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      Red Bull boss Horner fires dig at Wolff over ‘Wikipedia’ comment as he closes in on sixth F1 constructors’ championship

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      RED BULL boss Christian Horner has taunted Toto Wolff as his team stands on the brink of winning the F1 constructors’ championship for a sixth time.Merc boss Wolff quipped that Max Verstappen’s record of 10 straight victories after the Italian GP was “irrelevant” and something “for Wikipedia”.
      Red Bull chief Christian Horner has hit back at Mercedes boss Toto WolffCredit: Getty
      Wolff claimed Max Verstappen’s recent success was “irrelevant” and something “for Wikipedia”Credit: Getty
      The disingenuous remark drew criticism and Horner could not resist poking fun at his opposite number as Red Bull edge closer to winning the title in Japan this weekend.
      Reflecting on Red Bull’s rise since the team was formed in 2004, Horner said: “When I first came in it was clear that [Red Bull owner] Dietrich [Mateschitz] had come into F1 because he wanted to compete and had bought what was the Jaguar F1 team which had been a sort of perennial seventh place finisher.
      “It was about then constructing a team and I don’t think anyone of us could have envisaged what lay ahead of us.
      “Within 19 seasons we’ve achieved what we have and it’s been a phenomenal journey so far.
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      “But it’s never a question of looking back, it’s always a question of looking forward.
      “If we can close out these championships in the coming races that again, well nobody looks at Wikipedia these days, but that again is a huge statistic that everybody will be immensely proud of. 
      “I think for us, it then becomes about next year, the year after and, of course, the next chapter for Red Bull, which is with the relationship with Ford in 2026 with producing our own powertrain.
      “Going from zero with a startup company effectively and building a facility. That is the next challenge.
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      “But it’s been quite a journey, and hopefully, there are a few more chapters to go.”
      Verstappen looks on course to resume his place on the top step of the podium after dominating the two practice sessions in Suzuka.
      The Dutchman led the way in FP1 and FP2 as he put his struggles in Singapore behind him.
      He said: “It felt really good today. From lap one the car was enjoyable to drive again.
      “It seems like we had a strong day, on short runs, long runs… There’s a lot of degradation on this track, so it will be quite tough on tyres in the race. But so far we had a good start to the weekend.”
      Meanwhile, Lando Norris has laughed off George Russell’s prediction that the McLaren man is one of the favourites for the victory this weekend.
      Norris, who was third-quickest in both practice sessions, joked: “Has he seen the rest of the season at all? Has he been watching the races?” More

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      Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in Japan GP boost as Mercedes claim there’s ‘more to come’ after Singapore heroics

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      GEORGE RUSSELL has claimed there is “more to come” from Mercedes this season.He and team-mate Lewis Hamilton put in fine performances at last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
      Lewis Hamilton finished third at the Singapore Grand PrixCredit: Rex
      Although Russell crashed out late on, Hamilton was able to pick up a third place finish and a spot on the podium at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
      With just seven races remaining in 2023, Russell has explained that their are plans for more success at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
      Mercedes are looking to secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship and Russell is expecting upgrades to be in place for Suzuka.
      He explained: “In all honesty, there’ll be a few more little things to come towards the end of the season. Which will aid our learning into next season.”
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      Despite not winning a race yet this year, Mercedes still hold a narrow lead of Ferrari in the standings.
      However, Scuderia cut that advantage with Carlos Sainz’s victory in Singapore.
      Russell is hopeful he and Hamilton can build on last weekend, though, adding that their struggles across the last two years can help going forward.
      His win in Brazil last year, part of a 1-2 with Hamilton, is Mercedes’ only race victory since he signed with the team for the start of the 2022 season.
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      George Russell claims there is ‘more to come’ from MercedesCredit: Getty
      “Yeah, I think we’ve made some good gains this season,” Russell continued.
      “I think it’s clear that we made some mistakes ahead of the 2022 season, and again over this winter, but I’m definitely confident that these mistakes are going to aid us and help us a lot for the future.
      “And, you know, you need those setbacks, and you need those errors to set you on the right path. And I think, as a team, we’re incredibly motivated to get back to the top.
      “And as I said, I think the lessons we’ve learned over these two years will only help us in the years to come.” More

