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      Lewis Hamilton’s F1 team-mate George Russell claims he knows WHY Verstappen is ‘whinging’ about new 24-race calendar

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      GEORGE RUSSELL believes that Max Verstappen is “whinging” about Formula 1’s new 24-race calendar… because he wants more money.The reigning world champion is unhappy with the new, longer schedule – and hinted that it could make him think twice about extending his current deal and staying in the sport.
      George Russell joked about Max Verstappen’s ‘whinging’Credit: Getty
      Verstappen is tied to a £40million a year contract with Red Bull up to 2028, when he will be 31.
      Reacting to the extended schedule, the 25-year-old team-mate of Lewis Hamilton said: “I think it is a bit more logical the way that it is planned at least, I guess that is better for everyone.
      “But more things will have to come together for me to make my mind up over whether I stay longer or not. But I think that these things are definitely not helping for sure.”
      Speaking ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Russell wasn’t taking Verstappen’s retirement threat all too seriously.
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      He said: “I think he’s whinging because he wants more money!
      “He’s the highest paid on this grid and rightly so for what he’s achieving but even so, I think it’s all a big tactic of his, that threat of retirement.”
      Verstappen has won five consecutive races, with Red Bull having so far swept this season’s calendar.
      Mercedes ace Russell, however, wants him to stick around.
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      He added: “I hope he doesn’t (retire), I hope he stays for as long as I stay because I want to fight against the best drivers in the world.
      “I’m head-to-head with Lewis at the moment and I want to be doing that with Max and Charles (Leclerc) etc and I think we’re in a really great place at the moment as a sport.”
      On the extended schedule, Russell likened it to “working overtime”.
      He said: “It is challenging, we can’t just keep adding more commitments, more races, there’s got to be a point where if you are adding something somewhere, something has got to be taken off.
      “Maybe at the moment we’re just adding more races and not having less commitments, so you are just working overtime.”
      This season’s F1 calendar consists of 23 races, compared to 19 as recently as 2015 – while the Covid-modified 2020 campaign had 17.
      Next season’s schedule will see the Chinese GP finally make its return – with F1 stars having last raced in Shanghai back in 2019.
      Formula 1 is finally set to return to China next yearCredit: EPA More

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      Inside George Russell’s glam lifestyle, driving a £140k car and enjoying romantic holidays with hot girlfriend Carmen

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      BRITISH F1 racer George Russell outshone his more illustrious team mate Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes last season.The rising star, 25, will be hoping to finish on the podium at this year’s British Grand Prix.
      Mercedes driver George Russell, pictured with girlfriend Carmen, enjoys a lavish lifestyle away from the F1 circuitCredit: Instagram / @carmenmmundt
      George Russell joined Mercedes last season and is already providing competition for Lewis HamiltonCredit: PA
      Russell, pictured next to Lewis Hamilton in 2010, as an aspiring F1 champ
      He moved to Mercedes last season – earning a bumper £5MILLION payday.
      That helps the talented racer continue to fund his enviable lifestyle… even though he’s still some way short of team-mate Hamilton’s mega £40m pay-grade.
      Russell currently rents a flat in an affluent area of London, but he has plans to join many F1 colleagues in millionaires’ playground Monaco.
      Away from the racing circuit, the Norfolk-born star drives a £140,000 car – fittingly a Mercedes AMG GT.

