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      ‘Full-time menace’ Lando Norris stokes flames in Verstappen vs Russell ‘head in the wall’ row with cheeky Instagram post

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      LANDO NORRIS admitted he would like to see George Russell and Max Verstappen’s bitter war of words continue because it is “amusing”.Red Bull world champion Verstappen and Mercedes star Russell have been embroiled in a vicious war of words since last week’s Qatar Grand Prix.Lando Norris posted a cheeky Instagram post stoking the flames in Max Verstappen and George Russell’s war of wordsVerstappen accused Russell of being two-facedCredit: RexBut Russell has responded by labelling Verstappen a ‘bully’ and accusing him of threatening himCredit: RexVerstappen, 27, said he had “lost all respect” for the Brit and accused him of being two-faced after receiving a grid penalty by stewards following a complaint from Russell on a cool-down lap in qualifying.But Russell, 26, clapped back ahead of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi season finale by labelling the Dutchman a “bully” by threatening to put his “f****** head in the wall”.McLaren driver Norris was the last driver in the running against Verstappen for the driver’s title this season, while he also had his share of scraps with his compatriot on track this season.Off-track the 25-year-old is friendly with both and refused to be drawn into choosing sides between his Formula One rivals when speaking about the feud.READ MORE IN F1Instead, Norris was only looking out for himself and joked he wanted the beef to continue.Speaking to Sky Sports, he said while smirking: “I hope it doesn’t get smoothed out, I hope they stay fighting and arguing cause it’s amusing to watch.”Answering more seriously, Norris continued: “It depends, every driver has their own way of doing things.”I don’t think Max tries to intimidate, Max just says the truth in his opinion… People don’t like to hear the truth nowadays in life.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”He’s honest and gives his opinion, I’m okay with that. Sometimes I disagree and sometimes I agree but that’s life.”I respect Max a lot and I respect George a lot but I don’t mind if they lose respect for one another.”Max Verstappen claims he has ‘lost all respect’ for F1 star George Russell in X-rated rantNorris also joked about the driver beef following the end-of-season driver’s dinner. He shared a picture of all 20 F1 drivers together after a dinner party and captioned the post: “2024 dinner! And yes, the two you’re thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible.”Reacting to the post, one fan said: “Part-time F1 driver full-time menace.”A second said: “Lando giving us what he knows we all want.”A third added: “Lando what a Gossip girl!”Ex-F1 star David Coulthard said: “Dinner with a side serving of drama in the caption.”Verstappen also replied with an emoji of a cut of meat.While the driver’s title has concluded, the constructor’s championship has gone down to the wire, with McLaren holding a 21-point lead over Ferrari.READ MORE SUN STORIESOther news on the grid has seen Jack Doohan replace Esteban Ocon at Alpine for the final race of the season before he takes the seat next year.It is also Lewis Hamilton’s final race for Mercedes after an 11-year career with the team in F1 which yielded six world drivers titles and eight constructors championships.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      George Russell claims Max Verstappen threatened to crash into him and ‘put my f***ing head in the wall’

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      GEORGE RUSSELL dropped a bombshell accusation that Max Verstappen said he would “put his head in the f***ing wall” in Qatar.The ugly row between the Brit and the Red Bull driver has exploded into an all out war ahead of this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.George Russell has hit out at Max VerstappenCredit: GettyRussell has labelled Verstappen ‘violent’, ‘aggressive’ and a ‘bully’Credit: AFPVerstappen, right, was handed a one-place grid penalty in Qatar after he and Russell went before the stewardsCredit: GettyIt all started last time out in Qatar when Verstappen was hit with a one-place grid penalty after driving “unnecessarily slowly” and blocking Russell in qualifying.Despite qualifying in pole position for his first race as a four-time world champion, Verstappen was forced to start the race from second, although he went on to win it.Russell said: “I have known Max for a long time and I know what he is capable of and he said to me he is going to purposely go out of his way to crash into me and put my f***ing head in the wall.”I knew that was a bit of a heat in the moment thing but when I went to see him the next day in the driver’s parade I saw in his eyes that he means it.READ MORE IN F1″He is a four time world champion and when I compare his actions to Lewis Hamilton, Lewis is the sort of world champion that I aspire to be like. The way he fought Max in 2021, hard and fair but never beyond the line.”I’ve got an eight-year-old nephew who has just started go karting, who watches all of my races.”For a world champion to be saying he’s going to go out of his way to crash into someone and put them on their eff-ing head that is not the sort of role models we should be.”Verstappen has been involved with a number of spats this season, including in Budapest in July when he crashed into Hamilton and fought with his own team on the radio.