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      Lewis Hamilton boost as Mercedes boss Toto Wolff promises F1 star two upgrades to car including ‘big one in Silverstone’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON could be in for a timely boost as Mercedes boss Toto Wolff promised two upgrades to his car.The British driver has struggled to challenge leader Max Verstappen this year and is already 93 points behind the Red Bull star in the F1 standings.
      Toto Wolff has promised two upgrades to the Mercedes F1 carCredit: Alamy
      This could boost Lewis Hamilton’s chances of winningCredit: Reuters
      It has not been much better for team-mate George Russell in the Mercedes.
      The Brit has also struggled for top points as he is currently in 6th place, two spots behind Hamilton on the leaderboard.
      Hamilton has managed to get on the podium three times while Russell has finished in the top three just once, while neither have won a race this season.
      However, there could be an improvement coming for the Silver Arrows as they can still make two upgrades to the car.
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      The car has been slow on the straights and when accelerating out of slow corners, something that Hamilton has commented on.
      He said via Auto Moto Sport: “We need more downforce in the rear, better traction and less air resistance.”
      And Wolff is set to respond by helping his two drivers with making the upgrades to the cars before the summer break.
      He admitted that they are targeting the “big one” at the British GP on July 9.
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      He said: “But we’re getting better and better there too.
      “The new platform we have now helps us there.
      “And we have two more races in the next few races.
      “A big one at Silverstone, the other before the summer break.”
      There are four more races until the summer break, including the Austria GP on July 2, the British GP, the Hungary GP on July 23 and the Belgium GP on July 30.
      After the break, the teams will reconvene for the Netherlands GP on August 27 ahead of the final nine races of the season. More

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      How unheralded F1 hero has more titles that Hamilton, Verstappen and Alonso COMBINED as he hints at retirement

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      AMID all the celebration over Red Bull’s 100th win and Max Verstappen equalling Ayrton Senna’s record of 41 victories, there was a wonderful humble interview with Adrian Newey.Much was made about Verstappen being on the podium with fellow multiple champions Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.
      Adrian Newey has designed F1 cars responsible for 200 victoriesCredit: Rex
      Fernando Alonso, Red Bull Racing’s Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ ace Lewis Hamilton are all legendsCredit: AFP
      Combined they have a total of 11 world titles, but to their right stood a man who has designed cars that have won 13 titles.
      With Red Bull’s victory in Canada, he can now lay claim to having designed F1 cars that have achieved an incredible 200 wins.
      “It’s been an amazing journey,” said Newey. “My dream always from a kid was to be in engineering and motor racing.
      “So when I got my first job in motor racing and got my first salary, that was really the big moment. Everything else has been a bonus.”
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      Newey’s first job in F1 came in 1988 when he was signed as chief designer for the March f1 team.
      But his first win came at the 1991 Mexican GP with Nigel Mansell’s first place for Williams.
      He added: “They’re [the wins] obviously all special. The ones that of course stand out are the first one in Mexico, and then the ones where the championship has gone down to the wire.
      “You can argue that is the end of the championship, so, of course, it’s that race – Abu Dhabi with Sebastian [Vettel] against Fernando, 2010] and then Max against Lewis [Hamilton, 2021].”
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      The crucial part of the interview on Sky F1 came when he was asked about when he would call time on his career.
      Newey is now 64 and he gave a surprising answer, saying the “countdown” to his F1 retirement had “realistically” started.
      He said: “I’m lucky enough to be doing what I have always wanted to do and enjoy the job. I’ve loved it.
      “Of course, my career can’t go on forever, so I think as long as the team want me and I keep enjoying it, I’ll keep going.
      “But that’s got to be…realistically, it’s on a countdown. Exactly when that day is, I don’t know.”
      Put simply, Red Bull – and indeed Vettel and Verstappen’s successes are down to Newey’s car designs – and that makes him in my eyes the most important man in F1.
      To hear him even mention retirement will be a concern for all those at Red Bull.
      But for the rest, and I mean this in the nicest sense, it could be somewhat of a blessing, as others get the chance to win again.
      Another FIArce
      IT would not be a proper F1 race weekend without some bizarre decision from the FIA and in Montreal Lando Norris fell victim.
      Brit Lando Norris picked up a bizarre penalty at the Canadian GPCredit: Getty
      Inexplicably the stewards delved into their unfathomable rulebook to pluck out a five-second penalty for “unsportsmanlike conduct”.
      Only I am not even sure the crime exists within the rules. Surely, they aren’t making it up as they go along again?
      Claws for concern
      THEY say Red Bull “gives you wings” but I am not sure they mean the ones Max Verstappen picked up in Canada.
      On his way to glory, Verstappen struck a bird midway through the race, which got lodged in the cooling ducts for his brakes.
      It had to be removed by one of the mechanics after the race, who pulled out half a bird’s carcass with a wing attached.
      Ricc to what you are best at
      IT really is depressing watching the supremely talented Daniel Ricciardo reduced to performing TV stunts for a living.
      The Aussie, who for reasons unknown to himself, turned down the chance to drive in F1 this season to become Red Bull’s reserve driver and marketing clothes-horse.
      In Canada he was co-hosting a live watch-a-long with the race alongside Canadian actor Will Arnett, which Sky F1 dubbed “Gogglebox for F1”.
      Please, Daniel, get back to racing cars, it’s what you are best at…
      Jor-dropping MotoGP title hunt
      IF you are finding F1 a procession, maybe switch on the MotoGP, for it was another thriller.
      In Germany at the Sachsenring, Jorge Martin crossed the line just 0.064 seconds ahead of world champion Francesco Bagnaia.
      Martin is now just 16 behind Bagnaia in the championship.
      Honda woes rise
      MORE worrying times for Honda after Marc Marquez’s inexplicable crash during warm-up for the German MotoGP.
      The Spaniard slid off track and crashed into Johann Zarco during last Friday’s practice.
      The collision ripped the Pramac Racing bike in two. It has led to concerns about the Honda machinery.
      LCR Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami said: “I couldn’t see anything wrong with his riding. The speed was good. I didn’t see, from behind, that he did anything wrong.
      “But he lost the rear. The bike doesn’t stop that spin. I was scared because we use the same bike!

