Ferrari

LEWIS HAMILTON has opened up on his regret of turning down a role in Hollywood blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick.Back in 2018, Hamilton was invited to star in the second instalment of Tom Cruise’s Top Gun series, having previously expressed a desire to be in a movie.Lewis Hamilton has revealed his regret at not being able to star in Top Gun: MaverickCredit: Campbell Addy/ GQTom Cruise offered Hamilton a chance to star as a pilot in the blockbuster during filming in 2018Credit: GettyHowever, despite his eagerness to be part of the action Hamilton was unable to take on the role due to his own dogfight with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel for the 2018 Formula One title.Speaking to GQ Magazine, the 39-year-old F1 maverick has admitted he wishes he was able to be part of the film but did not want to let the movie down.The seven-time F1 champion explained how he had unexpectedly been invited to the set of 2014 movie Edge of Tomorrow by Cruise before pleading for a role in Top Gun 2 if one was ever made over dinner.Hamilton said: “I said, ‘Dude, if you ever do Top Gun 2… I will even be a janitor – just let me be in it’.”READ MORE IN F1However, when a chance to star in the film – which made £1.3billion at the box office in 2022 – as a pilot actually cropped up, Hamilton could not take it due to his F1 commitments. He explained: “Firstly, I hadn’t even had, like, an acting lesson. And I don’t want to be the one that lets this movie down. And then secondly, I just really didn’t have the time to dedicate to it. “I remember having to tell Joe [Kosinski] and Tom – and it broke my heart. And then I regretted it, naturally, when they show me the movie and it’s, ‘It could’ve been me’!”Hamilton did not let that setback stop him from entering the film industry, revealing how he found himself on a Zoom call with Top Gun director and producer duo Joe Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer a couple of years later.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIn 2022, Hamilton launched his own film and TV company – Dawn Apollo Films – with two huge projects, the first being an F1 flick with Brad Pitt and the second a documentary about Hamilton’s life.The F1 blockbuster Hamilton is producing is being directed by Top Gun: Maverick director Kosinski and some of it was filmed during last season’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone.The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from InstagramHowever, Hamilton revealed he was more than aware of the potential problems with such projects.He said: “My point was: Guys, this movie needs to be so authentic.”There’s two different fan groups that we have – like, the old originals, who from the day they’re born hear the [BBC] Grand Prix music every weekend and watch with their families, and the new generation that just learned about it today through Netflix.”I felt my job really has been to try to call BS. ‘This would never happen. This is how it would be. This is how it could happen.’ “Just giving them advice about what racing is really about and what, as a racing fan, would appeal and what would not.”Hamilton added he does not feel a need to be competitive with other motorsport movies such as “Le Mans”, “Ford v Ferrari”, “Rush” or most recently “Ferrari”.He said: “I do watch all of them. But one thing I think you’ll learn about me is I don’t like to – we live in such a judgemental world, and having seen how, for everything, building something from scratch and creating takes so much time and commitment from so many people.”So I never like to be someone to dog anything…Hamilton has since started a film and TV company which will see Brad Pitt star in an F1 movieCredit: Getty”Capturing racing is really, really difficult, and I don’t think anyone’s been able to really capture it in a way that brings the adrenaline you have as a racing driver. “If you look at the old movies, with [Steve] McQueen, the big camera on the helmet and the guy lying on the front of the car to capture the shot?”You should see some of the cameras that Joe is able to use. He’s a visionary.”I don’t feel competitive with these movies. But I guess we probably will be.”Hamilton’s interview with the fashion mag also saw him talk about the controversial conclusion to the otherwise thrilling 2021 F1 title fight.In the final lap of the season in Abu Dhabi, Max Verstappen overtook Hamilton after “human error” from race director Michael Masi in implementing the rules for a safety car restart.This season is Hamilton’s final year with Mercedes after announcing he would join Ferrari for the 2025 season.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he has struggled on track with his highest finish so far being seventh in the opening weekend, though he will hope to improve at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix.The Global Creativity Issue of GQ is available via digital download and on newsstands on April 9th. 🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

