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    Max Verstappen lashes out at ‘stupid idiots’ as F1 rival overheard dropping sarcastic dig on radio at Abu Dhabi GP

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    MAX VERSTAPPEN lashed out at Formula One officials after receiving a 10-second penalty at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.Verstappen, 27, made contact with Oscar Piastri on the first corner of the opening lap on Sunday.Max Verstappen lashed out at Formula One officials after receiving a 10-second penaltyCredit: GettyVerstappen made contact with Oscar Piastri on the first corner of the opening lapPiastri started spinning off the track and ended up facing the other wayBoth Piastri and Verstappen issued some sarcastic messages on the radioCredit: RexPiastri, 23, started spinning off the track and ended up facing the other way, while the Red Bull superstar managed to keep going.However, the reigning Formula One champion was handed a 10-second penalty as a result of the collision.And the Dutchman was clearly not impressed with the stewards’ decision.Verstappen was heard saying on his radio: “Can we ask for 20 seconds? Stupid idiots.”Read More on F1McLaren star Piastri was also heard dropping a sarcastic dig at his rival on his radio after the incident.Piastri was heard saying: “Yep. Move of a world champion that one.”And when informed by his McLaren team that Verstappen had been handed a 10-second penalty, the Aussie star responded: “Good.”The reigning world champion finished the race sixth, while Piastri snatched 10th place.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMcLaren team-mate Lando Norris was the big winner of the race.British legend Sir Lewis Hamilton finished ahead of both Verstappen and Piastri.Ferrari urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract by F1 legend after star’s ‘worrying’ admission Hamilton, who was racing with Mercedes for the last time ever before moving to Ferrari, was fourth. More

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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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      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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      F1 agree blockbuster £150million deal to keep iconic race track on the calendar with new date revealed

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      FORMULA ONE has agreed a £150million deal to keep the legendary Monaco race track on the calendar into the 2030s.There had been rumours suggesting Monaco was under consideration to be AXED from the calendar.Monaco has struck a deal to stay on the F1 calendar until 2031Credit: GettyThe 2024 race won by Charles Leclerc was watched by 70 million peopleCredit: ReutersHowever, earlier today it was announced Monaco would remain in F1 until at least 2031 after striking a new six-year deal.The circuit has been an ever-present feature in the motorsport, with the track synonymous with the glitz and glamour associated with F1.But, according to the Daily Mail, this new deal was only struck after organisers agreed to double their previous annual contribution to £25m a year.A statement from F1 on the agreement said: “Formula 1 will continue to race around the streets of Monaco until 2031 inclusive, following a six-year extension to the existing agreement with the Automobile Club of Monaco (ACM) that runs through the 2025 season.READ MORE IN F1″Part of the first Formula 1 World Championship calendar back in 1950 and present since 1955, the Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most famous sporting events in the world and the ultimate test of concentration and skill for F1 drivers.”Located on the banks of the French Riviera, the field must navigate the scenic streets of Monte Carlo, tackling the slowest corner on the F1 circuit, the Loews Hairpin, and the iconic Casino Square and Swimming Pool sections.”Five of the current F1 grid sit alongside legends including Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and Niki Lauda in having triumphed around the 3.3km circuit.”Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have all won multiple times, alongside Sergio Perez and hometown hero Charles Leclerc – who created history this year when he became the first Monegasque to win the Grand Prix in F1 history.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe 2024 weekend was watched by a cumulative audience of 70 million fans worldwide.Meanwhile, the race has also seen its date on the calendar moved.Greatest F1 track on Earth’ created featuring iconic parts from Silverstone, Spa and SuzukaIn 2025 the weekend will be held on May 23-25, but from 2026 this will be pushed back to the first full weekend in June each year.The last time the Monaco Grand Prix was raced in June came back in 2003 when Juan Pablo Montoya won for Williams, with McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen in second and Ferrari’s Schumacher in third.The last full June weekend for Monaco was in 2000, when McLaren’s David Coulthard beat Ferrari’s Rubens Barrichello and Benetton’s Giancarlo Fisichella.F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “I’m delighted that Formula 1 will continue to race in Monaco until 2031.“The streets of Monte Carlo are unique and a famous part of Formula 1, and the Monaco Grand Prix remains a race that all drivers dream of winning.”I would like to extend a special thanks to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile Club of Monaco and everyone involved in the extension of this important partnership.“This agreement signals a new era of partnership and innovation between Formula 1 and Monaco. “It is the future focused leadership of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco which will allow us to create an optimised calendar, which reduces pressure on logistics, and to decrease the environmental impact of our global championship, as we continue the path towards our Net Zero goal by 2030.”As well as the race itself, Monaco is home to many stars on the F1 grid.The F1 Monaco race also marks one-third of the coveted Triple Crown title, alongside winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Indianapolis 500, a feat only achieved by the legendary Graham Hill.Aston Martin’s Alonso is the only active F1 driver close to the Crown, having won the 24 Hours Le Mans twice and two F1 championships.Alonso has competed in the Indianapolis 500 three times, with his best finish being 21st in 2020.READ MORE SUN STORIESF1 will return for the final stretch of races this season on November 24, starting in Las Vegas.It then heads to Qatar before concluding in Abu Dhabi across three consecutive weekends, with Verstappen in pole position to claim a fourth drivers title.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Calls for McLaren to stop playing God Save the Queen as use of anthem after F1 races labelled ‘complete bulls***’

