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    ‘He’s not crazy’ – Horner hits out at Hamilton’s X-rated Verstappen rant and claims F1 title WON’T be decided with crash

    RED BULL chief Christian Horner has defended F1 championship leader Max Verstappen after rival Lewis Hamilton branded him ‘f***ing crazy’.Seven-time champ Hamilton and Verstappen have been involved in a number of incidents this season.
    Horner says Verstappen isn’t ‘crazy’Credit: EPA
    The two title hopefuls head into Abu Dhabi level on pointsCredit: AFP
    But their rivalry boiled over last Sunday when Verstappen received two time penalties, including one for ‘brake checking’ Hamilton.
    After the incident, Hamilton blasted: “This guy is f***ing crazy, man. It was just dangerous driving dude.”
    Hamilton went on to win the Saudi Arabian GP and tie the title race up at 369.5 points each with just Abu Dhabi to go.
    But Horner disagrees with the Brit’s assessment of the young and hungry Dutchman and says Red Bull want to ‘win the championship on the track’.
    Horner told The Times: “He’s certainly not crazy.
    “Max wants to win this championship on the track. It’s as simple as that. He’s a hard racer but a fair racer, and I expect no different this weekend. Nobody wants to win this championship in a gravel trap or in a stewards’ inquiry.”
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    Horner also reminded F1 fans the feisty title race saw both drivers have ‘their moments’ and not just his driver.
    He continued: “To finish first, first you’ve got to finish. That’s been our mantra throughout this season. 
    “Remember, it wasn’t Max who crashed into Lewis at Silverstone. The stewards found Lewis guilty of driving into Max. 
    “They’ve both had their moments this year. Inevitably the reverse was found at Monza. They’ve been hard races. 
    “They’ve gone wheel to wheel. But I think, for all the fans, you want to see a fair and clean fight in this last round and may the best team and best driver win.”
    Ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has slammed Hamilton and Merc for the part they played.
    And Ecclestone accused them of ‘bullying’ Verstappen.
    He told AFP: “Max is a kid compared to Lewis and the worst thing is Lewis has a massive publicity campaign working for him.
    “They have been pushing down all the time on Max and then the race directors have been looking in because Toto goes to the race director.
    “Max has more than a race to confront as he has them too on his back because they are bullying him and not playing fair. It is psychological game playing.
    Verstappen ended up on top of Hamilton at MonzaCredit: REUTERS
    “Max has had a few years of racing but has not had years in the streets like Lewis.
    “It has built character and knowing he would win the race with Mercedes being the dominant force over the past few years has made him a much stronger character than Max.
    “For Max, this season is the first one he has had a car capable of winning regularly whereas before it was nothing like competitive.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen tale of the tape: How F1 stars’ careers compare ahead of Abu Dhabi GP showdown

