F1

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton names Valtteri Bottas as ‘best F1 team-mate’ in snub to Nico Rosberg, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has praised Valtteri Bottas as his best team-mate in Formula One, ahead of the Finn’s departure from Mercedes.Alfa Romeo have signed up Bottas, 32, for the 2022 season after the reigning world champions opted to bring in youngster George Russell to replace him.
      Lewis Hamilton has described Valtteri Bottas as his ‘best’ F1 team-mateCredit: Getty
      His friendship with Nico Rosberg struggled during their title fights at MercedesCredit: PA:Press Association
      It is no surprise that Hamilton, 36, has enjoyed his time alongside the former Williams driver as it has coincided with four title triumphs.
      Bottas joined following Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement after the German pipped his longtime pal-turned-rival to the 2016 crown.
      Despite being pushed by Ferrari and Red Bull during the hybrid era, the Merc has been by far the quickest car – and the Brit simply unmatched.
      Although a tally of nine race wins in four-and-a-half years is nothing to be sniffed at, it was only during the start of the 2019 season when Bottas truly looked capable of competing for the title.
      During this period, he was lumbered with the ‘wingman’ label that he tried and failed to shake off.
      But his role in four Constructors’ titles and Hamilton’s rise to seven championships did not go unrecognised at the team’s Brackley base.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Hamilton wrote on Instagram: “I’m immensely proud to have worked alongside Bottas for the last five years.
      “Together, we’ve been part of a team that has delivered four Constructors’ Championships, and we’ve motivated one another to keep pushing through the ups and the downs.
      “He has been the best teammate I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
      “Your speed and resilience has been impressive but where you truly stand out to me is the human being you are. You are greater than you know and I know there’s a bright future ahead for you.
      “Thank you Valtteri for all of your support and amazing contributions to this team. You will be missed.
      “I wish you all the best for your future endeavours🙏🏾 let’s finish off strong and get that 8th [title] for the team👊🏾.”
      Fernando Alonso and Hamilton clashed during the Brit’s rookie yearCredit: Reuters
      Jenson Button and the Brit were different personalities while at McLarenCredit: PA:Press Association
      How Hamilton clicks with Russell, 23, will be an intriguing plotline of the 2022 campaign.
      The pair are hardly strangers, with the youngster part of the Mercedes setup for over four years.
      Previous team-mates have often sparred with the veteran, including Rosberg in their competitive quest to deliver the team’s early glory, and Fernando Alonso.
      The Spaniard dramatically fell out with Hamilton at Hungary in 2007 following the then-rookie’s amazing start in F1.
      But he left after only a year amid a separate McLaren scandal with both drivers finishing a point behind champion Kimi Raikkonen.
      Haiki Kovalainen stepped in for the following two seasons but provided little support in Hamilton’s 2008 crowning.
      And Jenson Button was simply a different character to the now-celebrity Hamilton during their four years together at McLaren.
      The 41-year-old would later admit his ‘regret’ that the two were ‘never friends’ and their car was markedly outpaced by the Red Bull.

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Lewis Hamilton arrives at Dutch GP wearing Holland’s famous orange colours More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      Valtteri Bottas’ move to Alfa Romeo confirmed by F1 team with George Russell set to join Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

