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      F1 season boost as Monaco Grand Prix organisers confirm race WILL go ahead despite coronavirus pandemic after axe

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      F1 chiefs have received a boost from the organisers of the Monaco Grand Prix – who say this year’s race WILL go ahead as planned.
      There was growing speculation street races would be forced to be scrapped for the 2021 season due to the ongoing pandemic.

      The Monaco GP WILL go ahead despite the coronavirus pandemicCredit: AFP – Getty

      That would rule out races in Melbourne, Baku, Singapore and Sochi as well as the principality.
      However, the Automobile Club de Monaco have rubbished suggestions their race on May 23 will be canned.
      A statement said: “Despite the latest rumors circulating on certain websites and social media, the Automobile Club de Monaco can confirm that the 78th Formula One Monaco Grand Prix will take place from May 20-23, 2021.
      “The ACM also confirms the 12th Grand Prix de Monaco Historique and the 4th Monaco E-Prix.”

      The season opener in Melbourne plus the Chinese GP have been bumped from their original date as F1 plan to host the races later in the year.
      An F1 spokesman said: “We have set out the details of the revised 2021 calendar and there are no other changes.
      “The suggestion street races will not take place is completely wrong.”
      On Thursday, Charles LeClerc became the fifth F1 driver to test positive for Covid-19.

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      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      The Ferrari ace had been on holiday in Dubai and upon his return to his Monaco home discovered that he had come into contact with a positive case.
      A subsequent test returned a positive result and the 23-year-old confirmed he was suffering with ‘mild symptoms’.
      He said on his Instagram: “I want to let you know that I have tested positive for Covid-19.
      “I am regularly checked according to my team’s protocols.
      “Unfortunately, I learned that I have been in contact with a positive case and immediately went into self-isolation, notifying anyone I had contact with.
      “A subsequent test I took has come back positive. I am feeling ok and have mild symptoms.
      “I will remain in isolation in my home in Monaco in compliance with the regulations set by the local health authorities. Stay safe and take care.”
      Lando Norris and F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton both also picked up the disease when in Covid-ravaged Dubai.

      Lewis Hamilton is by far F1’s top earner on a staggering £40m a year More

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      Eddie Jordan would ‘show Sir Lewis Hamilton the door’ if legend is driving too hard a bargain and says he is replaceable

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      EDDIE JORDAN claimed he would ‘show Sir Lewis Hamilton the door’ if the Formula One legend is driving too hard a bargain over a new contract.
      And the Irishman insisted the seven-time world champion is replaceable.

      Lewis Hamilton turned 36 earlier in January and is yet to sign a new Mercedes contractCredit: Twitter @LewisHamilton

      The Brit won Mercedes the world title last seasonCredit: PA:Press Association

      Hamilton, 36, is technically unemployed at the moment after his Mercedes deal expired on December 31.
      Talks over an extension worth a record £40million per year rumble on.
      But while the two-time Sports Personality of the Year does look set to stay with the Silver Arrows, Jordan is unimpressed by the way Hamilton is handling the situation.
      He spent 14 years as an F1 team boss and had the likes of Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher as drivers.

      So the now-TV pundit knows what it takes to secure contracts with the sport’s biggest stars – and believes Hamilton does not deserve special treatment despite his success.
      Jordan told F1 Insider: “Apparently the parties disagree on the terms. I just heard that Lewis wants more than Mercedes are willing to pay.
      “It’s also about sharing the team’s income and having an influential role in the Mercedes group.
      “If I were the boss of Daimler, I would show him the door – either you drive on our terms or you go.

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      “I would also tell him what Bernie Ecclestone said after Ayrton Senna’s death.
      “Even though Bernie was shocked and sad like everyone else, he was the first to regain his composure and said to us, ‘Now stop whining – everyone is replaceable.’
      “Lewis should know that by now.”

      Eddie Jordan would show Hamilton no special treatment and ‘show him the door’ if he was too demandingCredit: Getty Images

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      Charles LeClerc becomes fifth F1 driver to test positive for coronavirus and is self-isolating with mild symptoms

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      CHARLES LECLERC has become the fifth Formula One driver to test positive for Covid-19.
      The Ferrari ace had been on holiday in Dubai and upon his return to his Monaco home discovered that he had come into contact with a positive case.

      Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc has tested positive for Covid-19Credit: PA:Press Association

      A subsequent test returned a positive result and the 23-year-old has now confirmed he is suffering with ‘mild symptoms’.
      He said on his Instagram: “I want to let you know that I have tested positive for Covid-19.
      “I am regularly checked according to my team’s protocols.
      “Unfortunately, I learned that I have been in contact with a positive case and immediately went into self-isolation, notifying anyone I had contact with.

      “A subsequent test I took has come back positive. I am feeling ok and have mild symptoms.
      “I will remain in isolation in my home in Monaco in compliance with the regulations set by the local health authorities. Stay safe and take care.”

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      Lando Norris and F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton both picked up the disease when in Covid-ravaged Dubai.
      Sergio Perez missed two races at Silverstone last season.

      While Lance Stroll was forced to sit out of the Eifel Grand Prix after complaining of being unwell, which was later diagnosed as coronavirus.

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      Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes to keep anti-racism black livery for new season despite doubts over unemployed Brit’s future

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S Mercedes car will once again be painted black for the new season despite continued doubts surrounding the Brit’s future.
      The 36-year-old urged his team’s hierarchy last year to change its traditional silver livery in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

      Lewis Hamilton had urged Mercedes to change its traditional silver liveryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The German manufacturer will keep black livery for the 2021 seasonCredit: Daimler AG

      Hamilton revealed last month that BLM gave him ‘extra drive’ to win races.
      He was also seen at races wearing T-shirts and masks with anti-racism slogans and took the knee on the winner’s podium.
      And Mercedes will continue to show their support by retaining the same colour scheme when Hamilton targets a historic eighth world championship.
      But before March’s opening race in Bahrain, the racing icon must sign a new contract after his deal with the German manufacturer expired last year..

      Hamilton – technically currently unemployed – has always maintained his desire was to stay with the Silver Arrows with a new deal expected to be worth £40million a year.
      And Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently claimed he’s unfazed by Britain’s seven-time world champion still not agreeing a new contract.
      He told Autosport: “It doesn’t worry me at all, because I will always respect Lewis’s decisions.
      ‘Whether this is staying with us for a long time, or whether that means leaving the sport and pursuing different interests.

      “I think we need to be ready for all kinds of curveballs being thrown at us.
      “But at the same time, we talk a lot, and we are very transparent with each other. I think there is more to achieve together.”
      In contrast to the delays over Hamilton’s deal, Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas sorted out an £8m one-year contract last August.

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      F1 chiefs refuse to delay introduction of new rules to make races more competitive after Lewis Hamilton’s dominance

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      FORMULA ONE chiefs will not delay the introduction of their new rulebook for another season – despite the ongoing pandemic.
      New car design rules were set to be brought in for 2021 to make the racing more competitive with world champion Lewis Hamilton continuing to dominate.

      World champion Lewis Hamilton has dominated F1 in recent yearsCredit: AP:Associated Press

      However, those regulations were shelved until 2022 due to the difficulties caused by the COVID 19 pandemic.
      There were some suggestions that F1 could defer them an extra year to 2023, however, the sport say they will not wait another 12 months.
      An F1 spokesperson said: “Any suggestion the 2022 regulations will be delayed is wrong and has not been discussed.
      “The new regulations are designed to improve competition on track and give our fans closer racing.

      “This combined with the new financial regulations will improve Formula 1 and create a healthier and stronger business model for the whole sport.”
      Meanwhile, Aston Martin boss Otmar Szafnauer has backed Sebastian Vettel’s experience to help deliver success to the newly-rebranded team.
      Szafnauer says the German, who was axed by Ferrari, can also benefit his team-mate Lance Stroll.
      He added: “In Sebastian, we have a proven four-time world champion with experience of helping teams become race-winning and championship-contending outfits.

      “That’s why he is such an important signing for us. He brings a winning mentality and we will all undoubtedly learn a lot from him on this journey.
      “In Lance, we have a young and talented, hard-working driver who enjoyed his best campaign to date last year and really made strides in all areas of his racing.
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      “We know if we give him the tools, he’s more than capable of helping the team reach its goals.
      “We also think Sebastian will bring out the best in Lance, with Lance pushing Sebastian hard in return, so we’re delighted with our 2021 line-up.
      “It’s the ideal blend of experience, race-winning knowhow, and raw talent.”

