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    F1 race director Michael Masi BROKE his own rules in lapped car controversy that cost Lewis Hamilton in title fight

    UNDER-FIRE race director Michael Masi appeared to break precedent with HIMSELF in his controversial safety car call at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.The F1 supremo summoned the safety car after Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed into a wall with six laps remaining at the season-ending finale.
    Race director Michael Masi is reportedly fighting for his jobCredit: Alamy
    Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton was leading the race at Yas Marina Circuit, with victory enough to secure a record eighth world title.
    Championship rival Max Verstappen was in second but had pitted for a fresh set of tyres, exiting the pits five LAPPED cars behind Hamilton.
    Initially Masi indicated no cars would be allowed to unlap themselves before the safety car was pulled in and racing allowed to recommence.
    The Australian then stunningly changed his mind – but only allowed the cars between Verstappen and Hamilton to unlap themselves.
    That gave the Red Bull man clear air from which to attack the Merc leader and he soon passed him on the dramatic final lap.
    And Verstappen nabbed the points he needed to fend off the reigning champ and claim his first drivers’ title.
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    But rolling the clock back to the Eifel Grand Prix in October 2020 throws up some uncomfortable reading for Masi.
    The chief steward back then was confronted with a similar safety-car conundrum – and this time he allowed ALL lapped cars to go past.
    McLaren starlet Lando Norris broke down in a dangerous spot and on came the safety car.
    When Masi was criticised for not allowing racing to resume quickly, he defended himself and said: “There’s a requirement in the sporting regulations to wave all the lapped cars past.”
    Fuming Mercedes bosses will want to know why the 42-year-old did not follow the same mantra last weekend.
    Instead he allowed some but not all cars through – giving Verstappen room to attack Hamilton without nuisances in front of him.
    And he refused the idea of finishing the race under safety-car conditions – a move that led some fans to question whether he had artificially created the drama.
    The official is now reportedly fighting to save his job, with Mercedes set to appeal a decision to reject the protests they lodged immediately after the race.
    Max Verstappen pipped Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the seasonCredit: Getty More

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    Sir Lewis Hamilton joined by proud mum as he’s knighted by Prince of Wales days after controversial F1 title defeat

    SIR LEWIS HAMILTON has received his knighthood from Prince Charles at Windsor Castle.The Formula One star, 36, received the honour for his services to Motorsport.
    Sir Lewis Hamilton was knighted by Prince Charles at Windsor CastleCredit: PA
    Sir Lewis has become the fourth F1 driver to receive a knighthoodCredit: PA
    The F1 star was joined at the ceremony by his mother Carmen LarbalestierCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd .
    Hamilton has campaigned for BLM and LGBT+
    And he was joined at the investiture by his mother Carmen Larbalestier, who posed proudly for a photograph alongside her son after the ceremony.
    Sir Lewis has won the F1 world title a record-equalling seven times, and narrowly missed out on an eighth in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
    But Hamilton does boast the record amount of Grand Prix wins, with 103.
    And he has now followed in the footsteps of F1 icons such as Sir Jackie Stewart, Sir Stirling Moss and Sir Jack Brabham by being knighted.
    Hamilton received an MBE in 2009, a year after his first world championship win.
    And he has now received even greater recognition for his success on the track and his work campaigning to support Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ issues in sport.
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    Hamilton boasts the record for most Grand Prix wins and has won the F1 title a record-equalling seven timesCredit: Getty
    It is some way to bounce back from his painful defeat at Yas Marina, with the Mercedes star clearly upset with the controversial decision making of Race Director Michael Masi.
    Towards the end of the race with just four corners to go Hamilton said to his team: “This has been manipulated, man.”
    Asked previously about a knighthood, Lewis said: “When I think about that honour I think about people like my grandad who served in the war.
    “I would never ever turn down the Royal family. I grew up in the UK and am a massive fan of them.
    “It is very surreal, when you grew up watching the news like everyone else, hearing your name in the House of Lords or the House of Commons or in Parliament.
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    “It is very very surreal to hear that with all the things going on in the world that they have a moment and acknowledge the work that I have done.
    “There is no greater honour than your country recognising you and honouring you with such an award.”
    Sir Lewis alongside his father Anthony and step-mother LindaCredit: Getty More

