F1

MARK WEBBER says ‘tired’ Sebastian Vettel is low in confidence as he struggles to get his F1 career back on track.The four-time world champion was axed by Ferrari last season after a difficult 18 months and has so far failed to impress at Aston Martin.
Mark Webber (left) believes Sebastian Vettel (right) is ‘tired’ and low in confidenceCredit: Getty Images
Vettel, 33, was 15th in Bahrain and also classed 15th in Imola – despite failing to finish the race – looks unrecognisable from his all-conquering days at Red Bull.
And his former F1 teammate, Webber, fears the German’s time at Ferrari has taken its toll on his performances.
He said: “Seb’s confidence is incredibly low now. His time at Ferrari didn’t work out for him.
“Sport puts men and women to the test sometimes, but in his case it was a very long period of time.
“I think the standards of these cars don’t suit Sebastian very well, they are not his type of car.
“He likes cars with a lot of grip, a lot of downforce and he is a very delicate driver, with a lot of feeling with the car.
“Remember Monza in the rain the Toro Rosso? It was unbelievable, he got away from everyone that day. But when there is less grip, with the Pirelli [tyres] the cars now give you less confidence and the rules don’t suit him.
“That’s a problem for him, but it’s about being good with all the rules, look at Lewis Hamilton, he’s strong all the time.
“I think the stars have aligned against Seb. And he’s getting tired, he put a lot of effort into Ferrari.”
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Webber and Vettel had two notable fallouts at Red Bull at the Turkish GP in 2010 and then again at the 2013 Malaysian GP.
And while the two will never be close, Webber says he is unhappy to see his old rival struggling so badly.
He added: “People think I enjoy watching him suffer and no, I’m not happy.
“I want to see him do well because it’s very strange to see him so different from how he was.
“But this is F1, we can’t not complain about the drivers who don’t perform.
“It’s the top, we have to celebrate drivers like Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc or Max Verstappen performing well.
“If you are a driver who is at the end of his career, or who is suffering… you also have to talk about it.”
Meanwhile, young Brit Callum Ilott has been appointed a reserve driver for Alfa Romeo and will make his F1 debut at this week’s Portuguese GP.
Ilott, who missed out on a seat in F1 after Haas picked Mick Schumacher and Nikita Mazepin, will take part in Friday’s practice session.
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FORMULA ONE has approved plans for three short Saturday sprint races where championship points will be available to the top three finishers.It is the latest tweak to the rules to increase the excitement over a race weekend.
Lewis Hamilton and Co will take part in sprint racesCredit: Getty
The British GP at Silverstone, the Italian GP at Monza and the Sao Paulo Grand Prix have been earmarked for the three sprint races.
The results of those 100km races will then determine the grid for the Grands Prix, which will be run as normal on Sunday over a full race distance.
Formula One chief Stefano Domenicali said: “We are excited by this new opportunity that will bring our fans an even more engaging race weekend in 2021.
“Seeing the drivers battling it out over three days will be an amazing experience and I am sure the drivers will relish the fight.
“I am delighted that all the teams supported this plan, and it is a testament to our united efforts to continue to engage our fans in new ways while ensuring we remain committed to the heritage and meritocracy of our sport.”
FIA president Jean Todt welcomed F1’s plans to spice up the action and said it had the full support of the 10 teams and the governing body.
He added: “I am pleased to see that Formula One is seeking new ways to engage with its fans and enlarge the spectacle of a race weekend.
“It was made possible thanks to the continued collaboration between the FIA, Formula One, and all of the teams.

The British GP will be among the races to include the new sprintsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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“F1 is showing itself to be stronger than ever with all stakeholders working together in this way, and much has been done to ensure that the Sporting, Technical and Financial aspects of the format are fair.”
HOW IT WILL WORK AT SILVERSTONE, MONZA AND INTERLAGOS
Friday – Practice 1 for 60 minutes. Then qualifying in the normal format of Q1, Q2 and Q3 to determine the grid for the Sprint Race.
Saturday – Practice 2 for 60 minutes. Then the Sprint Race with 3 points on offer to the winner, 2 to the driver in second and one for the third-placed driver.
Sunday – Grand Prix over full race distance, the grid will be the classified results from the sprint race.
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SEBSTIAN VETTEL blasted the FIA as ‘not very professional’ after being hit with a 10-second penalty at the Imola GP.Aston Martin broke the rules by failing to fit the German’s tyres before the five-minute pre-race signal but Vettel criticised the timing of the stop and go penalty afterwards.
Sebastian Vettel blasted the ‘not very professional’ FIACredit: Rex
Vettel has had a nightmare start to his career with iconic British brand Aston Martin.