    LEWIS HAMILTON is set for an Abu Dhabi showdown with Max Verstappen to decide the F1 title.And it is the Brit who boasts the better recent form, having won the last three races – as well as arguably the greatest F1 career ever.
    Lewis Hamilton trumps his rival Max Verstappen in almost every category
    Hamilton’s win in Saudi Arabia took him level with VerstappenCredit: Splash
    Verstappen has led the way in the standings for several monthsCredit: Getty
    Hamilton, 36, took the chequered flag in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia against the odds.
    The Mercedes star also possesses a wealth of experience compared to his young rival, with 103 career wins to Verstappen’s 19.
    Hamilton has also finished on the podium 181 times, Verstappen only 59.
    And in Abu Dhabi Hamilton reigns supreme.
    His six career wins in the city trump any other F1 driver and Mercedes have won at the circuit in six out of the last seven years.
    But it was Verstappen who stood on top of the podium after 2020’s race, so the Dutchman will be quietly confident.
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    The Red Bull man is chasing his first world title and has more wins and podium finishes than Hamilton this year.
    But there have been signs of the pressure getting to him in recent weeks.
    Hamilton, who boasts a net worth of £300million compared to Verstappen’s £45m, slammed his rival’s aggressive approach in Saudi Arabia last weekend.
    He accused Verstappen of brake testing him and called him ‘crazy’ after the race, with the pair colliding in Lap 38.
    Hamilton also pointed out that he needed the win to pull back points – suggesting Verstappen would have accepted both of them crashing out.
    Indeed, if both fail to finish in Abu Dhabi it will be 24-year-old Verstappen who takes the crown, having won more races this year with nine to Lewis’ eight.
    That led former F1 champion Damon Hill to call for a clean race.
    He said: “If we do have a (collision) situation, I think the FIA should make the teams and drivers know in advance what they are likely to do. Will they take points away? What’s the penalty?
    “There are some people who drive with absolutely no compromises whatsoever. And I think Max is one of those people.
    “He’s very skillful and he’s brilliant and it’s exciting to watch. I think Lewis, who has to deal with that, is now very cautious – he’s not intimidated but he’s very wary of Max and probably rightly so.
    “Max is pushing everything to the limit. It’s for the world title, and both guys want it massively and there’s always going to be tears.”
    Hamilton accused Verstappen of brake testing him in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
    A huge collision caused both to crash out of the Italian Grand PrixCredit: Getty
    Verstappen crashed out of the Silverstone GP after Hamilton clipped his rearCredit: Reuters
    Jeddah was not the first occasion where the title contenders have collided.
    After a pulsating start to the race at Silverstone in July Hamilton clipped Verstappen at the ninth corner.
    Verstappen was sent spiralling off track at a ferocious speed, with Red Bull chiefs criticising Hamilton and blasting his “hollow victory”.
    And in Monzo a huge collision between the pair cause both to crash out, with Verstappen’s car ending on top of the Mercedes car at one point.

    Ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has also accused Hamilton and Mercedes of ‘not playing fair, speaking out in defence of Verstappen.
    He referenced Hamilton’s huge network – with 32.4m followers across social media, compared to Verstappen’s 8.7m – as a way of putting pressure on the Red Bull man.
    He said: “Max (Verstappen) is a kid compared to Lewis and the worst thing is Lewis has a massive publicity campaign working for him.
    “They have been pushing down all the time on Max and then the race directors have been looking in because Toto (Wolff) goes to the race director.
    “Max has more than a race to confront as he has them too on his back because they are bullying him and not playing fair. It is psychological game playing.
    “Max has had a few years of racing but has not had years in the streets like Lewis.” More

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    From childhood tragedy to marrying racing beauty, F1 chief Toto Wolff’s incredible rise to fame and £300m fortune

