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    Lewis Hamilton reveals how close he came to QUITTING Mercedes before the end of the F1 season after Brazil GP fiasco

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    LEWIS HAMILTON was ready to quit Mercedes with three races of the season still to go.Britain’s seven-time world champ endured the lowest couple of days of his glittering Formula 1 career in Brazil a fortnight ago.Lewis Hamilton is preparing for the Las Vegas GP after his Brazil woeCredit: EPAThe Brit was fed up after coming tenth at the Sao Paulo GPCredit: GettyHamilton made a cryptic comment to mechanics on his radio in BrazilCredit: RexHe slammed his car as “the worst it’s ever been” after what he described as a “disaster of a weekend”.Hamilton finished tenth in the rain-lashed Sao Paulo Grand Prix having crossed the line 11th in the Interlagos sprint race 24 hours earlier.The 39-year-old — who joins Ferrari next season — then uttered a cryptic remark to his mechanics over the team radio.He said: “If this is the last time I get to perform it was a shame it wasn’t great but I’m grateful for you.”READ MORE TOP STORIESHamilton later remarked he “could happily go and take a holiday”.Mercedes tried to play down the driver’s comments.But ahead of Sunday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed he was genuinely ready to quit Toto Wolff’s Brackley-based team early as his 12-year Mercedes career threatened to burn out with a whimper.He said: “In the moment that’s how I felt, like I didn’t really want to come back after that weekend. That’s only natural.Most read in MotorsportHamilton will be scooting off to Ferrari next seasonCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“It’s frustrating when you have a season like this, which I’m pretty sure I won’t have again, or at least I’ll work towards not having again.“It wasn’t a great feeling in that moment, but I’m here.Ultimate F1 team principal’s rich list including Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff“I’m standing strong and I’m going to give it absolutely everything for these last few races.”Hamilton finished 50 seconds behind winner Max Verstappen in Brazil — even though Red Bull’s triple world champ started behind him on the grid — and 27sec adrift of team-mate George Russell, who crossed the line in fourth.Despite ending a 2½-year winless streak at the British Grand Prix in July, Hamilton is ­seventh in the world championship, 203 points behind Verstappen.While he sits a place and two points back from Russell.Hamilton was asked about Mercedes boss Wolff saying he “liked” that the Brit chose to leave the team as it may have stopped him from possibly having to get rid of him at a later date.Wolff also spoke of Hamilton ­having a “shelf life” in ­Mercedes’ all-access book Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane.When Hamilton was asked if he felt he had a point to prove, the racer who has won six of his seven world crowns at Mercedes, replied: “No. Just me being here, standing tall, I feel strong. I’ve been training well, I feel great.Hamilton endured terrible conditions at Sao PauloCredit: Rex“Honestly, I feel in the best place I’ve been all year mentally and considering how bad the last race was, that says enough.“I’ve been around this game for a long time.“There have been so many  things said about me, so many ­micro-aggressions.“Not from my boss, because he’s been supportive all these years and we’ve achieved a lot together, but in general and through it all, nothing can take me down.“I’m still here, still fighting and I’m going to continue to push.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’ve got a team I genuinely still love and even though I am leaving I want to make sure I give them the best I can in these next races.“If they provide a car that wants to stay on track then, hopefully, we’ll have a better result.” More

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      Inside Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet’s romance, from the ‘magical night’ they met to a PDA at US Grand Prix