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      Mercedes boss Wolff fears F1 will be plunged into ‘disarray’ if Massa wins case to get Hamilton’s 2008 title overturned

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      TOTO WOLFF reckons F1 would be plunged into “disarray” if Felipe Massa wins his case to get Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 title overturned.The Brazilian is seeking to have Hamilton stripped of his first championship due to the Singapore GP of the same year, where Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to help his teammate, Fernando Alonso win the race.
      Toto Wolff doubts that Felipe Massa will win his caseCredit: Splash
      Massa is seeking to have Hamilton stripped of his first championshipCredit: Reuters
      Massa reckons that F1 and the FIA did not act in time to overturn the outcome of the result, which in turn cost him the title, which he lost to Hamilton by a point.
      At the Singapore GP last week, Wolff said Mercedes were monitoring the former Ferrari man’s legal action with a view to taking action to the controversial outcome of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP – where Hamilton lost the title to Max Verstappen.
      However, speaking after last Sunday’s race, Wolff is doubtful of Massa being successful.
      He said: “I don’t think he has a case, to be honest. We are signing up to sporting regulations. They’re very clear, and you commit as a licence holder.
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      “If everybody were to open up situations then the sport would be in disarray, and especially when you look at the full championships.
      “There are so many things that have an influence whether you win or lose that I don’t see the case to be honest.
      “On the civil case side, I don’t know, let’s evaluate whether there’s some damages that could be claimed.
      “This is like watching a soap opera playing out in front of me.”
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      Meanwhile, Max Verstappen says he is “absolutely fine” his 10-race winning run ended last Sunday in Singapore.
      And he is now looking forward to getting back on the podium this week at the Japanese GP.
      The Red Bull ace said: “I knew that the day would come so for me it is absolutely fine.
      “Everything needs to be perfect. Everyone is always saying, ‘Ah look how dominant they are and look how easy it is’.
      “But it is never easy, and a lot of details that we need to get right and this weekend clearly we didn’t get a few things right and then you are on the back foot.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton was ‘perfect fit’ for FERRARI as F1 legend bemoans decision to sign £50m contract at Mercedes

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has tied his future to Mercedes, but one Formula One legend thinks he should have gone elsewhere. Hamilton has recently penned a MEGA two-year contract with Mercedes that will see him earn £50m per year.
      Lewis Hamilton has committed his future to Mercedes with a two-year contractCredit: Rex
      Johnny Herbert thinks he should have made the switch to Ferrari insteadCredit: Getty
      But former F1 star Johnny Herbert thinks that the seven-time world champion should’ve made the switch to Ferrari rather than staying put.
      There had been rumours and reports suggesting that Ferrari were interested in poaching Hamilton if he didn’t sign a new deal with the Silver Arrows.
      But the 38-year-old has committed himself to Mercedes rather than making the move which he described as a “dream position” back in 2021.
      And Herbert thinks that not only would the move have helped Hamilton complete that dream, but he would also have been a “perfect fit” for the Prancing Horse.
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      Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “He may be aware of what may be happening in the future with Mercedes and has been satisfied that is where his future is.
      “Still, I would have liked to have seen the final part of his career in a Ferrari. I honestly think he was the right character and the perfect fit for them.
      “If he is happy where he is, for him, that is the best mental place for him to be. You have got to have belief in where you are at and Lewis does, which is why he re-signed.”
      And it would seem Hamilton believes he is in the right place as he chases after that elusive eighth World Championship.
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      However Herbert isn’t convinced he will find it with Mercedes.
      He added: “Based on the last couple of years, I don’t see Lewis getting an eighth title.
      “The car has got better since they changed from the original concept, but they are only as good as the gap behind Red Bull.
      “They are not ahead of the game. Can they turn it around? I don’t know. I haven’t seen those positive signs. They have gone forward but not very far. The car is not a race winner.”
      Herbert thinks Hamilton and Mercedes are too far behind Max Verstappen and Red Bull for him to be winning an eighth World Championship any time soonCredit: Getty More

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals Red Bull theory as he gets podium and F1 rival Verstappen fails to win for first time in 11 races