    MERCEDES-AMG Petronas team principal Toto Wolff is one race away from toasting another F1 world championship.Going into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, his team’s driver Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull rival Max Verstappen are neck and neck in the standings.
    Toto Wolff has enjoyed an astonishing rise in the world of motorsportCredit: Getty
    Wolff has amassed a £300m fortune thanks to motorsportCredit: Instagram
    The Austrian, 49, grew up in Vienna, but his family was hit by tragedy when his father died when he was young from brain cancer.
    Wolf was kicked out of school because his family couldn’t afford the fees.
    Before amassing a £300million fortune, he sold candles and handed out fliers wearing gold face paint.
    Now, he’s arguably the most powerful man in motorsport.
    EARLY LIFE
    Contrary to the riches he swims in today, Wolff didn’t grow up in money like many on the F1 circuit.
    From the age of eight, he saw his beloved father battle brain cancer. When Toto was a teenager, his dad sadly passed away and it was left to his doctor mother to raise him and his sister.
    He revealed: “It was a tough upbringing; my father was very ill when he was young, and he died when I was a young teenager.
    “There wasn’t a lot of financial means and if you grow up in a city where you can see that in front of you, but you haven’t got it yourself, it is difficult.”
    It got worse for Toto when she couldn’t afford school fees and he was removed from private school.
    “My mother brought us up and she was a doctor in Vienna and there wasn’t really any financial background,” he told Essentially Sports.
    “And she still managed to get us going to a private school in Vienna because she felt that the languages were important”
    Wolff grew up in Austria in less than affluent circumstances
    When he was a teenager, Wolff’s father passed away from brain cancer
    But when he was 12 and his sister was nine, they were removed from the school.
    “We were taken out of class because the school fee wasn’t paid,” he said.
    “Unfortunately, your school fees haven’t been paid for a long time so please pack your bags and go home.
    “So, I needed to go back to class to pick up my bags and the humiliation of packing your bag because your school fees weren’t paid.”
    HIS FIRST BUSINESS
    Wolff’s entrepreneurial skills were evident as a young teen.
    In the 1990’s, he launched his first business at an anti-racism protest in Austria selling candles.
    He explained: “It was a silent protest with the topic of lighting a candle and walking, protesting against racism.
    “I thought, there’s going to be a few thousand people and they’re not going to have any lights or candles.”
    So, before the rally Wolff bought a large number of candles to sell to demonstrators.
    Strong entrepreneur skills were always part of Wolff’s make-upCredit: Getty
    Wolff once sold candles as a anti-racist protest for a profitCredit: Getty
    “The protest was due to start at six o clock and until 3 we had only sold a few hundred,” he said. “So it was a terrible business.”
    However, things did pick up and young Toto made a profit.
    “It showed that if you can create demand for your product, it sells.”
    THAT WASN’T HIS WORST JOB…
    As Wolff embarked on his own racing career at 19, he had to make ends meet.
    It was then he took on his most embarrassing role handling out leaflets in costume.
    “The worst one (job) was when I tried to make it as a racing driver, pre-Christmas in the busiest zone of an Austrian city.
    “I had to wear a golden cape, I painted my face gold and I had to give away leaflets for the local electronics shops.
    “It was so embarrassing because people recognised me. I remember that was really bad, but I pushed through, I really needed the money.”
    FROM DRIVING TO BUSINESS
    In 1992, Wolff competed in the Austrian Formula Ford Championship, driving in Austrian and German Formula Ford in 1993 and 1994.
    He won the gruelling 24 Hours Nürburgring, then switched to the FIA GT Championship winning one race and the Italian GT Championship, also winning once.
    In the mid to late 2000’s, he juggled a racing career with a stint as a banker, until he made a shrewd investment.
    He bought shares in Williams F1 and joined the board of directors in 2009. Three years later, he was named the constructor’s executive director.
    In 2013, Wolff became managing partner of Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One TeamCredit: Getty
    Wolff, seen with the late Niki Lauda, owns a stake in Mercedes AMG Petronas
    Wolff, who has Lewis Hamilton driving for his team, has overseen seven consecutive Constructors’ World ChampionshipsCredit: Getty
    “I became a minority shareholder in Williams and got on very well with Frank,” he said, referencing the team’s legendary owner.
    “Eventually we did okay in an underfinanced Williams and I got a call from one of the Daimler board members.”
    In 2013, impressed by Wolff’s rapid rise, Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team approached him to be their executive director.
    He sat down with former chief, Daimler AG Wolfgang Bernhard who asked him why their team wasn’t working as well as it should.
    Wolff joined the firm as a managing partner, receiving 30 per cent of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd, with a further 10 per cent held by Niki Lauda and 60 per cent by the parent company.
    He added to his wealth in 2014, selling two-thirds of his shares in Williams to American businessman Brad Hollinger.
    Two years later, he completely cut his investment with Williams – selling his remaining 5 per cent.
    Wolff has since overseen seven consecutive F1 constructors’ world championships.
    HIS TRUE LOVE
    Now living the high-life, Wolff lives in Monaco with wife Susie, 39.
    The Scottish-born beauty also works in motorsport, and is currently CEO of Formula E’s Venturi Racing team.
    They met, as you would expect, on the circuit.
    Incredibly, she drove at the British Grand Prix for Williams in 2014, two years after being signed as a development driver.
    Before that she starred in the DTM, Formula Three and Formula Renault.
    Wolff is happily married to Susie
    Wolff with son Jack
    Wolf and Susie tied the knot in 2011Credit: Refer to Photographer
    At 39, Susie is 10 years younger than Wolff
    Wolff now lives a life of luxury in Monaco
    @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);}
    But now it’s the family life she enjoys, after giving birth to their son, Jack in 2017.
    Speaking about their romance, he told Essentially Sports: “Susie is the system maintainer of the Wolff family. We are very lucky because we are very similar in terms of characters and tasks.
    “The family comes first, and then comes the job. But this common field of interest, motorsport, is what we’ve always done. That’s why people talk about it at dinner. The mix of both makes it.”
    Tyson Fury leaps to Max Verstappen’s defence after F1 star caused Lewis Hamilton to crash into him at Saudi Arabian GP More

