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    Mercedes star stripped of race win in rarely seen incident because team were too busy celebrating her victory

    A MERCEDES star was stripped of a win after failing to realise the race was over in a rarely seen incident.A huge mix up meant the driver went past the chequered flag TWICE and was demoted from first to ninth.Mercedes-backed F1 Academy driver Doriane Pin saw her second race win stripped awayCredit: GettyPin had bizarrely continued racing after the race the had finished because she had not been told to stopCredit: RexRace Control handed Pin a 20-second penalty which demoted her from P1Credit: RexIt came in the all-female F1 Academy, which was enjoying it’s first weekend of the season in Saudi Arabia alongside the Formula One action.And while British 18-year-old Oliver Bearman took the headlines in F1 for his impressive P7 finish for Ferrari, it was a stripped race win for Doriane Pin which sparked controversy in the sister series.Pin, 20, had dominated on track throughout the weekend, claiming pole in qualifying before winning both of the weekend’s races.However, Mercedes-backed Pin saw her victory in the second race cruelly taken away in a rarely seen sequence of events. READ MORE IN F1After taking the chequered flag, Pin’s Prema team were busy celebrating the double win on the pit wall.But because her engineers were too busy toasting her success, Pin continued to drive around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit at race speed on what should have been the cooldown lap.Pin went on to complete two full laps before the red flag was shown to stop her.As a result of her driving much faster than she should have been, Race Control had to impose a drive-through penalty as per the rules, but because it could not be applied mid-race it was applied afterwards. Most read in MotorsportCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL This converted into a 20-second time penalty and consequently caused Pin to drop to P9 in the standings, allowing Alpine junior Abbi Pulling to inherit the win in race two.F1 Academy explained: “Doriane Pin has received a drive-through penalty for crossing the chequered flag twice and completing two laps at full speed until the red flag was shown.Brit F1 sensation Oliver Bearman, 18, seals impressive 7th in first ever GP as Max Verstappen wins in Saudi Arabia”As the penalty could not be served in-race, it has been converted into a 20-second penalty added to her elapsed race time.”Following the race Pin said a radio issue meant she kept going at race speed as she was unsure whether it was the last lap or not.She said: “I had a little bit of an issue with the radio. I couldn’t hear anything by the engineers so I didn’t know if it was the last lap or not. I kept pushing in case it was.”It had not been evident on the broadcast as her engineer asked: “Doriane, what are you doing? It’s the chequered flag.” To which she replied: “You didn’t tell me!”One of the craziest things i’ve ever seen in racing. Dorian Pin wins the race, but her engineers are too busy celebrating to tell her, so she keeps barrelling down the track at full speed, to the confusion of everyone pic.twitter.com/PqKnAW7nTq— 2Fast2Sickos (@2Fast2Sickos) March 9, 2024

    After having the win stripped away, Pin took to social media to say: “An unfortunate end to an incredible first weekend in F1 Academy, the team and the car were amazing, but a post race penalty drops me to P9. “Will come back even stronger in Miami. Congrats to @AbbiPulling on P1.”The change sees Pulling also inherit the lead of the drivers championship with 44 points.Ferrari-coloured Maya Weug is also now above Pin on 33 points with the Pin herself sitting on 32 points, 14 clear of McLaren-backed Bianca Bustamante.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe next event for F1 Academy will be in Miami between May 3 and 5.Meanwhile, the next F1 race will be in Australia on March 24.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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    Brit F1 sensation Oliver Bearman, 18, beats Lewis Hamilton in first ever F1 GP as Max Verstappen wins in Saudi Arabia