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

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      Lewis Hamilton by far F1’s top earner on a staggering £40m a year, way ahead of rivals Alonso, Verstappen and Vettel

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is set to once again be Formula One’s top earner on a truly staggering £40million pay packet.
      Mercedes star Hamilton – who tops the Sunday Times’ Sports Rich List – will earn well over twice as much as every other driver when he agrees to a contract for 2021.

      Sebastian Vettel was the second highest-earner in 2020 but has traded his £37m Ferrari pay packet for a more modest £12.5m at Aston Martin.
      Returning legend Fernando Alonso is set to pocket £15m when he gets back into the Renault, known as Alpine in 2021.
      Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is on a £14m contract that will likely dwarf new team-mate Sergio Perez’s deal.
      The Mexican’s 2021 salary is unknown but expected to be around the £2.5m he earned at Racing Point last year.

      Daniel Ricciardo comes in at fifth on a £12.5m deal with McLaren, a reduction on his £16m Renault wage with a heavily bonus-based agreement at his new home.
      Charles Leclerc’s £8m Ferrari salary puts him sixth, ahead of Valtteri Bottas at world champions Merc on £6.5m.
      Scuderia newboy Carlos Sainz is one of few drivers to earn a pay rise ahead of 2021 with a bump up to £5.3m as he swaps Ferrari from McLaren.
      Kimi Raikkonen, Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon are the only other drivers thought to earn seven-figure sums.

      Lewis Hamilton just needs to put pen to paper on his £40million deal to race in 2021Credit: PA:Press Association

      The new season will see a handful of rookies enter the paddock in Mick Schumacher, Nikita Mazepin and Yuki Tsunoda.
      Racing gets underway in Bahrain on March 28 with a three-day test set for the Sakhir circuit from March 2-4.
      The Australian Grand Prix has been put back to November with Imola remaining on the calendar after a successful return to the historic venue in 2020.
      Saudi Arabia and the Dutch circuit Zandvoort are on the calendar, with no place for the highly anticipated Vietnamese GO.

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      F1 badboy Nikita Mazepin has been labelled ‘a lout’ – but with backing from his billionaire dad – does he even care?

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      HE has not even raced in Formula One yet but already there are people calling for him to be banned.
      He’s been labelled “a lout” by Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz and the hashtag #SAYNOTOMAZEPIN is regularly trending on Twitter.

      Mazepin has not even made his debut in F1 yet

      Yet some want him banned alreadyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The rich kid will be driving for Haas Credit: Instagram @nikita_mazepin

      Not the impact that 21-year-old Nikita Mazepin – or indeed his Haas team – would have expected or wanted back in December when he was confirmed as their driver for 2021.
      Mazepin is a slightly-better-than-average racer who finished last season in fifth place in the Formula 2 championship.
      But the question mark over the Russian’s talent is only a minor worry compared to his behaviour, which is the cause for concern and the social media outcry.
      Mazepin is no stranger to controversy, yet when he posted a video on social media groping a female’s chest, people really took notice.

      The incident occurred shortly after he was confirmed by Haas and there was a subsequent apology and the video deleted.
      More recently, he made disparaging remarks about his new teammate Mick Schumacher and posted a stupid message wishing Covid a ‘happy birthday’.
      He has also previously been banned from racing for punching Callum Ilott in the face after the Brit spoiled one of his flying laps during a practice session.

      Mazepin likes to show off his lavish lifestyle

      He has over 100,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @nikita_mazepin

      He came fifth in Formula 2 last yearCredit: Instagram @nikita_mazepin
      Let’s be honest here, had some other racing driver displayed such behaviour, he’d not come close to an F1 seat.