      by

      THE LATEST piece of the jigsaw in George Russell’s move to Mercedes has fallen into place, with Valtteri Bottas’ switch to Alfa Romeo now confirmed.On Monday, the Italian marque announced the capture of the Finn, 32, on a multi-year deal.
      Valtteri Bottas has sealed his switch to Alfa Romeo from next seasonCredit: Splash
      It means the path is now clear for British racer Russell to move to the reigning Formula One world champions for next season.
      Speculation over who will partner Lewis Hamilton has been rife for months but the deal quickly became the paddock’s worst-kept secret since the end of the summer break.
      Bottas said: “I am relishing the opportunity to help lead the team forward up the grid, especially with the new regulations in 2022 giving the team a chance to make a leap in performance.
      “I’m grateful for the trust the team has put in me and I cannot wait to repay their faith: I’m as hungry as ever to race for results and, when the time comes, for wins.
      “I am proud of what I have achieved [at Mercedes] and I am fully focused on finishing the job as we fight for another world championship, but I am also looking forward to the new challenges that await me next year.”
      Bottas, who like Russell raced for Williams before moving to Mercedes, was on the podium at Sunday’s Dutch GP but has not won a race all year.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Whereas the 23-year-old snapped up a maiden podium in the shortened race at Spa having more than matched his rival when briefly replacing Hamilton, 36, in his Mercedes when the star caught coronavirus last year.
      Russell is expected to be announced as a Merc racer imminently and has already discussed life alongside Hamilton.
      He told Sky Sports: “I don’t think any driver would be naive to think they could go up against a seven-time world champion and have it easy.
      “Because a guy like Lewis is who he is because of his speed and determination.”
      “But that’s every driver’s dream – and I’ve said that for the last three years that it would be my dream to be team-mates with Lewis, because I want to learn from the best and I want to go up against the best.
      “Let’s see what next year brings.”
      Bottas, meanwhile, replaces the retiring Kimi Raikkonen and will attempt to guide the Alfa to points finishes next season with the Ferrari-powered car likely to fight near the back of the pack.
      Team boss Vasseur said of the deal: “It is a pleasure to welcome Valtteri to the team and we are looking forward to our journey together.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      “With him, we bring to Hinwil a strong team player with experience at the sharp end of the grid.”
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff paid tribute to Bottas for his role in four consecutive Constructors’ victories for the team.
      He stated: “Together with Lewis, he has built a benchmark partnership between two team-mates in the sport, and that has been a valuable weapon in our championship battles and pushed us to achieve unprecedented success.”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Red Bull racing celebrate as Max Verstappen wins Dutch GP More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      George Russell signed Mercedes contract after Dutch GP and will become Lewis Hamilton’s F1 team-mate, says Nico Rosberg

      by

      GEORGE RUSSELL has signed his Mercedes deal following the Dutch GP – according to Nico Rosberg.The 2016 world champion says Russell was called into Merc boss Toto Wolff’s office to put pen to paper on a deal that would see him drive for the team next season.
      George Russell is set to make the move to MercedesCredit: Rex
      Rosberg says it was done for the benefit of the Netflix film crew who are making their fourth installment of the Drive to Survive TV series.
      He said: “By the way, on George Russell, I’ve got a rumour.
      “A certain streaming service was called into the office of Toto to film the signatures.
      “That’s the rumour that is circulating in the paddock.”
      The move will see Russell, 23, partner Lewis Hamilton in the team while Valtteri Bottas will make way and is expected to join Alfa Romeo this week.
      Both Hamilton and Russell endured tough races around Zandvoort on Sunday.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Starting 11th following a crash in qualifying, the Williams youngster was handed a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane before suffering a gearbox issue.
      While Hamilton was unable to match Max Verstappen’s pace around the Dutch circuit as the home favourite swooped to the victory.
      The British pair’s planned team-up next season has also been backed by ex-F1 star Jenson Button.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      He said: “For Lewis it puts pressure on his shoulders because he’s never had a young hotshot come into his team that he’s had to beat.
      “It’s a very different dynamic from what we’ve seen with British drivers before as team-mates – it was Lewis and myself – so I’m really excited for that fight if it happens.
      “It will be great for Lewis because it’s another challenge for him.”

      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

      Red Bull racing celebrate as Max Verstappen wins Dutch GP More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      Mercedes to remind Valtteri Bottas of future conduct after he ignored team orders and risked Lewis Hamilton title bid

      by

      MERCEDES bosses will remind Valtteri Bottas about his future conduct after he defied team orders at the Dutch GP.The Finn stopped two laps from the end for fresh tyres and was told NOT to set the fastest lap, which was held by his teammate Lewis Hamilton at the time.
      Valtteri Bottas is to get a ticking off from Mercedes bossesCredit: Splash
      Bottas took the fastest lap before Lewis Hamilton went even fasterCredit: Getty
      However, Bottas set blistering times in the first two sectors only to ease off in the final but still set a new record, potentially denying Hamilton a championship bonus point.
      It forced Merc to pit Hamilton a lap from the end so he too could get fresh tyres in a bid to regain the fastest lap honour and subsequent extra point.
      It created an unnecessary risk and provided the first glimpse that the axed Finn – who will be replaced by George Russell next season – will not fully-support Hamilton’s own title defence.
      Merc boss Wolff said: “It was a bit cheeky, but understandable. 
      “Valtteri is always on the receiving end because this championship is so tight and he lifted off massively in the last sector.
      “It could have ended up in the loss of a point for Lewis and it would also have also been not right because he had fastest lap until then.
      “We are going to talk about it but in a most amicable and professional way. But I can certainly relate to the situation.”