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    Max Verstappen wears GOLD racing boots as he’s back on track for first time since epic F1 title win over Lewis Hamilton

    MAX VERSTAPPEN left nobody in any doubt who was Formula One’s new golden boy as he showed off his new racing boots.Red Bull’s speed king was back behind the wheel yesterday in Abu Dhabi for a tyre test and wore his special shoes… and a baseball hat saying ‘Champion’.
    Verstappen walked the corridors in Abu Dhabi wearing golden racing bootsCredit: INSTAGRAM: MAXVERSTAPPEN1
    Puma gave Verstappen the special boots with his championship car No33 on the sideCredit: INSTAGRAM: MAXVERSTAPPEN1
    And the Dutchman is ready to be the grid’s new No1 after pipping Lewis Hamilton to win his maiden world championship on Sunday.
    The 24-year-old has the choice to stick with his racing No 33 on his car for next season, or take the No 1, which is reserved for the champion.
    And the Dutchman says it is a no-brainer to make the switch, unlike former world champion Hamilton, who stuck with No 44.
    Verstappen, who edged out his Mercedes rival on the final lap in Abu Dhabi, said: “Yeah, I will run it.
    “How many times can you do that?  I don’t know, maybe it’s the only time I can in my life.
    “It’s the best number out there.  I will definitely put it on the car.”
    @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 FOOTBALL OFFERS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    Verstappen left nobody in any doubt who the new champion wasCredit: PUMA / BEEM
    Verstappen also showed off his ‘champions’ hat in the paddockCredit: Getty
    Verstappen was testing new year’s Red Bull, with drastically wider tyres than in previous seasonsCredit: AFP
    Verstappen won Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in controversial fashion, winning the title on the final lap – crushing rival Hamilton’s chances of a record-breaking eighth.
    FIA race director Michael Masi has come under fire for seemingly ignoring the rules to create a single lap showdown in the winner-takes-all-contest.
    Hamilton was on old tyres as Verstappen screamed past following a safety car period where Masi allowed five cars to get out of the way.
    Verstappen and Red Bull reportedly partied into the early hours of the next morning, but on Tuesday it was back to work.
    And there was no sign of a hangover for Verstappen as he strutted down corridors at the Yas Marina circuit in golden Puma shoes for post-season testing.
    On Instagram, Verstappen wrote: “Back to work.”
    Completing 124 laps around the same Yas Marina Circuit he sealed his title on days ago, Verstappen was one of 19 drivers testing the new 18-inch tyres which will be used in F1 next season.
    And Verstappen did not have the same pace this time as he finished 17th, in a field made up of some current and inexperienced drivers.
    That was, however, faster than new Mercedes man George Russell, driving in Hamilton’s absence.
    Hamilton will instead be knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.
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    The new F1 season is scheduled to get underway in just three months time.
    Bahrain will host the first race of the 2022 season, but the first three-day test is due to take place in Barcelona between February 23 and 25.
    Abu Dhabi, like the season just passed, will host the finale.
    Verstappen won the championship on the final lapCredit: GETTY IMAGES More

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    Bernie Ecclestone’s wife Fabiana, 44, will be given chief F1 job if Mohammed Ben Sulayem replaces Todt as FIA president

    BERNIE ECCLESTONE’S wife Fabiana, 44, could be set for a big role within the FIA.Current FIA president Jean Todt, 75, is set to be replaced for the 2022 Formula 1 season.
    Fabiana Ecclestone could be set for a big role at the FIACredit: EPA
    Fabiana, 44, wed Bernie, 91, in 2012Credit: PA:Press Association
    Either Mohammed Ben Sulayem or Graham Stoker will succeed Frenchman Todt as they bid to be elected on December 17.
    And if the former is successful, Fabiana Ecclestone is set for big things.
    Should Ben Sulayem be elected, Fabiana will be appointed Vice-President for Sport in South America.
    The Brazilian is married to former F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.
    She met the 91-year-old at the World Motor Sport Council in 2009.
    And the couple wed three years later.
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    In 2020, Fabiana gave birth to a baby boy – as Bernie became a dad for the first time at 89.
    They named their baby boy Ace.
    With Todt set to depart after 12 years, the FIA could face yet more upheaval this winter, as Michael Masi comes under intense scrutiny.
    Both Ben Sulayem and Stoker would be under pressure to axe Masi, after an error-strewn season for the Aussie race director – culminating in his decision to bend the rules in Abu Dhabi, gifting Max Verstappen the title.
    Mercedes intend to appeal F1 bosses’ decision to REJECT their protests after Lewis Hamilton was robbed of his eighth world title.
    Fabiana gave birth to Bernie’s first son in 2020Credit: PA
    Michael Masi is under-fireCredit: Getty More

