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      Inside ‘magic’ F1 McLaren innovation that has flung team ahead of Red Bull but fans are calling it ‘illegal’

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      MCLAREN have raced to the front of the field in Formula One’s Constructors Championship for the first time in a decade.But some F1 fans have blasted the team after spotting a “magic” innovation at the weekend.McLarens Oscar Piastri benefitted from a ‘magic’ innovation to win the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCredit: RexLando Norris also had an impressive drive to get back up to P4 from starting P15Credit: RexMcLaren’s ‘flexi’ rear wing in Baku raised eyebrowsCredit: Sky Sports F1It gave him extra pace to keep in front of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on the back straightCredit: RexThe Woking-based manufacturer have made a remarkable surge up the field since Bahrain 2023, when Lando Norris finished dead last and Oscar Piastri retired due to electrical failure.But on Sunday, at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, McLaren saw their Papaya reign supreme as Piastri won his second race of the season with some stoic defending against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.Norris took P4 and the fastest lap after an impressive drive through the field having started P15 following some bad luck in qualifying. The Brit’s result saw him marginally cut Max Verstappen’s championship lead.READ MORE IN F1The Baku race confirmed the MCL38’s position as the fastest car in the field, with the British team now the only one with two drivers to have won multiple races this season.However, McLaren’s amazing surge threatens to be overshadowed.Fans of rival teams were left vexed at how they had pulled off such a strong result in Azerbaijan before one “magic” innovation of the McLaren car design was highlighted.Only last week McLaren and Mercedes were cleared of any wrongdoing over the legality of their front wing, but following Baku it was their rear wing which had fans up in arms on social media.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFootage shared on social media by one furious member of the Tifosi showed how the DRS (Drag Reduction System) flap of race leader Piastri tilted up when under aerodynamic load (wind resistance).This flexible wing created a “mini-DRS” effect, allowing for reduced drag and increased top speed down the straight – which can see drivers hit speeds of 217mph.Why snapping up Adrian Newey is such a coup for Aston MartinThe extra speed was key in helping Piastri fend off Leclerc, who had the advantage of a fully open DRS flap due to being one second behind him going into the last stretch of numerous laps.Taking to social media after the race, one fan said: “The entire DRS flap is rotating under load. You can see at the pivot points, the flap is not aligning with the wing tips. “The flap is backing off at high speed, shedding drag. How is this okay?”Another user pointed out gaps at the edge of the flap, and asked: “How is this allowed?”A ‘mini-DRS’ effect was seen on the wing under aerodynamic load to reduce dragCredit: X @justformulacarThe clever wing design has not been deemed illegal by the FIA despite a fan outcryA third said: “MCLAREN HAS DRS WITHOUT HAVING A CAR INFRONT OF THEM MAN THIS S*** IS NOT LEGAL.”Several fans also argued the other way by saying F1 should not punish the new interpretation of the rules, with one saying: “It’s called a loophole and that’s what makes Formula 1 great.”If you don’t like it, don’t watch a series like F1, where a regulation set is interpreted by different teams, in different ways.”Motorsport engineer Blake Hinsey added on social media: “If the technical regulations have specifications for rear wing deflection and this passes the tests, then it’s legal. “Every piece of bodywork moves in complex ways under aerodynamic load.”If McLaren have found a way to reduce the drag on their rear wing in a different way – congratulations – they’ve done a brilliant job engineering this system.”From 2021, rear wings have needed to have 12 target dots in specific locations on the main plane and upper flap to prevent over-rotation of the rear wing assemblies.However, it is not the first race this has been deployed in by McLaren, meaning the FIA are seemingly happy and satisfied the design is within the constraints currently posed by the regulations.Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hinted that his team could look to follow McLaren’s example in a bid to catch up.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe also admitted Red Bull had made a design error stunting their progress back in Barcelona 2023, but had not taken the warnings raised by Sergio Perez seriously due to Verstappen’s dominance.McLaren will be hoping their good form continues in next Sunday’s Singapore race, with their championship lead over Red Bull now at 20 points and Norris just 59 points behind Verstappen.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Watch astonishing crash at end of Azerbaijan Grand Prix as F1 star Carlos Sainz appears to run rival into barrier

