More stories

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton not interested in ‘childish’ mind games with Max Verstappen in F1 title battle

    LEWIS HAMILTON has hit back at suggestions he is indulging in mind games to get an edge over Max Verstappen.Red Bull boss Christian Horner had remarked about the Formula One champion loving ‘all that rubbish’ amid a brewing title fight.
    Lewis Hamilton has fallen to second place in the Formula One championshipCredit: Getty
    Mercedes are receiving a considerable challenge to their crown from Verstappen’s team, who have taken the lead in the drivers and constructors championship.
    But Hamilton has quashed the notion of a ‘war of words’ between the teams.
    He said: “I’m not playing mind games.
    “It is interesting what Christian comes out with, but I couldn’t care less.
    “They did a great job this weekend and that is that. We have had some good races also, but as I said there are 17 races to go.
    “So it starts to get a bit childish when you get into a war of words.”
    FRENCH OPEN SPECIAL GET NADAL TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT AT 30/1

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Horner, 47, had claimed that Hamilton, 36, was letting his title rival get inside his mind ahead of the weekend following Mercedes complaints over Red Bull’s ‘floppy wing’.
    He said: “The fact that Lewis feels he needs to do that means that actually, Max is probably getting under his skin a little.
    “Lewis loves all that rubbish, so just let him get on with it. I think Max does his own thing and is his own man.
    “We’re not even anywhere near halfway yet, so can you imagine what it’d be like, if they’re that close going into the last few races?
    “They bring out the best in each other. Lewis is operating at a phenomenal level. Max is right there, and they’ve been the two standout drivers of the championship so far.
    “If the two guys are starting at the front of the race in the championship and it keeps very tight between them, it’s inevitable that at some point there’s going to be a touch.”
    Red Bull boss Christian Horner (left) has not been afraid to level a dig at HamiltonCredit: Getty

    Verstappen, 23, also aimed a small dig at Hamilton after romping to his maiden Monaco win while the reigning champ was stuck in seventh – insisting that ‘actions speak louder than words’.
    He stated: “You have to talk on the track and that is what I like.
    “We as a team so far made the smallest mistakes and that is why we are ahead. I hope we can keep that going for the rest of the season.”
    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    Lewis Hamilton uploads stunning moving art to instagram to celebrate taking 100th F1 pole More

  • in

    Mercedes ‘to sign George Russell to replace Valtteri Bottas on two-year deal’ alongside Hamilton, claims F1 commentator

    MERCEDES are preparing to drop Valtteri Bottas for George Russell, according to reports.Alexey Popov, a renowned Formula One commentator, has asserted that a move is afoot after the Finn’s tough start to the season.
    Valtteri Bottas is under pressure to keep his Mercedes seatCredit: Splash
    Three third-place finishes have seen him labour behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton while his two retirements have underlined his poor luck of late.
    Last weekend’s bid to win the Monaco Grand Prix ended early due to a botched pit stop from second place and he tangled with Williams ace Russell in a nasty crash at Imola.
    Russian pundit Popov told Match TV, via GPBlog: “I will not disclose the source, but there is always a lot of talk in the paddock in Monaco.
    “They told me that Russell’s move to Mercedes for at least two years, and not in Hamilton’s place, is already practically done.”
    Lewis Hamilton sits four points behind championship leader Verstappen after coming home seventh in Monaco.
    Merc academy talent Russell matched his best finish of 14th and is yet to score a point despite his impressive qualifying form.

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Popov also reported on the potential for Bottas to take his old seat at Williams in a straight swap with the Brit.
    He described: “That’s just my guess, but the fact that Russell will be in the Mercedes is almost certain.
    “[Bottas] is hopelessly behind both Hamilton and Verstappen already. He’s out of the title fight completely. Even [Lando] Norris is ahead of him now.”
    The man with the decision to make is Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who has praised Bottas’ spirit during the early weeks of the season.
    He stated: “Valtteri led our fight all weekend.
    “He was set for a strong podium finish if it wasn’t for the wheel nut problem which forced him to DNF.
    CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
    Sometimes, you just wonder when he will catch a break but Valtteri always comes back stronger and more determined.Toto Wolff

    “I’ve never seen something like that before in my years in racing, and it must have felt awful in the cockpit as his rivals went by.
    “Sometimes, you just wonder when he will catch a break but Valtteri always comes back stronger and more determined. I admire his Finnish resilience so much.
    “I know we will emerge stronger as a team, to give him the results he deserves.”
    The 31-year-old’s next shot at a pushback against Hamilton and Verstappen will come on June 6 and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – which he won in 2019.
    F1 star Valtteri Bottas gives a guided tour of the Mercedes motorhome More

