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      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff wants team principals BANNED from speaking to race directors on radio after furious Masi rant

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has backed the ban on race principals being able to talk to F1 race directors over the radio during races.The Austrian’s comments come as he also admitted ‘overstepping the mark’ with his rant to Abu Dhabi director Micahel Masi during the dramatic final lap of last season’s championship.
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has backed the ban on team principals being allowed to speak to race directors during Grands Prix next seasonCredit: pixel8000
      It comes after he admitted overstepping the mark in his rant at Abu Dhabi race director Michael MasiCredit: Getty
      Masi controversially allowed lapped cars to un-lap under the safety car heading into the final circuit and, in doing so, virtually handed the title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
      The Dutchman had fresh tires and flew past Mercedes’ British star Lewis Hamilton – who was leading – prompting a furious outburst from Wolff.
      Fuming, the 48-year-old yelled down the publicly broadcast radio: “No, Michael, no, no, Michael, that was so not right.”
      In order to let fans understand what is going on and to make races more transparent and entertaining, radio exchanges from the race control channel are broadcast on TV and radio.
      But Wolff reckons it’s time for the principal-director line of communication to be axed – in line with a call from F1 managing director Ross Brawn.
      Wolff told Motorsport.com: “I agree with Ross.
      @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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      “But I equally blame Ross and myself because we have been part of the decision making to broadcast more of the channels for the purpose of transparency and entertainment for the fans.
      “There is so much going on on the intercom that giving fans a little bit of an overview of all the little dramas that happen, like is the car breaking down, are we having some kind of strategy discussions, was meant well.
      “But I think we overshot.”
      Wolff’s Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner could also be heard pressurising Masi to allow the cars to un-lap in the build up.
      And Wolff added: “I need to take myself by the nose, and Christian.
      “We were given the opportunity to talk to the race director directly, and because we fight so fiercely for the interests of our teams all of us, we overstepped.”
      After the controversy surrounding the finale, Brawn revealed principals will no longer be able to speak to the race director during Grands Prix next year.
      Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season
      He explained: “We will stop this contact next year.
      “It’s unacceptable that team bosses put Michael under such pressure during the race.
      “It’s like the coaches negotiating with the referee in football.”
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      in Motorsport

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

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      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

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      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen in sensational threat to quit F1 over Red Bull engineer who helped him take Lewis Hamilton’s world title

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN has suggested he would QUIT Formula One if key Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase left the team.That is according to The Independent, who report that 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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      Verstappen has previously revealed what a calming influence Lambiase is during a race.
      And that is why 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. More

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      in Motorsport

      Nicholas Latifi reveals ‘death threats’ from furious F1 fans after Abu Dhabi crash saw Lewis Hamilton ‘robbed’ of title

      by

      WILLIAMS star Nicholas Latifi has revealed he has been sent DEATH THREATS following his pivotal crash at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.The Canadian went into the barriers with just five laps left at the dramatic season-ender.
      Nicholas Latifi crashed out five laps from the end of the Abu Dhabi GPCredit: Sky Sports
      Latifi deleted social media apps from his phone after the incidentCredit: AFP
      His shunt brought out the safety car with Mercedes flier Lewis Hamilton leading and in prime position to claim a record eighth world title.
      But a controversial decision to allow some lapped cars past before racing resumed gifted Red Bull’s Max Verstappen victory over his championship rival.
      Latifi has since remained tight-lipped about his involvement in the drama but has now spoken out over the barrage of ‘hate and abuse’ he has received online.
      He said in a statement: “I’ve purposely been staying away from social media to kind of let things settle down from the events of the last race.
      “A lot has been made of the situation that came about after my retirement in Abu Dhabi. 
      “I’ve received thousands of messages to my social media accounts – publicly and via DMs. Most have been supportive, but there’s been a lot of hate and abuse, too.
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      “I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to go about handling this. Do I ignore it and carry on? Or do I address it and tackle the bigger issue that is sadly a reality when you use social media?
      “This isn’t some scripted statement, but rather me speaking my mind in the hope that this maybe sparks another conversation about online bullying and the drastic consequences it can have on people. 
      “Using social media as a channel to attack somebody with messages of hate, abuse and threats of violence is shocking – and something I am calling out.”
      The 26-year-old was so worried about the abuse he knew would come his way following the controversy that he deleted social media apps from his phone.
      He added: “The ensuing hate, abuse, and threats on social media were not really a surprise to me as it’s just the stark reality of the world we live in right now.
      Max Verstappen pipped Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the seasonCredit: Getty
      “I’m no stranger to being talked about negatively online, I think every sports person who competes on the world stage knows they’re under extreme scrutiny and this comes with the territory sometimes.
      “But as we’ve seen time and time again, across all different sports, it only takes one incident at the wrong time to have things completely blown out of proportion and bring out the worst in people who are so-called ‘fans’ of the sport.
      “What shocked me was the extreme tone of the hate, abuse, and even the death threats I received.”
      Fuming Mercedes bosses immediately protested the race result at Yas Marina circuit as they lashed out at race director Michael Masi.
      F1 officials rejected the complaints and Merc eventually declined to appeal to the FIA court, leaving Verstappen to be crowned champion last Thursday. More