      “It’s going downhill and I was losing it, a couple of times, having the same feeling.
      “It was difficult to manage. The bike had less grip. We need to find a solution for a safer bike.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton handed brutal warning by F1 rival Fernando Alonso after ‘slow’ jibe leaves pair in hysterics

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      LEWIS HAMILTON received a hilarious warning from Fernando Alonso after their battle at the Canadian Grand Prix.Seven-time Formula 1 champion Hamilton, 38, got the better of ex-team-mate Alonso, 41, with a lightning fast start in Montreal.
      Lewis Hamilton brilliantly mocked Fernando Alonso for his slow startCredit: Twitter

      Alonso took the jibe in good jest and fired back with a remark of his ownCredit: Twitter
      But the Spaniard ended up having the final say as he worked his way back into second place, pushing Hamilton down to third.
      And the pair, who boast nine F1 world titles between them, enjoyed a friendly, competitive exchange while conducting separate interviews after the race.
      An interviewer began by telling Hamilton: “Hi Lewis, another podium and it was a phenomenal start. You immediately overtake this guy [Alonso].”
      Alonso was stood next to Hamilton conducting his own media duties when Hamilton turned to him and said: “Yeah, his reaction’s a little bit slower because he’s a bit older now. It’s an age thing.”
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      Alonso acknowledged the comment, before Hamilton and Alonso broke into laughter.
      The Aston Martin driver then responded: “In Austria, two weeks time.”
      The Austrian GP is the next race on the F1 calendar at the Red Bull Ring on June 30.
      Alonso sits third in the drivers’ championship on 117 points – 15 ahead of Mercedes man Hamilton in fourth.
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      Sergio Perez’s advantage over Alonso has been cut to just nine points following his disappointing sixth place in Canada.
      But reigning world champion Max Verstappen is already running away with the world title after securing yet another victory on Sunday.
      The Dutchman, 25, has now won six of the eight races in 2023 and each of the last four.
      He sits 69 points clear of Red Bull team-mate Perez – who has won the only other two races so far this season.
      Alonso, back, and Hamilton, front, enjoyed a superb battle on SundayCredit: AP More

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      Lewis Hamilton bags podium finish as Max Verstappen puts on Canadian GP clinic to move level with legend Ayrton Senna