He crashed in the Bahrain GP in his first race as well as picking up five penalty points.
And despite his confidence going into last weekend’s meet, things didn’t get much better.
He was out-qualified again by team-mate Lance Stroll, who advanced to Q3.
And on race day on Sunday both cars encountered brake issues which forced Vettel into a pit-lane start. That is when the tyre infringement occurred.
But the penalty was only confirmed to him just after a pit-stop that left him 17th.
Vettel eventually retired from the race because of a gearbox issue with two laps left.
He admitted the timing of the penalty wasn’t the decider but still demanded better.
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🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info

Speaking after the race, he said: “Obviously the guys tried everything on the grid and they did really well, so they were really alert.
“I think we could have had a better race if the FIA was more alert, because I think we broke a rule – I guess, that’s why we got a penalty – but they didn’t bother until way into the race and by that time the penalty obviously cost a lot more than it would have earlier in the race.
“So that’s not very professional.”
Vettel, who joined Aston Martin for 2021 after leaving Ferrari, added: “We had plenty of issues, not a trouble-free race that we were hoping for. Tough day.”
Stroll picked up the team’s only points by claiming eighth spot with Vettel looking for improvement next time out.
He added: “We need to do a better job in a lot of areas.”
The season continues in Portugal on May 2.
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MICK SCHUMACHER has described his debut F1 season as ‘torture’. The son of legendary world champion Michael Schumacher has been unable to make an impression with the Haas team struggling at the back of the grid.
Mick Schumacher has not enjoyed the start of his F1 careerCredit: PA
Schumacher told Channel 4: “I don’t really realise what I’m doing when I’m in the car, let’s say facial expressions wise or feelings wise, I just love driving so I enjoy what I’m doing.
“And I don’t enjoy it when I’m not first so it’s kind of a torture driving at the back with no real competition.”
Schumacher is the reigning Formula 2 champion and made the step up to F1 as a rookie with Haas.
But the campaign has not started well with his team well off the pace and lagging behind the competition.
In his debut, Schumacher spun off the track but still managed to finish 16th at the Bahrain season opener.
But this was still better than his dad, the seven-time world champion, after the German was forced to retire in his first race 30 years ago.
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Mick, 22, said: “I think in general you have to say that you can’t make everybody happy, and I know my worth, I know what I have accomplished to be here.
“Having that surname doesn’t only give me the surname, it gives me potentially also the genes so I think I have a very good package and maybe the best teacher in the world.”
Schumacher also finished 16th in the second race last weekend at Imola.
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LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed he sometimes struggles with his weight which can fluctuate half a stone in a single week.The F1 legend told Instagram fans his career and lifestyle means his physique changes regularly and there are days when he ‘hates’ his body.
Lewis Hamilton revealed he struggles with his bodyCredit: Instagram
The F1 icon posted a video and a motivational message onlineCredit: Instagram
Hamilton uploaded a topless video of himself with his hair up and black shorts on.
And fresh from a workout, he wrote: “I’ve always been that skinny dude.
“Partly because of my job but mostly due to misguidance on diet, training, lack of certain workouts and bad sleep.
“Training is a struggle for me, it always has been. There are days when I just don’t have the motivation, days I hate my body, days where I feel fat or too skinny.
“My weight fluctuates a lot, up and down 2-3kg weekly depending on sleep, water and training. Remaining consistent is key but most important of all is eating right.
“This is also not easy as I’m sure you know but we have to keep trying. This is me after a good session this morning.
“Remember, working out releases endorphins that kick start your day positively so if you’re anything like me and struggle with mental health, training is a huge player in helping keep you on a positive.
“Go have an awesome week!💪🏾 #staypositive.”
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Lewis Hamilton battled to finish second at the Emilia Romagna Grand PrixCredit: Getty
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Cristiano Ronaldo was one of more than 12,000 people to comment on the post.
The Portuguese superstar who is in astonishing shape, light-heartedly quipped: “Bro not like me but you look good.”
Hamilton battled back from a lap down to salvage second place in Imola on Sunday.
It was a stunning fightback from the Brit, who had no answer to Max Verstappen’s brilliant win for Red Bull.
Hamilton, who started on pole, was leapfrogged at the start by Verstappen, who quickly went from third to first in the wet.
A rare unforced error from the world champion saw him punt his Mercedes into the barriers on lap 31 and dropped him a lap down and in ninth place.
But a massive smash between Valtteri Bottas and George Russell on the following lap caused the race to be suspended.
That allowed Hamilton to crawl back to the pits where his Mercedes team repaired his car while he was also allowed to unlap himself.