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    Max Verstappen says controversial F1 win over Lewis Hamilton won’t taint historic F1 title after dramatic season

    MAX VERSTAPPEN doesn’t believe his Formula One world title will be tainted due to the controversial end to the season. The Red Bull man won his first world crown on the final lap of the season in Abu Dhabi – but is still the subject of a possible legal challenge from Mercedes.
    Verstappen won a maiden F1 title in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
    Hamilton was denied a record eighth world-title in heartbreaking circumstancesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Lewis Hamilton’s team were furious that FIA race director Michael Masi fudged the rules to create a single lap showdown in the winner-takes-all-contest.
    Hamilton was a sitting duck on old tyres as Verstappen screamed past following a safety car period where Masi allowed five cars to get out of the way.
    Both Hamilton and Merc felt the result was manipulated resulting in Verstappen winning the title in front of a huge TV audience.
    But the Dutchman insists he did nothing wrong and won the title fair and square on track.
    When quizzed if he was disappointed to end the season with so much controversy, he said: “No, I’m not, no.
    “I’m not disappointed at all. I think it sums up the whole season in general. It’s been pretty crazy for both teams. We gave it our all to the end.
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    “It [controversy] has been a big part of the whole season. It’s just been like that already a few times with protests or whatever.
    “It is what it is. That’s racing sometimes as well. For me nothing really changed and we did win it on track.
    “I did not do anything wrong. I just raced when it was a green light so that also made it enjoyable.
    “There are always things to look at and that’s always after things like this. You can look into it and say what should have been done?
    “It is the same in football. The referee should have given a penalty or it shouldn’t have been a penalty?
    “What can we improve? Should we have had a different camera angle? All these things you’re going to bring up.”
    Bleary-eyed Verstappen also revealed he received a message from Merc boss Toto Wolff that will raise a few eyebrows.
    Despite Merc deciding whether to appeal their failed protests, Verstappen claims he got a text from Wolff saying congratulations.
    It gives a big hint that perhaps Merc will drop their charged against the FIA and Michael Masi.
    Verstappen faced a nervous four-hour wait to discover the outcome of Mercedes’ two protestsCredit: Getty
    Verstappen said: “I haven’t heard anything [about the protest]. Toto sent me a text saying congratulations on the season and that I deserved to win it, and that was very nice of him.
    “I mean, emotions ran very high on that last lap from both sides, from both teams. So yeah, it is what it is. I mean, we’ll see what the outcome is.”
    Verstappen had a four hour delay before he could start to celebrate his maiden title, not just in F1 but in single-seaters.
    His last title came in 2013 in go-karting.
    And his celebrations lasted long into the night, with a video of him jumping into a swimming pool at 6:42 on Monday morning.
    He said: “It was a long night! I ended up at [Dutch DJ] Martin Garrix’s place so yeah, it was fun.
    “I was spending a lot of time with all the team members celebrating all together. All the emotions came out.
    “It was a lot of fun but when I woke up, that was not so fun. I maybe regretted that final drink!”
    “It was really nice to have friends and family there and a lot of people have a headache at the moment.” More

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    Max Verstappen earns extra £12m in bonuses alone for historic F1 season after beating Lewis Hamilton to title

    MAX VERSTAPPEN reportedly pocketed £12million in bonuses for his Formula 1 world championship triumph on Sunday.The Dutchman controversially pipped Lewis Hamilton to the title after a questionable late decision by under-fire FIA chief Michael Masi.
    Max Verstappen toasted victory on SundayCredit: Splash
    As well as sealing him title championship glory, Masi’s decision also earned Verstappen a pretty penny.
    The 24-year-old earns a base salary of around £18.2million with Red Bull.
    According to Marca, this figure went up by an astonishing £12m for his success.
    So Verstappen had even more reason to celebrate alongside girlfriend Kelly Piquet.
    He also stopped for selfies with Geri Horner, wife of Red Bull team principal Christian.
    Hamilton, 36, remains comfortably the top-paid driver in F1 this year.

