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    Lewis Hamilton’s F1 team-mate will be George Russell after Mercedes give ‘clear indication’ of change, claims Schumacher

    GEORGE RUSSELL has cemented his place as the favourite for a Mercedes drive next season, according to Ralf Schumacher.The ex-Formula One star believes Russell’s call-up to a summer tyre test in the Merc is a telling sign that he will replace Valtteri Bottas.
    George Russell has been tipped to race for Mercedes next seasonCredit: Alamy
    Team principal Toto Wolff has previously declared that the 2022 drive line-up will be completed over the summer break, which ends later this month.
    Lewis Hamilton is signed up for another two seasons with the speculation focused on Bottas’ precarious position.
    Many fans and pundits had assumed that Williams star Russell, 23, would be the driver elevated if Bottas is removed – until Jacques Villeneuve claimed that Lance Stroll might get the nod.
    But Schumacher, 46, has insisted that Russell’s move is all but done.
    The German told AutoBild: “It’s true that [Aston Martin boss Lawrence] Stroll and Wolff are close friends.
    “But how far would they go? I don’t think Lance Stroll plays a role at Mercedes.
    “I think that’s where Russell is seated. It is no coincidence that he is doing the tests for Mercedes with the new 18-inch tyres that will be used next year.
    “For me this is a clear indication.”
    MER TO COME
    Russell replaced Hamilton for last year’s Sakhir Grand Prix when the world champion was ruled out with coronavirus.
    And he bagged his first points for Williams with a ninth-placed finish in Hungary last time out, elevated to eighth after Sebastian Vettel’s disqualification.
    The Brit’s summer break began with a test on next year’s 18-inch wheels and he clocked 137 laps in the Mercedes before jetting off to Santorini.
    Fans eagerly await an announcement on his future with Bottas, 31, tipped to be dropped after a first-corner crash in the Hungarian Grand Prix.
    Bottas’ contract expires at the end of the year but it has been speculated that Toto Wolff will attempt to find him a seat for 2022 regardless.
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    Ex-racer Villeneuve named Aston Martin’s Stroll as one contender for the Merc seat on the basis that Bottas will move in the opposite direction.
    He had said “Stroll Snr’s dream, very close to Toto Wolff, is to see his son winning championships.
    “And Toto needs a place for Valtteri.”

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    Aston Martin’s appeal over Sebastian Vettel’s Hungarian GP disqualification rejected over fuel infringement

    ASTON MARTIN’S initial appeal over Sebastian Vettel’s Hungarian Grand Prix disqualification has been REJECTED.The German legend, 34, crossed the Hungaroring finish line in a superb second place behind shock winner Esteban Ocon and ahead of old rival Lewis Hamilton.
    Sebastian Vettel has had his initial Hungarian GP disqualification ‘appeal’ rejected having finished second but later been unable to provide the required one-litre fuel sampleCredit: Reuters
    It was only Aston Martin’s second-ever podium finish in Formula One.
    But just four hours later, Vettel was disqualified after stewards claimed they were unable to take the one-litre fuel sample from his car.
    Aston Martin released a statement claiming the car had 1.74l of fuel still in the tank and would request a ‘right of review’ following the FIA’s ruling.
    However, the request has been denied after stewards revealed they were only able to extract 0.3l of fuel from Vettel’s car.
    The team can now launch an official appeal should they feel they have a strong enough case.
    An FIA statement read: “On Monday afternoon the stewards heard from team boss Otmar Szafnauer, chief technical officer Andrew Green and sporting director Andy Stevenson to hear the team’s case. 
    “Under F1’s rules, in order to secure a right to review, the team must show ‘significant and relevant new’ evidence to the stewards.
    “After the hearing the FIA revealed that Aston Martin had discovered that a faulty fuel pump meant a ‘significant amount of fuel was inadvertently discharged from the fuel cell of Car 5’, meaning FIA personnel could only extract 0.3 litres.
    “This was accepted as ‘new evidence’ but in their decision document, the stewards said it was irrelevant why there was less than 1.0 litres of fuel in the car.
    “They wrote that in order to secure a right of review: ‘Aston Martin would have had to present facts that actually more than 1 litre of fuel was remaining. 
    “‘The explanation why this requirement could not be met is not relevant to the decision as to whether a breach of the regulations has occurred.’
    “Therefore the officials dismissed the request for a right of review, which means Vettel’s disqualification from the race stands.
    “Though that could still change if Aston Martin continue with their appeal, which is a separate process.”
    T-SHIRT REPRIMAND
    During an incident-packed weekend in Hungary, Vettel had already been issued a reprimand for failing to remove his rainbow T-shirt ahead of the race.
    The Aston Martin driver wore the shirt with the words ‘same love’ across the front having previously worn shoes sporting a rainbow flag in a message against Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law.
    ‘We Race As One’ is a platform launched by F1 last year that counts diversity, inclusivity and sustainability as its core principles.
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    Drivers are free to wear apparel with a message that is supportive of the initiative’s principles.
    But they were instructed to remove any such T-shirts before the national anthem and wear their race suits in a pre-race note issued by race director Michael Masi.
    Vettel failed to remove his T-shirt for the national anthem – but claims he forgot to take it off after it began raining.
    Sebastian Vettel had earlier been reprimanded by the FIA for wearing a rainbow T-shirt reading ‘same love’ during the national anthemCredit: The Mega Agency
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    Lewis Hamilton ‘out of energy’ and facing burnout after Mercedes star’s Covid battle, claims F1 legend Damon Hill