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN notched up Red Bull’s 100th Formula One win with yet another crushing display of dominance.Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso traded places in second and third place with the Spaniard crossing the line ahead of the Brit, despite nursing a brake problem.
      Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium at the Canadian GPCredit: AFP
      Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen was victoriousCredit: AFP
      Nevertheless, Hamilton was pleased with third as it marks another step with the team’s recovery as he now has back-to-back podiums.
      He said over the team’s radio: “That was a tough, tough race. Great job today. Great job this weekend. Let’s keep this consistency.”
      He later added: “It has been a great weekend for us, we are slowly chipping away and have some more updates coming.
      “It was quite an honour to be up there with two world champions and I was excited to be in that mix.
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      “Unfortunately we didn’t have the pace. We knew this would not be our circuit as we  are struggling in the low-speed corners.
      “We have a lot of work to do to add downforce to the car, but we will get there. Our pace was closer and we are going in the right direction.”
      It was the 41st victory of Verstappen’s career as he moved level with the great Ayrton Senna.
      He said: “I am very happy right now. It was not a very straight forward race, we were sliding around quite a bit but to win again, the 100th Grand Prix for the team is incredible.
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      “It is amazing, I never expected to be on these numbers myself, so we keep going.”
      The Dutchman was dominant, leading from the start, and held on the first place to make it a hat-trick of consecutive clean sweeps.
      He has now taken pole, led every lap and taken the win in the last three races in Monaco, Barcelona and now Canada.
      It was all so easy that at one point he laughed over the team’s radio saying how he “almost knocked himself out on the kerb”.
      Hamilton made a fantastic start and quickly leapfrogged Alonso into second place going into the first turn on lap one.
      However, the Mercedes man was unable to catch Verstappen, who was also quick off the line to hold his place at the front.
      Further back Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz had a good battle for 11th which forced Kevin Magnussen to take evasive action and dart over the grass.
      But George Russell was not so fortunate as he was launched off the sausage kerbs and into the barriers at turn four on lap 12.
      It was a big impact and saw the race steward deploy the safety car due to the debris on track.
      Somehow Russell made it back to the pits and his Mercedes team patched up his car and sent him back out on track, albeit in last place.
      Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso were involved in a pit lane altercationCredit: Sky Sports
      The safety car period allowed the front-running drivers to make a pitstop for tyres as Verstappen darted in from the front. Hamilton and Alonso also followed.
      But due to a slow stop from Mercedes, the Brit came close to driving into the Spaniard, who was already back on his way down the pitlane.
      Both escaped punishment from the FIA despite the near miss and they set about trying to eat into Verstappen’s lead.
      Alonso’s quicker Aston Martin allowed him to keep close to Hamilton and he eventually made his pass on lap 23.
      With the benefit of DRS he swooped past the Brit in to turn one and into second place as he started opening a small gap over the Mercedes man.
      Hamilton rolled the dice by pitting on lap 40 for medium tyres and Aston responded by calling in Alonso a lap later to cover off the threat of Hamilton getting passed.
      Red Bull also called in Verstappen for new tyres on lap but had such an advantage he kept his place running in first.
      Russell was eventually forced to retire 15 laps from the end when the damage caused by his earlier smash into the barriers caught up with him.

      Verstappen now moves level with Ayrton Senna on 41 Grand Prix winsCredit: Getty
      He trundled down the pitlane and was rolled back into the garage by his mechanics as he apologised to the team for his accident on lap 12.
      Hamilton pressed Alonso late on, as he was struggling with his brakes but he was unable to catch the Aston Martin. More

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      Watch Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hilariously mock Fernando Alonso after Spaniard almost crashed into Lewis Hamilton

