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    Mercedes forced to release statement rubbishing claims Hamilton’s 2022 F1 car failed FIA’s crash tests ahead of season

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S Mercedes team have rubbished reports their 2022 F1 car failed the FIA’s crash tests.Merc issued a statement due to incorrect stories saying their W13 ‘completed its FIA homologation process on 13 January 2022′.
    There were claims Lewis Hamilton’s car failed FIA crash testingCredit: Getty
    Mercedes took to Twitter with the cheeky response over the reports
    All F1 teams are required to submit their cars to stringent safety checks, including side-impact stiffness.
    The new rules for this season mean the minimum weight of an F1 car has been increased to 795kg to allow for a stronger structure.
    Merc will launch their car on February 18, just five days before pre-season testing begins in Barcelona.
    The car will return to a traditional silver livery after two years of black, done to show support for diversity and a stand against racism and discrimination.
    And it will be used in a race for the first time on March 20 at the curtain-raiser in Bahrain.
    Hamilton will be in attendance at the virtual launch next month after the controversial end to the 2021 season.
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    He has been silent publicly since the Abu Dhabi finale which saw Max Verstappen steal the title from him on the final lap, not even posting on social media in that time.
    However, he was spotted in California grabbing a coffee over the weekend.
    The 37-year-old has been the subject of intense speculation regarding his position in the sport in recent weeks.
    Hamilton’s future hangs in the balance and is dependent on the outcome of an inquest into the title-deciding race, which is expected to be published TWO days before the start of next season.
    New Merc driver George Russell will also be present for his first day as a Mercedes driver after replacing Valteri Bottas, but all eyes will be on Hamilton.
    The new Mercedes car is yet to be released but is expected to revert back to the traditional silverCredit: AP More

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    F1 world champion Max Verstappen reveals new gold helmet design for season ahead as he prepares for Lewis Hamilton fight

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has struck gold with his new helmet design for the 2022 season.The F1 world champion – who will race with the No.1 on his Red Bull car this season – has swapped his traditional red colour to reveal a new gold look across his crash helmet to reflect his championship success.
    Max Verstappen shows off his new gold helmet ahead of next season
    Max Verstappen won the title on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi GP – albeit a controversial end to the campaign with his intense battle with Lewis Hamilton.
    The sport’s governing body are still investigating what happened in the stewards’ room but the Dutchman is still Red Bull’s golden boy.
    The new colour scheme features his now trademark lion on the top plus the number “1” on the back along with a world championship star.
    In December, Verstappen left no doubt who was F1’s golden boy when he donned a pair of gold shoes.
    Back in Abu Dhabi, where he was triumphant, for a tyre test he showed of the fetching footwear while wearing a baseball hat saying ‘Champion’.
    Meanwhile, F1 bosses have confirmed that the Singapore Grand Prix will continue to be held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit for another seven years.
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    The contract extension is a huge boost to the sport and the city, which has been unable to host a race in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
    Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO, Formula One, said: “I am delighted that Formula One will continue to race in Singapore for another seven years.
    “The Marina Bay Street Circuit hosted the first night race in F1 history in 2008, and Singapore has continued to thrill fans, teams, and drivers ever since.
    “Singapore holds a special place on the F1 calendar, and this extension is part of our long-term commitment to continue to grow the sport in Asia.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton spotted for the first time ahead of 2022 F1 season as Mercedes driver grabs iced coffee in California

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been spotted out in public for the first time since his defeat to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.The seven-time Formula One world champion was seen grabbing an iced coffee while out in California.
    Lewis Hamilton was seen grabbing an iced coffee in CaliforniaCredit: BackGrid
    It was the first time the F1 legend has been spotted out in public since last seasonCredit: BackGrid
    Hamilton, 37, has not officially confirmed whether or not he will be returning to the track this year after the fallout from last year’s final race in Abu Dhabi.
    The Brit lost out on the Driver’s Championship title to Verstappen after a controversial finale to the 2021 season.
    Rumours have since circulated suggesting that he may not return to the sport over frustrations about the FIA and Michael Masi.
    His decision will be dependent on the inquest into the title-deciding race, which will be published two days before the start of the season.
    However, it was recently revealed that he WILL be at the launch of Mercedes’ 2022 car.
    Totto Wolff and his team appear to be optimistic about his return, with Mercedes posting plenty of Hamilton content on their social media channels.
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    Most Formula One drivers have returned to pre-season training, including George Russell.
    The young star is expected to go toe-to-toe with his new team-mate this year, which could make for an even more thrilling title race.
    Meanwhile, former Mercedes co-star Valtteri Bottas admits he was confused by his parting gift from the team.
    The German manufacturer gifted the Finn his 2017 car – the year he joined the team – and Bottas joked: “I don’t have room for it!” More

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    ‘I don’t care if he comes back’ – Lewis Hamilton urged to RETIRE and give younger driver a chance by Williams chief