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRussell added: “The second he does not have the fastest car, Budapest for example. He crashes into Lewis, slams his whole team and he loses the plot.”Straight away after that race 25 percent of his engineering team were sending their CV’s to Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin because they said they can’t deal with a guy like that.Max Verstappen chokes back tears as he thanks Red Bull on team radio after winning fourth F1 world title”Lewis stood up to him in 2021, and Lewis lost that championship unfairly. Could you imagine the roles being reversed? I mean, [Michael] Masi would be fearing for his life.”Verstappen doubled down on his scathing attack of the Mercedes driver, calling him a “backstabber” and a “loser”.The Dutchman also accused the Mercedes driver of “lying” to influence the stewards’ decision to penalise him.Verstappen said: “No [I have no regrets]. I meant every word. I’ve never experienced anything like that from the stewards.”I found his behaviour really unacceptable.”It has nothing to do with him being head of the drivers’ association [Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, of which Russell is a director]. He simply lied about what he was or wasn’t doing, and certainly influenced the stewards.”He’s backstabber. You shouldn’t talk too much about people like that, because they’re just losers.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMercedes boss Toto Wolff crashed Russell’s press conference, dubbing Christian Horner a “yapping little terrier” after the Red Bull boss called the Brit “hysterical”.SunSport has approached the FIA for a comment on Russell’s accusation but they are yet to respond. More

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      British driver wins F1 Academy title then is immediately stripped of honour after last-minute change

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      BRITISH driver Abbi Pulling will have to earn the F1 Academy title this weekend… despite having already been declared the champion.The bizarre situation comes after some last minute changes to the women-only series.Abbi Pulling had been declared champion last weekendCredit: RexTwo races had been scheduled to take place in Qatar last weekend.But due to barrier repairs, the second was cancelled.This meant that Pulling, 21, held an unassailable lead heading into the final races of the season in Abu Dhabi.It saw the Alpine driver declared champion and she even celebrated her triumph.READ MORE IN F1But she will now have to earn it again, after organisers decided to add a third race to this weekend’s schedule in Abu Dhabi.This late addition means that 84 points are now on offer, which means that Pulling’s current lead of 83 points is not quite enough to declare her the official champ.In truth, it would take something astonishing for the Brit to not be champion.Each race offers 25 points for a win.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA further two are earned for securing pole, while a bonus point is added for fastest lap.Organisers have confirmed that two points will be declared for securing pole in each of the three races.Ferrari urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract by F1 legend after star’s ‘worrying’ admission This means that 84 points will be available this weekend, with Pulling 83 ahead of closest rival Doriane Pin.Pin, 20, had earned pole for last weekend’s second race that never was in Qatar.Despite the race not going ahead, Pin has retained those two points.Formula One teams each nominate a driver and have their livery on a car in the Academy, a series on their support programme aimed at helping female racers climb the ladder.The last woman to start an F1 Grand Prix was the late Italian Lella Lombardi in 1976.Pulling, 21, will have to earn her title againCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Find the way out’ – Ferrari urged to RIP UP Lewis Hamilton’s £78m contract by F1 legend after ‘worrying’ admission