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    Lewis Hamilton refuses to win F1 title the ‘dirty’ way amid fears Max Verstappen could wipe him out in Abu Dhabi finale

    LEWIS HAMILTON has promised to keep his title fight with Max Verstappen clean because he doesn’t want to win it the ‘dirty’ way.The Brit also says he doesn’t fear a Michael Schumacher-style wipe out in Sunday’s crunch race.
    Lewis Hamilton insists he is only focused on what HE can do, not what F1 Ccampionship rival Max Verstappen could do to himCredit: Rex
    Britain’s world champion Lewis Hamilton and challenger Max Verstappen have already clashed many times this seasonCredit: Getty
    It’s winner takes all in Abu Dhabi for the F1 season finale as both drivers are level on points.
    Verstappen though has the advantage of more wins, nine to Hamilton’s eight meaning that if BOTH crashed out, the Dutchman would be crowned champ.
    In 1994, Schumacher collided with Damon Hill, sending both drivers out of the race, allowing the German to win the title.
    Schumacher repeated the stunt in 1997 when he crashed into Jacques Villeneuve – but this time he was disqualified from the whole season, handing victory to the Canadian.
    Hamilton was quizzed by German publication Bild on whether he can expect the same treatment from Verstappen on Sunday.
    He said: “No. I am not afraid of what may or may not happen at all. I don’t give any space to such thoughts.
    “I don’t have a history of such accidents but I can only control my car and make my decisions and not those for Max.
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    “Of course there are situations in which you know that the corner could decide the world title.
    “But then you have to take the risk to be the fastest and the first to cross the finishing line. I want to win the title, but do it the right way. And not dirty.”
    Hamilton has the momentum coming into this weekend following back to back wins in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
    If he is to win on Sunday he would achieve a record eighth world title that would move him clear of the joint record he currently holds with Schumacher.
    But despite the enormity of his potential success, the 36-year-old is remaining remarkably level-headed and says he’s not thinking about another title.
    When asked if he was thinking about what an eighth title would mean to him, he added: “No, but of course I know that. Still, it’s an issue for the fans and the media.
    “We as a team concentrate fully on the current task. Nobody has ever won eight titles. We want to change that. We have done everything to achieve that goal.

    “It is up to others to decide who is the best [driver of all time]. My goal is to always get the best out of myself. The titles are of secondary importance to me.”
    Hamilton turns 37 in January but has two years left to run on his deal with Mercedes and says he is not ready to retire yet and hopefully has more victories ahead of him.
    However, he is not likely to run into his forties like NFL legend Tom Brady.
    When asked if he’d felt he’d achieved everything as the most successful F1 driver of all time, he said: “No of course not.
    “There is always more to be won, even if I do win an eighth title. I still have a contract for two years. So why not?
    “There is no precise plan in my locker but I won’t be active as long as Tom Brady! I am working on a few projects, for example my Mission44.
    “I’m looking forward to the time after Formula One, when I can support my other projects more intensively.” More

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    Mercedes F1 and Kingpan mutually end controversial partnership after furious backlash from Grenfell Tower victims