  • in

    Lando Norris slams F1 fans for creating ‘absolute c**p’ after he waved to Daniel Ricciardo at Monaco Grand Prix

    LANDO NORRIS has lashed out at Formula One fans for making up ‘absolute c**p’ after he waved at Daniel Ricciardo at the Monaco Grand Prix.At last weekend’s race, the British star stormed to his second podium place of the season, coming in third behind winner Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz.
    Norris has slammed fans for making up ‘c**p’ after he waved at team-mate Ricciardo as he passed him in MonacoCredit: Getty
    McLaren team-mate Ricciardo, though, endured a trickier afternoon – ending up 12th.
    At one stage, the Australian was shown the blue flag, forcing him to let Norris through.
    The British F1 ace waved as he passed, with fans quick to speculate he was taking the mick of his team-mate.
    But Norris has launched a passionate defence on Twitch, claiming supporters are ‘making up c**p’ and he was simply being polite and thanking Ricciardo for giving way.
    Norris explained: “Alright, so I see so many of you make up absolute c**p and nonsense as usual.
    “By the way, any time someone lets me pass for a blue flag, anyone, if they get out of the way properly and they should, I put my hand up and say thanks, alright?”
    Norris continued by saying those who were watching closely would have seen he waved at all backmarkers, including Haas duo Nikita Mazepin and Mick Schumacher.
    The furious Brit added: “I did it to freaking everyone; Mazepin, Schumacher, Danny…
    CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

    “Whoever I passed and they got out of the way, I put my hand up and say thanks.
    “So, don’t just notice one when I passed Danny and think I’m doing something that is not right.
    “Let me just get that point across because I see a lot of stories that people make up.”
    Norris – who recently signed a new, £6million-a-year contract at McLaren – is currently third in the driver standings this year.
    The Brit sits behind only Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in the charts amid his stellar season.
    Ricciardo, meanwhile, sits eighth – 32 points behind Norris.
    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    Lando Norris signs new £6m-a-year McLaren deal More

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton told by Mercedes it WAS their fault over wrong call that caused Monaco Grand Prix flop in F1 title blow

    MERCEDES have admitted they messed up Lewis Hamilton’s race strategy at the Monaco Grand Prix.The defending F1 champ finished in a disappointing seventh and would have probably placed two places higher if the team made the right call.
    Lewis Hamilton, 36, is now behind Max Verstappen, 23, in the Drivers’ ChampionshipCredit: Getty
    It is difficult to overtake at the Monaco GPCredit: Getty
    Hamilton made a nightmare start to his race weekend in Monaco, qualifying in a below-par seventh.
    Overtaking is notoriously difficult at the Circuit de Monaco, placing extra emphasis on starting positions.
    The 36-year-old was handed a reprieve when Charles Leclerc, who had qualified on pole, was forced to retire due to a gearbox issue and team-mate Valtteri Bottas quit the race after a faulty pit stop.
    But Hamilton dropped two places back when Mercedes called him in for a tactical pit, allowing Sergio Perez and Sebastian Vettel to jump ahead.
    And with title rival Max Verstappen winning the GP, the Brit now finds himself four points behind the 23-year-old in the Drivers’ Championship.
    The seven-time world champion demanded answers from his team after the disappointing race and technical director James Allison has responded, admitting fault.
    CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    According to GP Fans, Allison said: “I can understand why he is unhappy because effectively we lost a chunk of places with the strategy call we made.
    “You come up to the stop, your options are undercut to try and get ahead of the person who is blocking you, or go longer than the person and overcut them.
    “It’s always a finely balanced call and we picked the wrong one of those two options.
    “Lewis still had some rubber left on the tyre for what would have been a few decent laps but the chances are Gasly probably wouldn’t have stopped any time soon and our fear was that he was simply going to just stay out there as a road blocker forever.

