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      War between Russell and Verstappen out of control as Horner follows up dig at rival Wolff but FIA WON’T take action

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      CHRISTIAN HORNER snapped back at Toto Wolff by saying “I’d rather be a terrier than a Wolff”.The Mercedes boss unleashed his fury at Horner on Thursday by labelling him a “yapping little terrier” amid the furious row between George Russell and Max Verstappen.Christian Horner has shown there’s no puppy love lost with Toto WolffCredit: https://www.instagram.com/christianhorner/Mercedes chief Wolff is caught up in the rowCredit: RexIt came as it emerged Verstappen will escape any punishment from the FIA over Russell’s allegations.Horner lapped it up in Friday’s press conference, revealing he is a huge fan of terriers and once owned four of them, while aiming a cheeky dig at the Mercedes chief’s surname.Two were even named Flavio and Bernie, presumably after former Renault boss Flavio Briatore and ex-F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone.The Red Bull boss, 51, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, said: “I love terriers, I think they are great dogs.READ MORE F1“I had four of them and a couple of Airedales, which is the king of the terriers.“I had a couple of West Highland terriers called Bernie and Flavio. And the good thing about a terrier is they’re tremendously loyal.“Bernie, he was an aggressive little dog, he’d go for anybody. Flavio, he was a bit more chilled and he probably ate a bit too much as well.“But I think to be called a terrier is that such a bad thing? They’re not afraid of having a go at the bigger dogs.Most read in MotorsportGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen are still at loggerheadsCredit: GettyHorner posted a pic of his terrier Bernie on Instagram later on to fan the flamesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/christianhorner/CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“You know, rather be a terrier than a wolf.”Horner only continued to fan the flames by later posting an image of the terrier Bernie on his Instagram.’Full-time menace’ Lando Norris stokes flames in Verstappen vs Russell ‘head in the wall row’ with cheeky Instagram postRussell and Verstappen’s war of words has dominated the build-up to Formula 1’s final race of the year.But Wolff and Horner have been at each other’s throats for years and have provided several viral moments on the hit Netflix show Drive to Survive.The spat is giving F1 fans a reminder of the duo’s fierce conflict in 2021 when Lewis Hamilton missed out on a record eighth world title to Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi desert that year.As for whether he is worried that Verstappen and Russell’s feud could spill over onto the track this weekend, Horner added: “No, not at all.“Max, he’s a very straight shooter. He just tells you exactly how he sees it. He tells the truth exactly, what he feels.“Obviously he had a large amount of frustration last weekend. The way things played out in a scenario that we haven’t seen before and subsequent grid penalty.“He turned it into motivation and made a lightning start, led the race into the first corner, and won the Grand Prix, which is the best possible response.“Now, obviously, a lot’s been made of it Thursday. It is pantomime season, we’re getting ready for Christmas. There’s maybe an element of end of term blues there, but I don’t think it’ll have any effect.”With Hamilton set for his last race with Mercedes this weekend before joining Ferrari for the 2025 season, Horner said Wolff’s focus should be elsewhere.He added: “It needs to be about what you do on the track. I mean, there’s a sort of a love-hate relationship, where I think Toto loves to hate me.“It’s one of those things. I would have assumed he sort of got a bit more on his plate with obviously it’s Lewis’s last race for that team.Horner and wife Geri Horner are animal loversCredit: https://www.instagram.com/gerihalliwellhorner/“I think they should be celebrating that rather than focusing on other aspects.”Wolff, who gatecrashed Russell’s press conference on Thursday to slam Horner, also said that the Red Bull boss had been too “weak” to properly control Verstappen.Horner hit back at this and said: “Regarding Toto’s other comments, I’m not going to rise to the bait of that. Everybody manages themselves and their teams in different ways.