CARLOS SAINZ has provided a behind-the-scenes look at his whirlwind fortnight.The Spanish F1 driver capped off a remarkable two weeks with his third race win at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.Carlos Sainz has provided a behind-the-scenes look at his whirlwind fortnightCredit: Instagram / @carlossainz55Sainz claimed his third F1 race win at the Australian Grand Prix on SundayCredit: SplashSainz returned to the track in Melbourne after being forced out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on March 9 with appendicitis.Teenager Oliver Bearman replaced him in Jeddah as Sainz underwent surgery in hospital.In an Instagram post, he has now shared two pictures of himself in a hospital bed during his time away.Sainz also attached a snap of himself smiling as he put on his race overalls, with the bandages from his surgery still visible on his stomach.READ MORE F1 NEWSAnother shot showed him laid down with tubes connected to his face whilst watching his phone through a screen.He added a celebratory post-race snap from Australia as well before ending the post with a clip of himself stretching with a coach during his recovery.Sainz captioned the post: “My road to recovery and a little tribute to the people that made this weekend happen.”Now time to get back training, in good shape and prepare for the next few races. THANK YOU!”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSainz returned to the track after missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with appendicitisCredit: Instagram / @carlossainz55The Spaniard shared a series of snaps from his time in hospitalCredit: Instagram / @carlossainz55He put his health issues behind him by taking the chequered flag in MelbourneCredit: Instagram / @carlossainz55He had previously dubbed his return to action “a rollercoaster” after victory at the weekend.The win was the first non-Red Bull race victory of the season after Max Verstappen was forced to retire with a brake issue.The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from InstagramMeanwhile, Sainz finished ahead of his team-mate Charles Leclerc to complete a Ferrari one-two.He will now be hoping for more success at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on April 7.His win at this season’s third race leaves the 29-year-old fourth in the Drivers’ Championship behind Verstappen, Leclerc and Sergio Perez.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

FORMULA ONE fans are fearing for Carlos Sainz’s health after he was seen struggling to get out of his car following his Australian Grand Prix triumph.The Spaniard, 29, missed the second race of the season in Saudi Arabia earlier this month after being ruled out with appendicitis.Carlos Sainz struggled as he clambered out of his FerrariCredit: Sky SportsHe gingerly put his feet down as he was clearly still feeling the effects of his appendix surgeryCredit: Sky SportsSainz claimed his third Grand Prix victory just weeks after going under the knifeCredit: GettyAfter undergoing appendix surgery he returned to race for Ferrari in Melbourne – replacing British teenager Oliver Bearman who earned seventh place in the Middle East.And it was a memorable weekend for Sainz as he capitalised on Max Verstappen’s early retirement to win his third Grand Prix.Yet the effects of his appendix surgery could still be seen as he climbed out of the car after his victory.Sainz awkwardly clambered up onto the side of his Ferrari before he gingerly put his feet on the floor and walked over to receive his congratulations.READ MORE IN F1Reacting to the clip, one said: “Class act is Carlos…. Red Bull next year..”While another added: “He did an incredible job even though he wasn’t feeling 100% 🤍🤍🤍.”Following his whirlwind win, Sainz said: “Life sometimes is crazy.”What happened at the beginning of the year (not being renewed at Ferrari), then the appendix and the comeback and the win – a rollercoaster, but I love it.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe also opened up about struggling hugely with his abdominal muscles before flying to Australia.Sainz added: “When I was about to catch my flight to Australia, I was still in bed and could barely use my abdominal muscles.TikTok stars forced to apologise after filming F1 star George Russell using URINAL and making series of crude jokes”I was like ‘this isn’t going to happen’. But I took the flight and suddenly when I landed in Australia, the feeling was a lot better.” More