      He also manages to enjoy luxurious breaks away to stunning destinations like St Barts and Santorini, and is joined by glam girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt.
      Russell already leads a playboy lifestyle, despite his tender years.
      KING’S LYNN TO A KING’S RANSOM
      Rising star Russell was born in King’s Lynn to father Steve and mother Alison.
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      The youngest of three children, he has a sister, Cara and older brother, Benjy.
      He caught the racing bug when he started go karting at the age of seven alongside Benjy, who was involved in competitive karting.
      But by 18, he moved to Milton Keynes to be closer to British Formula 3 Championship racing team, Hitech.
      In early 2017, he joined Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport as a part of their junior driver programme.
      A year later, Williams announced that Russell had signed a multi-year deal to drive for their team.
      By the age of seven, Russell was kartingCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      George’s older brother spent his youth competing in karting
      Russell celebrates victory in Race 1 of the FIA GP3 championship at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor
      As soon as he was thrust into the spotlight, Russell’s love life was placed under the microscope.
      He met stunning Seychelle de Vries, who was once linked to Max Verstappen, when he raced in Formula 2 in 2017.
      They reportedly dated for three years, before calling it quits.
      Now, Russell is courting the stunning Carmen Montero Mundt.
      Last year, the pair were spotted on holiday in St Barts together kissing on a sunlounger and frolicking in the sea.
      While last August, Russell was spotted enjoying a break in Santorini.
      More recently, they shared some loved up snaps enjoying the country side.
      Seychelle de Vries dated Russell for three years
      Carmen Montero Mundt is Russell’s current girlfriendCredit: Splash
      Last year, Russell and Carmen were spotted on a dream holiday in St BarthsCredit: Splash
      Russell and Carmen seen together before the Dutch Grand PrixCredit: Rex
      Most recently, Russell enjoyed a trip to the country sideCredit: Instagram / @carmenmmundt
      COMPANY CAR
      Call it fate, but Russell has always had a penchant for Mercedes.
      On top of his current swanky Mercedes AMG GT, he has always favoured the car manufacturer as his ride.
      He’s been spotted with TWO AMG C 63 motors that cost in the region of £80,000.
      Russell proudly displays his cars on social media to nearly four million followers.
      About the AMG GT, that’s capable of reaching 0-60mph in just three seconds, he wrote on Instagram: “Love my little rocket!”
      Russell shows off his prized possession – a £140,000 Mercedes AMG GTCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Russell once said about his AMG GT, ‘Love my little rocket!’Credit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Through the years, Russell has also been spotted with two AMG C 63 Mercedes carsCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      The AMG C 63 costs around £80,000Credit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      HE’S A STUDENT OF THE SPORT
      One of Russell’s many heroes is the late, great Niki Lauda.
      In 2017, the up-and-comer got the opportunity to meet his hero in Baku after a race.
      Lauda even took the student to a Black Eyed Peas concert, after meeting him at a hotel.
      Russell became friends with the three-time F1 champ, and would often lean on him for advice.
      During lockdown last year, Russell shared a picture of himself reading Lauda’s autobiography.
      While he was stuck at home when the coronavirus pandemic was at its height, he made sure he continued to workout and stay in shape.
      He also fitted an F1 simulator to polish up on his driving skills in his bedroom.
      Niki Lauda was an influence on Russell in his early yearsCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Russell shared an image reading Lauda’s autobiography during lockdownCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Devoted Russell has his own F1 sim in his homeCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      HEALTHY LIVING
      Crucial to Russell is his diet plan.
      Regularly, he shares snaps on social media of what he eats – and it’s never unhealthy.
      From poke bowls to fresh salads, the athlete makes sure he’s putting the right food in his body.
      Coupled with going to the gym, it’s what keeps Russell in peak condition and lean for a race car.
      Aside from driving, and working out seven days a week, Russell also likes to play squash and get out on his mountain bike.
      LOVES SPORT
      Playing and competing in sport just isn’t enough for Russell.
      When he has some downtime, he’s happy to sit in front of the TV and watch a live event.
      During Euro 2020, he shared an image online cheering on England. The football fan is a devoted Wolves supporter, like his dad.
      While last year, he encouraged his followers to comment who they felt would win the Indy 500, which he was tuned into.
      Fitness fanatic Russell plays a variety of sports including squash and loves riding on his mountain bikeCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      A healthy salad is Russell’s go-to mealCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Football fan Russell cheered on England during the EurosCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      Joining Mercedes has earned Russell a huge payday so he can continue to enjoy the high-lifeCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      And in 2019, he was in the stands at Twickenham to cheer on England against France in the Six Nations.
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      This year, it’s Russell who is getting all the cheers in the Mercedes car.
      They could just have the next British F1 champ on their hands too.
      Watch F1 star Sebastian Vettel run to get fire extinguisher after smoke rises from his Aston Martin on Belgian GP track More