“We’ve won 122 races. We’ve won 14 world championships. I think we’re doing alright.”Verstappen is set to escape any further punishment from the stewards despite allegedly saying he would put Russell’s “f***ing head in the wall” in Qatar.The stewards are not set to investigate the serious allegations that Russell dropped on Thursday ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.The British 26-year-old claimed Verstappen threatened to put his “f****** head in the wall” by deliberately crashing into him at the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend.Mercedes star Russell also branded the four-time world champ a “bully” with the Dutchman hitting back by labelling him a “backstabber” and “loser”.Russell and Verstappen’s feud simmers away with the duo sitting on opposite ends of the table at the driver’s dinnerEyebrows have been raised over the FIA’s lack of intervention considering they recently clamped down so hard on swearing punishments.In Singapore, Red Bull’s Verstappen was ordered by FIA stewards to “accomplish some work of public interest” after dropping the F-bomb to describe his car.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fined for saying f*** in a post-race news conference in Mexico.Russell and Verstappen’s feud continues to simmer away with the duo sitting on opposite ends of the table at the driver’s dinner on Thursday night.Lewis Hamilton invited the drivers ahead of his last race at Mercedes, while his former teammate Valtteri Bottas got the bill.Norris wrote on Instagram: “2024 dinner! and yes, the two your thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible.He followed the message with a crying laughing emoji and a smiling emoji while Verstappen commented with a steak emoji, alluding to the beef with Russell.READ MORE SUN STORIESVerstappen was all smiles yesterday, blocking out the drama to announce he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet.He said: “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way. We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle.” More

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      Inside very awkward F1 end-of-season dinner with Verstappen and Russell ‘sat as far away from each other as possible’

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      MAX Verstappen and George Russell were sat as “far away from each other as possible” during the F1 driver’s end-of-season dinner.The Red Bull and Mercedes pair have been locked in a bitter war of words with Russell accusing the four-time champ of being a “bully”.Lando Norris posted a cheeky Instagram post stoking the flames of Max Verstappen and George Russell’s feudVerstappen and Russell were sat on opposite ends of the tableVerstappen accused Russell of being two-facedBut Russell has responded by labelling Verstappen a ‘bully’ and accusing the Red Bull ace of threatening himRussell claimed that Verstappen threatened to purposefully go out of his way to crash into him and “put my f***ing head into the wall”. It reportedly occurred during a heated private exchange following a controversial decision from the stewards last week.World champ Verstappen was furious at being demoted a place from pole position for driving “unnecessarily slowly” as they prepared for their final flying laps in qualifying in Qatar.The Dutchman later accused the Brit of “exaggerating” and being two-faced for the evidence he gave to the stewards.READ MORE ON F1But the two were forced into close proximity in what was sure to be an awkward and tension-filled end-of-season dinner ahead of the final race weekend of the calendar in Abu Dhabi.In a post on Instagram, Norris confirmed the pair were kept away from each other to avoid any face-to-face conflict at the meal.The McLaren ace shared an image of all 20 drivers smiling at the camera alongside the caption: “2024 dinner! And yes, the two you’re thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible.”In the comments, Verstappen hinted at the “beef” between himself and Russell by posting a steak emoji. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Mercedes driver shared the picture to his own accounts but made no reference to the elephant in the room, simply captioning it: “Class of 24.”Verstappen and Russell were all smiles in the image and were separated by five of their colleagues at the plush restaurant.Lewis Hamilton in awkward car journey with George Russell and Carlos Sainz after Las Vegas GPLewis Hamilton was tucked away in the corner next to Charles Leclerc, who will be his team-mate at Ferrari next season. And Russell shared an image of the dinner on his Instagram, where he revealed that former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas picked up the tab.Perhaps a loaded revelation, as tradition states that the world champ must foot the bill.Just hours earlier, Russell told reporters: “I find it all quite ironic considering Saturday night he said he’d purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and, quote, ‘Put my f***ing head in the wall.'”So to question somebody’s integrity as a person while saying comments like that the day before, I find very ironic.”I’m not going to sit here and accept it. People have been bullied by Max for years now.”And