F1

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Sebastian Vettel jokes he will ‘touch Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing’ after Brit disqualified from Sao Paulo GP qualifying

      by

      FOUR-TIME F1 champions Sebastian Vettel joked he will ‘touch Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing’ after the Brit was disqualified from qualifying in Sao Paulo.The joke comes after title hopeful Max Verstappen was slapped with a hefty £43,000 fine for touching rival Hamilton’s car after finishing behind him in Friday’s session.
      Vettel joked with the idea of touching Hamilton’s car and picking up a hefty fine like Verstappen didCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Hamilton’s car was ultimately deemed to have broken technical regulations concerning DRS, leading to him being forced to start Saturday’s sprint race from the pits.
      But that didn’t stop the seven-time champ as he astonishingly drove his way fifth placed finish in the sprint race.
      He will, however, start Sunday’s Brazilian GP from tenth due to a separate five-place penalty for taking a new engine.
      Vettel joked: “I’m going to touch Hamilton’s rear wing.”
      Members of Aston Martin’s radio team replied: “Don’t you dare. Very Expensive.”
      The German continued: “I’m joking. Maybe I’ll try the front wing, maybe it’s 25 grand.”
      TOTALLY EPICWELCOME to the downtime goldmine

      We’ve got a free to enter competition with Pokerstars Casino that will see one lucky Sun reader win a cool £5,000.
      It’s time to win while you wait. Are you in?
      Click HERE to enter. Epic.
      T&Cs apply. 18+ Play responsibly. BeGambleAware.org

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      Although yesterday’s barnstorming drive keeps Hamilton’s hopes of a record eighth title alive, Verstappen has the upper hand.
      The Dutchman starts in P2 behind Valtteri Bottas.
      And with four races to go, the Brit trails Verstappen by 21 points in the driver standings.
      Max Verstappen shows off his new racing helmet ahead of Brazil Grand Prix More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton defies Brazil DQ with sensational sprint race surge to keep F1 title hopes alive as Wolff turns air blue

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON pulled off a dazzling “f*** them all” drive in last night’s Brazilian sprint race to resurrect his hopes of a record-breaking EIGHTH title.Stewards had disqualified him from qualifying after ruling the rear wing of his Mercedes had breached technical regulations and demoted him to the back of the grid.
      Lewis Hamilton surged through the field in Saturday’s sprint race to finish fifthCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lewis Hamilton started from the pit lane in Brazil after being disqualified in qualificationCredit: AFP
      Hamilton’s DRS system was found to breach F1 regulations after Brazil qualifyingCredit: AFP
      But he ripped through the field in the short 24-lap race to finish an astonishing fifth behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
      Delighted team boss Toto Wolff roared: “Amazing job Lewis, f*** them all.” To which, Hamilton replied “Copy, it’s not over yet.”
      Britain’s seven-time world champ will start tenth on the grid for today’s 71-lap Brazilian GP due to a  separate five-place penalty for taking a new engine.
      But his incredible sprint race performance has kept the pressure on bitter title rival Max Verstappen, who will line up on the front row today after finishing second behind Bottas.
      Hamilton had been fastest in Friday’s qualifying, but then was hauled in front of stewards after his rear wing was  adjudged to have exceeded the 85mm limit when open.
       Verstappen, 24, was also quizzed after video footage of him emerged appearing to tamper with both the rear of his own car and Hamilton’s in perc ferme — also in breach of FIA rules.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      The Red Bull driver was hit with a £42,000 fine  yesterday, but Hamilton, 36, was disqualified in what former F1 driver Martin Brundle described as “a quite brutal” decision.
      However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner declared: “It is the only conclusion the stewards could come to — it is  black and white.
      “People do not design things  to break regulations on purpose because that would be illegal.
      “But it shows Mercedes are on the limit. They are being pushed this year and we are enjoying it.”
      On Verstappen’s fine for touching the cars, he added: “It is ironic because he gets a fine but  then gets a bonus for getting pole.
      “All drivers are inquisitive. We have had drivers pull out clutch panels, while Sebastian Vettel is the king of prodding and poking.
      “We have also seen it with Lewis, poking around their competitors’ cars.”
      Verstappen extended his world championship lead over Hamilton to 21 points.
      In a dig at the stewards’ decision, race engineer Peter Bonnington sarcastically told Hamilton on the radio: “Make sure you don’t touch any of the other cars or check them out in any way.”
      Red Bull star Max Verstappen was caught touching Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes car after qualifying More

