / @MercedesAMGF1
    A FaceTime call with Toto Wolff was included in the videoCredit: Twitter / @MercedesAMGF1
    Mercedes have excited their fans on Twitter with the sneak previewCredit: Twitter / @MercedesAMGF1
    Lewis Hamilton will hope the W13 gives him an advantage over Max VerstappenCredit: PA
    But Mercedes, led by chief Toto Wolff, are ready to take revenge.
    And on Thursday they offered a sneak peek into their new car – the W13.
    In an exciting announcement video on Twitter Mercedes wrote: “A new era of F1 starts right here…
    “Firing up our 2022 F1 car for the first time – the W13 is ALIVE.”
    Within hours the short clip has garnered almost a million views despite failing to show off the final product.
    Instead, viewers are treated to shots of mechanics working on the car and the extraordinary roar of the engine.
    @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 Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Chief Wolff makes a cameo appearance via FaceTime – his enthusiasm is etched across his face.
    And that feeling has been matched by F1 fans on social media.
    One wrote in response: “Oh wow that’s early. Team you mean business!”
    Another added: “We’re winning it all next season.”
    And a third said: “Sounds like a winner to me! Hope 2022 is a spectacularly successful year for the whole team!!” More

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    Max Verstappen threatens to quit F1 if he loses Red Bull engineer who helped him to snatch Lewis Hamilton’s world title

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has suggested he’d QUIT Formula One if key Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase left the team.According to The Independent, Verstappen has told Lambiase that his presence is so important that he would consider walking away from the sport for him.
    Max Verstappen has suggested he would quit Formula One if Gianpiero Lambiase leftCredit: Getty
    Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase have formed a strong bond on and off the trackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The engineer was present when the Dutchman won his first ever world title following a controversial victory over Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
    Verstappen told Ziggo Sport: “I have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too.
    “Of course, we can be pretty strict with each other sometimes, but I want that too.
    “He has to tell me when I’m being a jerk and I have to tell him. I always told him that.
    “He can tell me that on the radio as well, but it’s been going really well lately.
    “The last few years I tried to be the engineer and he tried to be the driver.”
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    Lambiase is the engineer in charge of all pit-to-car communication with Verstappen on his earpiece during the races – and has become famous for his no-nonsense approach to radio messages.
    Lambiase has been Verstappen’s engineer for every single one of his 118 starts at Red Bull.
    The two were paired together after Verstappen replaced Danill Kvyat at Red Bull ahead of the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.
    Verstappen, famously, would go onto win that race on his Red Bull debut, aged just 18.
    Lambiase, who has joint British and Italian nationality, started his F1 career in 2005 with Jordan and worked with the team for 10 years through several name changes.
    In 2015, Lambiase moved to the Red Bull team, succeeding newly promoted Guillaume Rocquelin.
    Gianpiero Lambiase and Max Verstappen have built up a strong bondCredit: Getty
    Verstappen has previously revealed what a calming influence Lambiase is during a race.
    Last year Verstappen said: “I think we are both very straightforward. We’re very honest.
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    “And we can say to each other when we do a bad job. I like that.
    “And he’s also a guy who doesn’t talk too much. So short, quick communication is for me the best and, over the years, you get to know each other as well. 
    “You spend a lot of time with each other. Sometimes I think he can just guess already what I was going to say.”
    The pair have formed a strong relationship which has grown on and off the track.
    And that bond helped the 24-year-old star win the title after he beat Hamilton on the final lap of the campaign.
    Red Bull boss Christian Horner is well aware how important Lambiase is to Verstappen.
    He said: “I think that Gianpiero and Max, the dynamic between the two of them, sometimes you wonder who is the engineer and who is the driver – it’s confusing to work out which one’s which.
    “They know each other so well. GP [Gianpiero] does a great job of handling Max on the track and the way he engineers the car, and that relationship is crucial, because it’s the key interface between the driver and his team.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton has ‘even more desire’ to win eighth title says F1 chief Stefano Domenicali as he kills retirement talk