    FORMER F1 driver Damon Hill is worried about the effect long covid is having on Lewis Hamilton.Hamilton, 36, was visibly spent after last week’s Hungary Grand Prix, where the Brit finished second after Sebastian Vettel was disqualified.
    Lewis Hamilton will take a break from training to recover from the gruelling Hungary Grand Prix
    Damon Hill expressed his concern for Hamilton
    But the Mercedes star struggled to even step onto the podium after the race, with fatigue setting in.
    Hill noticed Hamilton’s tired-looking state and expressed concern for the driver.
    He told the F1 Nation podcast: “He was definitely out of energy.
    “He had burned it all up and I just hope and wish him well that he has got the ability to recover as soon as he can.
    “This long Covid we have heard about… I have heard people talk about this and they have had Covid and a year later they still feel they are not 100 per cent. It is a nasty virus and let’s hope Lewis can get a full recovery from it.
    “He was tired after British Grand Prix, do you remember he was on the podium looking a bit puffed?
    “We thought that was because he had to battle through and it was a tough track but clearly, he has admitted he has not managed to get back his full fitness after getting Covid last year in Bahrain.”
    Hamilton’s drive in Hungary left him dizzy, extremely tired and with shortness of breath – tell-tale signs of long Covid.
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    As a result, he will now take a break from training and rest up ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix on August 29.
    Hamilton’s second-place finish last time out allowed him to jump ahead of Max Verstappen in the overall standings.
    He now leads the Dutch driver by eight points, with a total of 195 points and four wins.
    Fatigued and dizzy Lewis Hamilton struggles to stand up on podium More

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    Aston Martin to appeal decision to disqualify Sebastian Vettel from F1 Hungary GP with new evidence on fuel

    ASTON MARTIN plan to fight the decision to ban Sebastian Vettel from from the the F1 Hungary GP last weekend.The German driver was stripped of his second-placed finish after the race’s conclusion as stewards couldn’t extract the right amount of required fuel to sample from Vettel’s motor.
    Aston Martin plan to appeal Vettel’s disqualification from the Hungary GP with new evidenceCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
    This saw his rival Lewis Hamilton bumped up from third place to steal Vettel’s spot on the podium.
    But his Aston Martin team aren’t taking the FIA’s decision lying down and have revealed they’ll be fighting Vettel’s dismissal with new evidence that’s emerged about his fuel.
    In a statement shared by the Daily Mail, Aston Martin claimed that their findings show that Vettel’s car had MORE than the required 1.0 litre fuel amount after the race.
    And that he didn’t benefit from any advantage from the undeliberate alleged regulatory offence.
    They wrote: “After Sebastian Vettel’s drive to second place on the road in the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday August 1st.
    “He was disqualified from the results when a 1.0-litre sample of fuel was not able to be taken from his car after the race (a requirement as set out in the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations).
    “There was and is no suggestion that Vettel’s Aston Martin car benefited from a performance advantage from the alleged regulatory breach, or that it was deliberate.
    “Since the team’s data indicated that there was more than 1.0 litre of fuel in the car after the race – 1.74 litres according to the data – the team immediately reserved its right to appeal.
    “And has requested a right of review alongside the appeal procedure.
    “As a result of having discovered significant new evidence relevant to the sanction which was unavailable to it at the time of the FIA stewards’ decision.”
    If their appeal is successful, it will be the second time Vettel’s finished second, a feat which he first achieved earlier this year in Azerbaijan.
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    The 34-year-old also found himself in hot water again after the Hungary GP for wearing a rainbow-coloured top during the race in donning a rainbow flag in a message against Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law.
    Then the FIA reprimanded him for failing to remove the T-shirt.
    He received support from Hamilton, who slammed their decision to sanction him and said he’ll wear the same top next time in unison with Vettel.
    F1 star Sebastian Vettel helps Silverstone cleaners pick up litter after British Grand Prix More