you can’t question his driving abilities but he cannot deal with adversity. Lewis stood up to him in 2021 and lost that championship unfairly.George Russell”Whenever anything has gone against him, Jeddah ‘21, Brazil ‘21, he lashes out.”For me, those comments on Saturday night and Sunday were totally disrespectful and unnecessary because what happens on track – we fight hard – it’s part of racing. “What happens in the stewards’ room, you fight hard, but it’s never personal.”He’s a four-time champion. Lewis is the champion I aspire to be – hard but fair; never beyond the line. We have a duty as drivers.”The meal, which was the last one to be organised by Hamilton as a Mercedes driver, is held every year to commemorate the end of the campaign ahead of the final race at the Yas Marina Circuit.Russell, 26, added: “The second he does not have the fastest car, he crashes into Lewis, slams his team and loses the plot.”Straight after, 25 per cent of his engineering team were sending CVs because they said they can’t deal with a guy like that.”Lewis stood up to him in 2021 and lost that championship unfairly.”Can you imagine Max losing the way Lewis lost it? [Former race director Michael] Masi would be fearing for his life.”READ MORE SUN STORIESVerstappen was crowned a four-time world champ after clinching the 2024 title with a fifth-placed finish at the Las Vegas GP, before winning in Qatar over the weekend.The 27-year-old has also just announced he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet.Verstappn and Piquet are expecting a babyCredit: GettyF1 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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      ‘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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      George Russell claims Max Verstappen threatened to crash into him and ‘put my f***ing head in the wall’

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      GEORGE RUSSELL dropped a bombshell accusation that Max Verstappen said he would “put his head in the f***ing wall” in Qatar.The ugly row between the Brit and the Red Bull driver has exploded into an all out war ahead of this weekend’s season finale in Abu Dhabi.George Russell has hit out at Max VerstappenCredit: GettyRussell has labelled Verstappen ‘violent’, ‘aggressive’ and a ‘bully’Credit: AFPVerstappen, right, was handed a one-place grid penalty in Qatar after he and Russell went before the stewardsCredit: GettyIt all started last time out in Qatar when Verstappen was hit with a one-place grid penalty after driving “unnecessarily slowly” and blocking Russell in qualifying.Despite qualifying in pole position for his first race as a four-time world champion, Verstappen was forced to start the race from second, although he went on to win it.Russell said: “I have known Max for a long time and I know what he is capable of and he said to me he is going to purposely go out of his way to crash into me and put my f***ing head in the wall.”I knew that was a bit of a heat in the moment thing but when I went to see him the next day in the driver’s parade I saw in his eyes that he means it.READ MORE IN F1″He is a four time world champion and when I compare his actions to Lewis Hamilton, Lewis is the sort of world champion that I aspire to be like. The way he fought Max in 2021, hard and fair but never beyond the line.”I’ve got an eight-year-old nephew who has just started go karting, who watches all of my races.”For a world champion to be saying he’s going to go out of his way to crash into someone and put them on their eff-ing head that is not the sort of role models we should be.”Verstappen has been involved with a number of spats this season, including in Budapest in July when he crashed into Hamilton and fought with his own team on the radio.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRussell added: “The second he does not have the fastest car, Budapest for example. He crashes into Lewis, slams his whole team and he loses the plot.”Straight away after that race 25 percent of his engineering team were sending their CV’s to Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin because they said they can’t deal with a guy like that.Max Verstappen chokes back tears as he thanks Red Bull on team radio after winning fourth F1 world title”Lewis stood up to him in 2021, and Lewis lost that championship unfairly. Could you imagine the roles being reversed? I mean, [Michael] Masi would be fearing for his life.”Verstappen doubled down on his scathing attack of the Mercedes driver, calling him a “backstabber” and a “loser”.The Dutchman also accused the Mercedes driver of “lying” to influence the stewards’ decision to penalise him.Verstappen said: “No [I have no regrets]. I meant every word. I’ve never experienced anything like that from the stewards.”I found his behaviour really unacceptable.”It has nothing to do with him being head of the drivers’ association [Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, of which Russell is a director]. He simply lied about what he was or wasn’t doing, and certainly influenced the stewards.”He’s backstabber. You shouldn’t talk too much about people like that, because they’re just losers.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMercedes boss Toto Wolff crashed Russell’s press conference, dubbing Christian Horner a “yapping little terrier” after the Red Bull boss called the Brit “hysterical”.SunSport has approached the FIA for a comment on Russell’s accusation but they are yet to respond. More