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    Including bonuses and add-ons, the Brit was thought to earn around £40m with Mercedes.
    And it could have been even more.
    SunSport revealed last week that he could have pocketed a further £4m in bonuses, had he won his eighth world title.
    But he was denied this further boost by Masi’s late controversy, with stars including Gary Lineker hitting out at the FIA.

    Lewis Hamilton missed out on a handy bonusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    @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);} More

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    Gary Lineker beautifully sums up F1 farce between Hamilton and Verstappen with brilliant Liverpool vs Man City analogy

    GARY LINEKER has summed up Max Verstappen’s controversial victory over Lewis Hamilton with a perfect football analogy.Verstappen, 24, overcame Brit hero Hamilton after some questionable decision making by under-fire FIA chief Michael Masi.
    Max Verstappen controversially beat Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
    The F1 farce was likened to a Man City vs Liverpool clashCredit: Getty
    The Mercedes superstar, 36, had led his younger Red Bull foe for virtually all of the winner-takes-all race in Abu Dhabi.
    Verstappen pitted for a second time to try and chase Hamilton down on fresher tyres, but remained 12 seconds behind with just six laps remaining… until Nicholas Latifi’s crash sent the safety car out.
    Another quick pit stop left the Red Bull ace fresh for a photo finish… and the FIA made it easy by changing their mind at the last minute, allowing Verstappen to pass lapped cars to find himself right on Hamilton’s tail with just one lap remaining.
    The FIA got their photo finish and new winner, much to the ire of Mercedes chief Toto Wolff, as well as a number of rival drivers.
    And former England star Lineker, 61, threw in an analogy for football fans.
    He wrote on Twitter: “Imagine Man City and Liverpool going toe to toe for the title.
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    “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.”
    F1 reporter Will Buxton argued: “Very difficult to compare sports Gary, especially as F1 has such a complex rule book. Safety cars nullifying the field isn’t new.
    “The circumstances were strange. But I’d say it’s more like Smith Rowe’s goal when De Gea was down recently, deciding the FA Cup in the 94th minute.”
    Lineker was having none of it, however, replying: “Hardly. His own player injured him.
    “There was zero controversy around it, nothing much at stake and it wasn’t near the end of the game, let alone the season, but, yeah, apart from that a much better analogy.”
    George Russell, who will replace Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate next season, blasted: “THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!
    “Max is an absolutely fantastic driver who has had an incredible season and I have nothing but huge respect for him, but what just happened is absolutely unacceptable. I cannot believe what we’ve just seen.”
    Gary Lineker was unimpressed with the FIA’s decisionCredit: The Mega Agency More

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    Lewis Hamilton to be knighted at Windsor tomorrow just days after world title defeat

    LEWIS Hamilton will be knighted at Windsor tomorrow — three days after his controversial world title defeat.The Formula One racing legend was awarded the honour last year for services to motorsports.
    Lewis Hamilton will be knighted at Windsor tomorrow — three days after his controversial world title defeatCredit: PA
    The 36-year-old is the fourth F1 driver to become a Sir after Jackie Stewart, Stirling Moss and Jack Brabham.
    The investiture will bring comfort to Hamilton after the devastating end to a nail-biting season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday when he was pipped by Max Verstappen.
    Furious fans claimed he had been robbed of a record eighth world crown after leading for most of the race.
    Hamilton, awarded an MBE in 2009, was set for a win with an 11-second lead only for Verstappen, 24, to snatch a dramatic last-lap victory after the Dutchman was allowed to catch up while racing was halted for a crash.
    Gracious Lewis — who has campaigned for BLM and LGBTQ+ issues in the sport — congratulated his rival and tomorrow will put his pain to one side when he is told: “Arise, Sir Lewis.”
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    Furious fans claimed he had been robbed of a record eighth world crown after leading for most of the raceCredit: Getty
    The investiture will bring comfort to Hamilton after the devastating end to a nail-biting season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday when he was pipped by Max VerstappenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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