      Bottas, once dubbed the “perfect wingman” by Wolff, said he was “just playing around” – a flippant remark that could concern the Mercedes hierarchy.
      He said: “I was pushing on the first lap sector one, two, like flat out and then they started asking me to slow down at the end of the lap.
      “I was just playing around, really, because Lewis needs that one extra point more than me.
      “He is fighting for the world championship and as a team we’re trying to get the maximum points so that’s how it is.”
      Hamilton admitted he “had no idea” Bottas had taken the fastest lap time away from him – albeit temporarily as he regained it – but added “it doesn’t really matter.”
      He said: “If Valtteri had got it, that would have been fine. At the end of the day we needed to get the fastest lap, as many points as we can as a team.
      “So if Valtteri gets it or I get it, it doesn’t really make a huge difference.”

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Hamilton admits he has his work cut out if he is to win his record eighth world title, with nine races remaining.
      Now without a victory on pure pace since the Spanish GP in May, Hamilton added: “I’m giving it everything but since the first race, Red Bull have had such a strong car.
      “We had a couple of races where it looked like we just about were on par with them but there’s only been a couple of those.” More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 Dutch Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS:Max Verstappen WINS home GP to go back to top of championship, Hamilton second

      by

      THE Dutch Grand Prix is UNDERWAY at a packed Circuit Zandvoort.Max Verstappen has huge support in the busy stands, but Lewis Hamilton is giving chase.

      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
      PARTY TIME
      It’s no exaggeration to say that the fans are going absolutely wild for Max Verstappen. That’s some reception.
      It’s a sea of orange in the stands and they’re jubilant after a wonderful day of racing on a fantastic track.
      The Dutch GP is definitely one to keep an eye on for next year as well. Wonder whether we’ll look back on today at the end of the season as a defining moment for Max Verstappen…

      UP IN THE POINTS
      An outrageous drive from Sergio Perez who started down in P16 and managed to overtake the likes of Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo to get up to P8 place. A thoroughly good day for Red Bull.
      A special mention also for Fernando Alonso in the Alpine, who started in P9 and drove a superb race to overtake Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari as well as teammate Esteban Ocon to finish P6.
      The 40-year-old shows us again that class is permanent.

      HOME CHAMP
      Incredible scenes as Max Verstappen is crowned the first ever Dutch winner of the Dutch Grand Prix after a 36 year absence from the F1 circuit.
      It was a brilliant drive from the new leader of the Drivers Championship, who did incredibly well to keep Hamilton and Bottas at bay, who both pushed him right until the end.
      There could be no other winner though.

      MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE DUTCH GP
      Who else? This was a mega event. A mega crowd and a popular winner.
      The grandstands are lit up with orange smoke bombs.
      Lewis Hamilton is second. Bottas is third.
      Hamilton also gets the point for the fastest lap.
      BOTTAS GETS THE FASTST LAP
      And now Hamilton pits for tyres. Lap 72
      BOTTAS FINAL PITSTOP
      And that was a slow stop. It will allow him a crack at setting the fastest lap and earning a bonus point.
      However, that will crucially take a point away from Hamilton, who currently has the fastest lap. Unless Hamilton stops again.
      LAP 64 HAMILTON’S CHALLENGE HAS FADED
      The Mercedes man has dropped his pace to preserve his tyres. The gap is now up to 4 seconds.
      LAP 55
      Hamilton has been eating into Verstappen’s advantage. He has reduced that gap to 1.3 seconds.
      In doing so, he has taken some life out of his tyres. This might actually put Verstappen under some pressure.