    OLIVER BEARMAN finished seventh in his first ever Formula One race in Saudi Arabia – even beating Brit legend Lewis Hamilton.The record-breaking 18-year-old replaced Carlos Sainz on short notice after the Spaniard underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis.Oliver Bearman impressed on his F1 debutCredit: APThe 18-year-old replaced Carlos Sainz at the last minuteCredit: GettyBearman was seen hugging his father David Bearman, whose nerves were showing in the garage throughout the weekendCredit: GettyBearman said the race was ‘fantastic’Credit: SplashBearman is dating TikTok star Estelle OgilvyChelmsford-born Bearman qualified in 11th for the Jeddah race but managed to move his way up through the field with some impressive overtakes and some strategies from rivals going in his favour.Bearman is dating Estelle Ogilvy, who is a TikTok star and law student.It may also come as a surprise that Bearman only passed his road driving test in May.Max Verstappen claimed victory number two for the season as Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez finished second amid another weekend where off-track noise around Red Bull has been gargantuan.Charles Leclerc took the final podium spot from Oscar Piastri in fourth, who had been held up for much of the mid-race by a masterful Lewis Hamilton defence. Hamilton was joined by Lando Norris in gambling by not pitting under an early safety car caused by Lance Stroll crashing into the wall.When the pair eventually opted to pit they had come out behind compatriot Bearman and could not close the gap before the chequered flag despite being on quicker soft tyres. However, the teen did finish directly behind P6 finisher George Russell, who went over with Hamilton to congratulate Bearman after the race.Most read in MotorsportCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Seven-time world champion Hamilton shared a bearhug with him while Russell gave him a handshake. The occasion was not lost on F1 fans either, with 48 per cent of the Driver of the Day vote going to Bearman.Meet Oliver Bearman the Brit F1 star making debut with Ferrari who speaks with Italian twang and has famous brother Speaking to Sky Sports F1, he said: “[I’m a] Little tired. You can probably see I don’t look my best. It was a fantastic race, pushing all the way.”I was shocked how fast we were pushing quicker every lap. “That was incredible and especially at the end where I had the two guys on softs bearing down on me, I couldn’t relax and I was always in my mirror’s pushing flat out.”But it was a really exciting and fun race.”Who is Ferrari ace Oliver Bearman?By Ben Hunt

    ESSEX boy Oliver Bearman has become Britain’s latest – and youngest – F1 star after making his debut for Ferrari.
    The 18-year-old, who only passed his driving test in May, was called up as an 11th hour replacement for Carlos Sainz, who suffered appendicitis.
    Bearman only had an hour’s practice to get up to speed with the Ferrari before qualifying for Saturday’s Saudi Arabian GP.
    And he defied the odds with a brilliant performance to take 11th on the grid – coming within just 0.036 seconds from knocking Lewis Hamilton out from qualifying.
    Bearman made the slightest of mistakes during turns 22 and 23 otherwise he’d have dumped out Hamilton from the second qualifying session.
    Bearman drove for the Haas F1 team last season in the practice sessions in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi.
    Raised in Chelmsford, and schooled at King Edward VI Grammar, he joined Ferrari’s driver academy, aged only 16.
    He quit school – against his mum’s request and moved to Modena close to Ferrari’s headquarters in northern Italy.
    He has previously won the Italian Formula Formula 4 and German Formula 4 titles , both in 2021.
    Last year he was sixth in the Formula Two championship and on Thursday he qualified for the F2 race here in Saudi Arabia on pole.

    He added: “It felt like the countdown seemed like it was going slower than normal but I think we managed it really well. “They weren’t really catching behind and I felt like I had a bit in hand in case I needed it and a bit of engine mode as well.”I found good confidence and was building throughout the race especially coming to the end of the hard stint and felt like I knew what the car was doing.”Bearman also had a cheeky mid-race comment when trying to overtake Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg for P9, telling his engineer the Haas was “so slow” before completing a move.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis P7 finish means he became the first Brit to score points on his F1 debut since Paul di Resta in 2011.Sensationally, Bearman’s six-point haul now means he is tenth in the drivers championship standings.Max Verstappen celebrated his race win with Christian HornerCredit: APBearman will be hoping his performance puts him in good stead for a seat next seasonCredit: GettyEstelle and Bearman have been keeping their relationship privateCredit: Instagram / @silly_lettuceShe has 76,000 TikTok followersCredit: Instagram / @silly_lettuceBearman’s father David is a motorsport enthusiast and was present trackside todayCredit: Instagram / @davidbearman87🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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    Cheeky Toto Wolff offers Marko Helmut a job amid fears he could be forced out of Red Bull after Christian Horner scandal