    MERCEDES and sponsor Kingspan have ended their controversial relationship following a backlash from victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.The F1 team announced the building materials company as a new partner ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix last weekend.
    Kingspan became a partner of Mercedes F1 ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand PrixCredit: AP
    The Kingspan logo was visible on the Mercedes carsCredit: Getty
    72 people died following the fire at Grenfell Tower four years agoCredit: Reuters
    The insulation produced by Kingspan was one of the products used on the outside of the Grenfell Tower – where 72 people died after a fire in June 2017.
    And the role the company’s product played in the tragedy is currently the subject of a public enquiry.
    Pressure group Grenfell United, which consists of survivors and bereaved family members, wrote to Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff to convey their disdain at the link-up.
    And UK government minister Michael Gove also issued a letter to Wolff insisting he change his mind on the deal with Kingspan.
    Mercedes, who had Kingspan’s logo on their cars for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, have now confirmed the end of that partnership by mutual consent.
    A statement from Mercedes released on Wednesday said: “The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and Kingspan today announced that they have mutually agreed to end their partnership.
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    “Announced last week, the new partnership included Kingspan chairing a new Sustainability Working Group for the team, and aimed to deliver carbon reductions through their leading-edge environmentally sustainable solutions for the team’s future campus. 
    “However, both parties have subsequently concluded that it is not appropriate for the partnership to move forward at the current point in time, notwithstanding its intended positive impact, and we have therefore agreed that it will be discontinued with immediate effect.”
    A Kingspan statement said they are ‘deeply aware of the sensitivities raised in recent days, and so we have jointly agreed that it’s not appropriate to move forward at the current point in time’.
    They went on to say they have ‘had no role in the Grenfell Tower refurbishment’ and that its insulation UK business is ‘a core participant in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and fully supports the Inquiry’s important work’.
    Grenfell United responded by insisting Mercedes had ‘done the right thing’, before adding: “With justice still so far away, it’s these small steps that encourage us to keep fighting.”
    Meanwhile, Mercedes are currently preparing for a huge world title decider in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
    Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are currently LEVEL on points heading into a mouthwatering final race of the 2021 season. More

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    Ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone slams Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes for ‘not playing fair’ with treatment of Max Verstappen

    LEWIS HAMILTON and Mercedes are ‘bullying’ Max Verstappen and ‘not paying fair’, according to former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.In one of the greatest battles of all time, seven-time champion Hamilton and Dutch youngster Verstappen head into the final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi level on points.
    Verstappen and Hamilton collided once again in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Sky Sports
    Ecclestone believes Verstappen has been mistreated by Hamilton and MercedesCredit: Getty
    The rivalry has been an intense one, with crashes between the pair occurring at both the British and Italian Grands Prix.
    And that competitive nature between both camps reared its head once more last weekend in a dramatic race in Saudi Arabia.
    In a race that included two red flags, multiple crashes and five non-finishers, Hamilton and Verstappen exchanged the lead numerous times with the Brit eventually coming out on top.
    But not before the pair crashed into one another on lap 37.
    Verstappen slowed down to let Hamilton past having been ordered to give the place back, but the Mercedes driver was confused and ended up ramming into the back of the Dutchman.
    Hamilton insisted Verstappen had ‘brake-tested’ him, while Verstappen maintained he was simply trying to let the Brit past.
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    All these incidents have mounted up throughout the season and Ecclestone believes Hamilton and Mercedes are playing a game to bully his title rival.
    Speaking to AFP, the ex-F1 chief said: “Max is a kid compared to Lewis and the worst thing is Lewis has a massive publicity campaign working for him.
    “They have been pushing down all the time on Max and then the race directors have been looking in because Toto goes to the race director.
    “Max has more than a race to confront as he has them too on his back because they are bullying him and not playing fair. It is psychological game playing.
    “Max has had a few years of racing but has not had years in the streets like Lewis.

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    “It has built character and knowing he would win the race with Mercedes being the dominant force over the past few years has made him a much stronger character than Max.
    “For Max, this season is the first one he has had a car capable of winning regularly whereas before it was nothing like competitive.”
    With the pair level on points but Verstappen having one more race win than Hamilton, essentially the Brit simply needs to better his world title rival in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
    @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);}
    If the pair both crash out then Verstappen will be crowned the world champion.
    Mercedes have not lost a drivers’ championship since Sebastian Vettel on the last of his four successive titles with Red Bull in 2013. More

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    Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will only be ‘fine-tuned’ rather than overhauled despite F1 drivers calling rapid track ‘scary’