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      FERRARI have been urged to tear up Lewis Hamilton’s mega-money contract after the Brit made a “worrying” admission.It has been a season to forget for Hamilton as he has struggled to bring the best out of his car in his final year with Mercedes.Ferrari have been urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s dealDavid Coulthard believes Ferrari should reconsider Hamilton’s dealHamilton, 39, is due to switch to childhood heroes Ferrari next season, as Carlo Sainz heads to Williams.But last week, he was called out for making a “worrying” comment ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.Hamilton said after sprint qualifying: “The positive is that the car is fast and George should be able to shoot for pole tomorrow. “Who knows? I’m definitely not fast anymore.”READ MORE ON F1Ex-F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has now advised the Italian team to tear up Hamilton’s contract in light of his admission.Jordan told the Formula For Success Podcast: “If you don’t believe 100 per cent, you’re f****d. Do you understand that? “Because belief, 99.9 per cent means that there is that tiny, little, little thing in there knocking on your head that gives you the things that maybe, oh, I don’t really have that confidence. “I don’t really have the ability. And at the moment what I heard from Lewis, I’m not fast enough anymore, they were the words, I think.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe added: “Honestly, if I was Ferrari, I would say close the book, find the way out. That’s it. “I think also, if it’s a little message to you, Lewis, if you’re out there, always remember in life. You’ve got your music, you’ve got your fashion, you’ve got all sorts of other things.Max Verstappen claims he has ‘lost all respect’ for F1 star George Russell in X-rated rant”You are, in most people’s view, the greatest driver of all time. Please remember what I’m going to say to you. Always, always think about the best exit. And this is the time to take the money off the table. Go.”Former F1 star David Coulthard also found Hamilton’s uncharacteristic admission troublesome.Coulthard said: “He’s as low as he can be right now. But I would say that’s pretty worrying.”It doesn’t detract from his brilliance, it doesn’t take away anything from the records, but there is a thing called mother nature and the clock is ticking.”Hamilton holds the all-time F1 record for pole positions but has been beaten over one lap by team-mate George Russell 20 times this season.And it has raised questions about his competitive edge as he looks towards teaming up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Brit did manage to win two races, at Silvertone and in Belgium earlier this term but sits seventh in the driver’s standings.The seven-time champ activated a release clause in his Mercedes contract to join Ferrari in a “multi-year” deal that is reportedly worth £78million per year.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s incredible Mercedes story comes to an end after 11 record-breaking years – but now a new chapter awaits

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      LEWIS HAMILTON matched Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula 1 titles at Mercedes – now he plans to break it in Ferrari red.The 39-year-old will bring down the curtain on his Mercedes career in Abu Dhabi this weekend – the very race that turned his life upside down in 2021.Lewis Hamilton is ending a glittering 11-year career with Mercedes ahead of his final race this weekendCredit: ReutersHamilton joined the team in 2013 and has gone on to win six titlesCredit: GettyIt made him the joint most successful driver in the history of the sport with seven titles overallCredit: GettyBut Hamilton’s final race with the Silver Arrows will come on SundayCredit: GettyNo one thought it would be a bitter-sweet ending like this, a week on from threatening to retire his car early after a disastrous race in Qatar which saw two penalties and a puncture.But Hamilton’s time at Mercedes should be remembered as a glittering 11-year partnership that has delivered six drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ championships.From a fierce rivalry with Nico Rosberg, known as the Silver War, to winning the German Grand Prix from 14th in 2018, Hamilton has delivered box-office drama at Merc while becoming one of the finest drivers to ever grace the grid.The numbers speak for themselves, with Hamilton the most successful driver ever – taking six of his seven championships with Mercedes, 84 of his 105 race wins, and 78 of his 104 poles.READ MORE IN F1For three-years Hamilton and Rosberg went hammer and tongs against each other which eventually led to the latter’s retirement in 2016 and the souring of a childhood friendship.They traded barbs throughout Hamilton’s title winning campaigns in 2014 and 2015 before the tension reached its crescendo a year later.With Hamilton on pole in the season finale in Abu Dhabi in 2016, Rosberg just needed to finish on the podium to become world champion.Hamilton drove slowly in an attempt to bring other drivers into the battle, knowing he needed Rosberg to finish below third.