    TOTO WOLFF has joked that Helmut Marko could play a role at Mercedes.It comes after reports suggested Marko could be forced out of his role as a Red Bull advisor.Toto Wolff has joked Mercedes could sign Hemlut Marko if he leaves Red BullCredit: GettyRed Bull have placed Helmut Marko under investigationCredit: GettyIt is said to come in relation to messages leaked regarding to the Christian Horner scandalCredit: GettyThe 80-year-old has been placed under investigation by Red Bull and will hold a meeting with Austrian team’s chief Oliver Mintzlaff in Saudi Arabia today.This enquiry is said to be related to the leaking of WhatsApp messages from an anonymous email claiming to be evidence of the internal report relating to the Christian Horner investigation.Marko, an ex-Formula One and winner of the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans, told Austrian broadcaster ORF: “It’s difficult to judge, or let’s put it this way, ultimately, I’ll decide for myself what I do. “The theoretical possibility [of suspension] always exists. It’s such a complex issue. Again, we want peace in the team. READ MORE IN F1″This world championship will be difficult enough with 24 races and we have to concentrate on that.”Amid the exit rumours, Wolff cheekily commented before the Saudi GP: “Marko could take the old place of Niki Lauda at Mercedes.”We are missing our old mascot anyway. Then we’ll just take Helmut! He fits in terms of age. He doesn’t have a red cap, but he can come to us.”Helmut is not a child of sadness and was – or is – our favourite enemy. But he is a real racer. If Helmut leaves, it is certainly a loss for Red Bull and for the team.”Most read in MotorsportCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Marko’s future at Red Bull is set to be intertwined with Max Verstappen, who unequivocablly backed the Austrian.The three-time F1 champion told reporters: “I am loyal to Helmut. He is a big and important part in my decision making and important he stays within the team including everyone else.Greatest F1 track on Earth’ created featuring iconic parts from Silverstone, Spa and Suzuka”It is important we keep people together because if an important pillar falls away, that is not good for my career as well.”So for me, Helmut has to stay. He has built this team with [Red Bull co-founder] Dietrich Mateschitz from day one and been loyal.”You need to give the man respect for what he has done and that  comes back to loyalty and integrity and is important to why he stays part of the team.”A BBC Sport report claims a Red Bull source told them the plan was to suspend Marko, though a spokesperson later said: “That’s news to us.”Marko’s removal from his role would in theory allow Verstappen to break his £43million-a-year deal with Red Bull, paving a way for him to potentially join Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement in 2025.Marko’s future at Red Bull is linked to Max Verstappen’sCredit: GettyHe won an internal power struggle with Horner last year when he was awarded a new contract despite a dispute with the team principle.Horner, 50, was cleared after an internal report dismissed a claim from a female employee.SunSport revealed earlier this week that the employee who raised the initial complaint had been suspended on full pay.It triggered a fallout between Verstappen’s father Jos, who said Horner remaining at the team would cause it to “explode”.A fresh attack from Verstappen Snr saw him say it was “too late” for Horner to draw a line under the sexting scandal which had engulfed F1.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 52-year-old told the Mail: “I think it’s a bit too late for that now. If that’s what he wants, fine, but I don’t think it will be possible.”Verstappen claimed pole in Jeddah by more than three tenths of a second and is looking to make it back-to-back wins to start the 2024 F1 season.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

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    Max Verstappen could take Lewis Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes in shake-up as Red Bull row threatens to blow team apart

    MAX VERSTAPPEN could quit Red Bull and seal a shock move to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.There is set to be a huge shake-up on the grid at the end of the year with the seven-time world champion joining Ferrari. Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull amid suggestions Helmut Marko may departCredit: GettyThere will be a space at Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton going to FerrariCredit: GettyVerstappen still has five years to run on his £43million-a-year contract at Red Bull – but he could depart with the team in crisis.The Dutchman is fuming over suggestions that Helmut Marko could be suspended amid the fallout from the Christian Horner investigation.Marko, who is a team adviser at Red Bull, will meet chief Oliver Mintzlaff at Saturday’s Saudi Grand Prix.Should he leave, there are rumours it will upset Verstappen and potentially even trigger a break clause in his contract.READ MORE IN F1It could, therefore, pave the way for him to fill the space left by Hamilton at Mercedes.Verstappen has already been angered by Marko’s possible departure, saying: “I am loyal to Helmut. “He is a big and important part in my decision making and important he stays within the team including everyone else.”It is important we keep people together because if an important pillar falls away, that is not good for my career as well.Most read in Motorsport”So for me, Helmut has to stay. He has built this team with [Red Bull co-founder] Dietrich Mateschitz from day one and been loyal.”You need to give the man respect for what he has done and that  comes back to loyalty and integrity and is important to why he stays part of the team.”Watch moment Christian Horner & Max Verstappen’s dad Jos have ‘heated’ exchange as team ‘torn apart’ by sext rowMeanwhile, chiefs at Red Bull’s HQ continue to wade through the mess after Horner was cleared of inappropriate behaviour after allegations from a female employee.He was then subject of a smear campaign after an anonymous email leaked a series of WhatsApp conversations claiming to be evidence of the internal report.There is also an ongoing feud between Horner and Verstappen’s father Jos after the duo were involved in a heated argument at the Bahrain GP last weekend. Despite rising tensions, Horner’s wife Geri Halliwell has stood by him and she is again expected at the Grand Prix in Jeddah. More