FORMULA ONE’S newest sensation could be doing something very different if his parents had bought a new carpet instead of a go-kart.The 18-year-old Oliver Bearman produced a brilliant performance to finish seventh in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend.Oliver Bearman made history with his exploits for Ferrari in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyHe might never have got that moment if his parents bought a carpet instead of a go-kartCredit: SplashBearman’s abilities were evident from a young age as Ferrari snapped him up to their academyCredit: AlamyHis parents opted to buy him a go-kart in 2011 over getting a new carpetCredit: AlamyRecord-breaking Bearman’s moment in the spotlight came after he got the call to be a replacement for Carlos Sainz in Saudi as the star underwent surgery for appendicitis.The Ferrari prodigy became the youngest Brit to ever race in F1 and is the third youngest driver ever.Bearman managed to place in front of compatriots Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris as well as Nico Hulkenberg – who he was involved in an awkward moment with afterwards.Bearman’s passion for motors came from his father, David, who had raced at club level and quickly became a “nerd” and able to identify every make and model of car on the road at a young age.READ MORE ON F1The boy racer’s dad told The Times: “I’d have been able to name every single car on the road.“I was a bit of a nerd with that. At home, I had a bunch of model cars. A lot of kids have their thing, mine was model cars.“I had a Bentley, a Ferrari, a jeep. I had my own little world there. Once I’d got my first kart, I just couldn’t wait to go racing.”However, things could have turned out very differently had David and mum Terri opted for a new carpet instead of getting their lad a go-kart at Christmas in 2011.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHis father explained: “We had some old lino that I absolutely hated.“We were either getting the carpet for Christmas or the go-kart.Brit F1 sensation Oliver Bearman, 18, seals impressive 7th in first ever GP as Max Verstappen wins in Saudi Arabia“We scraped together the £1,500 for the go-kart and knew it was worth it the first time he jumped in; he just had a beaming smile all over his face.”The long hours of travelling and racing at weekends for the Bearmans paid off when he joined Ferrari’s driver academy at the age of 16 and quit school against his mother’s wishes and moved to Modena — close to Ferrari’s headquarters in northern Italy.In 2023, he came sixth in the Formula Two championship.Bearman has since been tipped as a future star after he was snapped up as part of Ferrari’s young driver scheme.His road to the top began in 2021 as he won the F4 series in both Italy and Germany and then, after moving up to F3, the teen sensation finished in third and was promoted to F2 in 2023 with Prema Racing.He featured in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi practice sessions with Haas during the 2023 season before his big moment last weekend.Sainz is expected to return to his seat for the Australian Grand Prix later this month but Bearman remains on standby in case he is needed to fill in again.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

OLLIE BEARMAN suffered a nightmare return to Formula 2 as he was slapped with a points penalty. The Ferrari reserve driver was promoted to the F1 earlier in March to deputise for Carlos Sainz. Ollie Bearman was docked points after the F2 sprint race in AustraliaCredit: GettyThe 18-year-old Essex star performed superbly, crossing the line in seventh to secure six points on his debut. However, he headed back to racing for Prema in F2 this weekend with Sainz recovered from appendicitis surgery. Bearman put in an impressive drive in the Australian sprint race, rising from starting 16th to cross the line in eighth. However, after the race, the teenager was docked with a brutal ten-second penalty.READ MORE ON SPORTThat is because Bearman forced rival Joshua Durksen off the track at turn four, sending the Paraguayan-German driver into the gravel. And that saw the Brit plummet down to 14th, wiping out Bearman’s first F2 point of the season as he remains on zero – alongside three other of the 22 drivers – as he eyes a seat in F1 for 2025. He was also hit with two penalty points on his super licence. Sprint race winner and Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar was also slapped with bad news after the chequered flag. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHadjar finished first but dropped to sixth after being judged to have caused a crash at the start. There was more drama at Albert Park on Saturday as former Wimbledon semi-finalist Jelena Dokic needed medical treatment from a paramedic.Brit F1 sensation Oliver Bearman, 18, seals impressive 7th in first ever GP as Max Verstappen wins in Saudi ArabiaThe ex-tennis star was watching the F1 Grand Prix qualifying when Fernando Alonso went into the gravel.That sent debris flying into the crowd and catching Dokic in the eye in a freak injury. Max Verstappen secured pole for Sunday’s race with Sainz joining him on the front row.Lewis Hamilton struggled, though, and will begin from 11th on the grid.Bearman crossed the line in eighth but was knocked down to 14thCredit: AlamyJelena Dokic needed medical assistance after debris flew into her eyeCredit: Instagram / @dokic_jelena More