    FORMULA 1 will ‘fine-tune’ the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix but it will not be overhauled despite being described as ‘scary’ by Red Bull driver Sergio Perez.There were a host of crashes throughout the weekend in Jeddah as the new circuit’s debut on the F1 calendar brought with it both drama and danger.
    There were numerous crashes during the Saudi Arabia GP weekendCredit: Rex
    Schumacher went into the barriers during the raceCredit: Rex
    Vettel, who did not finish the race, came together with Raikkonen and was then spun by TsunodaCredit: Rex
    A series of incidents occurred in the F1 race throughout the practice sessions and race itself, with five of the 20 cars failing to finish on Sunday.
    And there was also a horror collision in the F2 race when Enzo Fittipaldi smashed into the back of Theo Pourchaire after he stalled on the grid.
    Yet despite all of the accidents – and two race restarts in the F1 race due to red flags – FIA race director Michael Masi does not believe there needs to be wholesale change to the track.
    He told motorsport.com: “I think here in Saudi Arabia they’ve done a brilliant job of putting this amazing facility together in such a short time frame, which is a credit to everyone involved.
    “There is some fine-tuning that will happen across the board. There were some teething issues [with it] being a brand new event, brand new facility, on the whole of things.
    “There’ll be some fine-tuning but nothing in a major way that I envisage here and now.”
    @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);}
    Leclerc crashed into the barriers during the second practice sessionCredit: AFP
    Perez was clipped by Leclerc at the first restartCredit: Splash
    The alarm bells were ringing in the F1 paddock during the weekend as it became apparent the risks that were being taken to navigate the circuit.
    And Red Bull driver Perez was one of the first to vocalise his concern for the safety of those in the cars.
    Speaking after qualifying but ahead of the race, he said: “It’s a really nice circuit, very dangerous though in terms of there is a lot of straights that are turning, cornering and blind corners.
    “When you look at some of the onboards it’s quite scary. I hope nothing [bad] happens tomorrow.
    “I just feel the track is a bit too risky without reason, with the speeds we are doing with the deltas around the track from some other cars, and it’s a bit unnecessary.”
    Lewis Hamilton went on to win the Saudi Arabia GP ahead of world title rival Max Verstappen after a remarkable battle between the pair.

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    Hamilton and Verstappen are now LEVEL on points heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
    The 24-year-old Dutchman holds a slender advantage ahead of the title decider having won nine races compared to Hamilton’s eight.
    But the seven-time champion is on a three-race winning streak and will be confident he can clinch a record-breaking eighth championship. More

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    Abu Dhabi GP could be shown for FREE as Channel 4 hold talks with Sky to share live rights for thrilling F1 finale

    THE ABU DHABI GP could be shown for FREE on TV as Channel 4 and Sky are in talks to share the live rights, according to reports. Sunday’s ‘winner-takes-all’ showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen is set to be a thriller and British TV audiences may be able to watch it for nothing.
    Sunday’s thrilling showdown to the F1 season between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen could be shown for FREE on Channel 4Credit: Reuters
    Sky are the live rights holders but sources close to Channel 4 told the Times initial discussions have taken place about a deal which would see the race shown on free-to-air terrestrial TV too.
    Hamilton, 36, and Verstappen, 24, are level on points in the drivers’ standings which has set up a mouthwatering final race of the season.
    The Brit would bag a record eighth championship were he to win.
    Channel 4 currently have the highlights rights to the F1 coverage which has encouraged fans.
    But an outcome to the talks is not expected until later this week.
    And there is also said to be a chance the decision may not be made until the weekend.
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    Sky reportedly declined to comment to the Times.
    Sky do not need to strike a deal with Channel 4 to make the eagerly anticipated finale free to the public.
    The broadcasting giant also has the option to show it one of its free channels.
    But they did come to a ‘sharing’ agreement with Channel 4 for England’s dramatic Cricket World Cup final win in 2019 – so there is precedent.
    A similar deal was also struck in September when Prime Video let Channel 4 show Emma Raducanu’s historic win in the US Open tennis final.

    Sky have to balance the potential good publicity and the chance of attracting new subscribers for next season against kickback from fans who have already paid to watch the race.
    But former sports minister Tracy Crouch wholeheartedly urged the broadcast giant to make it available for free.
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    She told the Times: “It is only the last day of the season we are talking about, so I would hope they do so.
    “Pay TV does provide a massive investment in sports and we wouldn’t want to see the end of that because of the large benefits it brings.

    “But where there are epic endings or finales to sporting occasions I do think it makes sense to make them available to the widest possible audience.”
    Sunday will be the first time in 47 years two championship contenders have entered the final race level on points – Hamilton and Verstappen each have 369.5.
    And if Hamilton wins he will surpass Michael Schumacher’s record of seven championships and become the greatest F1 driver of all time. More