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      LIAM LAWSON has slammed McLaren for playing God Save the King when they win races, labelling the decision “bulls***”. The Kiwi F1 driver, who competes with RB, believes McLaren should ditch the anthem given the team was founded by a New Zealand motor sport legend. Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo on the roster at RB following this year’s Singapore Grand PrixCredit: GettyGod Save the Queen is played as the constructor’s anthem whenever McLaren win racesCredit: AFPMcLaren, Britain’s most successful F1 team, was founded by four-time grand prix winner Bruce McLaren in 1963.Lawson said on the Red Flags podcast: “It’s a New Zealand team, the name is still McLaren. I have no idea,“Red Bull play the Austrian national anthem and the team’s based in the UK. McLaren’s based in the UK, but it’s a New Zealand team.“It’s completely bulls***, that’s what it is.READ MORE F1 NEWS“Honestly! Especially if you’re from New Zealand… because Bruce McLaren is an absolute legend.”Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo on the roster at RB following this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.McLaren play the British anthem after race wins because they race under a British licence, since the team was founded in England and has always been based in the country.But the team still runs the papaya colour scheme McLaren used in the team’s first race victory at Spa in 1968, and its first logo featured the flightless kiwi bird. Most read in MotorsportF1 star Valtteri Bottas completes Ironman triathlon in his own back garden just days after being axed by SauberBruce McLaren, also a designer and engineer, was tragically killed in an accident while testing a car in Britain in 1970.He toasted four F1 race wins, the final one being the Belgian Grand Prix in 1968.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMcLaren was also a runner-up in the 1960 F1 drivers’ championship and took out the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.The race team, which is the second-oldest on the grid, has claimed 188 Formula One race wins, 12 drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ championships. More

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      Huge F1 row erupts on eve of Brazilian GP as Red Bull accuse title rivals McLaren of illegally tampering with tyres

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      A HUGE row has erupted before the Brazilian GP between Red Bull and McLaren.Red Bull have accused their title rivals of injecting water into their tyres to cool them.Red Bull, who have Christian Horner as team principal, have accused McLaren of tampering with their tyresLando Norris in action for McLaren in the Sprint raceThe constructor, who have Christian Horner as team principal, claim McLaren have inserted either water or an unknown substance through a valve in the tyre.They first came to that conclusion in Singapore when a jet of water came flying out of the tyre rims.Red Bull have informed the FIA, who will reportedly keep a close eye on the allegation.McLaren have dismissed Red Bull’s theory. While a spokesperson for Pirelli tyres has confirmed if they felt there was anything tampering with their equipment, they would have told the FIA themselves.Read more F1 newsPirelli regularly collect all the tyres after F1 races and analyse them.The reason for using water, or any other substance, to cool tyres before they are fitted to their cars in a race is to help limit thermal degradation.This, in turn, would help drivers drive faster, especially in the later stages of a Grand Prix.The FIA have already banned this practice before.Most read in MotorsportSeveral teams, including Red Bull, were said to have done it a number of years ago.Lando Norris tells reporter ‘I hate this question so much’ and shakes head as battle with Verstappen takes fresh twistNow Red Bull believe their rivals are doing it and achieving better performances.Red Bull and McLaren are already at loggerheads – with their drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, respectively, fighting to be world champion.McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ was scrutinised by Red Bull recently, which forced them to tweak the design after conversations with the FIA.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCurrently champ Verstappen’s lead at the top was cut to 44 points, after Oscar Piastri let Norris through to win the Sprint.However, in the constructor’s standings it’s a different story.McLaren lead Red Bull by a whopping 63 points, with their nearest rival being Ferrari who trail by only 34 points. More

