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      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff tips Lewis Hamilton to WIN F1 world title in 2024… but only if team ‘gets its act together’

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      MERCEDES BOSS Toto Wolff has said that he believes Lewis Hamilton can win the 2024 F1 Drivers Championship… but only if his team get their act together.Mercedes finished second in this season’s Constructors’ Championship but were some way behind champions Red Bull.
      Hamilton and Wolff will be looking to cook up a more competitive car next seasonCredit: Rex
      George Russell’s podium finish in Abu Dhabi was enough to secure second, three points in front of Ferrari, but it represents a fall from grace from Mercedes who had won eight constructors’ titles in a row up to 2021.
      Red Bull finished on 860 points, with Mercedes finishing on 451 so there is a considerable gap for Wolff’s team to make up.
      When asked by Sky Sports as to whether they can bridge that gap next season, Wolff said: “New season starts with a completely new car and that gives opportunities but also risks.
      “I think we’ve got to be realistic.
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      “We are aiming for the stars but we finished only second against a team that was out-performing everybody else.”
      When asked if another constructor, such as Ferrari could usurp them to become Red Bull’s main competitor, Wolff said: “I mean I’ve always said that this is a meritocracy and best driver and best car wins, and therefore we have to just get out act together, and I hope it’s us [that can fight Red Bull].”
      Wolff says it is up to the team to give Hamilton a car worthy of beating Verstappen next year, saying: “If we are able to give him the car, then he will be fighting for a world championship.
      “I have no doubt. It’s clear that when you have a Formula 1 car like we have now, you are never at ease with it.”
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      It has been an unlikely winning drought for Lewis Hamilton, with the Brit not winning a Grand Prix since Saudi Arabia in December 2021.
      He finished third in the 2023 Drivers standings on 234 points – a whopping 341 off 2023 champion Max Verstappen. More

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      F1 legend Johnny Herbert picks sides in Lewis Hamilton and Christian Horner row and says ‘I don’t really listen to him’

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      JOHNNY HERBERT has claimed he “doesn’t listen” to Christian Horner as he responded to the claim that Lewis Hamilton could join Red Bull.Red Bull team principal Horner claimed ahead of last weekend’s season-finale in Abu Dhabi that a member of the Brit’s entourage had reached out to him regarding a sensational switch.
      Red Bull’s Christian Horner claimed Lewis Hamilton’s entourage had enquired about a sensational switchCredit: AFP
      Mercedes’ British legend Hamilton then denied all those claimsCredit: Rex
      That was later alleged to be the Mercedes star’s father and came amid mounting pressure on Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. 
      The Mexican driver enjoyed two wins in the opening four rounds but did not enjoy another victory all term as his form plummeted after the summer break.
      That led to speculation over his future as the second seat driver behind Max Verstappen.
      Horner’s claims soon hit the headlines, but Hamilton slammed those comments in Abu Dhabi and denied all knowledge.
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      Now F1 legend Herbert has waded into the talk of Hamilton becoming a team-mate of his bitter rival Verstappen and said he would be very surprised if Horner’s claims were true.
      Speaking to Genting Casino, Herbert said: “I don’t think anybody was really aware of that, I think a lot of people were saying ‘Well that would be the possible right pairing to have’ because obviously in a situation like Lewis was in at Mercedes.
      “I think Lewis is very aware, and you mentioned it earlier, Lewis is after the eighth. Now he knows how good Max is, he knows it’s Max’s team, he knows that when he’s been winning the championships that he’s got, generally, he’s been the man of that team.
      “And you go, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Nicky Lauder, Nigel Mansell, the list goes on, they were the leaders of those teams. And the way you win world championships is to be the leader of the team.”
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      Herbert continued: “Going into Red Bull, that I don’t think would ever be the case, and I think he’s very aware of that. I’d be very surprised if there was any contact from Lewis’ side and him not knowing that they were doing it if that was the case
      “He would’ve been very aware. But it is, however people want to take this, very Christian. There’s a lot of things, I don’t really listen to Christian sometimes, and I think that probably was one of them.”
      Seven-time champ Hamilton ended the season in a frustrating fashion but still finished in P3 in the Drivers’ Championship.
      He remains contracted for another two seasons with the Silver Arrows.
      Johnny Herbert has now had his sayCredit: Rex Features
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      George Russell mangles Mercedes in horror crash after car failure at F1 post-season testing