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      MAX Verstappen and Kelly Piquet’s romance knows no bounds.As recently as the US Grand Prix, they packed on the PDA as the world champion finished on the podium and edged closer to winning another title.Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet pack on the PDA on a race dayCredit: RexDutch champion Verstappen and Piquet have been together for four yearsCredit: InstagramVerstappen celebrates becoming world champion with Piquet in 2021Credit: GettyVerstappen can now secure his fourth consecutive championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend by bettering rival Lando Norris.Sure to be cheering the Dutchman on from the Red Bull paddock is Brazilian Wag, Kelly.The pair met in 2016 – bonding over having fathers who were F1 drivers.Love blossomed in 2020 and they soon moved in together in a £13million Monaco mansion overlooking the Med.Read more F1 newsSunSport looks at their relationship, from that ‘magical moment’ when they first laid eyes on each other.Magic momentIn 2016 Verstappen had dinner with Kelly’s brother, Nelson Jr.The pretty brunette joined them for the occasion in Monaco, which she spoke about to Vogue Netherlands.He was 19 at the time, while she was 28.Most read in Motorsport”Max was friends with my brother Nelson and we all went out for dinner in Monaco one night,” she said in an interview with the fashion magazine in 2022.Inside Max Verstappen’s incredible love for his cats who are named after his favourite Monaco nightclubs”That was six years ago, in 2016. But there was already something magical that evening.”She added: “Our connection started then. And I’ll leave it at that for now.”However, instead of Max – Kelly began dating Russian driver Daniil Kvyat from 2017.They had a daughter together called Penelope, but split just two years after getting together.In 2020, Kelly and Max reconnected and became Instagram official on 2021.Max shared a photo of the pair together on social media on New Year’s Day.”Let’s make 2021 a year to remember in many ways,” he captioned the cute snap.”Wishing you all success, love and happiness just as I found mine.”Piquet and Verstappen went Instagram official in 2021 with his New Year’s snapCredit: InstagramPiquet has a daughter called Penelope from a previous relationshipCredit: InstagramGlam Piquet is the daughter of F1 legend Nelson PiquetCredit: instagram/@kellypiquet/Kelly’s thoughtsFor her part, Kelly has been very open about her relationship with Max.In that same interview with Vogue Netherlands she spoke about their nine-year age difference. “I think we have a very healthy relationship, easygoing, we have a lot of understanding and support for each other,” she said.”You would think the age difference could be a challenge, but so far things are going really well.”I also really appreciate how he treats Penelope. It’s so sweet to see.”He always asks for her, always visits her to say hello when he leaves, and gets her love back. So cute!”As well as bonding over her daughter, Kelly has grown up around motor racing.Her father is Nelson Piquet, a three-time F1 champion from Brazil.While Verstappen’s dad Jos was an F1 racer from 1994 to 2003.Beauty Piquet has been open about her relationship with VerstappenCredit: instagram @kellypiquetBoth Verstappen’s and Piquet’s fathers were in motorsportCredit: GettyJos Verstappen competed in F1 from 1994 to 2003Credit: GettyThree time world champion Nelson Piquet poses with his daughterCredit: GettyHow they liveFor all the snippets they share on Instagram, in the whole Verstappen and Kelly keep their personal life fairly private.Declarations of love appear on Valentine’s Day, and most recently, when they celebrated four years together.After their intimate kiss in Texas at the US Grand Prix in October, Kelly took to Instagram to celebrate their anniversary as she posted a bikini picture next to Verstappen, who also soaked up the sun.She captioned the photo: “4 years and countless happy moments.”The photo appeared to be taken from the balcony of their £13million Monaco home.He has shared glimpses of his chic pad, which he and Kelly also share with their Bengal cats.In his spare time he likes to take to the water on a Red Bull-branded jet ski, said to be worth around £16,000.For all his travels around the world, Max is said to have bought a private jet from Sir Richard Branson, worth £12million, which costs over £830,000 to maintain.Max has made sure the Falcon-900EX is customised to his expensive taste – it has a matt finish and has Max’s logo of a lion on the tail fin, paying homage to the national animal of the Netherlands.Piquet and Verstappen live a glam life in MonacoCredit: instagram/@kellypiquet/The hot couple reside in a £13million home in MonacoCredit: instagram/kellypiquetPiquet is one of the most desirable F1 WagsCredit: Instagram / @kellypiquetread more sport featuresKelly often joins him when he flies privately.What the future holdsAs it stands, there is no wedding on the horizon just yet.Previously, Verstappen has said “time will tell” if he and Piquet are to get married, and he hinted he wasn’t ready yet.But as a stepdad, Verstappen has excelled and has spoken of the possibility of having children with Piquet.He told Brazilian journalist Mariana Becker: “At the end of the day, it’s not something you decide. Sometimes it needs to happen.”Piquet plays the role of supportive Wag – championing Verstappen when she canCredit: Instagram / @kellypiquetThere are no wedding plans on the horizon for Piquet and Verstappen as of yetCredit: Instagram @kellypiquetBoth Verstappen and Piquet have hinted that they wanted to have kids togetherCredit: RexHe added: “I don’t know if there’s any God or not, who decides when it’s time to have a baby. But it would be great to have a child.”READ MORE SUN STORIESKelly, herself, has spoken about having a baby with Max too.Watch this space because their family might just grow soon. More

