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      Sebastian Vettel joins Aston Martin for F1 2021 season after disastrous campaign at Ferrari so far

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL has signed a multi-year deal to drive for Aston Martin F1.
      The four-time world champion has agreed terms with the Silverstone-based team, formerly known as Force India and now called Racing Point.

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      Sebastian Vettel leaves Ferrari after six years with the ScuderiaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      The experienced driver headed out on his Mugello track walk on Thursday, only minutes after his switch to Racing Point brokeCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The team is now owned by billionaire, Lawrence Stroll and will be renamed as Aston Martin from next season.
      Vettel, 33, will partner Stroll’s son, Lance Stroll, in the team after being shown the door by Ferrari.
      The German has made no secret of his desire to remain in the sport while Aston Martin are hoping his experience will help them challenge for wins.
      Vettel said: “I am pleased to finally share this exciting news about my future. I’m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021.

      “It’s a new adventure for me with a truly legendary car company. I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter.
      “The energy and commitment of Lawrence to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together.

      “I still have so much love for Formula One and my only motivation is to race at the front of the grid.
      “To do so with Aston Martin will be a huge privilege.”

      Vettel, who won all his titles with Milton Keynes-based Red Bull Racing, is a huge lover of English culture, plus a big James Bond fan.
      His switch to the team had been expected after being seen leaving the British GP in the same car as Racing Point’s team principal, Otmar Szafnauer.

      Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions.
      Otmar SzafnauerRacing Point team principal

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      And after Sergio Perez was released from his long-term deal on Wednesday night ahead of this weekend’s Tuscan GP, Vettel has now been confirmed.
      Szafnauer added: “Everybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news. Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team.
      “On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Sebastian is one of the best in the world, and I can’t think of a better driver to help take us into this new era. He will play a significant role in taking this team to the next level.”

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      Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team say he was NOT to blame for Italian GP error

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’s Mercedes team have told him he was NOT to blame for the error that cost him victory in the Italian GP.
      Merc bosses say it was their fault after failing to spot a message on page 3 on their information screens, telling them the pitlane was closed.

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      Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team say he was not to blame for his illegal pitstopCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Hamilton made the illegal pitstop during the race that earned him a ten second time penalty that resulted in him finishing seventh.
      While the world champion took responsibility for the mistake immediately after the race, his team have now shielded him from blame.
      Mercedes chief strategist, James Vowles, said: “There were two pieces of information to tell us that the pitlane entry had been closed.

      Lewis came on the radio asking for a different set of tyres, we were reviewing whether or not we had time, whether it was the correct decision or not
      James Vowles Mercedes Chief Strategist

      “The first was there were boards around the track that have a cross on it, a red cross indicating that’s the state, and when the driver sees that, he knows he must stay out.

      “The second piece of information is we have TV screens in front of us.
      “One of those is called page three and it contains a number of messages that the FIA wants to send us.
      “This was a key point in the race where the entire field would have come into the pitlane.
      “Lewis came on the radio asking for a different set of tyres, we were reviewing whether or not we had time, whether it was the correct decision or not.

      “These were all conversations that take just a few seconds, but they all add up.

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      Lewis Hamilton’s error led to him finishing seventh at the Italian Grand Prix Credit: AP:Associated Press
      “What you are not doing particularly is looking for a single line on the screen to indicate the pitlane entry was closed and we missed it.
      Meanwhile, Ferrari have ruled out a swoop for Mercedes engine whizz, Andy Cowell.
      The Brit is leaving the world champions having played a huge part in their success in the hybrid-turbo era.
      And while Ferrari have substantial engine problems, boss Mattia Binotto has ruled out signing up the 51-year-old.

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      He said: “In terms of new people joining Ferrari in the future, I think that in F1 you can never be satisfied, so if there is anyone that can bring added value to the team it’s our responsibility to look for it and eventually to do it.
      “You mention Andy Cowell — as far as I’m aware, he’s still working in Mercedes currently.
      “Certainly, there are great names in F1. Is there someone joining Ferrari very soon? It’s not the case.”