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    Lewis Hamilton shares training footage & admits staying in shape is ‘real pain in the butt cheek’ after long Covid scare

    LEWIS HAMILTON admitted staying in shape is a ‘real pain in the butt cheek’.The Formula One superstar, 36, shared training footage on his Instagram story on Tuesday.
    Lewis Hamilton is putting in the hard work during the mid-season F1 breakCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
    The reigning world champ joked the exercise is a ‘pain in the butt cheek’Credit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
    Hamilton posted a series of videos in a bright orange T-shirt and grey shorts working out on an exercise bike, seemingly on a balcony with a sea view in the reflection.
    He added another clip topless with his tattoo artwork on display.
    The reigning world champion wrote to his 23.3million followers: “Summer training starts now. Let’s go!
    “Working through it. Nothing we can’t do.
    “Pushing to expand these lungs.
    “Training can be a real pain in the butt cheek but no pain no gain.”
    The videos come just a day after Hamilton prescribed himself some time off to rest and recover.
    He is struggling with the effects of long Covid, which left him dizzy and suffering from exhaustion at the weekend.
    The Brit crossed the line third at the Hungary GP on Sunday after a dramatic fightback.
    But the seven-time world champ was upgraded to second when Sebastian Vettel was disqualified for breaching fuel regulations.
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    That saw him extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ championship standings to eight points over Max Verstappen.
    Hamilton and his fellow F1 drivers have four weeks away from the track during the mid-season summer break.
    The F1 campaign resumes on the last weekend of August for race 12 of 23 at Spa in Belgium.
    Hamilton has four weeks until the next race weekend at Spa in BelgiumCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
    He took another step towards the world title on Sunday but felt dizzy and exhausted by the endCredit: Splash
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    Sir Jackie Stewart says Max Verstappen would have been KILLED in Lewis Hamilton F1 crash ‘if it was back in my day’

    SIR JACKIE STEWART reckons Max Verstappen would have been killed if his Silverstone crash with Lewis Hamilton had happened in his day.Verstappen was taken out by the Brit in a 180mph accident that thumped him into the barriers, with the impact g-force measured at 51g.
    Hamilton collided with Verstappen at 180mph with the impact g-force measured at 51g at Silverstone
    Verstappen was flown to hospital for an MRI and CT scans but later released the following night
    Sir Stewart thinks Verstappen would of been killed if the crash with Hamilton happened in his dayCredit: Alamy
    The Dutchman was flown to hospital for an MRI and CT scans but later released the following night.
    But three time world champion Stewart expressed a concern at “liberties that are being taken” by drivers.
    He said: “Lewis’ incident with Verstappen was very disturbing for me.
    “Frankly, if that had been in my day and well after my day, Verstappen would’ve been killed.
    “The race track has been made so safe, the run-off areas so big, and the structures that he [Verstappen] finally came to a stop on, and even then the g-forces were enormous.
    “I think that was a great example of what Silverstone have done to make the track safer.

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    “However, people are taking more liberties today than they were before because the penalties are not so large, now it’s so safe that I think people are taking too many chances.
    “The early laps at Silverstone was a good example of that because I think both drivers were overdriving, particularly when you think about it being only the beginning of the race.
    “We’ve got to readdress that and sadly it sometimes takes a big, big action or even a life to make that come to real understanding.”
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    Lewis Hamilton slams FIA’s ‘bulls***’ decision to warn Sebastian Vettel for wearing rainbow T-shirt at Hungarian GP

