F1

MCLAREN boss Zak Brown says the bromance between Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris could become explosive on track.
Ever-smiling Ricciardo has arrived from Renault to replace Carlos Sainz and will team up with social media star Lando Norris in what promises to be a partnership built on banter and practical jokes.

Lando Norris (left) and Daniel Ricciardo (right) are to race hard against each other for McLaren in 2021Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Team boss Zak Brown is excited to see his new duo hit the trackCredit: Alamy

But Brown expects them to ditch the ‘goofy odd couple’ act when it comes down to business.
And says he fully expects to be in a position to warn them about their fierce battles on track as they slug it out for position.
He said: “Everyone is expecting them to be a goofy odd couple but I am expecting more seriousness.
“They are both out to prove something.

“Daniel is at the stage of his career where he wants to fight for a world championship. I don’t think we will be able to do that this year, but hopefully we will in the future.
“And Lando is no longer the ‘younger brother’ of his team-mate and so I think we are going to see two extremely fast racing drivers with personalities, but once they are in the garage it will all be business.
“Lando is going to be coming into his third year and has matured as a driver and Daniel is a seven-time race winner and those results speak for themselves.
“They are both extremely fast and Daniel is very aggressive and I think they will be tough to each other on track.

McLaren expect another tough fight having snatched third in last year’s constructors’ championshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I think we are going to have to manage them on track. Carlos and Lando gave each other a lot of room when they raced, but I think Daniel and Lando will be closer wheel-to-wheel.
“So we might need to make sure that everyone races hard but also races clean.
“I do think we have the most exciting driver pairing both on the track and off it.
“They both have an energy and ambition that has made McLaren a youthful and energetic racing team.”
McLaren had an excellent season in 2020 after finishing third in the constructors’ championship.
Their new partnership does look exciting, plus they will use the superior Mercedes engines in 2021.
However, Brown says it would be wrong to talk up their chances of improving this season and challenging for the title.
He added: “The reality is, we went into the last race of the year and we could have finished, third, fourth or fifth.
FRIDAY NIGHT POKER: Play against us to win a share of $5,500

At one point last year, all those teams were the quickest and it is exciting for the fans of the sport, but also nerve-racking.
Zak Brown

“AlphaTauri came on strong. If it had been a 22-race calendar with five more races, they were catching the midfield.
“And Ferrari you can never count them out with the resources they had. And if you had two Charles Leclercs, I don’t think they would have finished the season in sixth.
“Sebastian Vettel had a poor season for whatever reason and now they have Carlos.
“So I think three to seven is going to be the same group but you could throw balls in the air and the third placed team could be seventh!
“There was nothing in it. At one point last year, all those teams were the quickest and when it is that close, it is exciting for the fans of the sport, but also nerve-racking.”

Watch Daniel Ricciardo pull off incredible basketball trickshot as he says hello to his new F1 team McLaren in style More

GEORGE RUSSELL and his girlfriend could not keep their hands off each other while at the beach in St Barts.
The Formula 1 star has jetted to the popular holiday hotspot in the Caribbean with Carmen Montero Mundt.

British racing star George Russell pictured with Carmen Montero MundtCredit: Splash News

The couple did not care who saw them as they kissed on the beachCredit: Splash News

The loved-up couple were spotted soaking up the sunshine on a golden beach.
They cuddled up closely to each other as they paddled in the picturesque blue sea.
And the pair enjoyed a cheeky kiss as they relaxed on the sun loungers in the shade.
Mundt wore a leopard print bikini while Russell had on some bright blue shorts.

Russell nearly won the Sakhir GP when he stood in for Covid-struck Lewis Hamilton.
Jenson Button has insisted he is ready to help turn Russell into a future F1 world champion.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted he could offer Williams driver Russell a permanent seat in the future.
Former F1 driver Jan Lammers urged Wolff to use Russell as an example during contract talks with Hamilton.

FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

George Russell is now dating Carmen Montero MundtCredit: Splash News

The couple enjoyed a dip in the sea during their trip to the beach Credit: Splash News

George Russell is living life in the slow lane at the moment with Carmen Montero MundtCredit: Splash News

He told RacingNews365: “I don’t think Mercedes expected Russell to do so well.
“But now that it does, it would be foolish for Mercedes not to use it against Hamilton in the contract negotiations.
“And we all know one thing for sure and that is that team boss Toto Wolff is not stupid.”

The pair appeared to be having a great time at the beach together Credit: Splash News

The couple soaked up the sunshine on the beach in the Caribbean Credit: Splash News

Lewis Hamilton hikes to the top of a mountain every morning to ‘set his goals’ More

EDDIE JORDAN believes Lewis Hamilton is digging in his heels over a new Mercedes contract due to a wrangle over money.
Hamilton has yet to sign a new deal with the team despite insisting he was happy to commit to them.

Reigning world champ Lewis Hamilton has yet to agree a new Mercedes deal, less than two months before the start of the 2021 F1 seasonCredit: PA

Ex-F1 team chief Eddie Jordan reckons ‘a number of things’ are causing a hold-up over a possible new Mercedes deal for Brit Lewis HamiltonCredit: PA:Press Association

Merc boss Toto Wolff said the two were in discussions over Zoom but admitted their talks had caused a few “curveballs” for the lawyers overseeing the deal.
But former team boss Jordan believes the sticking points are over Hamilton’s worth to Mercedes, who recently announced petrochemical company, Ineos, had become a three-way owner alongside Mercedes Benz and Wolff.
Jordan also says he understands the 36-year-old is pushing for a 10 percent share of the team’s TV revenue.
He said: “There are a number of things that could be causing a hold up and there have been some changes with the team.

“There are some things that are relevant at the moment in that Toto has been in isolation due to COVID and Lewis is in America, so these negotiations are being done on Zoom.
“And number two, it is kind of complicated because Ineos, I believe, have bought into Mercedes because of the wealth of value that Lewis brings to that.
“I am not saying they did that exclusively because of Lewis because he is not going to be there forever.
“But the reality is it was a very important factor and you also have to factor in that people like Tommy Hilfiger, and sponsors like that, are only there because of Lewis.

“I have a little snippet of information and Lewis is saying ‘look guys, this is my salary, is this what I am being paid as a driver and for various other things that go along with the interviews and other aspects?
“‘But am I being compensated for bringing in sponsors? Am I being compensated for the arrival of Ineos?
“‘Am I being compensated for the increased television income you are getting as the constructors’ champion in the form of TV money?'”
Jordan says that Hamilton should also be focusing his attention on getting a slice of the lucrative TV payments Merc receive from F1.
The Irishman points to the example being set in American sports where the top stars earn bonuses on top of their salaries.
He added: “If I was his manager, I would be saying to Mercedes, ‘look, we add a lot of value to Mercedes’ overall income over the year. It is positively wrong to ignore that’.

“I believe Lewis is looking for 10 percent of the team’s television money and it is hard to understand why he would not be worth that.
“We are in the media and the amount of opportunities we have to interview Lewis are very slim. We stand in line like everybody else.
“But he is the first one we all want. We are at the press conferences because we need Lewis as he is a value to me and you and everybody else.
“It is like what is happening now in golf and basketball in America and the major stars are taking a piece off the top.
“The world of economics is changing but one thing that is for sure is the value of Lewis Hamilton has increased, that’s a fact.”
Jordan was speaking at the launch of his investment in travel and event app, Guestia, which allows event and travel companies to communicate with their guests and staff.

The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
He said: “When I saw this presented to McLaren I thought, God, I need to be involved in this because I am an entrepreneur and this was the most compelling piece of technology in the business I know about.
“We are talking about the F1 trucks leaving on a Sunday, the guys who are sent to set up the garages.
“We are talking about football, rugby or cricket and when you have different groups of people travelling there needs to be a coordinated set of instructions.
“If a plane gets delayed or a bus breaks down, you need to be able to change those instructions immediately.
“We were always trying to find a system as most teams in F1 still go along with a guidebook and pieces of paper and that is old hat.
“With this app you can even use it for people in the Paddock Club and, if there is a traffic jam outside, you can send a message to your guests to say hang on and enjoy another glass of Champagne rather than sitting in traffic.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan snubs Lewis Hamilton from his seven-man sports GOAT list amid calls for F1 star to be knighted More

EDDIE JORDAN believes Lewis Hamilton is digging in his heels over a new Mercedes contract in a wrangle over money.
Hamilton has yet to sign a new contract with the team despite insisting he was happy to commit to them.