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      Michael Schumacher’s son Mick, 21, ‘to make Formula 1 debut’ this weekend ahead of Tuscan GP

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      MICK SCHUMACHER is in line to make his Formula One debut at the Tuscan Grand Prix, according to reports.
      As the son of Ferrari legend Michael, big things are expected of Mick, 21, while he fights for the Formula 2 title.

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      Mick Schumacher is reportedly set for a runout at the Tuscan Grand Prix this weekendCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      The German is the son of seven-time world champ MichaelCredit: Getty – Contributor
       According to German outlet RTL, the youngster is being lined up for a free practice runout at Mugello.
      This weekend’s Grand Prix represents Ferrari’s 1000th race in F1 and the appearance of a Schumacher would no doubt attract huge added interest.
      That is particularly the case with the unusual pandemic-affected calendar taking F1 to the Prancing Horse’s very own track.
      It is not yet known which car Schumacher would climb into for an FP1 workout, but Ferrari-affiliated teams Haas and Alfa Romeo are the obvious bets.

      A spot in a Ferrari itself would be a huge statement from the Italian team, particularly amid their own struggles.
      In fact, team principal Mattia Binotto has already talked up Mick’s abilities from inside the Ferrari Driver Academy.

      Last month, Binotto told Bild am Sonntag: “He’s doing very well this season in Formula 2. His job was to improve and make progress and he is doing that.
      “We’ll soon discuss what we’re going to do with him next year.”

      Schumacher won his first F2 race of 2020 with victory in the feature race at Monza on Saturday.
      A string of podium finishes has the German racer in second place of the junior division’s championship, six points behind Brit and fellow Ferrari Academy ace Callum Ilott.
      Many in F1 hope Mick can live up to the legacy of father Michael, 51, who holds the record for the most Drivers’ Championship titles in the sport.
      The seven-time champ was skiing with his son, one of two children with wife Corinna, when he suffered a serious head injury in December 2013.

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      After years of treatment, the racing legend is reportedly conscious while his family remain incredibly private over the state of his health.
      FIA president Jean Todt, who oversaw much of Schumacher’s success at Ferrari, visited the German in July and said: “I saw Michael last week.
      “He is fighting. I hope the world will be able to see him again. That is what he and his family are working towards.”

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      Leclerc suffers huge crash into tyre wall that STOPS Italian GP as Ferrari’s day turns to hell with Vettel already out

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      CHARLES LECLERC suffered a horrendous smash as he crashed out of the Italian GP – but thankfully somehow ran away unhurt.
      The Frenchman lost control and slammed his Ferrari into the tyre wall.

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      Charles Leclerc crashed into the tyre wall and was out of the Italian GP

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      The Frenchman lost control as his car smoked and that was the end of Ferrari’s race

      Unsurprisingly, the race was immediately red flagged – the first time the GP at Monza has been stopped since 1995.
      Despite the high-speed collision, Leclerc immediately was on the radio to his Ferrari mechanics to tell them he was okay.
      He said: “Yeah. F***. I am sorry guys. That was a big crash.”
      The car was already smoking when he wobbled off the track at the Parabolica final bend and headed to the left over the gravel as Leclerc braced himself for the heavy impact.

      He was able to get himself out of the vehicle, which was a smouldering wreck, and jog away from the crash site.
      Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer reckons Leclerc was at fault, rather than the car.
      Speaking on BBC 5Live, he said: “It is driver error rather than brake failure for Charles Leclerc.
      “He has got on the power too early as he attempted to attack into the straight out of the corner.”

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      Leclerc headed off to the left of the track over the gravel but ran away unhurt

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      The on-board camera showed the view for Leclerc as he made impact

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      The tyres brought the famous scarlet car to a shuddering halt in dramatic scenes

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      Leclerc was taken to the medical centre for a checkover but was released minutes later.
      The back-left wheel was completely buckled at a right angle with the spoiler broken and the front of the car crumpled.
      Even once the crane had picked up – at the second time after dropping it initially – the trashed famous scarlet car, the remaining wheel was still billowing out smoke.
      The crash compounded a horror weekend for Ferrari in Italy who endured a nightmare qualifying and then saw Sebastian Vettel’s brakes fail early in the race.
      After a lengthy delay to the race, it was restarted with Lewis Hamilton needing to take a ten-second pit penalty which took him from the front to the back of the grid, 23 seconds behind the pack.