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      SO that’s what happens when Max Verstappen doesn’t win.Formula One fans were treated to one of the most exciting finishes in ages as Verstappen’s winning run came to a shuddering halt in Singapore.
      Russell’s late crash allowed Lewis Hamilton to take thirdCredit: Rex
      It was a rare tough race for Red Bull as Max Verstappen finished in fifthCredit: Alamy
      Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, George Russell AND Lewis Hamilton all slugged it out for the win and were separated by less than two seconds.
      Ferrari’s Sainz took the victory while Russell was left choking back the tears after crashing into the barriers on the final lap, so Norris and Hamilton completed the podium.
      The exciting climax was exactly the stuff F1 bosses had been hoping for as this season had been dominated by the impressive Red Bull team, who had won all the previous 14 races.
      But Hamilton does not expect this shock result to signal the end of their reign at the top, but more of a reflection that they have already downed tools on this year’s car in preparation for next year’s model.
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      He said: “I don’t know why they are far off pace wise, but it is great to see others up there. It is probably a possibility that they have not been developing.
      “Others have brought upgrades and they are working on next year’s car because they are so far ahead and we are still developing this one.”
      Verstappen finished in fifth after starting down in 11th after an unusually poor weekend, but he still managed to increase his lead in the championship over his teammate Sergio Perez, who was eighth.
      However, despite his 151-point lead, it is unlikely he will retain his title next Sunday in the Japanese GP and is more-certain to do so two weeks later in Qatar.
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      And he sent a warning to his rivals that he reckons will be back on the pace in Japan, saying: “I think we will be quick in Suzuka. It’s not my problem, it’s their worries!”
      This race came alive in the final stages as four drivers competed for the victory in the gruelling Singapore heat.
      Smart Sainz kept Norris at arms length – but sticking within a second of the McLaren man to allow him to receive the DRS boost to fend off the threat of Russell and Hamilton, effectively keeping him as a buffer.
      The race went down to the wire and just as Russell tried one last bold attempt to squeeze past Norris, he clipped a wall and ended up in the barriers at turn 10.
      It put him out of the race on the final lap, promoting Hamilton to third behind Norris and Sainz.
      Russell was noticeably upset and said afterwards: “A millimetre lapse of concentration and game over. So just sorry to the whole team.
      “You make a small mistake and you are bitten for it. It’s heart-breaking after such a great weekend. I feel like I let myself and the team down.”
      Hamilton added: “We are all trying to be millimetre perfect and it is easy to make mistakes.
      “George had been driving phenomenally well all weekend and it was unfortunate on the last lap to end that way, but he will continue to grow and improve and if I can help that – I will be here for the next few years.
      “It is about keeping your head down, but I made a mistake last year and crashed into the wall. It can happen to any of us.”
      Meanwhile, Norris was delighted with his second-placed finish after some help from his old McLaren team-mate Sainz – despite hitting the same wall as Russell on the last lap.
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      He said: “Carlos played it smart, there was no reason for me to attack him. George pressured me a lot and then Carlos backed off and gave me DRS, which was helpful. We played it in a smart way to keep the Mercs behind us.
      “I did also hit the wall and damaged the steering so that it was off centre, but nothing more than that.” More

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      F1 star George Russell close to tears after crashing one lap from end in Singapore as fans say it’s ‘heartbreaking’

