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    Unemployed F1 star Lewis Hamilton considering switch to Formula E as all-electric sport is the ‘future’

    UNEMPLOYED Lewis Hamilton has previously revealed he’s thinking about racing in Formula E – but only once his F1 career is over.
    The joint-record seven-time F1 champion is out of contract at Mercedes and is yet to agree terms over an expected two-year deal worth £40million a season.

    Lewis Hamilton is considering driving in Formula-ECredit: Getty Images – Getty

    The Brit racing legend is currently a free agent after celebrating a joint-record seventh championship

    But the star has already said he is thinking about what series he races in next.
    Speaking at an event two years ago at Silverstone to mark Mercedes-Benz’s 125th year in motorsport he was quizzed about his future in racing.
    And the 36-year-old,who is spending his time during his ’embarrassing’ Merc stand-off in his wilderness hideout in the United States, hinted he could follow in the footsteps of fellow Englishman Gary Paffett in to all-electric series, which Mercedes will join next season.
    He said: “That is something I have kind of been debating. Up until now it has always been about Formula One.

    “But I just drove an old DTM car today, which I really loved. I rarely get to a track these days and have some fun, so that experience was extraordinary.
    “It was so cool driving my 2015 car and then the 196. It was a unique experience.
    “Being that I have been racing since I was eight years old, I am going to have massive withdrawal symptoms, like every driver has when they stop racing, when Formula One stops for me.
    “There are other things to do. I guess there are other series I could do. Fernando Alonso is doing Indycar and you see Kimi Raikkonen still pushing the boundaries.

    “I actually grew up in the same era as Gary Paffett.
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    “He is a little bit older than me and he is now racing in Formula E and that is now going to be the future.
    “So, who knows, in the future that’s maybe an area where I can use my skills but as you get older, it is more challenging to find the motivation to stay focused and you have to find something you love.
    “I am pretty sure I will always love cars, and for now I am going to try and stay in Formula One, so long as I stay focused and fit, I will carry on driving the best that I can.”

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

    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 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.

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    McLaren sign option to race in Formula E for 2022/23 season but insist they are still committed to Formula One

    McLAREN have signed an option to race in Formula E for the 2022/23 season – but say they are still committed to Formula One.
    The Woking-based team are one of F1’s stalwarts and have signed up to the Concorde Agreement, which binds the team to the sport until 2025.

    McLaren chief Zak Brown outlined plans for F2Credit: Alamy Live News

    However, they are also weighing up whether to join the popular all-electric series in its ninth season.
    A statement from McLaren said: “McLaren Racing announced today it has signed an option to enter the FIA Formula E World Championship in Season Nine, as part of its ongoing evaluation of potential new motorsport platforms.
    “The option provides McLaren with the choice to enter the championship as one of a maximum 12 entries for the 2022/23 season.”
    The team are currently prevented from competing aS they are the exclusive battery supplier to the series.

    However, that deal ends next year, paving the way for them to start their own FE team.
    Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing said: “We’ve been closely observing Formula E for some time and monitoring the series’ progress and future direction.
    “The opportunity to take an option on an entry, together with the completion of the McLaren Applied supplier contract with the FIA at the end of Gen 2, gives us the necessary time to decide if Formula E is right for McLaren as a future competition platform.”
    McLaren-Renault came third in last season’s contructors’ championship, behind Red Bull and Mercedes.

    Ricciardo finished fifth in last season’s drivers’ championshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Daniel Ricciardo managed to take fifth place in the drivers’ championship.
    Meanwhile, Cyril Abiteboul has left his role as boss of the Renault F1 team, which has been rebranded as Alpine for 2021.
    It follows the arrival of former Suzuki MotoGP team boss Davide Brivio, who has joined as CEO.

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    Champion Antonio Felix Da Costa hungrier than ever as FE becomes an official world championship

    FORMULA E champion Antonio Felix Da Costa is hungrier than ever before as he looks to defend his crown.
    Next season will be Formula E’s first season as an official FIA World Championship – bringing the all-electric series up a gear.

    Antonio Felix Da Costa is the reigning FE champion

    Da Costa joined serial-winners Techeetah last season and went on to win his first ever FE title in his debut season with the Paris-based team.
    But in doing so he prevented his teammate and ex-F1 star Jean-Eric Vergne from winning a hat-trick of titles after Vergne’s back-to-back championships.
    Vergne and Da Costa will be flat out again next season to ensure Techeetah win their third consecutive title as the tension between the two hots up.
    Da Costa said: “This team is a champion’s making machine.

    “The hard work they put in, how much they want to win, how clever all these guys are.
    “Hopefully we have the recipe to do it again next season.
    “I am really looking forward to kicking off season seven as a champion which has given me extra motivation.
    “I feel confident and I feel better in this team than I did a year ago.”

    Techeetah have won back to back constructors champions
    Da Costa hit the ground running at testing, after finishing in the top three of the timesheets on the first two days in Valencia.
    The Portuguese driver will be one of four champions on the grid next season, joining Vergne, Audi’s Lucas Di Grassi and ex-F1 star Sebastian Buemi.
    After being crowned champion in Berlin, after an intense run of six races in just nine days, Da Costa received a hero’s welcome at Lisbon Airport.