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      CARLOS SAINZ and Sergio Perez were involved in an astonishing crash late in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.The Ferrari and Red Bull stars collided with one another on the penultimate lap of the Baku City Circuit.Carlos Sainz caused a bizarre crash late in the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCredit: SKY SPORTSHe sent Sergio Perez flying into the barrier in the penultimate lapCredit: SKY SPORTSRed Bull’s Sergio Perez fumed over his radio after the crashCredit: SKY SPORTSSainz, somehow, ended up pushing the Mexican into the barrier after returning to the track following a brief stint on the rumble stripes.Perez was left fuming, shouting, “What the f***” over his team radio while Sainz asked, “What happened?”F1 fans were dumbfounded by Sainz’s antics as he vied for third place with Perez.One wrote on X: “CARLOS SAINZ WHAT THE F**K WAS THAT???????”READ MORE F1 NEWSAnother said: “Carlos Sainz really said, ‘F**k Mexico… viva Espana!'”And another said: ” Carlos Sainz, what a ridiculous way to drive.”One remarked: ” Can’t handle the pressure, so you mess it all up.”The chaos between Perez and Sainz saw George Russell jump into third place behind Charles Leclerc in second.Most read in MotorsportOscar Piastri ended up staging Lando Norris as McLaren soared into the lead of the Constructors’ Championship.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe result means McLaren now boasts a 20-point lead in the constructors’ standings over Red Bull.Norris put the disappointment of qualifying behind him to soar from P16 into fourth place ahead of Max Verstappen in fifth.Watch F1 star Lando Norris drive unique McLaren P1 car round Silverstone – but can you spot why it’s so incredible?The Dutchman had another stinker, battling with grip problems and losing more faith in his Red Bull.Norris, meanwhile, clawed back some of Verstappen’s advantage and is now 59 points behind with seven races to go.It was a heart-in-mouth battle between Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started on pole, and Aussie Piastri.By lap 20 Piastri was leading the race after lunging on the inside of Leclerc to steal the P1 position, forcing the Monegasque into second where he stayed put.Lewis Hamilton did well to finish in ninth after starting from the pit lane after taking a new engine in Baku.The seven-time world champion qualified in seventh for Mercedes but was penalised for exceeding his power unit allowance for the season.Carlos Sainz celebrates his stunning victory in BakuCredit: REUTERS More

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      ‘Wow’ – Lewis Hamilton laughs at bizarre claim from F1 rival Max Verstappen as he says ‘I don’t really know what to say’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON must have heard almost everything in F1.But even the seven-time world champ couldn’t contain himself when told of Max Verstappen’s verdict on the upcoming final third of the season.Lewis Hamilton appeared surprised by the comments of Max Verstappen, who is well clear of McLaren’s Lando Norris in the title raceCredit: GettyHamilton’s reaction to Verstappen’s verdict was clear to seeCredit: GettyRed Bull ace Verstappen has won the last three titles and leads this year’s Championship by 62 points from McLaren’s Lando Norris.But RB have spluttered in recent races amid performance issues.And McLaren have been closing the gap – leaving them just eight points behind Red Bull in the duel for the Constructors’ crown.However, Mercedes’ British star Hamilton was amused and bemused by Verstappen’s assessment ahead of Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.READ MORE TOP STORIESLast time out, at the Italian GP two weeks ago, Norris was third and his team-mate Oscar Piastri second – behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.In contrast, Verstappen was sixth, with fellow RB driver Sergio Perez a further two spots below him.The Dutchman, 26, responded at the time by claiming Red Bull’s title hopes were now “unrealistic”.And far from now backing down in Baku, he said: “If we perform like Monza, it’s not realistic. Most read in MotorsportFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So we definitely need to be better than what we have been delivering lately, we know that. “If we can find a better balance with the car, then actually we’ll be more competitive. But if more competitive is enough, I don’t know.”The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from InstagramThose comments were put to Hamilton, who is out of contention in sixth place before he switches to Ferrari for next year.And the 39-year-old was clearly reeling after hearing his old foe’s judgement.At first he said: “He said it’s unrealistic for him to get one of the two titles? Wow.” Hamilton then burst into laughter and added: “I mean, that’s his opinion, that’s obviously what he’s feeling in that moment, but he’s pretty far ahead! “I don’t really know what to say about it.”Verstappen, however, could yet have plenty to say after Sunday’s race – and for positive reasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat’s because, despite his downbeat appraisal, he also let slip that Red Bull have discovered why their car has encountered problems.So if the team can fix those issues, their double title challenge could be “Baku on track” this weekend.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      F1 stars’ dizzying salaries revealed with all 20 earning £205m a year and Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen leading way