    LEWIS HAMILTON has slammed the FIA’s “bulls***” decision to reprimand Sebastian Vettel for wearing a rainbow T-shirt. The German was given a ticking off for not removing the item of clothing, which also had the words “same love” written across the front.
    Vettel wore the top in support of the LGBTQ+ community who the Hungarian government have controversial laws againstCredit: Reuters
    Hamilton has slammed the FIA’s decision to warn Vettel for wearing a rainbow coloured top at the Hungarian GPCredit: Getty
    It came after both Hamilton and Vettel spoke out against the Hungarian government’s controversial anti-LGBTQ+ law that limits education on homosexuality and transgender issues.
    Formula One last year launched the ‘We Race As One’ platform launched that counts diversity, inclusivity and sustainability as its core principles.
    Drivers are free to wear apparel with a message that is supportive of the initiative’s principles.
    But they were instructed to remove any such T-shirts before the national anthem and wear their race suits in a pre-race note issued by race director Michael Masi.
    Vettel failed to do so, later claiming he forgot to take it off because of the onset of rain.
    Hamilton wrote on social media: “Super proud of this guy. There is no rule that says what colour shirt you can wear and supporting the LGBTQ+ community is not reprimandable.
    “This is bs. Well done, Seb. I’ll join you next time with the same shirt.”
    He later removed the “bs” reference, amending his message to say: “Love to see this Seb supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Love always wins.”
    Meanwhile, Vettel’s Aston Martin has been impounded and sent to France pending a further FIA investigation after he was disqualified from the Hungarian GP.
    The German finished second but was later booted out after scrutineers were unable to obtain the required one litre of fuel from his car for a routine test.
    They recovered just 300ml of fuel with the team insisting there was a problem with a pump to recover it for a sample.
    Aston say they intend to appeal the decision to kick the four-time world champion out of the race.

    Following his dismissal, Hamilton was bumped up to second place in the race but had trouble standing up on the podium.
    This led the F1 champ with fears that he has a bout of long Covid after being left dizzy and suffering from exhaustion.
    In order to recover, Hamilton will take a long break from F1 training.
    Fatigued and dizzy Lewis Hamilton struggles to stand up on podium More

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    Lewis Hamilton will take break from F1 training to rest and relax after being floored by long Covid in Hungarian GP

    LEWIS HAMILTON has prescribed himself a period of rest and relaxation after being floored by long Covid.The F1 champ was exhausted after a thrilling Hungarian GP where he went from first, to last, to eventually finish in second place.
    Hamilton hard a time standing up on the podium after the Hungarian GPCredit: Rex
    The F1 champ reckons long Covid is the cause and will take some time away from training to recoverCredit: Rex
    Hamilton’s swashbuckling drive left him dizzy, extremely tired and with shortness of breath – tell-tale signs of long Covid.
    The Brit contracted the disease last year and was forced out of the Sakhir GP in December after testing positive – and is still feeling the effects.
    SunSport understands that the seven-time world champion will now commit to a period of extensive rest after completing his post-race debrief with his Mercedes team.
    It comes as athletes around the world discover the effects of long covid.
    Rower Oonagh Cousins missing out on making the GB Olympic team after her training schedule exacerbated the virus.
    She told CNN: “It ended up developing into really bad long Covid. At its worst, for a couple of months, I would say I really struggled to get out of bed at all.
    “Getting out of bed to make breakfast was a huge mountain to climb.”
    Meanwhile, over the summer break Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is set to make a decision about who is Hamilton’s teammate next season.
    George Russell is expected to get the nod bringing Valtteri Bottas’s time with the team to an end.
    The Finn clattered into Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Lando Norris on the opening lap of the Hungarian GP after misjudging his breaking going into Turn One.
    Bottas, who has been given a five-place penalty for the Belgian GP, while Russell was reduced to tears after scoring his first points for Williams.
    He said: “It means more than just scoring our first points. It’s three years of hard work, dedication, tough moments…tough, tough moments personally and for everybody in the team.

    “I’m emotional. It’s weird. It’s more than what the result showed. It shows that you should never give up and we’ve got here because when we were last every single race in 2019, we didn’t stop fighting.
    “If we had stopped fighting in 2019 – now in 2021 we’ve got a faster car – and maybe we wouldn’t have been on top of our game like we were here.
    “It just shows no matter the situation, there is always something to learn and you’ve just got to give it everything every time out there.”
    Fatigued and dizzy Lewis Hamilton struggles to stand up on podium More