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe British driver rowed with his team over the radio and was repeatedly told to speed up but told the team: “Let us race.”Rosberg came under pressure from Sebastian Vettel but held off the Ferrari driver to finish second. Lewis Hamilton celebrates ‘biggest honour of my F1 career’ in front of delighted crowd despite disastrous Brazilian GPThe race summed up just how fraught this rivalry had become and how little ground either driver was prepared to give up – and F1 was all the richer for it.It also lit a fire in Hamilton’s belly though as he won three consecutive titles from 2017 onwards.Over the years Hamilton has been the man to rise above his machine, something we have only really seen from Max Verstappen’s fierce competitiveness on track.Hamilton won the German Grand Prix from 14th in 2018, crossed the Silverstone finish line with three tyres in 2020 and a year later soared to victory in Sao Paulo from 10th on the grid.It was that very year when his career came crashing down, with him so deeply cut after losing what would have been his eighth world title to Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi desert in 2021.He dominated the race from the start, only for race director Michael Masi to fail to apply the rules correctly during a late safety-car period.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconMasi’s decisions to override protocol over the handling of lapped cars and the timing of a restart were followed by Verstappen passing Hamilton when the race was restarted for one final lap and the title changing hands.Hamilton was so distraught that he nearly walked out on the sport for good as he battled with his mental health.Mercedes and Hamilton returned the following season determined to right the wrongs.Things only got worse, and the team’s lack of competitiveness thrust Hamilton to make the shock decision to join Ferrari at the end of this campaign.It hasn’t just been a floundering Mercedes car to blame but he was riddled with self doubt following the Abu Dhabi controversy.This was reinforced by his failure to win a race for 945 days, a week before the safety car chaos in Saudi Arabia that fateful year.But trust Hamilton to break his drought on his home turf at Silverstone in July to become the record-holder for F1 wins at a single circuit.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor the first time in a glittering career spanning three decades and 355 grands prix, Hamilton blubbed like never before as he took the chequered flag when he won Silverstone in June – ending a two-and-a-half year wait for victory.Hamilton now has the chance to write a new chapter in his F1 career at Ferrari, but whether he goes down in the history books as the record title holder, only time will tell.Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner. 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      Bianca Bustamante is pioneering driver who has been part of McLaren’s meteoric rise alongside Lando Norris

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      BIANCA BUSTAMANTE has been at the beating heart of McLaren’s meteoric rise.  A picture of Lando Norris and Bustamante grinning ear to ear at the Miami Grand Prix in May summarises the family feel at McLaren. The 19-year-old Filipino driver’s P2 finish in Miami this year coincided with Lando Norris’ debut winCredit: GettyMcLaren development driver Bianca Bustamante has three-million social media followers combinedCredit: GettyBusatamante competes in F1’s Academy – the only all-female championshipCredit: GettyBustamante sealed her first-ever F1 Academy podium, coinciding with Norris securing a maiden race win that weekend.It was also when the season flipped on its head in round six in Miami where McLaren introduced their first major upgrades and brought the fight to Red Bull. McLaren are now in the driving seat in the constructors’ championship and can win their first title since 1998 in the season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend. 19-year-old Busatamante, a McLaren Development Driver who competes in the only all-female championship – F1 Academy, said: “That weekend was a long time coming. IN F1 NEWS“McLaren was not a dominant team at all, we could barely score points, now fighting for the constructors’ is massive. “I got my P2 in Miami so it was a really great time for us and I will cherish it for the rest of my career. “McLaren is such a family oriented team. We all look out for each other, Lando, Oscar Piastri. They are the best teammates to each other.”Bustamante was born and raised in the Philippines, a country with no recognisable history or heritage of motorsport. Most read in MotorsportFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Filipino driver lifts heavy weights as part of a gruelling training regimeCredit: Instagram / @racerbiaShe has starred in Vogue PhilippinesCredit: Instagram / @racerbiaBustamante was introduced to her first go kart at age three and raced against boys when she was growing upCredit: Getty Images – GettyBustamante is inspiring the next generation of driversCredit: GettyShe was introduced to her first go-kart at age three by her racing-mad dad Raymund and it was love at first sight. It was also gaming that helped propel Bustamante’s career and is the reason she recently signed as one of the founding talents for EA’s GEN / EA SPORTS program.Lando Norris left with head in his hands as F1 rival tells him he’s getting instant fine for press conference blunderThe McLaren driver, who has been working alongside the likes of Real Madrid 18-year-old Endrick at EA, said: “I was introduced to sports through gaming and F1 was my very first game.