      TSUNODA HAS RETIRED FROM THE RACE
      The Alpha Tauri man is back in the garage and out of this race.

      MAZEPIN IS THE FIRST CAR TO RETIRE FROM THIS RACE
      The Haas man is back in the garage. No real surprise of loss.
      LAP 41 VERSTAPPEN PITS
      Red Bull respond to the threat of the undercut from Hamilton by calling in Verstappen.
      The pitstops is clean and he is back on his way again, three seconds ahead of the Mercedes man.

      LAP 40 HAMILTON PITS
      Another stop for the world champion, who takes another set of medium tyres.
      He returns to the track in second place but almost 25 seconds behind the leader.
      FEW OVERTAKES OF NOTE SO FAR, BUT THIS WAS A GOOD ONE
      Pierre Gasly on Fernando Alonso. I bet they enjoyed watching that down at Honda.

      SEBASTIAN VETTEL SPINS ON THE BANKING
      The Aston Martin man loses the rear of his car and slides to a halt. He’s now down in 17th place.
      PENALTY FOR RUSSELL
      The Brit has been given a five second time penalty for speeding in the pitlane.
      LAP 31 VERSTAPPEN GETS PAST BOTTAS INTO TURN ONE
      The grandstands erupt as the Dutchman regains the lead. The Finn, then surrenders P2 to Hamilton.
      It is Verstappen, Hamilton, Bottas, Leclerc, Sainz – the two Ferraris are yet to pit.
      LAP 30 BOTTAS IS BACKING VERSTAPPEN INTO HAMILTON
      The Finn is helping out tactically here as Verstappen has become the jam in a Mercedes sandwich.
      LAP 22 VERSTAPPEN PITS
      The Red Bull team respond to Hamilton’s pitstops by calling him in a lap later.
      The pitstop was a second-quicker to increase the Dutchman’s lead in this race.
      Valtteri Bottas, who has yet to pit, is the new race leader.
      LAP 22/72Verstappen and Hamilton pit from P1 and P2 respectively Verstappen emerges in P2, 10 seconds behind Bottas (P1)Hamilton in P3, three seconds further backBottas has not stopped yet #DutchGP 🇳🇱 #F1 pic.twitter.com/Mkta2tXMHz— Formula 1 (@F1) September 5, 2021

      HAMILTON REPORTING TYRE PROBLEMS
      Lap 21 Hamilton comes in for some fresh tyres. He’s gone for a set of medium tyres in the hope of reaching the end of the race.
      SO FAR, NO RED FLAGS
      I will admit, I’d almost guaranteed there would be at least one red flag so far, judging by the support races.
      But this GP has been incident free. Already on lap 19/72. It is whizzing by.
      1,000 LAPS
      Max Verstappen has now lead 1,000 laps in Formula One.
      MAX IS PULLING AWAY
      The Red Bull man is trying to get out of the way of a Hamilton fight back. If he builds a gap it will make life easier on his team when it comes to deciding when to pit him for tyres.

      NEAR MISS FOR GIOVINAZZI
      The Alfa Romeo man is in he thick of the action and almost clatters into Carlos Sainz and then Fernando Alonso.
      PROBLEMS FOR RICCIARDO?
      His McLaren is pumping out blue smoke and George Russell is travelling behind and says the Aussie is leaking oil.
      Now, it could be a little bit of oil overfill burning off, or maybe there is a bigger issue.
      LIGHTS OUT – WE ARE GO
      A great start from Verstappen who is already a two car lengths clear of Hamilton into Turn One.
      He absolutely nailed that start. The Red Bull man is flying as Hamilton came under attack from teammate Valtteri Bottas.
      Load more entries… More

    • 213 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      Max Verstappen wins Dutch GP with Lewis Hamilton finishing second but pushing F1 rival the whole way