    “We had a window behind where we could do an attempted undercut and unfortunately we weren’t able to get enough lap time in our out lap to get past Gasly on the track when he subsequently made his stop to protect against it.
    “Then Gasly’s pace after the stop was so slow that that effectively allowed Vettel, and in turn Perez, to leapfrog the pair of us.”
    Hamilton’s Monaco result shouldn’t cause him too much worry at this early stage in the campaign, winning three of the first five races.
    But Mercedes will need to ensure poor race weekends are few and far between, with Verstappen’s team Red Bull now leading the Constructors’ Championship.
    Lewis Hamilton uploads stunning moving art to instagram to celebrate taking 100th F1 pole More

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton to demand answers in showdown Mercedes talks after disastrous Monaco GP handed Verstappen F1 title edge

    LEWIS HAMILTON will demand answers from his Mercedes team after his miserable Monaco GP.The world champion lost his grip at the top of the championship as Max Verstappen took the chequered flag while Hamilton languished in seventh place.
    Lewis Hamilton was left dismayed by his Monaco nightmareCredit: Getty
    Max Verstappen took both the race win and first place in the championshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    It means that not only does the Dutchman now lead the drivers’ championship for the first time in his career, but also his Red Bull team replace Mercedes at the top of the team’s championship.
    And Hamilton, 36, wants answers and will push his team to ensure they don’t make the same mistakes next out in the Azerbaijan GP in Baku.
    He said: “I don’t really feel any pain but of course it was not a great weekend.
    “There’s a lot that we could have done better in terms of how we prepared coming into that weekend.
    “We had some good conversations throughout the weekend but it’s not good enough for all of us.
    “We don’t take it lightly but there’s no point getting all depressed, we’ve got to start looking at the data and figuring out why we’re in this position.

    CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
    The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
    “Naturally we all want answers within the team, so I know everyone will be working flat-out to make sure that hopefully this sort of weekend doesn’t happen again.
    “We’ve shown in the past that we can bounce back from these weekends. Hence why I’m not the most stressed.
    “The guys will be back in the factory and I’ll be invited into a meeting on Tuesday, and then one later on in the week to analyse and then plan for the next one.”
    Hamilton wants to discover why his Mercedes was off the pace all weekend, as he struggled to qualify and started the race in seventh.
    He also wants to find out why the team called him in on lap 30 for tyres when the plan had been for him to run longer.
    Hamilton feels that early pit stop prevented him from getting past three other drivers, which would have seen him mount a late push for the podium places.
    There are 17 races to go. I’m not going to get into a war of words. It’s childish.Lewis Hamilton

    Verstappen claimed after the race that “actions speak louder than words” in relation to his simmering relationship with Hamilton as they tussle for the title.
    But Hamilton says he will not be drawn into a “childish” row, saying: “I’m not playing mind games.
    “Red Bull did a great job and that’s that. There are 17 races to go. I’m not going to get into a war of words. It’s childish.”
    Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton shows off ripped body More

  • in

    Michael Schumacher’s family buy £2.4million plot for stables in Majorca as F1 legend recovers from ski trauma

    MICHAEL Schumacher’s family have reportedly splashed out £2.4million on a huge plot of land in Majorca to build stables on.The Formula One legend’s daughter and wife are said to have bought the 13-acre plot to “raise and ride horses on” as he continues his recovery from a devastating ski accident in 2013.
    Michael Schumacher and his wife Corinna pictured in 2004Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    Michael’s wife and daughter, Corinna and Gina-Maria, have reportedly bought land in Majorca to build stables onCredit: Splash News
    The land is reportedly in Puerto Andratx – near to the £27million mansion the driver’s devoted spouse Corinna is thought to have bought from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in 2017.
    It was reported last month that Corinna was selling the family’s £6.4million mansion on Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
    Schumacher’s daughter Gina-Maria, 24, is a non-professional horse rider and equestrian while Corinna won the European Championship in western-style horse riding in 2010.
    Gina-Maria’s boyfriend, Iain Bethke, is also a show jumper.
    According to island newspaper Diario de Mallorca, the intention of buying the new plot of land is to allow “Gina-Maria to practice her favourite sport” in Majorca.
    Diario de Mallorca reported: “The objective is to raise and ride around 20 horses on it, as Michael Schumacher ’s daughter is a keen equestrian.
    “Stables for the horses, that will be transferred from Switzerland, will be built on it.
    Michael suffered a catastrophic head injury while skiing in 2013Credit: EPA
    Corinna reportedly bought an estate in Majorca from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in 2017
    Michael retired from F1 in 2012 – a year before his horrific ski accidentCredit: AFP
    “The intention is for Gina Maria to practice her favourite sport in Majorca, as the idea is that the family will increase their number of trips to the island, especially in winter.”
    Schumacher, 52, was put into a medically induced coma for six months after suffering a catastrophic brain injury in December 2013 while skiing with son Mick – who was 14 at the time.
    He fell and hit his head on a rock while crossing an off-piste area on the slopes above Méribel in the French Alps – suffering a serious head injury despite wearing a ski helmet.
    Doctors said he would most likely have died had he not been wearing the safety gear, and the world champ was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital.
    The German racing legend, who had 91 Grand Prix wins, is believed to be receiving full-time care at the sweeping 161,000 sq ft estate in southwest Majorca wife Corinna bought in 2017.
    The huge property near Andratx features two swimming pools, a large garden, a helipad, a guest villa and stunning sea views.
    Schumacher’s family has remained private about his life since the seven-time F1 champion devastating accident while skiing more than seven years ago.
    Michael and Corinna, who married in 1995, previously holidayed on the island of Majorca before his horrific ski incident.