    The President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also gave Da Costa, the Order of Merit, one of the country’s most recognised honours.
    He added: “The President hosted me in the palace, which I was not expecting at all, so for sure it was a very proud moment.
    “Going back to Portugal after winning the championship was unbelievable, the people really get behind their athletes, but the highlight was definitely winning the Order of Merit.”

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    Brit Sims to bring Indian FE team Mahindra to glory after switch from BMW

    BRITISH driver Alexander Sims will be out to fly the flag for Indian outfit Mahindra.
    The former BMW man is looking forward to building the team to glory as he aims to be with the team long-term.

    Alex Sims is ready for a long-term journey at MahindraCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.

    Mahindra showed their ambition to the all-electric paddock by being the first team to commit to the next Gen3 era, which is set to commence in 2022.
    Mahindra and their passionate team principle Dilbagh Gill have been involved in FE since the first ever race in 2014.
    Sims said: “The commitment that Mahindra and the team owner Dilbagh has shown is going to have a positive effect throughout the whole organisation.
    “It’s a signal of intent that Mahindra is here to stay for the foreseeable future and it’s something that really can give the personnel in the team a real lift.

    “Because there’s security there, a nice long journey ahead and it just increases that reason to put the work in to invest the time and effort because you’re sure that it’s not just going to end in a couple of years.
    “It’s a very nice feeling to have.”

    Sims will be joined by fellow Brit Alex LynnCredit: Represented by ZUMA Press, Inc.
    Sims, who will race alongside fellow Brit Alex Lynn, is looking to squeeze everything he can out of the car ahead of next season.
    He lives close to the team’s factory in Banbury and is looking forward to doing late nights in the garage to work with his engineers.

    Sims says this played a part in him switching from BMW, after spending two years with the German giants.
    He said: “Certainly from my side I’m feeling very happy with the team and I’m a hundred per cent motivated to work hard to continue to improve things.

    “It’s where I’m investing my time and efforts and so I’m keen to see the fruits of that and stay here for a long time.
    “From my point of view I’m in this for the long run. 
    “The fact that the factory isn’t too far from my home made me more confident that I’d be able to work more, work harder whilst also being able to be home more.
    “This is a growing personal factor; with three children I don’t want to miss all of their lives if I can.
    “So the prospect of being able to be home for more bedtimes but still be able to do more days in the factory and on the simulator than I’ve done before was quite appealing.
    “The vision that Dilbagh spoke about was bringing the team back to winning ways.”

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    Antonio Felix da Costa in tears as he seals FE title with second-placed finish in Berlin

    ANTONIO FELIX DA COSTA broke down in tears as he was crowned the Formula E champion in Berlin.
    Da Costa dominated his rivals on the restart to claim his first FE title while his team Techeetah also won the constructors’ title.

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    Portuguese star Antonio Felix Da Costa admits he had come ‘so close’ to quitting before finally winning the title

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    Antonio Felix Da Costa always looked comfortable as he secured the crown with second place in Germany

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    Ex-BMW driver Da Costa joined Techeetah at the start of the season, building towards his title success with three straight victories
    Da Costa cruised to second place and showed raw emotion as he saw his family celebrating live on a big screen back in Portugal.
    The Portuguese star said: “I have no words. Just the bad times come to my mind because I’ve come so close to giving up sometimes. 
    “But thanks to the people around me I never did. 
    “But more than that, thanks to the guys who knew what I could do, even when I was finishing nowhere and they still brought me back.

    “Thanks to Jean-Eric Vergne who is a hard bone to chew but he pushed me all the way, he helped me out a lot.
    “I have no words, I’m just so happy.” 

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    Techeetah locked out the front row and cruised to a one-two victory with former two-time champion Vergne winning his first race of the season.
    Da Costa joined Techeetah at the start of the season from BMW and charged to the title with three wins on the bounce.

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    Formula E: Jean-Eric Vergne’s wait for a win continues after Max Gunther snatches victory in Berlin

    TWO-TIME reigning Formula E champion Jean-Eric Vergne’s wait for a win this season continues after he lost the lead in the dying moments in Berlin.
    BMW youngster Max Gunther waited behind Vergne throughout the race before pouncing late on to claim victory in Berlin.

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    Two-time champ Jean-Eric Vergne’s last win came in June 2019 in Switzerland
    Vergne’s frustration continued after seeing his team-mate Antonio Felix Da Costa dominate the first two races in Berlin and edge closer to winning the title.
    Vergne, who dropped from first to third, said: “I’m quite happy to get a podium.
    “I don’t know, I need to investigate what happened here.
    “I am not sure what happened, I lost a lot of energy in attack mode and it seems as though my regen pedal was not working properly.

    “I was fighting with Gunther for the lead but then when I saw Robin Frijns coming, I thought it was useless to fight him, I would have lost the podium.”

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    Max Gunther won his second race of the season

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    Meanwhile, Gunther was thrilled to take his second win of the season and win his home race in Germany. 
    Gunther said: “I am so incredibly happy for everybody to win this home race in Berlin.
    Virgin’s Frijns took second place to claim his first podium of the season, while title-race leader Da Costa climbed from ninth to fourth.

    Da Costa has an enormous 70-point lead in the drivers’ standings with just three races remaining.

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