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      FORMULA ONE drivers have long been known for their lavish lifestyles of rock and roll and splashing the cash.The rising popularity of the sport since Liberty Media’s acquisition of it has only served to further inflate the pockets of the biggest names in the motorsport.Lewis Hamilton is one of the biggest names in F1, but is currently not its top earnerCredit: GettyWorld champion Max Verstappen rakes in £42million a yearCredit: GettyAltogether, the 20 drivers who make up the F1 grid earn around £205million a year, excluding bonuses.But who takes the chequered flag when it comes to salary in 2024?1) Max Verstappen – £42mReigning world champion Max Verstappen is head honcho both in terms of track pace and contract income.The Dutchman has a staggering £42m a year going to him in his Red Bull deal.READ MORE IN F12) Lewis Hamilton – £34mLewis Hamilton is undoubtedly the biggest name on the F1 grid, and more than makes up the gap to Verstappen in terms of sponsorship income elsewhere.The Brit is in the last year of his Mercedes contract before he makes the switch to join Ferrari, which has seen him land a new bumper deal worth £50m a year.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS3) Charles Leclerc – £26mThe current poster boy of the Scuderia, Charles Leclerc, earns a cool £26m himself.The Monegasque has won two races so far in 2024 – Monaco and Italy – and will be hoping Hamilton’s introduction will help push the team up the grid even more.Most read in MotorsportWatch Lewis Hamilton’s potential successor Antonelli fail Mercedes audition with HUGE blunder in Italian GP practice4) Lando Norris – £15mMcLaren ace Lando Norris is currently the closest challenger to Verstappen, and is realistically the only one who could nick the driver’s championship away from the three-time world champion.However, the two-time race winner has some way to before he gets anywhere near Verstappen’s contract value.5) Fernando Alonso – £14mThe two-time world champion is the main driver at Aston Martin, who have just signed legendary designer Adrian Newey down to a deal worth £150m.For the time being though, Fernando Alonso is still search of his elusive next win in an F1 race.6) George Russell – £14mThe man who will replace Hamilton as Mercedes main man, George Russell earns a cool £14m-a-year.The Silver Arrows will be looking to the Brit to win races next season.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 Ocon7) Sergio Perez – £11mSergio Perez has struggled at Red Bull in the last couple of seasons, and has consequently seen his place with the team come under question.However, for now he remains the team’s second driver.8) Carlos Sainz – £9.2mCarlos Sainz is set to leave his £9.2m contract at Ferrari to join Williams after losing his seat next season to Hamilton.He has one win so far this season, and will be hoping to add to his list while he still has Ferrari engineering behind him.9) Valtteri Bottas – £7.7mFormer Mercedes star Valtteri Bottas likely has his race-winning days behind him.But his more than capable racecraft at Kick Sauber F1 still sees him command a massive salary of £7.7m.READ MORE SUN STORIES10) Daniel Ricciardo – £5.4mLike Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo’s race-winning days are certainly behind him.However, the Aussie remains a big name in the sport and can still pocket a huge £5.4m a year salary.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      F1 chiefs add never-before-seen features including an ICE RINK to Las Vegas track to deliver ‘best Grand Prix ever’

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      F1 CHIEFS have added never-before-seen features to the Las Vegas track to give fans the “best Grand Prix ever”.The event will see an ICE RINK installed above the Paddock Club and the inclusion of the Ferrari Challenge.The Las Vegas GP is scheduled for NovemberCredit: GettyThe Ferrari Challenge has been added to the weekendCredit: AP:Associated PressEmily Prazer claims it will be the ‘best ever’Credit: LinkedInThe race weekend in November will also showcase the F1 Academy, and there is hope of adding the female-only series in the future.An F1 Festival has also been set up to run on the Friday and Saturday which has sold out its 30,000 tickets per day.Chief commercial officer for F1 and Las Vegas Grand Prix Emily Prazer has insisted that they are “excited” about this season’s race.She said: “We know what we have to do before the grand prix this year.READ MORE ON F1″We’re adding Ferrari Challenge. So that will be coming, we’re super excited about it. We took on the feedback last year of not having a support race.”Logistics last year were our number one concern, which again I think everyone understood.”So now we feel much more comfortable being able to extend the operating hours and the track activity.”It was just a year-one confidence thing honestly, and now we’re feeling pretty good about it. Ferrari also brings a crowd that loves Las Vegas as you’d expect.