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      FANS were left in stitches when Toto Wolff mocked Fernando Alonso at the Canadian GP.Alonso, 41, nearly collided with Lewis Hamilton during a pit stop.
      Toto Wolff had fans in stitches with his impression of Fernando Alonso
      Alonso and old rival Lewis Hamilton nearly collided in the pit laneCredit: Sky Sports
      Both veteran drivers came in when the safety car was called following George Russell’s lap-12 collision with a wall.
      After Aston Martin’s quicker pit stop, Alonso nearly got out ahead of Hamilton.
      But the seven-time world champion pulled out just ahead of him.
      This caused the Spaniard to dramatically wave his steering wheel, although stewards determined that no action was required following an investigation.
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      Following the incident, Wolff mimicked how he felt Alonso had exaggerated his steering movements.
      The 51-year-old’s demonstration had fans watching on at home in stitches.
      Watching the moment back, one Twitter user wrote: “He is the funniest guy ever.”
      While a second tweeted: “Haahahhahahahha Fernando don’t know what else to do.”
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      A third commented: “Another Toto classic GIF.”
      Another gushed: “I swear Toto is really something else.”
      Alonso did manage to get back ahead of Hamilton, coming second in the race behind Max Verstappen.
      Sir Lewis, meanwhile, had to be content with third.
      After the race, the Mercedes star said: “It’s been a great weekend for us. We are slowly chipping away
      “The Astons took a little bit of a step ahead this weekend when they added the upgrade. We are working on bringing some more moving forwards.
      “But to have this consistency and be up on the podium in Montreal, which is such an incredible city and we get such a great crowd here every year without fail.”
      Sir Lewis grabbed back to back podiums for the first time this seasonCredit: Reuters More

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      Lewis Hamilton in major championship boost as he closes in on signing new £100million contract with Mercedes

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a timely boost around his Mercedes contract renewal.The Brit was quickest in the dry during second practice at the Canadian GP, and while he was only 10th on the timesheets for the rain-hit final session, there is belief that Mercedes are now heading in the right direction.
      Lewis Hamilton looks set to sign a new deal with a more competitive MercedesCredit: Splash
      Hamilton was quickest in the dry during second practice at the Canadian GPCredit: Splash
      Hamilton, who is closing in on a two-year contract worth £100 million, now has reason to be optimistic that he will be in position to challenge Max Verstappen next season.
      Merc’s technical director James Allison said: “Can this car become competitive enough to win a race this year? I’d say with the following wind yes it can.
      “Can we, if we do the right things over the remainder of this year and across the years, can we be in a championship fight for the following year? Even more yes.”
      Allison’s comments will be welcome news to Hamilton, who has not won a race since the 2021 Saudi Arabia GP.
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      The team had struggled with the design of their car and were forced to scrap it after qualifying at the Bahrain GP at the first race of the season.
      Hamilton, who is eyeing up a role as Merc’s ambassador for when he quits F1, delivered a positive option of the team’s upgrades, which have been introduced since the Monaco GP.
      Speaking at the Canadian GP, Hamilton said: “I’m definitely feeling the improvements we felt in Monaco, I’m feeling them here.
      “I love driving this track. It’s mega. From the moment you leave the pit lane you’re like, ‘Yeah, this is wicked!’
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      “We’ve been making progress in the car. Last race, we’ve all been buzzing back at the factory, the whole team has this new energy and kind of feel that we’ve got a North Star – we know where we’re going and how to get there.”
      However, the drop in temperatures caused Mercedes to struggle in the wet ahead of qualifying.
      Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz has come in for more criticism after he crashed out in Montreal.
      The Spaniard was also hauled in to see the stewards for blocking Alex Albon during FP3.
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      Sainz’s miserable run was halted when he crashed into the barrier at turn one, bringing out the red flags.
      He climbed from the car unscathed but the pressure is building on Sainz, who sixth in the championship.
      Former F1 world champion Jenson Button said: “He touched the white line and lost the rear, it could be gearbox, front and rear wings, floor. So much damage.” More