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      GEORGE RUSSELL was involved in a horror crash in post-season Formula One testing.The Mercedes star, 25, was taking part in a Pirelli tyre test event at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where F1 had held its season finale last weekend.
      George Russell crashed out of post-season F1 testing in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
      Russell earned P3 during the race on SundayCredit: Alamy
      A suspected component failure caused the crashCredit: Getty
      Russell, who earned a podium with a P3 finish in Sunday’s race, had completed a Grand Prix distance of 58 laps over the course of the testing day when he was forced to call it quits early.
      A suspected component failure in his W14 car caused it to crash into the wall at Turn 6 by going straight on rather than turning, bringing out the red flags.
      After the crash, Mercedes said Russell had emerged from the accident unscathed with the wreckage being brought back to the pits with a tow truck.
      A post from the team on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “We have the car back and have already begun investigations into what caused the accident.
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      “Most importantly, George is completely OK.”
      Reports indicated the damage on the car was mainly on the front right.
      The test event is an opportunity for tyre supplier Pirelli to test their new compounds and a chance for rookie drivers to be handed valuable minutes.
      F2 runner-up Frederik Vesti, who had replaced Lewis Hamilton in Free Practice 1 last Friday before the race, participated in the other Mercedes.
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      Mercedes clinched P2 in the constructor’s standings ahead of Ferrari by just three points following the weekend’s race.
      Alpine driver Esteban Ocon topped the time charts across the day.
      Pato O’Ward finished P2 with McLaren from Vesti in P3, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez in P4 and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz in P5.
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Ben Hunt: Mercedes already have work cut out for 2024 season after disastrous 2023 with Hamilton’s assessment damning

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      IT is just 95 days until the Bahrain Grand Prix, the opening race for the 2024 season, and boy do Mercedes have their work cut out.This season has been a total disaster from start to finish.
      It’s been a season to forget for MercedesCredit: Rex
      From the opening qualifying session in Bahrain, where boss Toto Wolff ordered their car design to be scrapped, to the final race in Abu Dhabi, where Lewis Hamilton delivered the bleak assessment that his only highlight from the season was the fact he “survived it”.
      Each time the team appeared to make progress, they took two steps back the next weekend.
      Hamilton and his teammate George Russell were despondent as Mercedes went without a single win for the first time in 12 years.
      This is now a hugely important time for Wolff as he tries to steer his ship back on course to challenge for wins again.
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      In the past, it would have been easier to buy their way out of trouble, committing funds to the development of their car until finding something that worked.
      F1’s cost cap means his spending is limited to that of his rivals — a figure of just $135million (£107m) for the whole season, a third of what the big teams would spend before it was introduced in 2021.
      It was encouraging at least to see no back-slapping at finishing second in the championship, having narrowly pipped perennial under-achievers Ferrari by three points.
      Somewhat worryingly, in his post-race media session in Abu Dhabi, Wolff said he could draw some optimism from McLaren, Aston Martin and Alpha Tauri, who had all made a strong finish to the season.
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      Wolff needs to find answers quickCredit: PA
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      Only, this is not a customer team like those listed above, this is Mercedes, who won eight constructors’ titles in a row.
      Wolff spoke with a frown which now appears etched across his brow and the general mood raises more fears for next season.
      For the development of their challenger in 2024 is now well under way at their Brackley HQ.
      But there seems to be nothing to brighten their spirits, no optimism, only the painful realisation of another season of woe ahead.
      This campaign has only just finished but time is already running out to be able to challenge Red Bull next season.
      I received a great deal of feedback from people working in the F1 paddock after last week’s column, where I revealed the human cost of six races in seven weeks, criss-crossing the world.
      Staff sickness was a big issue in Abu Dhabi, with Red Bull boss Christian Horner saying: “I sincerely hope that subscriptions to Lemsip are not within the budget cap. It’s been a pretty brutal regime.”
      Horner said there had been sickness in his campCredit: Splash
      LEAVING HIS DIRTY MARQ
      MARCO BEZZECCHI has blasted MotoGP rival Marc Marquez, calling him “the dirtiest rider”.
      The two collided on the opening lap of the Valencia GP, which was won by Ducati’s 26-year-old Francesco Bagnaia, who retained his title.
      Bezzecchi, 25, fumed: “Marquez decided to end my race on the third corner. He did the same as he did in Thailand with me in corners five and six.
      “So, he hit me right here in my back. It was very, very dirty.
      “I think from the view from the TV you can see very well, but it’s Marquez so they don’t do anything to him.
      “Most of the time, when the other rider doesn’t crash it’s OK. But when you make the other rider crash, at least it’s a f***ing penalty.
      “They never do anything to him — because it’s Marquez and he’s the dirtiest rider.”
      Bezzecchi raged at rival Marc MarquezCredit: Getty
      MUSICAL CHAIRES
      FRENCH driver Theo Pourchaire won the Formula Two title in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
      A fifth-place finish at Yas Island was enough to beat Danish racer Frederik Vesti by 11 points in the overall standings.
      Rules in the competition state that champions must retire from Formula Two — but with no seat in F1 available, Pourchaire faces a spell on the sidelines.
      The 20-year-old is currently a member of the Sauber Academy and serves as a test and reserve driver for Alfa Romeo Racing.
      Pourchaire earned Formula 2 victoryCredit: Getty More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘views stunning £12million Los Angeles mansion’ with infinity pool, putting green and motorised windows