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      ‘On par with Maradona’ – Fuming Toto Wolff compares Abu Dhabi F1 finale to the infamous HAND OF GOD

      by

      ANGRY Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has compared Max Verstappen’s F1 title win to Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’.Abu Dhabi’s controversial finale saw Lewis Hamilton lead for almost the entire race.
      Toto Wolff has compared Lewis Hamilton’s F1 title loss to Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’Credit: Splash
      Maradona famously dumped England out of the 1986 World Cup with his handball goalCredit: Bob Thomas Sports Photography – Getty
      But a late safety car, followed by some bizarre decisions from race director Michael Masi, saw Verstappen overtake his rival in the last lap to seal his first-ever title win.
      And Mercedes boss Wolff has likened Red Bull’s controversial victory to Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal, which helped Argentina dump England out of the 1986 World Cup quarter-finals.
      Wolff told Bild: “It is definitely on a par with the ‘Hand of God’ by Diego Maradona, or the Wembley goal from 1966.
      “An inconsistent decision by the race director took the title away from Lewis.”
      As a result of Masi’s decision to race a final lap, Hamilton missed out on a record-breaking eighth F1 title.
      Mercedes looked set to appeal Verstappen’s win in a bid to keep Hamilton’s dream alive.
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      But a decision was taken to drop proceedings, with Wolff adding: “The FIA would have been both defendant and judge.
      “That unleashes a sense of powerlessness, just like on Sunday in the last round.
      “I haven’t felt like that since I was a kid.”
      But the FIA could yet punish Hamilton for not attending the post-season trophy gala.
      New president Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained: “First of all, as a driver, I feel emotional but at the end of the day rules are rules.
      “So we are going to look into the side where the technical rules are there to be employed.
      “Was he in breach? I have to look into it. We have to be following our rules, but in the meanwhile it doesn’t stop us from making a champion feel good about the sport.
      “It’s easy to be nice to people, it’s cheap to be nice, and also to motivate people, but if there is any breach there is no forgiveness in this.” More

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      Mick Schumacher caused more damage to his car than any other F1 driver – racking up staggering £4MILLION repair bill

      by

      MICK SCHUMACHER has been revealed as F1’s crash king after racking up a whopping £4MILLION repair bill last season.The Haas driver caused more damage to his car than any other man on the grid as he failed to score a single point all year.

      Mick Schumacher crashed heavily at the Saudi Arabian Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      He cost his team over £1m in just one race when he crashed heavily on lap 10 of the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
      The race had to be red-flagged as track marshals scraped his VF-21 from the barriers at Turn 23.
      Research on fan site F1maximaal shows Schumacher totting up an extensive shopping list of new parts.
      He needed EIGHT new front wings and NINE new sets of suspension across the 22-race calendar.
      The son of F1 legend Michael joined his team-mate Nikita Mazepin in failing to score a point during the season.
      And it was touch-and-go as to whether the Haas drivers would even be able to compete in the year-end Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
      @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);}

      After Schumacher’s shunt in Saudi Arabia, team boss Guenther Steiner admitted: “We’ve used everything we have left. If we crash in practice before the last race, it’ll be tight.”
      The F1 rookie is seen as a talent on the grid and his struggles have as much to do with a shoddy car as they do with his inexperience.
      Ferrari star Charles Leclerc is second on the crash price list.
      The 24-year-old cost the famed Prancing Horse almost £3.5m in repair bills last season.
      And closing out the top three is newly-crowned champ Max Verstappen.
      The Red Bull superstar needed over £3.3m in servicing on his way to snatching the world title from Lewis Hamilton.
      The Mercedes superstar doesn’t even feature in the top ten.
      He was only the 13th most expensive driver on the grid with just over £1m in repairs. More