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      MERCEDES driver George Russell was forced to hold back tears as he was interviewed by Sky Sports at the end of the Singapore Grand Prix.The Brit crashed out on the last lap of the race when he was on course to finish third.
      Russell crashed out during the last lap of the Singapore Grand PrixCredit: Sky Sports
      He had to fight back tears as he spoke to Sky SportsCredit: Sky Sports
      Russell had been battling to overtake McLaren’s Lando Norris who was in second but pushed things too far on turn 10, clipping the wall before finding himself in the track’s barriers.
      An exasperated Russell was heard shouting over the team radio after he ended up in the wall, saying: “Aaaah! No! No!”
      Russell’s crash meant it was the second time in his last three races that he has failed to score a point.
      The non-finish allowed team-mate Lewis Hamilton to scoop up third place instead.
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      There had been some controversy between the two during the race, with Hamilton forced off the track on the first corner after he said he “Got pushed wide by George”.
      Later in the race Hamilton urged his team-mate to hurry up as he believed he had a pace advantage on the leading three drivers.
      One fan on Twitter said: “If you ever needed evidence that Mercedes will take points off each other in a WDC fight… Hamilton wins that if Russell had let him go, he had so much more pace.”
      An emotional George Russell fought back tears as he spoke to Sky about his late crash.
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      The British driver clearly felt that he had enough to gain the lead from Carlos Sainz on the last laps and just pushed the car beyond its limits.
      He said: “Yeah, no words to be honest. Such a long race, a physical race. Difficult to keep concentration. I think we were half a car’s length from winning the race had I got past Lando when I had the opportunity and I think we would have been able to get past Carlos.
      “And then that last lap, a millimetre lapse in concentration and then game over. So just so sorry to the whole team and yeah.”
      Fans reacted to the emotional interview on Twitter with one saying: “You can immediately see the sadness in his face he didnt deserve that crash.”
      Another wrote: “How heartbreaking this is to hear from him.”
      A third wrote: “I can tell he was crying just before this interview.”
      While a fourth added: “Hate Mercedes but this is so heartbreaking.”
      Russell will have a chance to make amends at the Japanese Grand Prix next Sunday. More

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      Lewis Hamilton grabs third after Russell crashes out in dramatic F1 Singapore Grand Prix as Sainz ends Red Bull run

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      CARLOS SAINZ won a thrilling Singapore GP as Max Verstappen’s winning run came to an end.The Ferrari driver, who had taken pole the previous day, held off a strong challenge from British trio, Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
      Carlos Sainz ended Red Bull’s winning run with a victory in the Singapore Grand PrixCredit: Getty
      He celebrated his victory with the fansCredit: Reuters
      Lewis Hamilton finished in third placeCredit: Getty
      The Mercedes driver was just behind his compatriot Lando NorrisCredit: AFP
      A late mistake from Russell cost him a place on the podium as Norris and Hamilton finished in P2 and P3 respectively.
      Both Sainz and Charles Leclerc made an excellent start while Hamilton squeezed past Russell and Norris but he left it too late to brake.
      Hamilton was forced to take evasive action and ran wide into Turn One and when he re-joined the track he was running in third place – much to Russell and Norris’ frustration.
      Both drivers radioed their teams calling for Hamilton to allow them to pass as he had gained a clear advantage, despite his own pleas that he “got pushed wide by George”.
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      Eventually the seven-time world champion did yield and allowed both his Mercedes team-mate and the McLaren to pass, dropping him back to fifth.
      Meanwhile, Verstappen had made his way up from 11th on the grid to eighth but his progress was soon stopped by Esteban Ocon, as the Red Bull man was held behind his Alpine.
      Ferrari opted to protect Sainz’s lead by sacrificing Leclerc and telling him to slow down and block Russell from performing the undercut with the pitstops.
      The race was turned on its head on lap 20 when Logan Sargeant duffed his Williams into the barriers, breaking off his front wing.
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      Logan Sargeant saw his front wing come off in a collision with the barriersCredit: Getty
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      As the American made his way back to the pits, with debris dropping from his car, the race stewards deployed the safety car which threatened to shuffle the pack.
      Both Verstappen and Sergio Perez stayed out on track while the leaders all pitted for fresh tyres.
      A slow stop for Leclerc hurt the Ferrari man’s track position and when they returned to the track the running order was Sanz, Verstappen, Russell, Perez, Norris, Leclerc and Hamilton.
      A slow stop for Leclerc hurt his track positionCredit: AFP
      On lap 24, Russell passed Verstappen at turn 16 while Hamilton almost leapfrogged Norris and Perez.
      Norris recovered to move into third while Hamilton moved up to fourth-place on lap 27 when he passed Verstappen at turn seven.
      The British trio running behind the Ferrari continued to push with Russell keen to remind his team over the radio, saying: “I want to go for this win!”
      Russell continued to bide his time, with Sainz doing just enough to hold position out in front.
      But there was another twist when Esteban Ocon conked out on lap 43 to mark an unhappy end to his race on his 27th birthday.
      His stricken Alpine prompted a Virtual Safety Car and Mercedes decided to pit both Russell and Hamilton for fresh tyres from fourth and fifth with just 18 laps to go.
      Both drivers returned to the track in the same position but having lost ground on Leclerc, who was running in third.
      However, with their new tyres they were given the all-clear to hunt down the top three, with Russell having to make up a 17.6 second gap to race leader Sainz.
      He passed Leclerc on lap 54 with Hamilton next up to pass the Ferrari driver with Norris next in the Merc duo’s sights.
      It set up a thrilling finale as the four cars were separated by less than two seconds with Sainz being smart to keep Norris just enough behind him.
      He kept the gap under a second so that the McLaren man had the benefit of DRS to fend off the threat from Russell and Hamilton.
      Russel slammed into the barriers after a last ditch attempt to squeeze further up the standings
      The race went down to the wire and just as Russell tried one last bold attempt to squeeze past Norris, he bit off too much and ended up in the barriers at turn 10.
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      It put him out of the race on the last lap, promoting Hamilton to third behind Norris and Sainz.
      Leclerc was fourth and Verstappen came home in fifth as his bid to win an 11th straight race was ended.
      Max Verstappen has seen an end to his incredible winning streakCredit: Getty
      Carlos Sainz wound up as the winnerCredit: Getty
      Lando Norris finished in second place with Hamilton thirdCredit: Getty More