    SIR LEWIS HAMILTON has been urged to retire from Formula One to give the next generation of drivers their chance.The Stevenage speedster has yet to confirm if he’ll return for the 2022 season after being controversially pipped to a record-breaking eighth F1 title by Max Verstappen.
    Sir Lewis Hamilton has yet to make a decision on his racing futureCredit: PA
    Mercedes’ Hamilton was pipped to the F1 title by Max VerstappenCredit: Reuters
    Williams chief Jost Capito could care less about Hamilton returningCredit: Getty
    But Williams bigwig Jost Capito could care less if the Brit returns to the track this year, telling German outlet RTL: ” I don’t care about it.
    “I don’t really care whether he drives or not. [It’s] totally irrelevant, really totally irrelevant.”
    Capito reckons Hamilton, 37, should be satisfied with his incredible haul of championships and make way for aspiring drivers.
    He continued: “They always say there are not enough places for young drivers and then I think, if someone has been World Champion seven times.
    “He has actually done enough and could make room for a youngster, why not?”
    Hamilton is reportedly refusing to make a decision on his future until the inquiry into Verstappen’s title-clinching victory in Abu Dhabi has concluded.
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    But the FIA are no closer to completing their investigation into Michael Masi’s decision making and his infamous handling of the safety car period.
    They said in a statement: “At this stage, no decision has been taken on the outcome of the detailed analysis currently underway into the events of the last Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
    “As previously announced, the findings of this detailed analysis will be presented at the F1 Commission meeting in London on 14th February after an open discussion with all F1 drivers and then finally have to be approved at the World Motor Sport Council meeting on 18th March in Bahrain, under the authority of FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.”
    Lewis Hamilton is awaiting the result of the FIA inquiry into the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixCredit: PA
    One man who hopes to see Hamilton back on the track next season is Red Bull chief Christian Horner, who told WION: “I certainly hope that Lewis will be around this year.
    “He’s still driving at an incredible level, the two drivers last year were in a league of their own.”
    The new F1 season, in which Red Bull’s Verstappen will bid to defend his controversially-claimed world title, will get commence on March 20.
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    F1 legend David Coulthard dating Swedish model 23 years his junior after ending nine-year marriage to TV star wife

    DAVID COULTHARD put the brakes on his nine-year marriage – then kicked into gear with a Swedish model 23 years his junior.The F1 legend is said to have split with Belgian TV star Karen Minier after almost a decade as man and wife.
    David Coulthard married Belgian TV star Karen Minier back in 2013Credit: Getty
    He was spotted with Sigrid Silversand, right, at a bash with pals Amanda Holden and Chris HughesCredit: Instagram
    The F1 legend was then seen smooching the blonde beauty in LondonCredit: Instagram
    27-year-old Silversand is 23 years his juniorCredit: Instagram
    And now the Daily Mail reports the 50-year-old has been spotted canoodling with model Sigrid Silversand, 27, while out and about in London.
    The ex-McLaren and Red Bull star was seen smooching and holding hands with the blonde beauty without his wedding ring.
    Coulthard and Minier, 48, tied the knot in Monaco back in 2013 after meeting eight years earlier while she was covering the glitzy Grand Prix there for French telly.
    They have a son together – Dayton, born in 2008.
    The Scot described the arrival of his son as ‘the start of a fantastic period’ and said winning 13 races couldn’t compare with becoming a dad.
    Now a pundit for Sky Sports, Coulthard has not been seen wearing his wedding ring in over a year.
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    Silversand has almost 6,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
    She poses topless and models underwear on her social media accountsCredit: Instagram
    Silversand is the latest in a string of models Coulthard has datedCredit: Instagram
    He admitted back in 2015 in an interview with the Guardian that he married for the sake of his son.
    He said: “Karen and I got married because we had a child together and I had no intention of marrying anyone else.
    “We’ve been together ten years and were married in a register office in Monaco.”
    The pair were last spotted in public together at Wimbledon in 2019 and were then pictured in the summer of 2020 having lunch with pals Amanda Holden and hubby Chris Hughes in the south of France.
    Coulthard was Hughes’ best man and Britain’s Got Talent judge Holden follows Silversand on Instagram, where she can be seen posing topless and modelling lingerie.
    The four of them were then seen together celebrating Holden’s daughter Lexi’s 16th birthday in a snap released on Insta.
    Silversand isn’t the first model to crop up in Coulthard’s dating history.
    The speed king – who started his F1 career at Williams in 1994 – was once engaged to American Heidi Wichlinski and had a four-year relationship with Brazil’s Simone Abdelnour. More

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    Lewis Hamilton spotted for first time ahead of 2022 F1 season as Mercedes driver grabs an iced coffee in California