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      Lando Norris suffers huge dent to F1 world championship dream after qualifying shocking 17th for Azerbaijan GP

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      LANDO NORRIS suffered a shock exit in Q1 to put a major dent in his title hopes in Azerbaijan.The 24-year-old had to settle for P17 after he was knocked out of the first qualifying session in Baku due to a yellow flag coming out before he could finish his lap.Lando Norris was booted out in Q1 for the Azerbaijan GPCredit: GettyCharles Leclerc will star on pole ahead of Oscar Piastri and Carlos SainzCredit: AFPThe Brit is 62 points behind leader Max Verstappen in the F1 drivers’ championship.Meanwhile, McLaren are only eight points away from Red Bull in the F1 constructors’ title race.Norris said: “The lap was easily good enough but it was a yellow flag so I had to back off.”On potentially making up positions, he added: “I don’t think it’s as easy as that.READ MORE ON F1″Honestly following is pretty much impossible around here and overtaking is a lot worse than what everyone thinks.”I hope I’m wrong and I hope there are plenty of chances but I’m not expecting so, there are a lot of cars behind.“It’s very low downforce which is pretty much impossible to overtake, I’m not expecting a lot from 17th.”But we will put in a good plan tonight and do our best.”Most read in MotorsportBest new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesCharles Leclerc secured pole position in his Ferrari, fresh off the back of his win two weeks ago in Monza.McLaren may be thinking twice about their decision to prioritise Norris in his title fight as his team-mate Oscar Piastri secured second.The most shocking Silverstone scandals from spying to cheating and X rated displays🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁Verstappen slumped into just sixth place, behind his team-mate Sergio Perez who came in fourth.Carlos Sainz finished third while George Russel was fifth and Lewis Hamilton came in seventh.It was a chaotic qualifying in Baku, with a member of the Williams pit crew leaving a cooling fan attached to Alex Albon’s car in Q3.Max Verstappen in conversation with Christian HornerCredit: ReutersLewis Hamilton works his way around the streets of BakuCredit: GettyWill Smith popped in to see the Ferrari teamCredit: EPA More

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      Watch F1 star Lando Norris drive unique McLaren P1 car round Silverstone – but can you spot why it’s so incredible?