“GEN / EA allows me to use my platform to get kids closer to their passion. “The F1 game was so important to me growing up and a main pillar of my childhood. I got to know all the F1 tracks and drivers.”During her childhood Bustamante says she was a snap-back hat wearing tom-boy who raced against only boys.She was told countless times not bother with racing and become a nurse or doctor instead. Now she is the third most influential female driver in the world, with a combined following on Instagram and TikTok of three million.Bustamante added: “It’s about breaking the norm. Coming from Asia and the Philippines there is a lot of stigma. “The culture difference is massive. Growing up because you’re a woman you’re only allowed to pursue certain paths. “In the Philippines they tell you to be a nurse, engineer or a doctor, a career that earns you a lot of money and that’s safe.”While F1 Academy has been a step in the right direction, opportunities in F1 for female drivers have still been limitedJess Hawkins did test an Aston Martin at the Hungaroring in 2023, but other than that there has been little progress.Bustamante believes she is in the right place at McLaren to reach the heady heights of an F1 debut, just like Norris and Oscar Piastri. She said: “These are drivers that I look up to pretty much my whole life. I mean ive followed Lando’s career ever since I was a young girl. “I idolise them, I remember Lando winning his F3 Championship. “He has been with McLaren since day one and they took care of him as part of the development programme and now he’s fought for a driver’s championship. It will come eventually for him.”Bustamante’s social media content ranges from gruelling workout videos to racing clips but also footage of her putting on her makeup. The makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury became an official sponsor of F1 academy this season and Bustamante loves that the sport has been sprinkled with a feminine touch. Bustamante added: “Sha’Carri Richardson has shown in track and field that you can have long hair, nails, lashes and it’s so refreshing to see.“To be an athlete doesn’t mean you can’t be feminine and do makeup. “I’ve always raced against the boys, I would always wear a snap back, baggy clothes because I thought I had to do that to fit in with the mold. “My mum thought I would always be a tom boy but then I realised it had zero effect on your performance. “The car doesn’t know if you’re a girl or a boy, if you’re wearing makeup or lipstick and I think that’s the beauty of sport. “I love that Charlotte Tilbury has come and sprinkled a bit of femininity into the sport.”Bustamante’s favourite driver is seven-time world champion Lewis HamiltonCredit: APBustamante’s idol is Lewis Hamilton, with both of them treading a similar path to becoming stars in the sport. Seven-time world champ Hamilton’s dad Anthony once held down three jobs to fund his son’s karting exploits. Meanwhile Bustamante’s father, Raymund, also did similar and once bought a race suit for his daughter when she was just a year old.She said: “Hamilton is just different. He doesn’t just drive for himself he drives for everyone, he drives for people that are underrepresented, aren’t fortunate, he drives for people – to me he is special. “I’ve met him a couple times, he’s such a cool guy, so composed, and so emotionally intelligent.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He has achieved so much but he is still so humble and so hard working still. Every attribute of that is everything I’d aspire to be.”To learn more about Bianca Bustamante and GEN / EA SPORTS Athlete Engagement Programme, please visit here. More

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      Max Verstappen claims he has ‘lost all respect’ for F1 star George Russell in X-rated rant