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    Oliver Bearman passed driving test in MAY and had just hour to practise in Ferrari before becoming youngest Brit F1 star

    ESSEX boy Oliver Bearman has become Britain’s latest – and youngest – F1 star after making his debut for Ferrari.The 18-year-old, who only passed his driving test in May, was called up as an 11th hour replacement for Carlos Sainz, who suffered appendicitis.Ferrari’s reserve driver Oliver Bearman stepped onto the main stage at the last minute with a superb drive in JeddahCredit: AFPBearman and girlfriend Estelle Ogilvy have had a momentous few monthsBearman turned in a stunning display to earn 11th spot on the gridCredit: GettyHis partner Estelle is a law student and TikTok starCredit: Instagram/silly_lettuceThe Spaniard was taken to hospital where he underwent an operation as said to be recovering well.Bearman only had an hour’s practice to get up to speed with the Ferrari before qualifying for Saturday’s Saudi Arabian GP.And he defied the odds with a brilliant performance to take 11th on the grid – coming within just 0.036 seconds from knocking Lewis Hamilton out from qualifying.Bearman made the slightest of mistakes during turns 22 and 23 otherwise he’d have dumped out Hamilton from the second qualifying session.READ MORE TOP STORIESHe was cheered on by his dad, David, who watched in Ferrari’s garage and winced as his son brushed the walls at high speed and bounced over the kerbs.And Bearman Junior revealed he was in the dark about his incredible call-up until the eleventh hour.He said: “I woke up this morning fully prepared for my F2 race and I got the call late in the day, just a few hours before FP3 that I would be doing it.”Not the circumstance I would wish to be making my F1 debut. I wish the best to Carlos and I hope he recovers well but this is a great opportunity.Most read in Motorsport”I honestly did not have time to get nervous, because I did not have time and it was so late that I needed to get ready to go out on track and make up for lost time.”That made my life a little more difficult and I was flat out with the engineers trying to figure everything out to get up to speed as quickly as possible.TikToker Estelle Ogilvy’s glam life as she splits time between jetting to watch F1 boyfriend Oliver Bearman and studying Bearman drove for the Haas F1 team last season in the practice sessions in Mexico City and Abu Dhabi.Raised in Chelmsford, and schooled at King Edward VI Grammar, he joined Ferrari’s driver academy, aged only 16.He quit school – against his mum’s request and moved to Modena close to Ferrari’s headquarters in northern Italy.He has previously won the Italian Formula Formula 4 and German Formula 4 titles , both in 2021.Last year he was sixth in the Formula Two championship and on Thursday he qualified for the F2 race here in Saudi Arabia on pole.However, he will now ditch his F2 commitments for this weekend after being promoted to replace Sainz.Bearman is the first Brit to drive for F1’s most famous team since Nigel Mansell in 1990.He added: “I have honestly spoken to no one since the announcement, my phone is going crazy but I will try and have a chat with my mum tonight.The Chelmsford starlet reflects on a job well doneCredit: Getty”I think my dad was in the garage but I did not see him at all. I was in the car and then in the garage and back in the car.” It has been such a quick progression in my career. Two years ago I was still in F4 and I only did my first F1 test three or four months ago.”So it has been a quick progression. And to make my F1 debut in red, hopefully it is a sign to come.”Meanwhile, Max Verstappen took a routine pole as nobody was able to match his pace around the street circuit in Jeddah.He put aside the internal conflict between his dad Jos and team boss Christian Horner.And in the latest development in the on-going saga, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko could now face disciplinary action.The 80-year-old is understood to be under investigation for his role in the internal investigation.He was also under strict instructions not to speak to the media, but in an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF he said he could now miss the next race in Australia.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt is another sensational development and should he be found guilty of releasing confidential information then he could face disciplinary action.Should he be sacked, there is a suspicion in the paddock that it could trigger a clause in the Dutchman’s contract, paving a way for him to break his contract with Red Bull to join Mercedes. More