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      Fears for Martin Brundle’s future on Sky Sports as pundit tips iconic reporter to follow F1 legend out the door

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      MARTIN BRUNDLE could be the next pundit dropped from Sky Sports F1 after Damon Hill’s exit.That is the view of Johnny Herbert, who himself was dropped by the broadcaster in 2022.Martin Brundle could be the next iconic star shown the door at Sky Sports, according to Johnny HerbertCredit: AlamyHerbert suggested Damon Hill was dropped because of criticism of Max VerstappenCredit: GettyHill had criticised Verstappen for ‘dangerous’ tacticsCredit: GettyThree-time Formula One race winner Herbert, 60, joined at the same time as 1996 world champion Damon Hill.However, it was announced last week that Hill would be departing Sky Sports F1 at the end of the season.Brundle was among those to pay a touching tribute to the 64-year-old, writing on social media: “Damon I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of both racing against you and commentating on you in F1, working alongside you on SkyF1, and decades of friendship. “It’s been a blast, with much more to come.”READ MORE IN F1But Herbert reckons it may soon be the likes of 65-year-old Brundle or even commentator David Croft who are next shown the exit door.Although he also believes that Hill’s criticism of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was also a factor in the decision.Speaking to FlashscoreUSA.com, Herbert said: “I don’t know whether it was [Hill’s] decision or Sky’s, to be honest.”Was it an enjoyment factor? Potentially. I know he got criticism for the Max scenarios and maybe he felt, ‘You know what, I don’t need that.’Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”There is change going on. If he was pushed, then you wonder what could happen to Martin Brundle and David Croft.”Before the Brazil GP, Hill had accused Verstappen of “using dangerous tactics” to race and using fear and intimidation by using his car as a weapon.Watch Rowan Atkinson ‘do Martin Brundle impression to Martin Brundle’ without Sky Sports F1 reporter having a clueReferring to Verstappen’s double run in with Lando Norris at the Mexico Grand Prix, Hill had said: “The second move was just daft and Dick Dastardly stuff.”He accelerated to the apex and drove Lando off the track and Lando didn’t have much option. That was silly driving.”Hill then doubled-down on his thoughts on Sky Sports before Brazil, adding: “Yes, I do. I think that he [Verstappen] is using fear and intimidation.”I think he also has explained a little bit more about his tactics, which has been that he regards it as a gamble. “Sometimes it may pay off and sometimes he may get the better of the stewards, they might not apply a penalty. “But he’s also using it as a way of compromising the title contender in Lando Norris.”So, there’s some logic, there’s some method, to his angriness, if you want to call it that, on the track.”He, as he says, he knows what he’s doing, but is it right and is it fair? And I think there’s also rules…. to ensure fairness, and we shouldn’t be condoning driving cars off the track.”Herbert claims Hill was left “unhappy” with the backlash he received for voicing his views on Verstappen.He added: “He was very unhappy at the crazy level of abuse he got over his Max comments.”Maybe all that negativity made him decide.”Announcing his exit, Hill said: “It’s been a fantastic 13 years with Sky Sports F1 but all good things come to an end.”I will miss the most impressive bunch of professionals it has ever been my pleasure to have worked with. Looking forward to new challenges.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe F1 title looks set to be wrapped up by the Dutchman in Las Vegas as he only needs to better the score of McLaren’s Norris by three points to secure a fourth title in a row.Verstappen took almost complete control of the title race after a brilliant recovery drive around a wet Brazil circuit as he raced from P17 to finish first, while Norris only finished P6 after starting on pole.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More