    Corinna reportedly put their Lake Geneva home up for sale for £5million last month.
    In November, F1 boss Jean Todt again said he visits Schumacher regularly, during which the two watch TV together.
    “His fight continues, along with his family and doctors,” Todt told De Telegraaf newspaper.
    Mick Schumacher says ‘racing is a part of me’ in advert for Under Armour More

  • in

    Lewis Hamilton fumes at Mercedes chiefs as double Monaco cock-up hands Max Verstappen championship top spot

    LEWIS HAMILTON blasted his Mercedes team as they made a double-cock up in Monaco as Max Verstappen shot to the top of the championship.The Brit, 36, was a virtual spectator in seventh place as the brilliant Verstappen crossed the line to take his first win – and podium – in Monte Carlo.
    Lewis Hamilton has lashed out at Mercedes after their double cock-up in Monte CarloCredit: Rex
    Max Verstappen cruised to victory in Monte Carlo with Hamilton over a minute backCredit: Getty
    In an added insult to the world champion, he had to see his pal Serena Williams hand over the winner’s trophy to Verstappen, as Red Bull also replaced Mercedes at the top of the constructors’ championship.
    Hamilton was livid with his team after they called him in early on lap 30 for a pitstop; a gamble that backfired, as he failed to leapfrog and finished behind Pierre Gasly, Sebastian Vettel and Sergio Perez.
    He fumed over the radio in a series of frantic messages, saying: “How am I still behind him [Gasly], man?
    “‘What has just happened guys, we have lost two places. I don’t understand. I saved the tyres so I could go longer and you stopped me early.’”
    He then added: “The pitstop cost me three places. I don’t really have a reaction to it.
    “We do our talking in the background and will come out of it stronger.
    “We have under-performed all weekend from the get-go and we must now put all our focus onto the next race.”
    When asked how he could fare in Baku for the Azerbaijan GP, he said: “I would be guessing but it is another one we could easily struggle at.”
    CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

    Mercedes’ strategic boffins were hailed for their last-second call in the Spanish GP to bring in Hamilton for tyres that allowed him to hunt down Verstappen and win.
    But this time their pitstop call was ultimately the wrong decision and boss Toto Wolff wants to find out why.
    He said: “The undercut looked like the only way of clearing Gasly.
    “The outlap was good, the pitstop was OK, but it was not enough. You have to take it on the chin.”
    Hamilton did set a new Monaco track record to earn a championship bonus point but he is now four points behind his rival.
    But there was an even bigger problem for Hamilton’s team-mate, Valtteri Bottas, who was forced out of the race when a wheel nut got stuck on his car when he made his pitstop.
    Mercedes say the ‘the wheel nut machined onto the axle and couldn’t be removed’, bringing an end to the Finn’s race when he was in second-place.
    But that did not trouble Verstappen, who held his nerve to cross the line comfortably ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
    Verstappen, who lives in Monaco, said: “It is so special to win here. It is a lot of laps and you have to keep your focus.
    “You always want to win this GP and I remember when I was little, I wanted to win it. It is a long season but a great way to continue.”

    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Meanwhile, Brit Lando Norris is up to third in the championship after a brilliant drive to finish in third place.
    The Brit is having an outstanding season for McLaren and has just signed a new three-year deal with the team worth around £6million a season.
    He said: “It’s always a dream to be on the podium here in Monaco. It’s extra special.
    “I didn’t think it was going to happen. A bit of luck, I want to say some good driving, and a good car all weekend.”
    And Ferrari will investigate the cause of the problem that denied Charles Leclerc from starting his home race having taken pole the previous day.
    Leclerc, who crashed in qualifying after taking pole, was told his car was OK by the team only for him to discover a driveshaft problem.
    He said: “We will have an investigation after the race but it was very very difficult to take.
    “I am getting used to this race. I have never finished a race here!”
    Lando Norris signs new £6m-a-year McLaren deal More

