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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

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      Max Verstappen holds off rampant Lando Norris in gripping finale to win Emilia-Romagna GP with Mercedes off the pace

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN warmed up for his victory at Imola by winning a 24-hour race online.The gaming-loving Dutchman took part in a marathon sim race in his motor home into the small hours.Max Verstappen extended his lead at the top of the F1 standingsCredit: ReutersLando Norris followed up his win in Miami by finishing second in the Emilia-Romagna GPCredit: GettyHe then jumped into the cockpit on Sunday and smashed the field to win his 59th Grand Prix.The Red Bull driver has a full gaming simulator setup in his motor home to compete online with Team Redline.Verstappen may have been thinking twice about his night time gaming sesh when he was hunted down by a late resurgence from McLaren’s Lando Norris.Norris’ fight-back came a lap too late as Verstappen was able to hold on and win by under a second.READ MORE ON F1Norris said: “Unlucky! Almost. We lost too much in the beginning. Another amazing weekend, well done everyone. A lot of points, another trophy. Let’s keep it up.”One or two more laps. That’s all I needed. It’s frustrating not to win. It feels more painful.”It hurts me to say it but one or two laps and I would have had him. I just lost out to him too much at the beginning. One or two laps more and it would have been beautiful.”It is the smallest margin that Verstappen has won by this season as Norris is proving to be the best of the rest after his maiden win in Miami last time out.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt was also the McLaren driver’s fourth podium this season.Verstappen added: “I had to work for that. We had a great race considering how it started.”Formula One’s Highest EarnersNorris found himself under the cosh from the two Ferrari drivers at the start and by the end of the third lap, Verstappen had stretched his lead to over a second from the Miami Grand Prix winner.Verstappen came within a whisker of taking out a chicane bollard, as he did in Miami but carried on bulldozing ahead.Sergio Perez again failed to compete with his Red Bull oppo as he went off track on turn 17 and lap 17 due to an unforced error.It was another dismal display by Mercedes who didn’t make any progress with Lewis Hamilton finishing in sixth and George Russell seventh.Hamilton suffered a blow when he careered onto the gravel after under braking on turn 13 on lap 26 in his Mercedes.Fernando Alonso was left sweating when his brakes on his Aston Martin caught on fire on his way out of the pits.Verstappen crossed the line a second ahead of the McLaren starCredit: GettyAlonso’s brakes are running HOT 🔥😲The Aston Martin driver keeps going and his brakes cool as he comes out of the pits 🌬 pic.twitter.com/bPe9vC8J3X— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 19, 2024

      🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      Max Verstappen seals Emilia-Romagna GP pole in gripping qualifying but Lando Norris and McLaren team run F1 champ close

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      LANDO NORRIS and his McLaren team kept the pressure on Max Verstappen after a thrilling qualifier at Imola.World champion, Verstappen, took pole but he was pressed to the wire by Oscar Piastri who was just 0.074 seconds slower than the Dutchman.Max Verstappen has secured pole for the Emilia-Romagna GPCredit: AFPMcLaren pair Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris kept the pressure on Red BullCredit: EPANorris, fresh off his win in Miami, will start the race in third as McLaren continued their epic revival with both cars a fraction off pole position.The 24-year-old said: “P3 is not a bad job at all. Within a tenth both of us for P1. Tiny margins but for us as a team we have had a great weekend.”Oscar did a great job and so did Max. Exciting. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”We are getting closer. To be ahead of Ferrari is also a nice result for us. It’s going to be close, it’s going to be a good race tomorrow.READ MORE IN F1″Hopefully it’s an exciting one. Tough, especially when the lap times are so tight. A lot of it is down to Lap One, strategy and the pit stops. It’s going to be a tough race.”Verstappen added: “It has been a difficult weekend so far, even this morning. Incredibly happy to be on pole here. I didn’t expect that.”We made some final changes before Qualifying and they seemed to make it feel better. I could push harder.”This track is unbelievable. To be on the limit here in Qualifying, close to the gravel, I touched the gravel in the last corner. The adrenaline is very, very high.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt was another miserable run for Mercedes, who saw George Russell finish in sixth and Lewis Hamilton in eighth as they were eclipsed by their engine customer McLaren.Sergio Perez’s nightmare continued as he slumped out of Q2, again failing to come close to his Red Bull oppo Max Verstappen.Lando Norris sheepishly admits he has ‘many girlfriends’ during lie detector test amid links to glam Portuguese modelTo rub salt in the wound, Red Bull’s B-team drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda from Racing Bull both made it into the top ten.Meanwhile Fernando Alonso suffered a woeful day as he went off track at the Tamburello leaving him eliminated in Q1 and could only qualify in last place in his Aston Martin.TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM HUGE UNDISPUTED WORLD TITLE FIGHT More