      The difference here is Mazepin’s dad, Dmitry, is a billionaire and that sort of backing is likely to have caught Haas’s attention.
      So, given Haas’s decision to pick – and stick – with Mazepin, what can they do to ensure he changes his attitude?
      There is education, something that Haas boss Gunther Steiner said they would do, saying: “We need to work on it to give him the best opportunity to learn from this, concentrate on his racing and ensure he doesn’t do it anymore.
      “He knows that. He realises that what was done wasn’t right. I’m not the type of guy who kicks in the face someone who’s on their knees – that’s not right.
      “This is a young man who needs to grow up and for sure we have dealt with this and we will continue to deal with this.
      “We are not saying that this was OK and letting him get away with it. We are educating him and will keep on educating him for his future.”
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      Mazepin sparked serious controversy when he posted a video of him groping a woman – he later apologisedCredit: Instagram @nikita_mazepin

      The 21-year-old is backed by his billionaire fatherCredit: Instagram @nikita_mazepin

      The acid test will be if he again causes controversy, for the fear is his card has already been marked.
      We have seen how drivers in F1 quickly earn a name for themselves for their actions both on and off track and that is sometimes hard to shake.
      Take outgoing Haas driver Romain Grosjean, once labelled a “first lap nutcase” by Mark Webber, it stuck with the Frenchman during his time in F1.
      Will Mazepin’s “lout” tag remain now for the rest of his racing career?
      Ultimately, it is now up to him to convince the world otherwise, and one wonders if he will or indeed if he actually cares.
      Until now, there appears little remorse, yet then again, he has not been presented to the world’s press to deliver a heartfelt apology.

      The concern is that, given his lengthy misdemeanour sheet, Mazepin will move on unopposed and without changing his ways.
      In which case the only way he will listen is if F1 or the FIA speak up and call him to account.
      Only then is he likely to act and for that, the sport and the governing body need to find some balls.

      Mazepin will partner Mick Schumacher for Haas in the upcoming seasonCredit: Instagram @nikita_mazepin

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      F1 star Romain Grosjean shows off gruesome hand injuries as bandages finally come off following miracle fireball escape

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      ROMAIN GROSJEAN has shown off the gruesome damage done to his hands after his bandages were finally removed six weeks after his horror smash.
      The former Haas racer, 34, crashed at 140mph at last year’s Bahrain Grand Prix.

      Grosjean has shown off the damage done to his hands after his horror crash at last November’s Bahrain GPCredit: Instagram @grosjeanromain

      Grosjean enjoyed a cuddle with pet cat Petrus as he shared pictures of his burns on InstagramCredit: Instagram @grosjeanromain

      Grosjean was trapped in his flaming Haas for 28 seconds after his crash in BahrainCredit: Splash News

      Grosjean’s car split in two and instantly burst into flames.
      The Swiss-Frenchman was only saved by his Haas’ halo device and his racing suit, new for the 2020 season and designed to withstand flames for 20 seconds.
      Grosjean confessed he ‘saw death coming’ after smashing through the safety barriers.
      But he has shown off his miraculous recovery on Instagram, sharing an image of himself enjoying a cuddle with pet cat Petrus.

      So painful-looking are his injuries even to this days, Grosjean even included a warning to followers before swiping through his latest upload.
      Grosjean captioned the post: “My hands are back and Petrus isn’t too unhappy about it!
      “It’s not yet pretty so please don’t swipe right if you don’t feel like it.”
      Shortly after his crash, Grosjean described his escape as a ‘second birth’.

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      Grosjean’s Haas was torn into two pieces after smashing through the barrierCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Grosjean miraculously survived with only nasty burns to his handsCredit: Splash News

      He said: “To come out of the flames that day is something that will mark my life forever.
      “I have a lot of people who have shown me love and it has touched me a lot, and at times I get a bit teary-eyed.
      “I don’t know if the word miracle exists or if it can be used, but in any case I would say it wasn’t my time [to die].
      “It felt much longer than 28 seconds. I saw my visor turning all orange, I saw the flames on the left side of the car.
      “I thought about a lot of things, including Niki Lauda, and I thought that it wasn’t possible to end up like that, not now. I couldn’t finish my story in Formula One like that.
      “And then, for my children, I told myself that I had to get out. I put my hands in the fire, so I clearly felt it burning on the chassis.
      “I got out, then I felt someone pulling on the suit, so I knew I was out.”
      Grosjean has three children – Sacha, Simon and daughter Camile – with wife Marion.
      And he revealed his desire to get back to his family helped him escape.
      Grosjean confessed: “I was more afraid for my relatives, my children in the first place, but also my father and my mother.
      “I was not really afraid for myself. I saw death coming, I had no other option but to get out of there.”

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