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN has taken the lead in the Formula One Drivers’ Championship after a dominant victory in Holland on Sunday.The Belgian-born racer – who represents Holland – started on pole at the Circuit Zandvoort and went on to win his home Grand Prix.
      Max Verstappen won the Dutch GP – his home raceCredit: Getty
      Red Bull star Verstappen, 23, finished ahead of Mercedes pair Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to move three points clear at the top.
      Hamilton, 36, pushed his title rival all the way but couldn’t catch him, although he did win an extra point for having the fastest lap.
      The British star has eight races remaining in the season to reclaim the lead and win a record EIGHTH world title.
      Sunday’s race was the first time the Dutch GP has been held since 1985, with Verstappen becoming the first Dutchman to win on home soil.
      More to follow…

      BETTING SPECIAL – GET 20/1 ON ENGLAND TO BEAT ANDORRA
      ⚽ Read our Transfer news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals
      Lewis Hamilton arrives at Dutch GP wearing Holland’s famous orange colours More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 star Max Verstappen shares rare snap alongside stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet who is nine years his senior

      by

      FORMULA ONE hero Max Verstappen has shared a rare snap of himself with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet on holiday.The 23-year-old racer is currently embroiled in a fascinating tussle with Lewis Hamilton for the F1 Driver’s Championship.
      Max Verstappen has shared a picture of him and his girlfriend on InstagramCredit: Instagram @kellypiquet
      The F1 star has been dating Kelly Piquet since October 2020Credit: Instagram @kellypiquet
      The Brazilian model dated former F1 star Daniil Kvyat between 2016 and 2019Credit: Instagram @kellypiquet
      Verstappen posted a picture of him and Kelly on Instagram, writing: “Enjoying the last few days of the summer break!”
      The Brazilian model also shared some pics from their holiday to her 416,000 Insta followers, writing: “You and me, and the sound of the sea.”
      Kelly, 32, is nearly nine years older than Verstappen and is the daughter of racing legend Nelson Piquet, who won three F1 titles during the 1980s.
      She previously dated former F1 star Daniil Kvyat, 27, between 2016 and 2019, giving birth to their baby daughter in July 2019.
      Verstappen doesn’t share a lot of photos from his personal life on Insta but does give his 5.5 million followers plenty of F1 pics.
      The couple are reportedly soaking up the sun on the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten ahead of the next race in Spa, Belgium on August 29.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Hamilton has won seven world titles during his career and is hoping to claim an eighth and become the outright record holder later this year.
      Verstappen is his biggest challenger and wants to become the third-youngest racer in history to win the Drivers’ Championship.
      The title rivals have already experienced some heated moments this season, with the pair colliding in a brutal crash at Silverstone.
      Kelly is the daughter of three-time F1 champ Nelson PiquetCredit: Instagram @kellypiquet
      Kelly has one child with KvyatCredit: Instagram @kellypiquet
      Dramatic F1 fan footage shows brutal impact of Max Verstappen’s 180mph crash as Lewis Hamilton is blamed for collision More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Motorsport

      F1 Dutch Grand Prix: UK start time, TV channel and live stream for Circuit Zandvoort race

      by

      MAX VERSTAPPEN is on home turf as he looks to turn up the heat on Lewis Hamilton in the F1 Dutch Grand Prix.The Dutchman moved to within three points of the Brit after picking up half points from a controversial win in Belgium.
      Max Verstappen reduced Lewis Hamilton’s world championship lead to three points in BelgiumCredit: Splash
      The ‘race’ at Spa, which was criticised by both Verstappen and Hamilton, consisted of two laps behind the safety car with every driver ending up in the position they finished qualifying in.
      What time is the F1 Dutch Grand Prix?

      The Dutch Grand Prix race weekend takes place from Friday, September 3 to Sunday, September 5.
      Qualifying takes place on Saturday September 5 at 2pm.
      Practice Three takes place before at 11am on the Saturday.
      The race then takes place at 2pm on Sunday.

      What TV channel is the F1 Dutch Grand Prix on and can I live stream it?

      The F1 Dutch Grand Prix weekend will be live on Sky Sports F1.
      To stream the action live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
      Friday’s coverage commences at 10am.
      Saturday’s coverage commences at 10.45am.
      Sunday’s coverage commences at 12.30pm.

      Race schedule
      Friday
      Practice One – 10.30am
      Practice Two – 2pm
      Saturday
      Practice Three – 11am
      Qualifying – 2pm
      Sunday
      Race – 2pm More