    LEWIS HAMILTON has been spotted out in public for the first time since his defeat to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.The seven-time Formula One world champion was seen grabbing an iced coffee while out in California.
    Lewis Hamilton was seen grabbing an iced coffee in CaliforniaCredit: BackGrid
    It was the first time the F1 legend has been spotted out in public since last seasonCredit: BackGrid
    Hamilton, 37, has not officially confirmed whether or not he will be returning to the track this year after the fallout from last year’s final race in Abu Dhabi.
    The Brit lost out on the Driver’s Championship title to Verstappen after a controversial finale to the 2021 season.
    Rumours have since circulated suggesting that he may not return to the sport over frustrations about the FIA and Michael Masi.
    His decision will be dependent on the inquest into the title-deciding race, which will be published two days before the start of the season.
    However, it was recently revealed that he WILL be at the launch of Mercedes’ 2022 car.
    Totto Wolff and his team appear to be optimistic about his return, with Mercedes posting plenty of Hamilton content on their social media channels.
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    Most Formula One drivers have returned to pre-season training, including George Russell.
    The young star is expected to go toe-to-toe with his new team-mate this year, which could make for an even more thrilling title race.
    Meanwhile, former Mercedes co-star Valtteri Bottas admits he was confused by his parting gift from the team.
    The German manufacturer gifted the Finn his 2017 car – the year he joined the team – and Bottas joked: “I don’t have room for it!” More

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    Who is Michael Masi and what did he do? F1 race director in Abu Dhabi storm

    THE F1 season ended in controversial circumstances, with Max Verstappen winning the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to snatch the championship from Lewis Hamilton.And the man in the midst of the chaotic storm from that final race is F1 race director Michael Masi.
    Michael Masi has been F1 race director since 2019
    SunSport understands that Masi could now be shown the door as a result of his mistakes.
    Peter Bayer, newly appointed as the FIA’s head of F1, said: “Michael did a super job in many ways. We told him that.
    “But also that there is a possibility there could be a new race director.”
    Bayer also added that the sport may split the role of race director among a number of individuals.
    He said: “These roles are divided between several people.
    “This reduces the burden on the race director. That was simply too much – the race director (was) also sports director safety and track delegate.”
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    Who is Michael Masi?
    Michael Masi has been the F1 race director since 2019.
    Masi was born in Sydney in 1978, making him 43 years old.
    The Australian has worked up from Supercars and in 2018 was appointed by the FIA as the Formula Two and Formula Three deputy race director, and deputy to F1 race director Charlie Whiting.
    Whiting tragically died three days before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in 2019, with Masi assuming the role since.
    Lewis Hamilton has maintained his silence on the race – and his F1 future
    What did Michael Masi do?
    A review into the wild final race of the season is ongoing, with Masi’s use of the safety car rule called into question.
    Race director Masi ignored safety car rules and set up a single-lap shootout which decided the outcome of the F1 championship in Abu Dhabi.
    Masi allowed a number of lapped cars to unlap themselves, before letting Verstappen to pull alongside leader Hamilton for the shoot-out.
    This saw Verstappen easily overtake Hamilton – who was on older tyres – to win.
    New F1 chief Bayer is heading up the inquiry, which has promised to come up with their report on the eve of the new F1 season in Bahrain on March 18.
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    Michael Masi could be AXED as F1 race director after controversial Abu Dhabi GP denying Hamilton record eighth title

    MICHAEL MASI could be axed as F1’s race director following the controversial end to the Abu Dhabi GP.The Australian ignored safety car rules and set up a single-lap shootout which decided the outcome of the F1 championship.
    Lewis Hamilton’s bid for a record eighth world title ended when Max Verstappen profited from a much-criticised decision by race director Michael MasiCredit: AP
    Aussie Michael Masi might lose his job as F1 race director or may have to share it with other stewardsCredit: Getty
    Race leader Lewis Hamilton was left a sitting duck on old tyres when Masi fudged the rules to line up Max Verstappen – on fresh rubber – right behind the Brit.
    Verstappen romped to glory – and the title – much to Mercedes’ anger, who threatened legal action.
    While the Silver Arrows pulled back from taking the matter to court, disgruntled Hamilton has made a silent protest with Merc boss Toto Wolff admitting there are doubts as to whether the 37-year-old would return to race this season.
    Masi too has gone to ground amid the storm and is believed to be back in Sydney, while the FIA conducts their investigation into what happened in the stewards’ room.
    However, SunSport understands that Masi could now be shown the door as a result of his mistakes.
    Peter Bayer, newly appointed as the FIA’s head of F1, said: “Michael did a super job in many ways. We told him that.
    “But also that there is a possibility there could be a new race director.”
    Bayer is heading up the inquiry, which has promised to come up with their report on the eve of the new F1 season in Bahrain on March 18th.
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    While the FIA have yet to confirm Masi will be axed, SunSport has also spoken to paddock sources who believe he should be SAVED.
    However, that proposal would see him share the role with several other stewards – a move which would allow for inconsistent decision making.
    In an interview with Austrian journalist Gerhard Kuntschick, Bayer also said team bosses would be BANNED from speaking to the race director directly mid-race.
    However, Bayer added: “[We are looking at] dividing the various tasks of the race director, who is also sports director, safety and track delegate.
    “That was simply too much. These roles are divided between several people. This reduces the burden on the race director.
    “The team managers will still be able to – they have to be able to ask questions but we want to build in a buffer with an employee who accepts these requests.
    “In the future, the race director will be able to concentrate on his task and will no longer be distracted.” More