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      F1 ‘could introduce major rule change for 2025 season’ in bid to help teams outside ‘Big Five’ teams

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      FORMULA ONE are set to introduce a new points system next season that will boost competition on the track.The likes of Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin have been been dominating F1 for a great part of the last few years.Formula One will introduce a new points system for the top 12, instead of the top 10Credit: SplashThat will create more competition for the Big Five, including FerrariCredit: RexBut racing chiefs are considering a new rule that will create a more equal competition between the Big Five and smaller teams.According to Bild, points will be awarded to the 12 best drivers from 2025 onwards.That will see more F1 teams reaping the rewards rather than just the top 10.The amount of points earned will remain the same for the top 7 as they will be gaining 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, eight and six – in that order.Read More on F1However, come next year, eighth place will lead to five points – one more than it used to be – ninth doubles to four points while 10th will become three instead of one.And 11th and 12th place will earn drivers two and one points respectively.Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has spoken in favour of that initiative.Horner said: “The competition is tough. Two groups have formed.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”There are the top 5 and then the teams from sixth to tenth place.“There is a fight for every single point.Kay Adams pretends to faint live on her show after Darius Butler delivers ‘huge’ F1 news like to ‘Tom Brady to Cowboys’Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner.

      “But in the end you have to ask yourself what it would really change.”I’m completely impartial. But of course, points bring money. So I understand the concern.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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      F1 world champion selling £1.8million supercar that is one of only seven ever made – and will teach you how to drive it

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      MIKA HAKKINEN will teach someone to drive his limited edition supercar – if they can find the estimated £1.8m to buy his McLaren at auction.The two-time F1 champ has enlisted the help of international auction house Bonhams to sell his motor.This McLaren supercar could be yours for just £1.8mCredit: mediadrumimagesIt boasts a top speed of 217mphCredit: mediadrumimagesThis particular model is one of only SEVEN madeCredit: mediadrumimagesThe stunning model is one of just seven VP prototypes ever created with interest expected to be extremely high.Built in 2013, the McLaren P1 Coupe Validation Prototype 3 road car is expected to sell for between £1.3m and £1.8m in Monaco in May.The luxury automobile can rocket from nought to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 217 mph.And one lucky buyer will get more than they bargained for.READ MORE F1 NEWSThat’s because the Flying Finn himself is throwing in a day of exclusive driving lessons for the winning bidder.Hakkinen’s car, used for durability testing, is the only one to head for sale.The P1 was his first road-going custom McLaren and he even picked out the black colour scheme, featuring orange accents in the team’s signature shade.Hakkinen no longer drives for the iconic racing team, but he has served as an ambassador for the brand since 2017.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnd the Finnish ex-racer is no stranger to headlines.The 55-year-old created a buzz from the moment he started racing in the sport’s junior categories.Hakkinen recovered from serious injuries to emerge as one of Michael Schumacher’s greatest rivals in the 1990s.He became McLaren’s lead driver after Ayrton Senna left for Williams-Renault in 1994.Formula One legend Sebastian Vettel says it would ‘depend on the package’ and ‘the car’ for him get behind the wheel again He became a top challenger for Schumacher when the team recruited Adrian Newey OBE – the current Red Bull chief technical officer. Newey oversaw the new McLaren MP4-13-Mercedes – which proved all-conquering during 1998.Newey is also one of the most successful designers, winning twelve Constructors’ Championships with three different teams.That includes being the brains behind three-time champion Max Verstappen’s current RB18.Hakkinen was crowned world champion in 1998 and again in 1999. More

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      I’m known as a Rangers hero but before my Ibrox career began I played five-a-sides with F1’s most legendary driver