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      ‘Find the way out’ – Ferrari urged to RIP UP Lewis Hamilton’s £78m contract by F1 legend after ‘worrying’ admission

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      FERRARI have been urged to tear up Lewis Hamilton’s mega-money contract after the Brit made a “worrying” admission.It has been a season to forget for Hamilton as he has struggled to bring the best out of his car in his final year with Mercedes.Ferrari have been urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s dealDavid Coulthard believes Ferrari should reconsider Hamilton’s dealHamilton, 39, is due to switch to childhood heroes Ferrari next season, as Carlo Sainz heads to Williams.But last week, he was called out for making a “worrying” comment ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.Hamilton said after sprint qualifying: “The positive is that the car is fast and George should be able to shoot for pole tomorrow. “Who knows? I’m definitely not fast anymore.”READ MORE ON F1Ex-F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has now advised the Italian team to tear up Hamilton’s contract in light of his admission.Jordan told the Formula For Success Podcast: “If you don’t believe 100 per cent, you’re f****d. Do you understand that? “Because belief, 99.9 per cent means that there is that tiny, little, little thing in there knocking on your head that gives you the things that maybe, oh, I don’t really have that confidence. “I don’t really have the ability. And at the moment what I heard from Lewis, I’m not fast enough anymore, they were the words, I think.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe added: “Honestly, if I was Ferrari, I would say close the book, find the way out. That’s it. “I think also, if it’s a little message to you, Lewis, if you’re out there, always remember in life. You’ve got your music, you’ve got your fashion, you’ve got all sorts of other things.Max Verstappen claims he has ‘lost all respect’ for F1 star George Russell in X-rated rant”You are, in most people’s view, the greatest driver of all time. Please remember what I’m going to say to you. Always, always think about the best exit. And this is the time to take the money off the table. Go.”Former F1 star David Coulthard also found Hamilton’s uncharacteristic admission troublesome.Coulthard said: “He’s as low as he can be right now. But I would say that’s pretty worrying.”It doesn’t detract from his brilliance, it doesn’t take away anything from the records, but there is a thing called mother nature and the clock is ticking.”Hamilton holds the all-time F1 record for pole positions but has been beaten over one lap by team-mate George Russell 20 times this season.And it has raised questions about his competitive edge as he looks towards teaming up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Brit did manage to win two races, at Silvertone and in Belgium earlier this term but sits seventh in the driver’s standings.The seven-time champ activated a release clause in his Mercedes contract to join Ferrari in a “multi-year” deal that is reportedly worth £78million per year.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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      Lewis Hamilton’s incredible Mercedes story comes to an end after 11 record-breaking years – but now a new chapter awaits

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      LEWIS HAMILTON matched Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula 1 titles at Mercedes – now he plans to break it in Ferrari red.The 39-year-old will bring down the curtain on his Mercedes career in Abu Dhabi this weekend – the very race that turned his life upside down in 2021.Lewis Hamilton is ending a glittering 11-year career with Mercedes ahead of his final race this weekendCredit: ReutersHamilton joined the team in 2013 and has gone on to win six titlesCredit: GettyIt made him the joint most successful driver in the history of the sport with seven titles overallCredit: GettyBut Hamilton’s final race with the Silver Arrows will come on SundayCredit: GettyNo one thought it would be a bitter-sweet ending