So when the race resumed, he started in ninth and quickly sliced his way through the field before pipping fellow Brit Lando Norris to second a few laps from the end.

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GEORGE RUSSELL will get a ticking off from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff after his 200mph smash with Valtteri Bottas.The Brit, who has been tipped to replace the Finn at the Silver Arrows, is part of the team’s young driver programme.
George Russell was fuming after his collision with Valtteri Bottas at the Emilia Romagna GP
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff intends to talk to the Brit after clearing Bottas of wrong-doingCredit: PA
Russell, 23, called Bottas a “f*** p” and questioned if he was “trying to kill” him as they made contact during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last Sunday.
He was still livid after the race and hinted that Bottas’ defending was over the top because it was a vendetta against him.
But Wolff has cleared Bottas of any wrong-doing, calling it “BS” and is now planning to have words with Russell himself.
Wolff said: “I said [to George], if he does a good job he can be in a Mercedes, if not we’re doing the Renault Clio Cup and we’re more close to the Renault Clio Cup.”
Wolff later added: “The whole situation should have never happened.
“Valtteri had a bad first 30 laps, and shouldn’t have been there. But George should have never launched into this manoeuvre, considering that the track was drying up.
“It meant taking risks, and the other car is a Mercedes in front of him. In any driver’s development, for a young driver, you must never lose this global perspective. So lots to learn for him, I guess.”
Valtteri had a bad first 30 laps, and shouldn’t have been there. But George should have never launched into this manoeuvreMercedes boss Toto Wolff
Russell has since rowed back from his initial blast of Bottas and said he intends to call him up this week to clear the air.
He has since apologised on social media, writing: “I knew it would be one of our best opportunities to score points this season and, when those points matter as much as they do to us right now, sometimes you take risks.
“It didn’t pay off and I have to take responsibility for that.
“Having had time to reflect on what happened afterwards, I know I should have handled the whole situation better.
“Emotions can run high in the heat of the moment and mine got the better of me.
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“I apologise to Valtteri, to my team and to anyone who felt let down by my actions.
“That’s not who I am and I expect more from myself, as I know others expect more from me.
“I’ve learned some tough lessons and will come out of this a better driver and a better person for the experience.”
Russell didn’t mince his words after the raceCredit: Alamy
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GEORGE RUSSELL will make an apologetic phone call to Valtteri Bottas this week after their spectacular smash at Imola.The Brit labelled Bottas a ‘f****** p****’ and questioned if the Finn was “trying to kill” him as they made contact at 200mph causing both cars to slam into the barriers.
The alarming incident took place at the Emilia Romagna GPCredit: Rex
George Russell was fuming after his collision with BottasCredit: Twitter @SkySportsF1
Both drivers were unscathed, albeit shaken, but Russell, 23, was livid and angrily confronted Bottas, who flicked him the middle finger.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he would speak to both drivers, who are on the team’s payroll, with Russell now back-tracking on his original blast.
He said: “Valtteri and I will talk afterwards and we will clear the air. Obviously in the heat of the moment, there are a lot of emotions.
“But I’ve got no intentions to hold any grudges or have any bad relationship with any driver on the grid.
“I mean it is in my intentions to clear the air with him. I’m sure we will probably have a phone call this week just to put it behind us and move on.
“We’re all racers. We’re all battling for position. And at the moment it’s incredibly disappointing, sour, for all of us.
“You know, your heart stops for a moment when you crash at over 200 miles an hour. You just don’t know what’s going to happen.
“My anger towards him at the time was more that I thought he put us both in harm’s way and it was an incredibly scary incident to be honest, at that speed.
Russell didn’t mince his words after the raceCredit: Rex
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“Fortunately we both walked away from it with no battle scars. But obviously it could have been very different.”
Russell, who has been tipped to replace Bottas at the Silver Arrows, said after the shunt that he felt as though he was targeted.
In the TV pen, Russell said: “Perhaps if it was another driver, he wouldn’t have.”
But the thought of Bottas holding a grudge was dismissed as ‘b*******’ by Wolff.
Russell again corrected his comments after the red mist had later cleared and added: “There is no tension at all between Valtteri and I.
But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he’s just fighting for absolutely every position. And as I said, he is his right to do soGeorge Russell
“But obviously you can take that comment as you wish really. I think it was pretty clear how it was intended.
“But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he’s just fighting for absolutely every position. And as I said, it is his right to do so.”
When Bottas was also quizzed about the incident, he labelled Russell’s initial accusation ‘quite a theory’ before adding, “I have lost my aluminium foil hat somewhere”.
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