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”So it’s a natural one for us to go after, and they’ve been incredible partners.”Prazer has claimed that the plans are being tied ti make sure it is the “best Grand Prix ever”.Cost of an F1 carSavage 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.She added: “We’re scaling back a bit as we want to focus on actually delivering the best grand prix ever.”The casinos are adjusting what they were doing around the race.”The Wynn, the Bellagio, they all did incredibly well, but the reason we’re doing festivals downtown is to enhance the average person coming to Vegas that weekend and not putting them off.”I think the first year, none of us knew how the racing was going to turn out.”So we wanted to overcompensate because we wanted to make sure that it was a full, until you see those cars go around the track and see what actually happens it’s very hard to just watch it on simulators going ‘oh, it’s going to be a good race’.”We had confidence, don’t get me wrong. But when that came to life obviously for us everybody wanted it to be very Vegas-driven. And so do the partners in Vegas.”They ultimately drive a lot of our mentality, the MGMs, Wynns, Caesars, they’re incredible partners, but you see how they market the destination.”We said, ‘right, let us take it up 15 notches’, which I think we did in year one. But the intent is to scale some of that back.”We felt that we did do too much, the Wednesday night was a one-off.”I will never, ever be allowed to spend that amount of money again on a 30-minute show. We were nominated for an Emmy, but apart from that, it was a project in itself.”Prazner has also spoken about the adding of an ice rink above the Paddock Club in a move that is not seen “anywhere else”.She said: “We talk about Las Vegas within Formula 1 as almost like our little bit of an incubator that we get to try some different things and push the boundaries a bit more, because it’s Vegas.”So we’re putting an ice rink on the roof of the Paddock Club in Vegas this year. You would never see us do that anywhere else.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But the intent is like, ‘how do we create more of an entertainment proposition?’”The idea is, honestly, that if you look at the size of the Paddock Club and making sure that you actually activate all the space, it was one of those of, ‘what do we do?’ It’s a lot of fun.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals he’ll have to fly FIGHTER JETS when he retires from F1 as Brit legend reveals retirement plan

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed the reason he is still competing in Formula One, despite admitting he has had thoughts about retirement.The seven-time world champion has gotten back on the top step of the podium twice this season following a two-season win drought.Lewis Hamilton has revealed what he will need to do after retiring from F1Credit: GettyThe Brit opened up on his retirement plansCredit: RexHamilton, 39, is swapping the silver arrows of Mercedes for the scarlet red of Ferrari at the start of next season after stunning the world by announcing a two-year deal with the Scuderia at the start of the year.After making his debut in 2007, the 2025 season will be his 19th behind the wheel of an F1 car, but Hamilton has now revealed that his thrill-seeker lifestyle has left him unable to step away.He said: “For me personally, when I get strapped in the first time and they start up the car, I get the same bubbly feeling inside. “And then when everyone moves the tyre blankets away and you pull out into the pit lane and drive out into Turn 1 and just do your first lap, I always get a huge thrill.READ MORE IN F1″There’s so many moments that I still pinch myself that I still get to do this. It’s really something I wish you could all feel and experience. “But the cool thing… and it’s probably why I’m still racing, is that it’s not become such the norm that I don’t feel it.”If I was numb to it, that would really suck, and I’d probably be doing something else. But I’d have to fly fighter jets or something… to come anywhere near close.”Hamilton has openly flirted with doing other things after his F1 career ends.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe has already done some acting and had a hand in producing movies, including Brad Pitt’s F1 film scheduled for release next year.But fighter jets, which Hamilton almost worked with when he was asked to star in Top Gun: Maverick, would be a different ballpark altogether.Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for himF1 drivers sometimes surpass 6Gs of lateral force behind the wheel, while fighter jets can sometimes hit as high as 9Gs.That being said, Hamilton said he has no immediate plans to retire, and while speaking to Esquire magazine he added: “There are days I’m like, ‘shoot, I don’t know how much longer I can go.”There are days I’m like, ‘shoot, I’d love a break’ because you don’t get a real big break in the season like other sports. “You’re not really getting a huge amount of downtime. But I do have, mentally, a plan of where I would like to extend to.”I’ve just got to strategise and sequence things. Is there a time when I’m not all in, and I’m just not in love with it anymore? 