like this, a week on from threatening to retire his car early after a disastrous race in Qatar which saw two penalties and a puncture.But Hamilton’s time at Mercedes should be remembered as a glittering 11-year partnership that has delivered six drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ championships.From a fierce rivalry with Nico Rosberg, known as the Silver War, to winning the German Grand Prix from 14th in 2018, Hamilton has delivered box-office drama at Merc while becoming one of the finest drivers to ever grace the grid.The numbers speak for themselves, with Hamilton the most successful driver ever – taking six of his seven championships with Mercedes, 84 of his 105 race wins, and 78 of his 104 poles.READ MORE IN F1For three-years Hamilton and Rosberg went hammer and tongs against each other which eventually led to the latter’s retirement in 2016 and the souring of a childhood friendship.They traded barbs throughout Hamilton’s title winning campaigns in 2014 and 2015 before the tension reached its crescendo a year later.With Hamilton on pole in the season finale in Abu Dhabi in 2016, Rosberg just needed to finish on the podium to become world champion.Hamilton drove slowly in an attempt to bring other drivers into the battle, knowing he needed Rosberg to finish below third.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe British driver rowed with his team over the radio and was repeatedly told to speed up but told the team: “Let us race.”Rosberg came under pressure from Sebastian Vettel but held off the Ferrari driver to finish second. Lewis Hamilton celebrates ‘biggest honour of my F1 career’ in front of delighted crowd despite disastrous Brazilian GPThe race summed up just how fraught this rivalry had become and how little ground either driver was prepared to give up – and F1 was all the richer for it.It also lit a fire in Hamilton’s belly though as he won three consecutive titles from 2017 onwards.Over the years Hamilton has been the man to rise above his machine, something we have only really seen from Max Verstappen’s fierce competitiveness on track.Hamilton won the German Grand Prix from 14th in 2018, crossed the Silverstone finish line with three tyres in 2020 and a year later soared to victory in Sao Paulo from 10th on the grid.It was that very year when his career came crashing down, with him so deeply cut after losing what would have been his eighth world title to Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi desert in 2021.He dominated the race from the start, only for race director Michael Masi to fail to apply the rules correctly during a late safety-car period.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 OconMasi’s decisions to override protocol over the handling of lapped cars and the timing of a restart were followed by Verstappen passing Hamilton when the race was restarted for one final lap and the title changing hands.Hamilton was so distraught that he nearly walked out on the sport for good as he battled with his mental health.Mercedes and Hamilton returned the following season determined to right the wrongs.Things only got worse, and the team’s lack of competitiveness thrust Hamilton to make the shock decision to join Ferrari at the end of this campaign.It hasn’t just been a floundering Mercedes car to blame but he was riddled with self doubt following the Abu Dhabi controversy.This was reinforced by his failure to win a race for 945 days, a week before the safety car chaos in Saudi Arabia that fateful year.But trust Hamilton to break his drought on his home turf at Silverstone in July to become the record-holder for F1 wins at a single circuit.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor the first time in a glittering career spanning three decades and 355 grands prix, Hamilton blubbed like never before as he took the chequered flag when he won Silverstone in June – ending a two-and-a-half year wait for victory.Hamilton now has the chance to write a new chapter in his F1 career at Ferrari, but whether he goes down in the history books as the record title holder, only time will tell.Inside track on Hamilton’s lifeLEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One’s most prolific winner. More

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      Lewis Hamilton demands to RETIRE in meltdown at Qatar Grand Prix as time at Mercedes heads for sad ending