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      Ferrari fears it will be years until they start winning on F1 circuit again as chief Mattia Binotto calls for ‘patience’

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      FERRARI boss Mattia Binotto has pleaded for “patience” as he tries to stop the team’s slide – but warned it could take YEARS for them to be winners again.
      The Italian team endured their worst weekend in a decade in last Sunday’s Belgian GP where their cars finished in 13th and 14th place.

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      Ferrari drivers Vettel and Leclerc have been warned it could be years before the manufacturer is a winner againCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Binotto has pleaded for patience amid the team’s strugglesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      And they are set for more pain this weekend in their home race – the Italian GP at Monza.
      SunSport quizzed Binotto after the race in Spa as to what exactly had gone wrong, whether he was the right man to resolve the situation and how long it would take to turn it around.
      He said: “How long it will take? I think that if you look back at all the winning cycles it is always many years.
      “There are no silver bullets in F1. Patience and stability is required.

      “The engine is frozen this season, so there is nothing we can do on that. We are developing it for next season, and it is progressing well on the dyno at the moment.
      “On the car there are some restrictions, so what’s the plan for us? The main plan is focusing on the next seasons – not only 2021 but also certainly as well 2022.
      “In order to do well in the next season we also need to try to understand the weaknesses of today and make sure that we are addressing them.”
      There is a growing feeling within the F1 paddock that Ferrari’s loss of engine power came about following an investigation by the FIA into their power unit.

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      Controversially, the findings of that investigation have been kept private after the two reached a “settlement”.
      But Binotto claims that all engine-manufacturers have suffered as a result of the rule changes introduced for this season.
      But while the likes of Mercedes still continue to eek out more lap time for their motor, Ferrari – who were blasted by Seb Vettel during the British GP – have not been able to do so.
      He added: “What is happening, in fact, is that we have a car that has lost power. Just as all the engine manufacturers have lost it: but we more than the others.
      “Last year the engine partly covered the limits of the machine, but this year it is no longer the case.
      “The limits of the machine are emerging. On that point it is clear that we must improve.”

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      Ferrari endured their worst weekend in a decade in last Sunday’s Belgian GP where their cars finished in 13th and 14th placeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Ferrari chief Mattia Binotto insists F1 flops are NOT in crisis despite worst result in decade at Belgian Grand Prix

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      FERRARI boss Mattia Binotto insists the team are not in a crisis – despite their worst result in a decade.
      Both Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc finished outside of the points at the Belgian GP as they came home in 13th and 14th place respectively.

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      Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc finished outside of the points at the Belgian GP
      Both drivers also missed out on reaching Q3 in qualifying, with their car way down on performance.
      Vettel and Leclerc have both been frustrated so far this season, with the team down in fifth place in the constructors’ championship.
      But underfire Binotto says the team’s slump is only temporary as he bids to turn their fortunes around.
      Speaking after the Belgian GP, he said: “I think it is wrong to use the word crisis for the moment we are going through.

      “Certainly this is a very bad result within a difficult season that we are experiencing.
      “But we knew it was coming, we saw it in winter testing, and then came the impossibility to develop the car.
      “We all take responsibility for this situation. I take that as team principal as well as all those who work in Maranello.
      “We are all in the same boat. But although the team is in the middle of the storm, we are very united.