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been backed to return to F1 hungrier than ever despite retirement talk in the wake of his controversial Abu Dhabi defeat.The Mercedes superstar was dramatically robbed of the championship on the last lap of the season by Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.
    Lewis Hamilton controversially finished second in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
    After the race Hamilton hinted he may never return – a stance echoed by team boss Toto Wolff.
    But F1 supremo Stefano Domenicali reckons the 36-year-old has unfinished business as he bids for a record eighth drivers’ crown.
    Domenicali told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Lewis Hamilton? I’m sure he will recharge his batteries and come back with even more desire than before to win the eighth world title.”
    The Abu Dhabi incident left a nasty aftertaste following one of the most exciting F1 seasons in recent years.
    Williams driver Nicholas Latifi has revealed how he was sent death threats after his crash led to the bungled safety car deployment.
    Fuming Merc bosses protested against the result after stewards allowed a handful of lapped cars past before pulling in the safety car – giving Verstappen clear air to attack Hamilton.
    @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 Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Hamilton had been on course to take a record eighth title and go one clear of race legend Michael Schumacher.
    Asked after the chequered flag whether he would return for 2022, the Brit said cryptically: “We’ll see about next year.”
    And his boss Wolff added to the mystery when he revealed the extent to which the season finale had left Hamilton ‘disillusioned’ with the sport.
    He said: “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.”
    Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season More

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    Max Verstappen threatens to quit F1 if he loses Red Bull engineer who helped him take Lewis Hamilton’s world crown

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has suggested he would QUIT Formula One if key Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase left the team.According to The Independent, Verstappen has told Lambiase that his presence is so important that he would consider walking away from the sport for him.
    Max Verstappen has suggested he would quit Formula One if Gianpiero Lambiase leftCredit: Getty
    Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase have formed a strong bond on and off the trackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The engineer was present when the Dutchman won his first ever world title following a controversial victory over Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
    Verstappen told Ziggo Sport: “I have said to him I only work with him. As soon as he stops, I stop too.
    “Of course, we can be pretty strict with each other sometimes, but I want that too.
    “He has to tell me when I’m being a jerk and I have to tell him. I always told him that.
    “He can tell me that on the radio as well, but it’s been going really well lately.
    “The last few years I tried to be the engineer and he tried to be the driver.”
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    Lambiase is the engineer in charge of all pit-to-car communication with Verstappen on his earpiece during the races – and has become famous for his no-nonsense approach to radio messages.
    Lambiase has been Verstappen’s engineer for every single one of his 118 starts at Red Bull.
    The two were paired together after Verstappen replaced Danill Kvyat at Red Bull ahead of the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.
    Verstappen, famously, would go onto win that race on his Red Bull debut, aged just 18.
    Lambiase, who has joint British and Italian nationality, started his F1 career in 2005 with Jordan and worked with the team for 10 years through several name changes.
    In 2015, Lambiase moved to the Red Bull team, succeeding newly promoted Guillaume Rocquelin.
    Gianpiero Lambiase and Max Verstappen have built up a strong bondCredit: Getty
    Verstappen has previously revealed what a calming influence Lambiase is during a race.
    Last year Verstappen said: “I think we are both very straightforward. We’re very honest.
    “And we can say to each other when we do a bad job. I like that.
    “And he’s also a guy who doesn’t talk too much. So short, quick communication is for me the best and, over the years, you get to know each other as well. 
    “You spend a lot of time with each other. Sometimes I think he can just guess already what I was going to say.”
    The pair have formed a strong relationship which has grown on and off the track.
    And that bond helped the 24-year-old star win the title after he beat Hamilton on the final lap of the campaign.
    Red Bull boss Christian Horner is well aware how important Lambiase is to Verstappen.
    He said: “I think that Gianpiero and Max, the dynamic between the two of them, sometimes you wonder who is the engineer and who is the driver – it’s confusing to work out which one’s which.
    “They know each other so well. GP [Gianpiero] does a great job of handling Max on the track and the way he engineers the car, and that relationship is crucial, because it’s the key interface between the driver and his team.” More