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has viewed a stunning £12MILLION mansion in LA.The property comes complete with an infinity pool and its own putting green.
      Lewis Hamilton is reportedly in the market for a property in LACredit: Rex
      He is claimed to have toured this mansionCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      The property is worth £12millionCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      The seven-time World Champion, 38, is looking at adding to his global property portfolio, according to the New York Post.
      The report claims that the Mercedes star has now toured a six-bedroom.
      The property sits on a 0.38-acre site in the Hollywood Hills near the Sunset Strip.
      Hamilton’s potential new pad has a flat back garden which is rare in its location and views of the city.
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      The building is described as “industrial-style and modern”.
      It features vaulted ceilings, wood-panel details and motorised floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
      There is also an open living and dining area as well as a cinema room.
      The main bedroom comes with a stunning double-sided fireplace and a wrap balcony.
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      The house has stunning views of LACredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      The house is in the Hollywood HillsCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      It has an industrial designCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      There are six bedroomsCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      It has its own putting green in the gardenCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      It also has a walk-in closet and a spa bath for the F1 star.
      Outside there are even more stunning features.
      The garden includes an infinity pool and an outdoor kitchen.
      There is also a fire pit and a putting green for the owner to keep up their golfing skills.
      The property is being listed by brokers Carl Gambino and John Bercsi of Compass.
      Hamilton already has properties in London, Monte Carlo and New York.
      There is an infinity pool to cool off in complete with sun loungersCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      There is an open living spaceCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      It has a lovely kitchenCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS
      The kitchen has its own islandCredit: Anthony Barcelo / COMPASS More

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      Lewis Hamilton slams F1 rival Christian Horner for ‘stirring things’ and says ‘I don’t understand what he’s on about’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has accused Christian Horner of “stirring things” after the Red Bull chief claimed he was keen to join them from Mercedes.Horner told the Daily Mail that a representative of Hamilton’s had reached out to him about joining Red Bull to work alongside Max Verstappen.
      Lewis Hamilton has slammed Christian Horner for “stirring things”Credit: Rex
      Horner had claimed that a member of Hamilton’s team had reached out to him about Hamilton joining Red BullCredit: Getty

      But the Brit driver has rubbished the claims in an interview ahead of this weekend’s season closer in Abu Dhabi.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I don’t really know where that story’s come from. I mean I know it has come from Christian [Horner].
      “I don’t really understand what he’s been talking about because no one from my team as far as I’m aware has spoken to him.
      “I haven’t spoken to Christian, really, in years. However, he did reach out to me earlier in the year about meeting up, but that’s it.
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      “I just congratulated them on an amazing year and said hopefully soon I’ll be able to fight against them in the near future – that was it.
      “So I’m not really sure, I think it’s just stirring things.”
      Hamilton had been linked with an exit from the Mercedes in recent times, but ended up agreeing a new deal with the Silver Arrows this August that will see him stay put until 2025.
      When probed further about the Horner’s claims, Hamilton doubled down on the fact there had been no talks.
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      He said: “There aren’t any confidential discussions. You know Christian, he loves that kind of stuff.”
      The 38-year-old has been struggling at Mercedes over the last two years and is now just one race away from going two seasons without a single win.
      Meanwhile Red Bull have made this year’s competition essentially a nine month long procession due to their dominance.
      Max Verstappen tied up his third consecutive World Championship in Qatar with SIX races still to go.
      The Belgian-Dutch driver has won all but three of this year’s Grand Prix with his teammate Sergio Perez winning two of the races he was unsuccessful in. More