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      “There is no crisis, no tension. There is bitterness and frustration in each of us. But I believe that this frustration must be transformed into reaction and determination.”
      Ferrari’s slump is bad timing for the team as it is the Italian GP at Monza this week followed by another GP at Mugello to celebrate their 1,000th race in F1.
      And while 2,880 spectators WILL be allowed in to the Mugello circuit, there seems to be little to celebrate at the moment.
      Binotto added: “We understand the fans. We are very sorry, we are the first to admit, and we are sorry for them too.
      “What is happening, in fact, is that we have a car that has lost power, just as all the engine manufacturers have lost it. We more than the others.
      “Last year the engine partly covered the limits of the machine, but this year it is no longer the case.
      “The limits of the machine are emerging. On that point it is clear that we must improve.”
      Meanwhile, the FIA are investigating Antonio Giovinazzi’s terrifying crash that sent a wheel hurtling towards George Russell’s Williams.
      The Brit was forced to take evasive action to swerve out of the way of the wheel that had come loose from Giovinazzi’s Alfa Romeo.
      Russell admitted he was thankful for the halo cockpit protection system and now the FIA are looking into what caused the wheel to break away.
      F1 race director, Michael Masi, said:”Yes it is a concern. Why it became detached I am not 100 per cent sure.
      “Once the car came back to the drop-off area, our technical teams had already started their investigation, taking a number of photos and we’ve got all the available footage.
      “The technical department, together with the safety department, will investigate why [this happened].”

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      Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari going through ‘awkward divorce’ as F1 woes between pair continue, says Ross Brawn

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL and Ferrari are going through an “awkward” divorce according to F1’s Managing Director, Ross Brawn.
      The Englishman spent 10 years at the Italian team and knows how the politics work at Maranello.

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      Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is mulling over a potential move to Racing Point from Ferrari
      Vettel was again out-spoken about the team’s strategy in Spain but managed to drag the car home for a seventh-place finish.
      The four-time world champion, who expressed his shock at not being offered new terms by Ferrari, is now weighing up a move to Racing Point, who will become renamed Aston Martin.
      And Brawn says while Ferrari and Vettel go through the motions, their relationship will prove increasingly difficult to manage.

      “When a driver has been told he is no longer needed, it’s one of the most difficult times for a team
      Ross Brawn

      He said: “It’s tough to watch Sebastian and Ferrari go through the motions right now, with both sides knowing that the end of their relationship is almost upon them.

      “They are in that period of a divorce where the papers have been served, but the divorce hasn’t gone through. It’s very awkward.
      “The chemistry between a driver and their team is so important. You’re part of a team and you succeed as a team, and fail as a team.
      “Managing that dynamic is always a challenge.

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      Vettel (left) finished seventh in the Spanish Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton claiming victory on SundayCredit: Getty Images

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      “When a driver has been told he is no longer needed, it’s one of the most difficult times for a team.

      “He knows you no longer want him and the cracks appear quickly. It is up to the team to manage it as best they can.
      “From my own painful experience, I know drivers in this situation can be a handful.”

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      Ferrari reveal clampdown on controversial engine is slowing them down as team struggles in new F1 season

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      FERRARI have admitted for the first time that a clampdown on their controversial engine is slowing them down.
      The Italian team were the subject of much accusation last year, with rival teams hinting that their engine was illegal.

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      Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel have struggled to show serious pace in the early weeks of the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      The two Ferraris crashing into eachother in Austria emphasised a torrid startCredit: AFP or licensors
      Controversially, the findings of an FIA investigation were kept private – much to the frustration of non-Ferrari powered teams.
      But since the rules were clarified through a series of technical directives (TDs), Ferrari have been embarrassingly off the pace and boss Mattia Binotto says it is because the FIA has flexed its muscles.
      He said: “Certainly I think that regulations are very difficult and complex.
      “There are areas of regulations on the power unit where maybe clarifications are still required, it’s an ongoing process, which has always existed in the past and will exist in the future.

      “Since last year a lot of TDs have been released, eventually clarifying some of the areas of regulations, through those TDs, we had to adapt ourselves.
      “I don’t think it is only the case with Ferrari, because looking at the power output of this season I think most manufacturers somehow had to adapt themselves but certainly as Ferrari we had to adapt and as a simple output of that we lost some of the performance we had.

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      “Now we’ve got a clearer situation in some areas of the regulations and that will continue if required for the future.”
      Charles Leclerc secured second-place at the season opener in Austria but otherwise the early weeks have been a huge disappointment for the Scuderia.

      Both drivers retired early at the Styrian Grand Prix after Leclerc crashed into Vettel, leaving the German with just a solitary championship point.

      Qualifying has been a particularly tough experience with the Monaco-born youngster’s seventh-placed in the first of the two Spielberg races their best outcome so far.

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