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    Marcus Rashford’s agent brother Dane GUILTY of speeding in flash £120k Mercedes near his £1.5m home

    MARCUS Rashford’s brother has been found guilty of speeding and hit with a fine after blaming “confusing” road signs.Dane Rashford, 31, who works as the Manchester United star’s football agent, was caught travelling at 39mph in his £120,000 Mercedes in a 30mph zone near his £1.5m home.Dane Rashford was found guilty of speeding today and hit with a fine after blaming ‘confusing’ road signsCredit: Andrew Price / View Finder PicturesDane is the brother and agent of Marcus Rashford, pictured here during a session at United’s training ground Carrington on WednesdayCredit: GettyChester magistrates heard how he was trapped by a hand-held device on Adlington Road in October last year.Representing himself, Dane said he and his family had lived in the area for around a decade and claimed he’d always believed the stretch of road to have a 40mph speed limit.He said: “I’m not the only person who drives at 40mph, everyone does.”Video his sister had recorded showing him driving down the street was played during the one-day trial.Read More on Marcus RashfordIt showed his sat-nav device displaying a 40mph speed limit, with Dane saying: “There’s still no signs here, and the sat-nav still says 40mph.”But Michael O’Kane, prosecuting, said he had broken the 30mph speed limit on that section of the road, as indicated by signs before and after the point where his vehicle was caught by a speed camera.PC Catherine Mickle, of Cheshire Police, said she had observed the speed limit signs and – because it was a residential area with lampposts – drivers should assume by “default” that a 30mph speed limit was in force.But Dane, who is a director of DN May Sports Management, claimed they were “confusing”.Most read in FootballDistrict judge Owen Jones said he had been an “honest and truthful” witness, adding that the football agent had “genuinely and honestly” thought he was travelling in a 40mph zone but it had been a “mistaken view”.The judge found him guilty of one charge of speeding and he was handed three points on his licence to add to an existing three.Dane, of Wilmslow, Cheshire, must also pay a fine of £200, a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £250.Just 12 days after, he was caught speeding, he was arrested for battery by cops in the USA.He’d been holidaying in Miami when he was charged with domestic violence.Dane, who denied wrongdoing, was released when his $1,500 bond was paid a week later.Last month, it was reported that the charges had been dropped.Last year, his England star younger brother Marcus, 26, was fined £574 and handed six points on his driver’s licence after admitting to speeding in Manchester while behind the wheel of his £670,000 Mercedes.READ MORE SUN STORIESA spokesman for Dane said: “While the court said that Mr Rashford was an ‘honest and truthful’ witness, we are disappointed that they did not accept his testimony that the speed limit was clearly marked at 40mph on the road he was travelling on.”Mr Rashford is now considering whether to appeal the decision.” More

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    George Russell breaks silence on Max Verstappen replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes after Christian Horner row