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has claimed he has ‘lost all respect’ for George Russell in a scathing attack.The Red Bull driver, 27, and the Brit were involved in an incident in Qatar during qualifying on Saturday.Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the Qatar Grand PrixCredit: EPAAfter the race, Verstappen launched an extraordinary attack on George RussellCredit: AFPVerstappen was ihanded a one-place grid penalty for the Qatar Grand Prix after he was ruled to have driven too slowly during Q3, which saw Russell forced to take avoiding action as he approached Verstappen’s car.That meant Russell started in pole position on the front row, with Verstappen relegated to second.Despite that, Verstappen ended up winning the grand prix, after overtaking Russell in the opening corner.The Dutchman controlled the race, which was heavily disrupted by safety cars, before going through in first place on the chequered flag.Read more F1 newsAfter the race, Verstappen took aim at Russell in the stewards’ room.“I have a lot of respect for a lot of drivers, but after last night I completely lost that respect for him,” Verstappen told Viaplay.“I just thought it was ridiculous how he tried to force a penalty on me. And I was heavily pissed at him for that.”Verstappen also claimed the Mercedes racer was two-faced, before he went into an x-rated rant.Most read in Motorsport“He always does it very nicely here in front of the camera, but then when you’re inside with him in person, it’s just a different person,” Verstappen continued.Lewis Hamilton demands to RETIRE in meltdown at Qatar Grand Prix as time at Mercedes heads for sad ending“I can’t stand that and it’s actually better for him to f*** off. I don’t want to get involved in this.”Verstappen wasn’t the only heated in Qatar.Lewis Hamilton had a meltdown and rowed with his team after trying to quit.The seven-time world champion threw his toys out of the pram as he suffered a puncture and a penalty in his second to last race in his Mercedes.Best new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesHamilton’s race engineer Peter Bonnington said on the team radio: “We have got a drive-through penalty in the pit lane.”It looks like you forgot to press the button on that first time behind the Safety Car.”Hamilton said: “Retire the car, mate. Park the car, mate.Bonnington replied: “Negative.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton demands to RETIRE in meltdown at Qatar Grand Prix as time at Mercedes heads for sad ending

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      LEWIS HAMILTON had a meltdown and rowed with his team after trying to quit the Qatar Grand Prix early.The seven-time world champion threw his toys out of the pram as he suffered a puncture and a penalty in his second to last race in his Mercedes.Lewis Hamilton was hit with a puncture and penalty during a horror Qatar Grand PrixCredit: GettyHe asked his team to retire the car, a request that was deniedCredit: ReutersHamilton’s race engineer Peter Bonnington said on the team radio: “We have got a drive-through penalty in the pit lane. “It looks like you forgot to press the button on that first time behind the Safety Car.”Hamilton said: “Retire the car, mate. Park the car, mate.Bonnington replied: “Negative.”READ MORE IN F1Meanwhile his old rival from 2021, Max Verstappen, roared “simply lovely” as he produced a fierce drive to overtake pole-sitter George Russell and cross the line six-seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, while Oscar Piastri came in third.Lando Norris almost snuck into the lead himself at the start but Verstappen just managed to defend his position going through Turn Two.The safety car was called into action when chaos at the start saw Nico Hulkenberg lost the rear of his car and collided into Esteban Ocon who then clipped Franco Colapinto.Lance Stroll and Alex Albon also made contact amid the drama.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOn lap 16, Hamilton, who was eighth, was handed a five-second time penalty for a false start.Russell’s evening went from bad to worse when his rear right tyre got stuck during his pit stop which took seven seconds.Lewis Hamilton in awkward car journey with George Russell and Carlos Sainz after Las Vegas GPDrama erupted when Albon lost his mirror going down the main straight, causing debris to scatter over the track.There was only a matter of time before someone drove over it and lo and behold Valtteri Bottas did, fortunately with no major issues.It caused misery for Hamilton, with the debris causing a puncture for his Mercedes before the safety car was deployed.Carlos Sainz’s car was also damaged, and the Ferrari was in the pits for a whopping nine-seconds.Russell ranted at his team for putting hard tyres on, saying: “Why have we put hards on? Why have we put the s*** hards on? They’re s***”On lap 40 at the restart, Verstappen held off Norris on Turn One to go on the outside after the McLaren got a great slingshot out of the final corner.There was more contact and more chaos as Hulkenberg was beached in the gravel and out of the race while Sergio Perez was gone too.Drama continued as the stewards came down HARD on Norris for not slowing sufficiently for yellow flags, slapping him with a whopping 10-second stop-and-go penalty.READ MORE SUN STORIESHamilton had his meltdown after he was caught speeding in the pit-lane.Verstappen cruised towards victory while Norris snuck back into the points as he moved into tenth.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More