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      Gary Lineker takes swipe at Max Verstappen’s controversial win over Lewis Hamilton at SPOTY 2021 awards

      by

      GARY LINEKER has taken a fresh swipe at the FIA over Max Verstappen’s controversial Formula 1 world championship win.The former footballer, 61, co-hosted the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Awards last night.
      Gary Lineker had his say on the FIA controversyCredit: PA
      Max Verstappen won the title in deeply controversial circumstancesCredit: Rex
      Lineker had been left fuming by FIA race director Michael Masi’s ‘unfair’ decision that effectively handed Verstappen the world title in Abu Dhabi earlier this month.
      And as he was addressing the nation last night, he made sure to allude to British sporting hero Lewis Hamilton being ‘robbed’ of victory.
      He said: “That was the most incredible end to a season that had absolutely everything…. apart from, possibly, a fair final lap.”
      Hamilton, 36, had driven masterfully in the final race of the season, leading Verstappen by 11 seconds in the closing stages before Nicholas Latifi’s crash put a spanner in the works.
      As the safety car was deployed, Masi initially relayed the correct rules – that lapped cars could not pass the vehicle until it had left the track.
      But, appearing to panic at the prospect of the season ending behind the safety car, Masi changed his mind.
      @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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      This decision put Verstappen, with fresh tyres, right on Hamilton’s tail with one lap remaining – leaving the seven-time champion a sitting duck.
      On Twitter after the race, Lineker used a football analogy to explain the injustice.
      He wrote: “Imagine Man City and Liverpool going toe to toe for the title.
      “On the last day of the season they meet & City are 3 up with just minutes to go.
      “The referee decides it would be more exciting to have a penalty shootout. What’s more the City players have to be barefooted. That’s @F1.”
      Hamilton’s runner-up finish saw him snubbed by SPOTY – as last year’s winner failed to even make this year’s shortlist.
      Shock US Open winner Emma Raducanu deservedly scooped the gong – while Olympians Tom Daley and Adam Peaty came second and third respectively.
      Meanwhile, Verstappen was nominated for World Sport Star of the Year alongside the likes of Canelo Alvarez and Novak Djokovic.
      But they were beaten by Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore.
      Lewis Hamilton won last year’s awardCredit: PA More

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      Hamilton and Verstappen’s dads have been messaging on Whatsapp all season as details of post Abu Dhabi GP chat revealed

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON and Max Verstappen’s dads were messaging on WhatsApp throughout the dramatic F1 season.The two stars went head-to-head right down to the dramatic final lap at the Abu Dhabi GP and it has now emerged their fathers were keeping close for most of the campaign
      Max Verstappen’s dad Jos (left) was WhatsApping Lewis Hamilton’s father Anthony throughout the F1 seasonCredit: Getty
      Jos described Hamilton Sr as ‘very nice’Credit: Action Images – Reuters
      Lewis and Verstappen Jr’s rivalry was ferocious throughout the seasonCredit: Reuters
      Verstappen, 24, pipped Hamilton to the world title in last Sunday’s controversial Abu Dhabi finale.
      Hamilton was denied a record eighth world title when FIA race director Michael Masi fudged the rules to set up a one-lap dash to the line.
      The Brit was a sitting duck on old tyres and Max Verstappen went on to win the race and the F1 crown.
      The pair’s relationship has got tense at times this season and Hamilton even snubbed Verstappen’s trophy gala.
      But their dads Anthony [Hamilton] and Jos [Verstappen] have kept things civil.
      Speaking after his son claimed his first ever championship, Jos said: “When I was sitting with Max before he went up to the podium, Anthony was there and he congratulated us.
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      “That was really nice.
      “Also, during the season I had some conversations with him over WhatsApp. He’s really nice.
      “They won seven titles already, so for them it’s a bit different, I think, [to] when we win the first one. But he’s always respectful.”
      Verstappen Jr also praised the younger Hamilton for his magnanimous approach to his sham defeat.
      The Red Bull driver said: “The whole team were going crazy, but of course you have the other side where they are very disappointed and upset.
      “I think what was nice, of course, Lewis immediately came to me [and said] ‘well done, congrats’.
      “I said ‘thank you very much for an amazing season’ because at the end of the day I think it was an amazing season, whether we won or came second.

      “We did push each other every single race to the limit, with ourselves but also the car and the whole team.
      “I think everyone is very happy that the season is over, to have a bit of a break because it has been very tense and very tough on everyone.
      “But it was definitely a great rivalry.”
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