    • 225 Shares159 Views

      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen fined £43k for TOUCHING F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing after qualifying for Brazil GP

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN was slapped with a £43,000 fine for touching title rival Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes car after qualifying at the Brazilian Grand Prix.Verstappen was caught examining the rear wing of Hamilton’s Mercedes in a fan video which circulated on social media after finishing second to the Brit in Friday’s session.
      Red Bull star Max Verstappen was caught touching Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes carCredit: Twitter
      Fan footage was released showing Max Verstappen examining Lewis Hamilton’s rear wingCredit: Twitter
      Hamilton’s car was ultimately seemed to have broken technical regulations concerning DRS, leading to him being forced to start Saturday’s sprint race from the pits.
      But that did not spare Verstappen, who copped a hefty fine for breaching Parc Ferme rules.
      Rules state that under Parc Ferme, only the officials assigned may enter the paddock and ‘no operation, checking, tuning or repair is allowed unless authorised by the same officials or by the applicable regulations’.
      Verstappen was called to see stewards on Saturday morning in Sao Paulo and was joined by Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
      The meeting lasted less than half an hour and it was confirmed later that the Dutchman has been fined.
      Verstappen could not take full advantage of Hamilton’s disqualification as he was beaten by Valtteri Bottas in Saturday’s 23-lap sprint race – despite being bumped up to pole.

      But two extra world championship points means the Red Bull whizkid now has a 21 point lead over his closest rival in the title standings, with four races left.
      Hamilton, who was forced to start in the pit lane, recovered with a stunning surge through the field to finish an astonishing fifth, keeping his hopes alive.
      Britain’s seven-time world champ will start tenth on the grid for Sunday’s 71-lap race due to a separate five-place penalty for taking a new engine.
      Max Verstappen saw title rival Lewis Hamilton getting disqualified soon afterCredit: Reuters
      Lewis Hamilton enjoys action packed break as F1 ace gets pelted by bugs in jeep in wild ride More

    • 238 Shares169 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 Brazilian Grand Prix sprint qualifying: UK start time, live stream, TV channel, schedule as the Sprint race returns

      by

      INTERLAGOS is the next track to host one of the most thrilling F1 championships in history as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen go head to head once again.The Dutchman, 24, opened up a 19-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship after winning the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend.
      Follow all the action from the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos
      Max Verstappen leads by 19 points at the top
      And reigning champion Hamilton has admitted time is running out to catch up with Verstappen.
      Hamilton, 36, said: “There are still four races to go.
      “But 19 points is a lot of points. And he’s had a lot of wins. If they were to carry that on to the next ones, we will be in trouble.”
      When is the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix?
      The F1 Brazilian Grand Prix takes place from Friday November 12 to Sunday November 14.
      And this time round we get also get the final Sprint Race of the season on Saturday too, which will additional points up for grabs on a bumper weekend.
      That means qualifying takes place on the Friday evening rather than the usual Saturday slot.
      Then it’s lights out on Sunday November 14 at 5pm GMT.
      What TV channel and live stream is F1 Brazilian Grand Prix?
      The F1 Brazilian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 in the UK.
      Sky Sports F1 will be showing the full weekend schedule.
      What is the race schedule?
      Times in GMT
      Friday November 12
      Practice 1: 3.30pm
      Qualifying: 7pm
      Saturday November 13
      Practice 2: 3pm
      Sprint Race: 7pm
      Sunday November 14
      Race: 5pm More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton title woe as Brit faces DISQUALIFICATION after trouncing Max Verstappen for Brazilian GP sprint pole

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON’S hopes of a record-breaking eighth F1 world title could be up in smoke after a potential breach of the regulations during qualifying in Brazil.The Brit trounced championship rival Max Verstappen in Sao Paolo to earn pole position for Saturday’s sprint race – and a chance to claw back two points.
      Lewis Hamilton crushed Friday qualifying to get pole for the sprint in Brazil but could now start lastCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen was not too disappointed to come in second ahead of the weekendCredit: Getty
      But Hamilton’s joy was short-lived after news his Mercedes is pending an FIA investigation after it opened more than it should when DRS was activated, giving him an extra burst of speed.
      If Hamilton’s Silver Arrow has breached the technical regulations he could be disqualified.
      This would see him start at the back of the grid for sprint qualifying, which will determine the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
      Hamilton already trails Verstappen by 19 points and the Dutchman could open up a bigger gap on the defending champion if Hamilton is to start the Brazilian Grand Prix from the back of the field.
      The FIA have summoned a representative of Mercedes to the stewards to discuss the incident.
      To add salt to the wounds, Hamilton will also be met with a five-place grid penalty on Sunday after taking on a new engine.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)