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      F1’s most dangerous corner has ended in disaster for five world champs.. now Hamilton & Co face it again at Canadian GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON will be facing down with one of Formula One’s most dangerous corners when he drives at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.In sector three of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal, turn 14 has gained a reputation for snuffing out the races of many an F1 champion.
      Jacques Villeneuve was one of three champions to crash out of the 1999 race Canadian GPCredit: AFP
      With Brit Jenson Button a later victim of the wall in 2005Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      The suitably named Wall of Champions is the final corner around the circuit, and it has been the difference between glory and defeat for a number of former world champions.
      The iconic name was earned in 1999, when THREE champions hit the concrete wall and saw their races come to an abrupt end.
      Damon Hill, who won the title in 1996, was the first to crash during the race.
      The Brit lasted just 13 laps before hitting the wall amid a patchy season with Jordan.
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      F1 legend Michael Schumacher followed on lap 29, handing championship rival Mika Hakkinen a crucial advantage before Schumacher went on to break his leg at Silverstone.
      The German had led the race off the line and was beginning to pull out a gap before coming into the corner too quickly and hitting the oncoming barrier after losing his cars rear on correction.
      Jacques Villeneuve, champion in 1997, followed just five laps later as he tried to recover from a poor qualifying.
      Indeed, it was not the first time the Canadian had crashed at the circuit, previously doing so on lap one of the 1997 race in Montreal.
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      Future champions would fall victim too, with 2009 champion Jenson Button crashing out of the Canadian GP in 2005.
      The Brit had taken pole in qualifying and was on course for a podium before seeing his racing afternoon come to an end on lap 13.
      Button explained: “The problem I had in the hairpin was I ran wide and I didn’t realise how much rubbish got on the tyres because coming into the chicane I just had huge understeer.
      “That was it really. I should have gone across the green stuff but I thought if I did that I would have to let Michael pass and I didn’t want to do that. I’d rather crash in third than finish fourth really.”
      Four more crashes at the wall would occur before Sebastian Vettel crashed his Red Bull in what would be the second year in a row he won the title.
      The German had fortunately crashed his car in Free Practice 1, going on to recover over the weekend and claim pole and a podium as Button won in changeable conditions.
      The only member of the current grid who has fallen victim to the Wall is Carlos Sainz, though the nature of the turn means close scrapes are always likely.
      Hamilton has openly admitted his fear of the corner, confessing: “I never like to talk about the Wall of Champions. You never want it to suck you in.”
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      Lewis Hamilton’s ‘head is no longer 100 per cent in racing’, claims two-time F1 champion

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      LEWIS HAMILTON no longer has his head 100 per cent in racing, according to Mika Hakkinen.Seven-time world champion Hamilton is set to sign a new Mercedes deal “in days” as revealed by Toto Wolff.
      Mika Hakkinen has claimed Lewis Hamilton no longer has his head ‘100 per cent’ in racingCredit: Getty
      Hamilton has not won a race since 2021Credit: Rex
      However, Hakkinen, who has two world titles to his name from triumphs in 1998 and 1999, suggested the Brit’s head has been turned by more “important” matters away from racing.
      Speaking to Unibet, the 54-year-old was asked about rumours linking Hamilton with Ferrari, before replying: “Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari would be a surprise. Does money motivate drivers? 
      “I know Lewis’ head is not 100 per cent in racing anymore. It’s completely normal. But does money motivate? 
      “Of course it does, but there are many risks involved. I think it’s highly unlikely he will join Ferrari.  
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      “I always say that when people get older, the order of your thoughts change. Your priorities in life change. Formula 1 just won’t be the most important thing anymore.
      “It wouldn’t surprise me when the competition gets tougher and young drivers emerge, what George Russell is doing with Lewis at the moment, result-wise, it’s not an easy situation.  
      “Does Lewis have enough energy to wake up every morning, give his everything and bring results so that he can beat his team-mate? Is that the right future for him?”
      Hamilton has scored two podiums this season and sits fourth in the standings, but has not won a race since December 2021 amidst Mercedes’ pace struggles.
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      The 38-year-old is working on an F1 movie starring Brad Pitt and a documentary regarding his life.
      In the last week the former McLaren driver has been linked with a stunning relationship with Shakira after the pair were pictured having dinner after the Spanish Grand Prix.
      However, he has also been spotted cosying up to Brazilian supermodel Juliana Nalu, sparking rumours of a relationship among fans.
      Hakkinen also gave his thoughts on McLaren following early season struggles, and backed the team to be surprise competitors to runaway leaders Red Bull as the season progresses.
      The Finn added: “I don’t think anyone is able to catch up this year.
      “The only surprise I think we’ll see is McLaren’s possible progress during the next two months.
      “I think they will surprise us massively.
      “Just in terms of the speed of the car, they will probably challenge Red Bull.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have hoovered up every race win so far this season, with the Dutchman on course for his third title on the spin.
      Rivals will be hoping to close the gap at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
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