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      Lewis Hamilton told off by Mercedes after fuming ‘this car’s slow mate’ as F1 champ Verstappen wins AGAIN at Austrian GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON earned a ticking off from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff as he was left for dust by Max Verstappen.The Dutchman blasted his way to his fifth straight win and took the fastest lap bonus point on the final lap.
      Max Verstappen won again in AustriaCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton had another disaster dayCredit: AP
      It was a clean sweep, having qualified on pole and taken victory in the sprint race the previous day.
      Verstappen is simply unstoppable and now has an 81 point lead in the championship over Sergio Perez, who finished third, despite starting in 15th.
      Verstappen said: “Most important was staying in front and doing my own race and follow our normal strategy. It was a great day, I enjoyed it a lot.
      “I don’t like to think of [another title]. I have to keep working with the team. A lot of things can go wrong, but a lot of things went right this weekend.”
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      Charles Leclerc was second in a much-needed boost for Ferrari while Lando Norris was fifth behind Carlos Sainz.
      Hamilton was seventh, but was left unhappy after falling foul to the stewards, who punished him with a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits.
      Verstappen made a good start from pole and was able to cover off the threat of Leclerc and Sainz as the two Ferraris looked to make progress.
      Hamilton was next in line but he did not have the pace to keep up with the front three.
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      He quickly found himself in a battle for fourth with Norris, who was quick to report that the Mercedes man was sliding off track.
      Hamilton was not happy and radioed his team saying “this car’s slow, mate”.
      A few laps later he added, “I can’t keep it on the track, the car won’t turn”.
      The seven-time world champion was soon hit with a five second time penalty by the stewards for running wide at the final turn.
      Hamilton was unhappy and started questioning whether Perez was also being penalised.
      In a series of radio exchanges, Hamilton vented his frustration saying “this guy’s been off every single time. Turn 10. Again”.
      Meanwhile, Verstappen was not having any problems sticking between the white lines.
      And when he pitted from the front on lap 25 for fresh tyres, it was the first time he had not been the race leader in the last 248 consecutive laps.
      It was an impressive run that stretched from lap 47 in the Miami GP some five races ago.
      However, it was not too long before he was at the front again. He passed Sainz on lap 26 and then sailed past Leclerc on lap 35.
      While Verstappen was untroubled, Hamilton was unhappy and earned a rebuke from Merc boss Wolff over the team’s radio.
      Hamilton again asked to find out why others were not being penalised, and Wolff cut in saying “Lewis the car is bad, we know. Please drive it.”
      Hamilton served his penalty on his second pitstop and that killed off any lingering hope of an unlikely podium.
      But there was a good fight for the final podium place as Perez and Sainz battled for third with the Mexican coming out on top.
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      Yet there was time for a huge flex from Verstappen as he pitted on the penultimate lap for new tyres.
      His Red Bull team executed the perfect pitstop and he was able to go and set the fastest lap on the final lap.
      Red Bull put in another strong displayCredit: Reuters More