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      LANDO NORRIS kept up his driving skills by driving a unique McLaren P1.The British driver will be hoping to close the gap to Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix this weekend.Lando Norris completed a unique stunt lap with McLarenCredit: The Mega AgencyNorris was seen driving a McLaren P1 around SilverstoneBut there was a shocking twist to the car’s makeupThe British driver was actually driving a to-scale McLaren P1 made of LEGOCredit: The Mega AgencyIn the meantime, Norris got back behind the wheel at Silverstone as he took out a McLaren P1 supercar, which can sell for around £800,000.However, the vehicle the 24-year-old drove out with had some strikingly different mechanics to a usual P1.The main difference being… it was made out of LEGO.Lego Technic recently launched a model of the McLaren P1 at a 1:8 scale as part of their sponsorship agreement with the car manufacturer.READ MORE IN F1But they have now outdone themselves after creating a to-scale version of the car.Indeed, only the electric battery, the tyres, seatbelt, steering wheel, and brakes are made of real parts, with the rest of the car being made with Lego bricks.Constructed in Czechia, the full-scale car features 342,000 Lego parts pulled from 393 different LEGO Technic elements.It weighs in at a staggering 1220kg overall – some 270kg lighter than the real-life P1 – and took 23 people 8,344 hours, or 347 days and 16 hours, of development.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSTasks in the process included creating fully functional steering and integrated suspension to put into the car to make it driveable, while according to Planet F1, the exterior was made with extra rigidity in mind.In a video shared to McLaren’s YouTube channel, Norris was taken aback when first saw the car, admitting: ” Oh God, I’m nervous now.”F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? However, the two-time F1 race winner managed to complete a successful lap around the Silverstone circuit, with the battery able to take the car up to speeds of almost 40mph.Norris was pleasantly surprised by the car’s handling, saying: “It actually drives pretty good.”It felt like a car, the steering I thought was pretty good. Copse, I did it flat, the old wing mirrors flapped a little bit – I thought I should stay off the kerbs here! It’s mint.”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 TBCAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁Lubor Zelinka, The LEGO Group’s Design Manager Specialist said: “It’s quite an accomplishment, I’m so proud that me and part of our team can be here – and it feels great. It’s just a beautiful sight.”We had great collaboration [with McLaren] throughout the whole thing, we had the full 3D digital package for the car, unprecedented access to their engineering team, some time on their computer actually simulating our assumptions and ideas about a drivetrain on the virtual Silverstone track.“Overall, they were a great partner, down to actually gifting us a set of wheels and tyres and other parts from the real P1 to accomplish this.”The car features 342,000 Lego partsCredit: The Mega AgencyNorris was surprisingly happy with the steeringCredit: The Mega AgencyOnly a handful of items of the car including the tyres were not made of LegoCredit: The Mega AgencyThe project took a team of 23 people more than 8,000 hours to developCredit: The Mega AgencySavage sackings in F1THE world of F1 can be savage, with employees discarded like used tea bags.Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.Read more tales of F1’s brutal world including one boss who was labelled an ‘executioner’ and a driver dumped by a brisk TEXT. More

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      Emergency services rush to blaze at Spanish GP and McLaren hospitality suite evacuated after ‘fire in kitchen’

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      A FIRE reportedly broke out in the kitchen of McLaren’s hospitality suite ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.Emergency services were called to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this morning ahead of the final practice session.Firefighters were called to a blaze at the Circuit de Barcelona-CatalunyaCredit: AFPThe McLaren team hub was evacuatedCredit: GettyIt is understood the fire started in the kitchen before the smoke spreadCredit: GettyMcLaren have confirmed no team members were injured in the fire that broke out at their hospitality area ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix.Two fire personnel have been taken away to be treated for smoke inhalation, but their condition is not thought to be serious. pic.twitter.com/aPRqJ2R23k— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 22, 2024

      The blaze started inside with several fire engines and crews of firefighters arriving to get the chaos under control.An ambulance was also on the scene but McLaren confirmed no team members were injured. However, two people were taken away to be treated for smoke inhalation.But it is understood their condition is not serious.READ MORE ON F1Sky Sports News reported the incident related to a kitchen fire within the VIP area of the British-based team. The smoke spread to the top floor of the hospitality suite and therefore the entire building was evacuated. The fire was put out within minutes with extra security measures put in place.McLaren driver Lando Norris was pictured in his socks on the tarmac looking at the building – although it is unclear if the photo was taken before or after the evacuation.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSMcLaren wrote on X: “This morning we evacuated our Team Hub paddock hospitality unit following a fire alert.”The team has been safely evacuated while the local fire brigade handle the issue.”Fears Lando Norris’ extreme fitness regime is UNSUSTAINABLE as F1 star’s workout and diet are revealed🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 Formula One made no reference to the incident on their own feed.Instead, they gave updates on third practice, which got underway at 11.30am – 12.30pm local time in Barcelona.Temperatures are set to peak at approximately 25C in the Spanish city today.Lewis Hamilton went quickest during Friday’s sessions as he looks to end his long wait for a race win – stretching back to December 2021.Qualifying takes place this afternoon with the race tomorrow afternoon at 2pm.And teams will know the importance of a strong performance in qualifying because 30 of the last 33 Spanish Grand Prix have been won by drivers starting on the front row – and 24 from pole. Max Verstappen is once again the runaway leader in the 2024 drivers’ championship – 56 points clear of Charles Leclerc with Norris seven further back in third. Firefighters tackled the blaze and put the fire outCredit: AFPTwo people were taken away to be treated after inhaling smokeCredit: Rex More