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      Mercedes could launch legal challenge to Max Verstappen’s 2021 title – if Lewis Hamilton is STRIPPED of 2008 crown

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      MERCEDES could launch a legal challenge to Max Verstappen’s 2021 title – depending on the outcome of Felipe Massa’s attempts to have Lewis Hamilton’s championship overturned in 2008. Massa has instructed a team of lawyers to investigate claims that former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA knew of Renault’s plot to have Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crash in the Singapore GP to benefit their other driver, Fernando Alonso.
      Mercedes could launch a legal challenge to Max Verstappen’s 2021 title winCredit: Alamy
      Lewis Hamilton could end up losing his 2008 crown to Felipe MassaCredit: Reuters
      Massa is seeking to have the outcome of that season’s championship overturned after he lost to Hamilton by a single point, claiming F1 and the FIA should have acted sooner.
      When asked for his view on the subject ahead of this weekend’s Singapore GP, Wolff was coy on his team’s stance.
      He said: “The rules are pretty clear in Formula One. It will certainly set a precedent — whatever it is. We’re looking from the sidelines with curiosity.”
      The decision is significant given the FIA’s handling of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP where former Race Director Michael Masi fudged the rules in a dramatic climax to the season.
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      Masi was later axed from his role and the subject of a three-month FIA investigation while Mercedes pulled a U-turn on their decision to challenge the outcome of the race.
      Hamilton went to ground during the winter raising questions as to whether he would return to the sport given the controversy surrounding the championship.
      And Wolff pointed out: “And the FIA commented on the 2021 race, with a clear statement. So, that’s why we are looking at it [Massa’s challenge] with interest.”
      Defiant Wolff also refused to apologise to Verstappen for labelling his record of 10 successive wins as “irrelevant” and something for “Wikipedia”.
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      Massa has launched a legal challenge following the 2008 Singapore GP’s ‘Crashgate’ incidentCredit: AFP
      Wolff was heavily criticised for his disingenuous comment with Verstappen claiming the Mercedes chief was just “pissed off” after “a pretty s*** race” in Monza.
      While admitting the comments were not correct, he stopped short of saying sorry to the Dutchman.
      He added: “Obviously when you look at the comments in the circumstances you can think about whether it was the most intelligent thing that I could have said and maybe not.
      “But it’s always been my mindset. It is something that I’ve taken from Niki [Lauda].
      “Niki gave his trophies away to get a free car wash. You won’t find a lot of memorabilia in my places either because those numbers never mattered for the two of us.
      “F1 is a meritocracy. And I said it often during this year that only the best will win world championships and you need to recognise what a great job is being done there.
      “At the end they will take another big trophy and that’s something that’s the most valuable: the best person in the best car wins the world championship.”
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More