Reigning world champ Lewis Hamilton has yet to agree a new Mercedes deal, less than two months before the start of the 2021 F1 seasonCredit: PA

Ex-F1 team chief Eddie Jordan reckons ‘a number of things’ are causing a hold-up over a possible new Mercedes deal for Brit Lewis HamiltonCredit: PA:Press Association

Merc boss Toto Wolff said the two were in discussions over Zoom but admitted their talks had caused a few “curveballs” for the lawyers overseeing the deal.
But former team boss Jordan believes the sticking points are over Hamilton’s worth to Mercedes, who recently announced petrochemical company, Ineos, had become a three-way owner alongside Mercedes Benz and Wolff.
Jordan also says he understands the 36-year-old is pushing for a 10 percent share of the team’s TV revenue.
He said: “There are a number of things that could be causing a hold up and there have been some changes with the team.

“There are some things that are relevant at the moment in that Toto has been in isolation due to COVID and Lewis is in America, so these negotiations are being done on Zoom.
“And number two, it is kind of complicated because Ineos, I believe, have bought into Mercedes because of the wealth of value that Lewis brings to that.
“I am not saying they did that exclusively because of Lewis because he is not going to be there forever.
“But the reality is it was a very important factor and you also have to factor in that people like Tommy Hilfiger, and sponsors like that, are only there because of Lewis.

“I have a little snippet of information and Lewis is saying ‘look guys, this is my salary, is this what I am being paid as a driver and for various other things that go along with the interviews and other aspects?
“‘But am I being compensated for bringing in sponsors? Am I being compensated for the arrival of Ineos?
“‘Am I being compensated for the increased television income you are getting as the constructors’ champion in the form of TV money?'”
Jordan says that Hamilton should also be focusing his attention on getting a slice of the lucrative TV payments Merc receive from F1.
The Irishman points to the example being set in American sports where the top stars earn bonuses on top of their salaries.
He added: “If I was his manager, I would be saying to Mercedes, ‘look, we add a lot of value to Mercedes’ overall income over the year. It is positively wrong to ignore that’.

“I believe Lewis is looking for 10 percent of the team’s television money and it is hard to understand why he would not be worth that.
“We are in the media and the amount of opportunities we have to interview Lewis are very slim. We stand in line like everybody else.
“But he is the first one we all want. We are at the press conferences because we need Lewis as he is a value to me and you and everybody else.
“It is like what is happening now in golf and basketball in America and the major stars are taking a piece off the top.
“The world of economics is changing but one thing that is for sure is the value of Lewis Hamilton has increased, that’s a fact.”
Jordan was speaking at the launch of his investment in travel and event app, Guestia, which allows event and travel companies to communicate with their guests and staff.

The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
He said: “When I saw this presented to McLaren I thought, God, I need to be involved in this because I am an entrepreneur and this was the most compelling piece of technology in the business I know about.
“We are talking about the F1 trucks leaving on a Sunday, the guys who are sent to set up the garages.
“We are talking about football, rugby or cricket and when you have different groups of people travelling there needs to be a coordinated set of instructions.
“If a plane gets delayed or a bus breaks down, you need to be able to change those instructions immediately.
“We were always trying to find a system as most teams in F1 still go along with a guidebook and pieces of paper and that is old hat.
“With this app you can even use it for people in the Paddock Club and, if there is a traffic jam outside, you can send a message to your guests to say hang on and enjoy another glass of Champagne rather than sitting in traffic.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan snubs Lewis Hamilton from his seven-man sports GOAT list amid calls for F1 star to be knighted More