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”That’s the moment that hopefully never happens, in the sense that I’ve fallen out of love with it.”But I will know when I need to stop. I want to make sure I really max it out while I can and fully enjoy this sport I’ve done my whole life. There are so many people that have finished their careers early.”And I’ve spoken to many who’ve said they wish they could have just done one more year or two. “And they’re like, ‘Stay in as long as you can!’ But I don’t want to do it if I’m not good.”Hamilton’s successor at Mercedes was confirmed as Kimi Antonelli before the most recent race in Monza, Italy, though the teen suffered a scary crash as he took to the wheel during Free Practice One.Hamilton finished 5th as future Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc expertly pulled off a one-stop strategy to outrun the aggressive two-stop of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and claim victory.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe next race this coming weekend sees F1 return to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.Haas driver Kevin Magnussen has been replaced by teen prodigy Ollie Bearman after picking up too many penalty points on his super licence.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Lewis Hamilton receives fashion advice from Vogue editor Anna Wintour as they watch US Open Final

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      VOGUE US editor Anna Wintour serves up some fashion advice for F1 star Lewis Hamilton as they watch the tennis together.The pair greeted each other before seeing Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, beat America’s Jessica Pegula at the women’s singles final of the US Open in New York.Anna Wintour serves up some fashion advice for Lewis Hamilton as they watch the tennis togetherCredit: AFPThe pair greeted each other at the final of the US Open in New YorkCredit: ReutersThey watched Aryna Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula at thewomen’s singlesCredit: ReutersLewis, 39, and Anna are huge tennis fans and last watched a game together at Wimbledon in 2018.Anna, 74, is thought to have advised him on his fashion deals — including with Tommy Hilfiger.Lewis was invited to her annual Met Gala event for the first time in 2015 and said: “That was a very overwhelming experience. “There’s just so much glitz and glamour.”Read More on ShowbizNaomi Campbell may have made a major mistake this week by bad-mouthing Anna on stage – in a room of fashion’s biggest movers and shakers.During a speech at a New York Fashion Week ceremony for Harlem’s Fashion Row, the Vogue editor-in-chief – who is famous for her dark glasses – referred to Naomi’s notorious lateness.She told the audience: “I am a very punctual person, and I have the honour of presenting tonight to someone who is often late.”But Naomi, who wore a black gown and had a bandage on her knee, lived up to her reputation and was so late that Anna eventually left.Most read in MotorsportHarper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasr presented her with the Fashion Icon Award.From Stella McCartney’s feud with an icon to Anna Wintour slamming Kate Moss – how the fashion industry exploded in 90s More

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      Savage sackings that prove F1 is world’s most cut-throat sport – including star axed by email from PA… on his birthday

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      WITHIN days of smashing his car at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend, Logan Sargeant’s career was up in flames too.The Williams driver crashed and burned during practice for the race at Zandvoort, and was swiftly removed from his seat in the team for the rest of the season.Logan Sargeant was axed after crashing out of the Dutch Grand Prix last weekendCredit: GettySargeant’s car was badly damaged at the Circuit Park ZandvoortCredit: GettyMagnussen, with his wife Louise Gjorup, was fired by emailCredit: AlamyMick Schumacher, pictured with girlfriend Laila Hasanovic, was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobbyCredit: InstagramOf course, in the savage world of motor racing, Sargeant, 23, is just the latest in a long line of drivers to be brutally axed without warning.Here, we explore the scandalous sackings that prove Formula One is the world’s most cut-throat business – including the racer unfortunate enough to be let go by email on his birthday.Sacked by PA on his birthdayDanish 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.”It was a short paragraph explaining that there would be nothing for me in the future,” recalled Magnussen, now 31. “It arrived on my birthday actually.”A year earlier his predecessor Sergio Perez, 34, had been offered a contract, signed the documents and sent them back to McLaren – only to learn he was being dropped in favour of Magnussen.Most read in Motorsport’Crashgate’ scandalWhen Renault decided to axe Nelson Piquet Junior in 2009 it led to one of the biggest scandals to ever engulf the sport.After Piquet, the son a of a three-time F1 World Champion, failed