  • in

    F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Verstappen WINS, Hamilton and Mercedes disappoint – reaction, latest updates

    MAX VERSTAPPEN produced a masterful drive to take the Monaco Grand Prix and go top of the Driver’s Championship.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was set to start on pole, but the French driver missed the race after mechanical issues with his car.
    Carlos Sainz came in second, while Lando Norris took third with Lewis Hamilton a disappointing seventh.
    Follow all the reaction from Monte Carlo in our live blog below…
    MONACO KING
    Red Bull star Max Verstappen stood tall in Monaco.
    So much so, that Formula One’s official page named him the “King of Monaco”

    VERSTAPPEN TRIUMPH
    Max Verstappen claimed a momentous victory at the Monaco Grand Prix in a dramatic race.
    Mercedes endured a disastrous performance at Monte Carlo with Valtteri Bottas retiring and Lewis Hamilton finishing seventh.
    But Red Bull enjoyed an incredible afternoon as Verstappen inherited pole position after Charles Leclerc was cruelly forced out of his home race.
    The Dutchman then masterfully controlled proceedings to take his maiden win around the legendary set up
    GETTY IMAGES
    MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
    The Dutchman leads the championship for the first time.
    Carlos Sainz is second. Lando Norris is third. Lewis Hamilton is seventh.
    FIVE LAPS TO GO
    Verstappen has this in the bag. He would be leading the drivers’ championship if he wins this race.
    HAMILTON SETS THE FASTEST LAP
    A new track record for Monaco too. That should get him the extra bonus point.
    LAP 68
    Hamilton has a free pitstop for fresh tyres. He is going for the bonus point for setting the fastest lap.
    NORRIS UNDER PRESSURE
    He is being pressed by Perez. The McLaren man needs to hold on for a sensational podium.

    STROLL UNDER INVESTIGATION
    For failing to keep to the right of the pitlane. He could be in for a penalty here but is 13 seconds ahead of Ocon.
    LAP 60
    Stroll pits from eighth place and keeps his position. He started 13th in the race.
    His teammate Vettel is in fifth, overcutting Gasly and Hamilton.
    LAP 55
    Verstappen, Sainz, Norris, Perez, Vettel, Gasly, Hamilton
    LAP 52
    Big one at McLaren as Lando Norris laps teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
    Things just have not worked out for the Australian at the Woking team.
    SAINZ IN SECOND PLACE

    LAP 43
    Vettel’s resurgent form has seen him climb up to fifth. He could be on for his first points of the season.
    WOW WHAT A DISASTER FOR MERCEDES
    Lap 30 they made a cock up by calling in Hamilton too early. The strategy means he never got past Gasly and was leapfrogged by Perez.
    Lap 31 Bottas stops and his front right tyre is stuck on. The thread on the tyre has been machined off. He has been forced to retire from the race.
    BOTTAS IS STUCK IN THE PITS
    A problem with the front right wheel and his tyres is stuck on the car. It will not come off! He is OUT
    LAP 30
    Hamilton pits for tyres. He’s gone first to try and get a move past Gasly and up to fifth.
    LAP 24
    Verstappen leads Bottas by 1.133 seconds. Then Sainz 1.213 behind the Finn.
    NORRIS ALSO WARNED BY THE STEWARDS
    He too has been shown the black and white flag for track limits violations. Another would get him a time penalty too.
    MAZEPIN IN TROUBLE WITH THE STEWARDS
    The Haas man has been shown the black and white flag for exceeding track limits at the chicane – Turn 10 – three times already. Next one will be a 5 second penalty.
    LAP 8
    Hamilton is in sixth behind Gasly. He is unable to get past the AlphaTauri man, who is doing a fine job.
    GO GO GO – GREEN LIGHT AT THE MONACO GP
    Verstappen gets wheelspin and and has to move across to block Bottas. The Dutchman holds position and Bottas remains in second place, but has to stamp on the brakes into turn one and locks up.
    Carlos Sainz in third, Lando Norris in fourth, Pierre Gasly in fifth. Lewis Hamilton in sixth.

    FORMATION LAP
    No Leclerc at the start, so a big advantage to Valtteri Bottas, who will start in P3 and on the cleaner side of the grid. And he has no car in front of him.
    LECLERC IS OUT
    Ferrari confirm he will not start his home grand prix. The Italian team say there is a problem with the left driveshaft which cannot be replaced in time.
    It means the P1 grid slot will remain empty. Max Verstappen will start at the front from the P2 spot.
    Load more entries… More