      Meaning any ground he makes up in the 100km sprint qualifying race will all be undone for the Grand Prix.
      It has overshadowed what appeared to be a turning point for Mercedes in the championship, after Hamilton showed incredible pace to beat Verstappen by 0.4 seconds.
      Before the rear wing was reported to the FIA, Hamilton was amazed to see how much Mercedes had improved since the Mexico GP.
      He said: “We’ve been working so hard to get this car right, it’s been tough.
      “So to finally get the car feeling like it did today, it feels great and it’s just a testament to all the hard work in the garage and at home to try and pull out everything we have in the car.
      “The last two poles I’ve had, I’ve had a penalty. So it’s a bit unfortunate to have the penalty but it is what it is.
      “I don’t know if the pace will translate to the race, but I’ve been going from P3 and I sit there for the whole hour trying to make the right set up changes in practice and the anxiety you get is crazy.
      “A lot of times I get it wrong and today I got it right and the car was really nice to drive.
      “It was everything I wanted and then that enabled me to keep pushing and you could just see purple, purple, purple and I was just gaining each time.
      “I don’t know how we can go from one track where they are half a second ahead to then being behind, but anyway they will be very strong in the race tomorrow and I hope Valtteri [Bottas] gets a good start.”
      Although Verstappen wasn’t shocked to see his rival thriving with his fresh Mercedes-powered engine.
      Verstappen said: “Naturally when they take a new engine they have more power for the weekend.
      “For me it’s not a big shock, I am just happy to be second, that’s a good position to start from.
      “Of course you want to be closer but sometimes you just have to be realistic and there wasn’t much more in it.”
      Hamilton’s ex-team-mate Rosberg reveals why he couldn’t drive two laps in F1 car More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton in huge F1 world title blow as Mercedes star takes five-place grid penalty for engine change at Brazil GP

      by

      SEVEN-TIME world champion Lewis Hamilton WILL take a five-place grid penalty in Sao Paolo.The Brit’s car requires an engine change for this weekend’s Brazilian GP.
      Hamilton faces yet another setback in his quest for an eighth world titleCredit: AFP
      It makes his task of overhauling Max Verstappen’s 19 point lead in the standings even more challenging.
      The penalty comes into force after the Sprint race, meaning he will start that in the place that he qualifies on Friday.
      Qualifying is on Friday evening after Practice One, followed by Practice Two and the Sprint Race on Saturday night.
      So the best possible place Hamilton can start from on Sunday’s race is fifth on the grid.
      It’s the fifth time Hamilton has had an engine change this season – two over the three allowed swaps.
      He previously changed his engine unit at the Turkish GP last month and eventually finished in fifth place.
      But with SunSport predicting a Max Verstappen win even before the penalty Hamilton can’t afford to finish that low down and lose yet more ground on the Dutchman.

      When asked on Thursday about a possible penalty Hamilton remained coy, saying: “I can’t really comment at the moment.
      “I don’t think the engines have even arrived. As far as I am aware currently my engine is fine.
      “I will find out obviously later on. We’ve not even done an engineering [meeting] yet.”
      But now the engine change has been confirmed and the Brit will have to take a penalty.
      It comes as a blow to the seven-time world champ with just four races left on the calendar.
      Abu Dhabi hosts the season finale on December 12 after races in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
      But the title may well already be decided by the time the circuit touches down at Yas Marina.
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to dangerous crash More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen has delivered thrilling F1 season – but rule changes promise to make 2022 even better

      by

      FORMULA ONE fans are lapping up Lewis Hamilton’s title fight with Max Verstappen – and next year promises to be even better.Seeing the seven-time world champion fighting the young Red Bull ace has been gripping and it could signal the changing of an era.

      But one thing that is changing for 2022 is the rulebook, as F1 faces its biggest overhaul in its 71-year history.
      Many fans have questioned why, with such a close fight between Verstappen and Hamilton, there is a need for new rules.
      But F1’s masterplan, which was laid out in 2018, is to make the racing even better, with multiple drivers battling it out for the title.
      So what is changing?
      The biggest difference is with the cars and we will see a complete transformation from this year’s challenger.
      While the current models are quick, they generate so much turbulence from their honed aerodynamics that is impossible for another car to follow closely behind.