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      LEWIS HAMILTON had a meltdown and rowed with his team after trying to quit the Qatar Grand Prix early.The seven-time world champion threw his toys out of the pram as he suffered a puncture and a penalty in his second to last race in his Mercedes.Lewis Hamilton was hit with a puncture and penalty during a horror Qatar Grand PrixCredit: GettyHe asked his team to retire the car, a request that was deniedCredit: ReutersHamilton’s race engineer Peter Bonnington said on the team radio: “We have got a drive-through penalty in the pit lane. “It looks like you forgot to press the button on that first time behind the Safety Car.”Hamilton said: “Retire the car, mate. Park the car, mate.Bonnington replied: “Negative.”READ MORE IN F1Meanwhile his old rival from 2021, Max Verstappen, roared “simply lovely” as he produced a fierce drive to overtake pole-sitter George Russell and cross the line six-seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, while Oscar Piastri came in third.Lando Norris almost snuck into the lead himself at the start but Verstappen just managed to defend his position going through Turn Two.The safety car was called into action when chaos at the start saw Nico Hulkenberg lost the rear of his car and collided into Esteban Ocon who then clipped Franco Colapinto.Lance Stroll and Alex Albon also made contact amid the drama.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOn lap 16, Hamilton, who was eighth, was handed a five-second time penalty for a false start.Russell’s evening went from bad to worse when his rear right tyre got stuck during his pit stop which took seven seconds.Lewis Hamilton in awkward car journey with George Russell and Carlos Sainz after Las Vegas GPDrama erupted when Albon lost his mirror going down the main straight, causing debris to scatter over the track.There was only a matter of time before someone drove over it and lo and behold Valtteri Bottas did, fortunately with no major issues.It caused misery for Hamilton, with the debris causing a puncture for his Mercedes before the safety car was deployed.Carlos Sainz’s car was also damaged, and the Ferrari was in the pits for a whopping nine-seconds.Russell ranted at his team for putting hard tyres on, saying: “Why have we put hards on? Why have we put the s*** hards on? They’re s***”On lap 40 at the restart, Verstappen held off Norris on Turn One to go on the outside after the McLaren got a great slingshot out of the final corner.There was more contact and more chaos as Hulkenberg was beached in the gravel and out of the race while Sergio Perez was gone too.Drama continued as the stewards came down HARD on Norris for not slowing sufficiently for yellow flags, slapping him with a whopping 10-second stop-and-go penalty.READ MORE SUN STORIESHamilton had his meltdown after he was caught speeding in the pit-lane.Verstappen cruised towards victory while Norris snuck back into the points as he moved into tenth.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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      ‘I’m definitely not fast any more’ Lewis Hamilton’s damning verdict of his form after Qatar Grand Prix sprint qualifying

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has given a damning assessment of his own performances this season after another disappointing effort in qualifying.Hamilton, 39, qualified seventh for the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix.Lewis Hamilton has claimed he is ‘definitely not fast anymore’Credit: RexHamilton finished 0.399 seconds slower than teammate George Russell in sprint qualifying in QatarCredit: AFPThe Mercedes ace, who will join Ferrari next season, has claimed he is “definitely not fast anymore” after finishing 0.399 seconds slower that teammate George Russell. He said: “Same as every other qualifying – not that great.”I’m just slow. Same every weekend. Car felt relatively decent. You know, no issues. Not really much more to say.”When pressed on if the issue is related to him or the car, Hamilton doubled down that it’s a him-problem.READ MORE IN SPORTHe added: “When you are always back where I am it makes it almost impossible to compete for wins from there. But that’s the sprint. I’ll do what I can tomorrow.”Not particularly [any positives]. The positive is the car is fast and George should be able to shoot for pole tomorrow.”Who knows? I’m definitely not fast anymore.”Hamilton’s teammate Russell will start today’s sprint in second, behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRussell has now out-qualified Hamilton 17 TIMES in 22 races, despite the seven-time world champ holding the record for the most pole positions in F1 history (104).While Russell is averaging an advantage of 0.16 seconds per lap over Hamilton this season. Lewis Hamilton celebrates ‘biggest honour of my F1 career’ in front of delighted crowd despite disastrous Brazilian GPThe 26-year-old, who won last week’s Las Vegas GP, is also one place ahead of Hamilton in the driver’s standings.Hamilton will partner Charles Leclerc when he makes the highly-anticipated switch to Ferrari next season.Today’s sprint in Qatar is set to get underway at 2pm UK time with the race itself taking place on Sunday at 4pm.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