to score any points at all in the first half of the season, team boss Flavio Briatore fired him.Formula One’s Highest EarnersBut Piquet shot back – alleging that Briatore and other members of the management team had ordered him to deliberately crash out of the Singapore Grand Prix to help teammate Fernando Alonso secure a victory.Renault and Briatore launched criminal proceedings, claiming that Piquet was blackmailing them so he could finish the season.Investigations eventually revealed that Piquet’s claims were true, in what became known as the ‘Crashgate’ scandal.Renault were slapped with a two-year suspended ban by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for conspiring to cause a crash.The aftermath of Nelson Piquet’s crash into a wall at the Singapore Grand Prix in September 2008.Credit: Sutton ImagesNelson Piquet leaves FIA headquarters in Paris after hearing at the World Motor Sports Council as part of the “Crashgate” affair in 2009.Credit: AFPItalian Flavio Briatore in October 2008, shortly before firing Piquet from the Renault team.Credit: EPA”The conditions I had to deal with have been very strange to say the least,” said Piquet later. “There are incidents that I can hardly believe occurred myself.”A manager is supposed to encourage you, support you, and provide you with opportunities. “In my case it was the opposite – Flavio Briatore was my executioner.”‘Dumped by text’Red Bull picked up a reputation for being ruthless right from the start.They were said to be tough on all their drivers, even four-time ChampCar winner Sebastien Bourdais, who signed up to partner with Sebastian Vettel at their team Toro Rosso in 2008.Bourdais car flew as he crashed with team mate Sebastien Buemi, Force India’s Adrian Sutil and Renault’s Nelson Piquet the start of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix in 2009.Credit: ReutersSebastien Bourdais and his wife Claire in the pits after the qualifying session of the French Grand Prix in June 2008.Credit: AFPWhen the Frenchman struggled to make progress, he was swiftly dropped in favour of young Spanish driver Jaime Alguersuari.And he later revealed he had been dumped by a brisk TEXT from team boss Franz Tost.”The way they got rid of me was very disappointing,” said Bourdais. “He did not speak with me. He did not call me. “Everything was done by SMS, which to me has no style.”Tost denied the allegations, saying: “I told Monsieur Bourdais personally that he is not going drive anymore and did not write any SMS.”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 OconDitched for last race over rantAlthough he almost triumphed in the 1990 World Championship for Ferrari, the following year was a disaster for Alain Prost.He finished in fifth place but openly criticised his car at the Japanese Grand Prix.”After a few laps, the shock absorbers no longer worked and the steering was incredibly hard,” said Prost, now 69.”At the end of the race, I said it was like driving a horrible truck, no pleasure.”Prost with Ferrari’s Sporting Director Cesare Fiorio in Portugal back in 1990Credit: GettyProst retired from the 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix after his clutch seized and he spun off the trackCredit: GettyBoss Claudio Lombardi was furious and fired him ahead of the season closer in Australia.Lombardi said later: “The behaviour of Alain Prost during this season has not been at the level that Ferrari would like from a top driver.”His behaviour insider and outside the team meant that Ferrari had to stop the relationship.”Read of sacking on AutosportJolyon Palmer smashed into Romain Grosjean of Haas F1 Team at the Russian Grand Prix in 2017.Credit: EPAPalmer in the pit lane at Silverstone in July 2017.Credit: EPAWhen he was a member of the Renault team in 2017, British commentator Jolyon Palmer, now 33, was replaced by Carlos Sainz.The problem was that nobody had told him and Palmer only realised what was happening when he logged on and saw the news online. “I knew when I read it on Autosport,” he explained.”And then I knew it was true as well, I spoke to some people. “That was it.”Axed by faxHeinz-Harald was supported by wife TanjaCredit: GettyHeinz-Harald crashed into the guard rail during the Monaco time trials in May 1997.Credit: ReutersJordan driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen was axed by the Irish team midway through 2001 – by fax.His contract was unceremoniously torn up following an exchange of views at Silverstone, which resulted in Frentzen taking Jordan to court.The contract dispute was resolved ‘amicably’ at the end of 2002.Mick SchumacherLast year Mick Schumacher was reportedly told he was being released from Haas while standing in a hotel lobby with team boss Guenther Steiner.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe German driver, 25, had failed to secure his seat, and with Haas bringing in veteran Nico Hulkenberg for 2003, he was sacked ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.Steiner told Bild+: “He was certainly suspecting something, he doesn’t live under a rock.”Mick and his partner Laila Hasonovic during the Spanish Grand Prix in June.Credit: GettySchumacher with Haas F1 team’s Italian team principal Guenther SteinerCredit: AFP More