    GEORGE RUSSELL says he would welcome Max Verstappen to Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.Verstappen is at the centre of a bitter row between his father Jos and Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner.George Russell has broken his silence on Verstappen’s potential move to MercedesCredit: RexVerstappen could be forced to leave Red Bull amid the Horner rowCredit: GettyThe controversy surrounding the Red Bull team principal dominated the season’s opening race in Bahrain.Horner, 50, was exonerated by an independent investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by an employee.But just 24 hours later his private conversations with an alleged female colleague were leaked online – though Horner has ‘fully denied’ all accusations.Verstappen Snr has called for Horner’s head and said his son could be forced to quit the team if Horner stays – despite winning the Bahrain GP by over 22 seconds.READ MORE F1 NEWSMercedes is an obvious destination for Verstappen given his father’s close ties to Merc boss Toto Wolff and could fill the vacant seat left by Hamilton, who is joining Ferrari in 2025.Russell said: “Any team wants to have the best driver line-up possible and right now Max is the best driver on the grid.“If any team had a chance to sign Max they would 100 per cent be taking it, but the question is on his side and Red Bull’s side.”We don’t know what is truly going on behind closed doors and it is none of our business, but it would be exciting.”Most read in MotorsportJos Verstappen publicly called for Horner to be removed for fears that Red Bull could be torn apartCredit: GettyBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMeanwhile, Russell has called for clarity over the FIA investigation into President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has been alleged to have fudged the result of last year’s Saudi GP.Russell was promoted to third place and then had the position taken away after the FIA performed a U-turn on a penalty for Fernando Alonso.A whistleblower says the decision was overturned following a telephone call from Ben Sulayem.Russell added: “We want to see all of the facts and just have total transparency.Verstappen breaks silence on Christian Horner ‘sexting’ probe as pressure mounts on Red Bull 3 weeks after shock claims”We are all racing here, we want a fair and level playing field for us to showcase what we can do. I can’t really comment further. “We were surprised a year ago when the result got overturned as the legal team at Mercedes thought they did a great job of presenting our case initially, winning and then losing it thereafter.”We just want to see transparency and have that opportunity to race at a fair playing field.”The 26-year-old Brit was speaking ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.Verstappen’s current deal with Red Bull runs until 2028. More

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    Supercomputer predicts 2024 F1 season with Hamilton in for horror final year at Mercedes.. but is Verstappen still king?

    FORMULA ONE was a nine month long procession for Max Verstappen last year – but will it be the same this time round?The Red Bull ace has been the sport’s dominant force since his first world title in 2021, winning every Drivers’ World Championship since.Lewis Hamilton looks set for a tough final season with MercedesCredit: GettyWill Max Verstappen breeze to a fourth consecutive World Championship?Credit: GettyWhile Lewis Hamilton was the man to beat for many years before the Dutchman’s success and will be hoping to make his mark in his final season with Mercedes before he makes his switch to Ferrari next year.Although Verstappen is the clear favourite to take home a fourth consecutive World Championship with Red Bull this season, F1 is a sport full of unpredictability that could throw up some surprises.The brain-boxes at BonusCodesBets have let their supercomputer do the predicting for us so we can take a look at how this exciting season might shape up.The supercomputer has simulated every race this season 1,000 times using code fuelled by stats from previous seasons and real-time data to draw up exactly what they expect to happen this year.READ MORE ON F1But first they’ve had a look at what might happen in this weekend’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.The Middle Eastern race gets underway in Jeddah on Saturday afternoon and it looks like Verstappen is going to get a second win under his belt already.The 26-year-old has an incredible 85.4 per cent chance of winning the GP and according to the computer will only miss out on a podium spot if he is forced out of the race with car issues.Teammate Sergio Perez is the second most likely driver to win in Jeddah with a 3.2 per cent chance of victory.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHamilton has been handed just a 1.8 per cent chance of crossing the finish line first, but could certainly make the podium with a 14.3 per cent chance of finishing second and a 14.4 per cent chance of third place.As for the rest of the season it could make for hard reading for the Brit who according to the supercomputer will go the entire year without winning a race for the third season in a row.Ultimate F1 team principal’s rich list including Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes boss Toto WolffTo make matters worse it’s predicted that the 39 year old will only make the podium twice in the entire season – that’s less than half of the amount he made last year (six).The algorithm has suggested that a third place finish in Australia and a second place ending in China will be the highlights of Hamilton’s final season in a Mercedes car.As for Verstappen it looks like more dominance is on the table for the superstar.He is expected to win a staggering 21 of the 24 races this year finishing second in the three that he doesn’t take first place in.A 21-win season would break the record for the most race wins in a campaign which was set by Verstappen himself last year with 19.The whitewash season is predicted to see him earn an incredible 585 points with his closest competitor being Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who is predicted to earn 271 points from the season.The three races that Verstappen isn’t expected to walk are projected to be won by three different drivers in his place.McLaren’s Lando Norris is forecast to take first place in the Singapore Grand Prix for his first ever win in F1.Fellow Brit George Russell is predicted to snatch the Dutch GP title away from Verstappen on the Red Bull driver’s home ground.While Oscar Piastri may be a surprise package with a first career win for McLaren in Japan next month.Lando Norris (top left) and George Russell (top right) are both predicted to get a win this seasonCredit: GettyMcLaren’s Oscar Piastri could also earn a first career victoryCredit: PA More