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      IT’s hard to imagine living in Monte Carlo and then trading it for life anywhere else.But that’s exactly what Mark Hateley did, swapping the French Riviera for the banks of the River Clyde when he signed for Rangers in 1990.Mark Hateley formed a formidable partnership with Ally McCoist at RangersCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdHateley played for AS Monaco before signing for GersCredit: GettyRecognise that iconic helmet? The man wearing it was a neighbour of Hateley’sCredit: Times Newspapers LtdThe former striker, capped 32 times for England during his career, played for Coventry, Portsmouth and AC Milan before moving to Monaco in 1987.He’d score goals wherever he went but it was in Glasgow where he became an idol to the fans and the Derby man has gone down in history as one of the best players to ever pull on the shirt for the Light Blues.Hateley was a focal point of the nine-in-a-row team but before reaching hero status in Glasgow, he spent three years under Arsene Wenger at AS Monaco in Ligue 1.He was the then-future Arsenal manager’s first signing as Monaco boss and would play alongside supreme talents such as Glenn Hoddle and George Weah before a nasty ankle injury saw him seek a move back to Britain.Read more Rangers storiesBut not before he’d rubbed shoulders with some of the world’s most rich and famous.Some of the faces Hateley bumped into included Roger Moore, Ringo Starr and Frank Sinatra.But Monaco is of course most renowned for the Formula One scene, and many of the drivers live in Monte Carlo year-round, or at least own property there.During Hateley’s time, he counted none other than arguably the greatest F1 driver who ever lived as a neighbour.Most read in FootballAppearing on the Under the Cosh podcast, Hateley discussed what it was like living in Monaco before his £1m transfer to Gers.He revealed that he lived in an apartment one floor above none other than Ayrton Senna.I snubbed an audience with the Pope and got crucified in the media but it just wasn’t for me says Rangers legendThe McLaren hero would regularly hit him up for a quick kick-about – sometimes even on the weekend of the Monaco Gran Prix.When asked about any famous neighbours from his time living in the principality, Hateley said: “Oh, I had Ayrton Senna. He lived the floor below me in Monaco.”All he wanted to do was play football.”He’d come and ask me and we used to play before the grand prixs. We had a five-a-sides at Saint-Jean.”All the drivers would play. Well the ones who liked football, they’d play.”Racing car drivers want to be footballers, and footballers want to be racing car drivers!”After signing for Rangers, Hateley would take his new team mates back to Monte Carlo for the odd night out.On one such occasion, he was quizzed by midfield ace Ian Durrant.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe young Scot said in the middle of a drinking session in Casino Square: “Monaco? Govan? You’re off your f****** rocker.”The paddock at Circuit de Monte Carlo in Monaco, home of the Monaco Grand PrixCredit: Simon JonesSenna would often ask Hateley for a game of five-a-side footballCredit: PA:Press AssociationStade Louis II, home of AS Monaco, as seen from the airCredit: Getty – ContributorKeep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page  More

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      Watch Charles Leclerc race past McLaren star Lando Norris in £470k Ferrari on way to Spanish GP

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      CHARLES LECLERC left Formula One rival Lando Norris stunned after he raced past the McLaren star in his Ferrari while driving to qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix on Saturday.Norris, 23, was on his way to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya when he spotted Leclerc, 25, driving alongside him.
      Leclerc was filmed speeding past Norris while on the way to Spanish GP qualifyingCredit: Instagram / @landonorris
      He then began filming the Monaco-born star, but Leclerc raced pass him in a matter of seconds.
      Norris posted the short clip on his Instagram story with a caption that simply read: “OMG OMG OMG,” with a lovestruck emoji.
      Leclerc was driving his silver Ferrari F8 Spider, which is said to be worth around £470,000.
      The Scuderia ace took pole position ahead of last year’s Spanish GP, but he was forced to retire from the race due to a power unit issue.
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      Following Friday’s practice sessions, he admitted that he is hoping for a significant improvement on Sunday.
      Leclerc said: “First of all, we had a few new parts on the car, but I think it’s a great track to test these new upgrades.
      “Feeling is quite OK; we still have a lot to do to optimise this new package, but it felt pretty good.
      “Step by step, try and push more and more the car, and to go in places that we haven’t yet because we didn’t have the time.
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      “Just a normal process of having a new part and slowly going in the direction we want.”
      Leclerc currently sits seventh in the standings, with Norris down in 11th.
      McLaren have struggled to get up to speed this season and they have dropped down to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship as a result. More