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      Michael Schumacher’s son Mick lands job in new sport after failing to secure F1 seat for second season in a row

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      MICK SCHUMACHER will move to the World Endurance Championship to race for Alpine in 2024.The son of legend Michael Schumacher lost his F1 seat at Haas to Nico Hulkenberg following the 2022 season.
      Schumacher has landed a new job away from F1Credit: Getty
      He spent two seasons at Haas, before being axedCredit: Getty
      He is the son of seven-time F1 champion Michael SchmacherCredit: Alamy
      Schumacher, 24, is a reserve driver for McLaren and Mercedes but has struggled to get a chance behind Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
      He had long hoped to return to the F1 grid, potentially with Williams, but it looks like they will stick with America’s Logan Sargeant.
      He has therefore failed to secure a seat for next season.
      But it’s not all bad news – as the young prodigy has landed himself a new contract in a different branch of the sport.
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      The German has signed a deal with Alpine and will compete in the FIA WEC’s Hypercar class next year.
      In this format, a group of drivers form a team that races with just one car.
      In the WEC’s six- to eight-hour races, the cars are usually split between three drivers.
      Round four of the championship features the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
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      Schumacher said: “I sorely missed racing this year; it’s what I’ve loved to do since I was a kid.
      “And it was sometimes difficult to watch the other drivers take to the track.
      “Endurance racing is a new challenge for me, and I’m sure we will share great moments together next year with Alpine.”
      Schumacher took part in 43 Formula 1 races with Haas between 2021 and 2022.
      But he paid the price for a series of high-profile crashes and for failing to match the output of then teammate Kevin Magnussen.
      He is also likely to retain his role as test and reserve driver at Mercedes.
      His father and seven-time F1 champion Michael competed in endurance racing with Sauber-Mercedes before making his grand prix debut with Jordan in 1991.
      Michael has not been seen in public since his horror ski crash in 2013. More

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      Struggling Mercedes name Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Abu Dhabi GP weekend with F1 legend to miss session

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S replacement for first practice at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been named.Mercedes have confirmed that Frederik Vesti will take his place in the driving seat.
      Lewis Hamilton will miss first practice at the Abu Dhabi grand prixCredit: Rex
      Frederik Vesti will drive Hamilton’s car at the Yas Marina circuitCredit: Getty
      An F1 rule introduced last year requires each team to run a rookie for two practice sessions across the season.
      With the Abu Dhabi race weekend serving as the season finale, a host of young drivers are set to appear, with every team yet to fulfil the requirements.
      Vesti will be amongst those promising starlets after Mercedes confirmed he will drive Hamilton’s car.
      The 21-year-old previously took part in first practice in Mexico last month in place of George Russell.
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      He has impressed in Formula 2 for Prema Racing this year, having been a part of Mercedes’ Silver Arrows programme since 2021.
      The Danish driver is second in the F2 standings ahead of the final round at the Yas Marina circuit and could clinch the championship this weekend.
      Vesti will first appear in FP1, though, and told Mercedes’ official website: “Driving in FP1 in Abu Dhabi is another step in my career.
      “Getting my first experience of an official session on an F1 weekend in Mexico was a big moment. I learnt so much, and it was great being able to support the team and work with Lewis and George.
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      It has been a difficult season for Hamilton and MercedesCredit: Rex
      “I’m looking forward to building on that experience at Yas Marina. It’s a track I know well and that will no doubt make it easier to get up to speed in the one hour of practice.
      “I’m extremely excited to get back behind-the-wheel of the W14 for FP1 and then the post-season test. Once again, I want to say a big thank you to the team for giving me this opportunity.”
      It has been a difficult season for Mercedes, who have yet to win a race in 2023.
      Hamilton and Russell’s final places in the Drivers’ Championship have also already been confirmed, with the pair finishing third and eighth, respectively. More