      Think of how a speedboat generates choppy water, it is the same for F1 cars only with ‘dirty air’.
      It means that once a car gets close to another, it is forced into the turbulence, losing around 40 per cent of its downforce and grip.
      It means the driver behind is unable to mount a serious attack on the car in front as he has lost performance from his own car.
      The biggest shake-up with the 2022 cars is the design will shoot that air upwards, rather than behind, meaning cars are capable of travelling closer together, which in turn leads to closer racing.
      Other key changes are over-wheel winglets for the first time and wheel covers, again with the ideal to create downforce but without causing turbulence.What else is new?
      Bigger tyres. Big is beautiful but the new 18″ wheels will not only look better, they will also feature slick low-profile tyres for the first time.
      Pirelli have designed new tyres that reduce the amount of overheating when they slide.
      That is another factor that will help with closer racing, as drivers currently lose performance with an overheating tyre.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      The other crucial aspect, although it will not be noticeable to TV viewers, is the shift to a biofuel, while the turbo-hybrid engines currently being used will carry over.
      F1 chiefs are hoping that the new cars will lead to closer racing, while teams will be limited to spending £105million on developing their cars as part of a reduced cost cap.
      In theory, that should help the likes of Williams and Haas at the back of the grid be more competitive with the midfield teams – Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin and Alpine.
      And at the sharp end, it will move the bigger teams closer together.
      So while this year’s duel between Verstappen and Hamilton is exciting, the goal for 2022 is for it to be an even better show.
      Hamilton’s ex-team-mate Rosberg reveals why he couldn’t drive two laps in F1 car More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Inside F1 star Max Verstappen’s £12m private jet that Red Bull star bought from Virgin tycoon Richard Branson

      by

      THIS Red Bull driver really does have wings.Max Verstappen, 24, showed yet again he was king of the circuit over the weekend – winning the Mexican Grand Prix by 16 seconds ahead of fierce rival Lewis Hamilton.
      Max Verstappen is the proud owner of a £12m Falcon-900EX private jet
      Verstappen currently leads the driver standings by 19 points
      Virgin boss and British business magnate, Richard Branson was the previous ownerCredit: AP
      The victory extended his lead to 19 points in the driver standings with just four races to go.
      And motor racing isn’t the only thing Verstappen is flying high in.
      For he is the proud owner of his own private jet, that he splashed the cash on in 2020.
      Max paid around £12million for the Falcon-900EX, that used to have a famous owner.
      It was previously in the hands of Virgin boss and British business magnate, Sir Richard Branson, according to reports.

      LAVISH EXPENSE
      Verstappen already leads a life of luxury, and is said to have a £45million fortune.
      He lives in a stunning apartment in Monaco, like most F1 heroes, worth millions.
      Mad Max also has an incredible car collection, owning various Aston Martins through the years. And he’s awaiting their £2million Valkyrie, which he has on order and is due for delivery next year.
      But in the meantime, he has another toy to play with – and like his team’s drink’s motto, it gives him wings.
      Dutch star Verstappen paid around £12m for his own plane
      Inside the cockpit of Verstappen’s stunning plane
      Verstappen pays around £1m-per-year in up-keep of the Falcon-900EX
      Last year, Verstappen bought himself a Falcon-900EX private jet worth about £12m to travel in style with.
      Better still, you can bet it was very well looked after by its previous owner.
      That’s because it was said to be owned by Virgin Atlantic billionaire Sir Richard Branson.
      PLANE SPEC
      Incredibly, the Falcon-900EX costs about £1million-per-year to keep.
      But that won’t dent Verstappen’s bank balance, who is happy to fly in style and sometimes give mates like Daniel Ricciardo a lift to a Grand Prix.
      Made in 2008, it was given a significant upgrade before it was handed over to F1’s youngest ever Grand Prix winner.
      Now powered by three Honeywell TFE731-60 engines, it’s capable of a maximum range of 8,750 kilometres before it requires refuelling, can hit a top speed of 892 km/h, and cruising speed of 850 km/h.
      As for the interiors, it’s just as luxurious.
      Capable of seating up to 12 passengers, two seats can be reclined to make a full-size bed.
      Daniel Ricciardo hitches a ride on Verstappen’s private jet
      A fully equipped bar would allow Verstappen to celebrate victory in style
      The jet boasts a luxury bathroom
      Verstappen now has a stranglehold on the F1 World ChampionshipCredit: Rex

      There’s tables fitted to enjoy a meal and a drink.
      There’s even a bar to celebrate, in case you want to pop open some champagne after victory.
      You can bet Max’s flight home from Mexico last weekend was a fun one.
      Lewis Hamilton stuns group of kids by ditching disguise and giving inspirational speech More