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      Lewis Hamilton lets slip future plans in interview with F1 star’s Mercedes contract running out at end of season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON appears to have revealed the future of his Formula One career after letting it slip in an interview. The 38-year-old is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the season.
      Lewis Hamilton appeared to reveal his future in F1Credit: AFP
      The seven-time champion is hoping to end his winless streak at the Austrian Grand PrixCredit: AFP
      Speculation has persisted suggesting the Brit could swap the Silver Arrows for Ferrari or retire from the sport entirely.
      However, in an interview ahead of the weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Hamilton seemingly confirmed he would be continuing with the team next season.
      He told reporters: “We are making progress in the right direction… but I’m not satisfied with the rear end and the downforce.
      “But I hope that next year we will be so far that I can push to the limit again.”
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      It is the biggest indication yet that the seven-time champion will continue his pursuit of a record-breaking eighth world title.
      Team principal Toto Wolff – who recently opened up on the tragic loss of his father when he was just 15 – also previously suggested Hamilton’s new deal was almost done.
      Ahead of the Canadian GP, where Hamilton scored a podium, Wolff said: “It is going to happen soon, and we are talking more days than weeks.
      “We are trying hard. I will see him today and maybe we will talk about it. We have such a good relationship that we dread the moment that we need to talk about money.”
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      His new contract will reportedly be worth an eye-watering £50million a year.
      Hamilton also appears to have reignited his title rivalry with runaway leader championship Max Verstappen.
      He proposed a radical rule change to try and level the playing field, suggesting: “The FIA should set a time when everyone is allowed to start developing next year’s car.
      “Say August 1, so that no one can get an advantage, because that sucks.”
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Lewis Hamilton reignites rivalry with Max Verstappen as he suggests radical rule change to stop runaway F1 leader

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has suggested a radical rule change to Formula One in order to close the gap to runaway championship leader Max Verstappen. Two-time world champion Verstappen has won six out of eight races this season, with only Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez able to claim race wins over him this season.
      Lewis Hamilton has suggested a radical rule change to bridge the gap to Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
      Hamilton has been chasing the Dutchman’s tail all seasonCredit: Splash
      The dominance of Red Bull since the return of ground effect car designs has been plain to see, but Hamilton has lobbied for a radical change to level the playing field.
      Speaking ahead of the weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull’s home race – Hamilton suggested selecting a set date to allow teams to work on next season’s car development.
      He said: “Red Bull are already focusing on next year because they’re so far ahead and don’t need to change this year’s car.
      “So the FIA should set a time when everyone is allowed to start developing next year’s car. 
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      “Say August 1, so that no one can get an advantage, because that sucks.”
      When Hamilton was quizzed about his own era of domination at Mercedes, which saw him win six world titles from seven, he replied: “We never started as early as them.
      “It needs to change because what we have now is why you get dominance for so long, and they keep allowing it to happen. 
      “Ferrari were ahead and the same thing happened there, the same with Red Bull and Seb (Vettel) back in the day.
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      “They start earlier so they are always ahead.”
      However, Verstappen – who is well on his way to a third title in a row – hit back at the suggestion.
      The 25-year-old shot back by saying: “We were not talking about this when he was winning his championships, right, so I don’t think we should now.
      “That is how Formula One works. When you have a competitive car it is great, but at some point you have to look ahead to the following year.
      “A lot of things in life are unfair. You just have to deal with it.”
      Hamilton, 38, recently made a shock appearance in a Stormzy music video.
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      Lewis Hamilton makes shock appearance in Stormzy music video as he shows rapper incredible Mercedes F1 car

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has made a surprise appearance in rapper Stormzy’s latest music video.The seven-time Formula 1 world champion, 38, was briefly seen alongside the musician for the track “Longevity Flow”.
      Lewis Hamilton is preparing for the British Grand Prix this weekendCredit: Getty
      He made an appearance in Stormzy’s latest music video for the song ‘Longevity Flow’Credit: YouTube @stormzy
      In the footage, he is showing Stormzy a Mercedes F1 car outside what looks to be a huge country house.
      And fans were left baffled by the unexplained cameo from the British racing driver.
      Reacting on social media, one person said: “Lewis Hamilton has a cameo in Stormzy’s new song and it’s so random.”
      Another added: “The ‘Longevity Flow’ video is such a massive flex. Lewis Hamilton is there giving Stormzy a private viewing of his Formula 1 car 😭.”
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      And a third replied: “Shows up in Barcelona. Goes to Glastonbury. Appears in Stormzy’s latest track. Lewis Hamilton is NOT a real person lmao 💀.”
      The shock collaboration comes as Hamilton gears up for the Austrian Grand Prix, followed by his home British Grand Prix.
      It has been more than 18 months since the Stevenage-born racer claimed the top step of the podium in an F1 race.
      But he is an eight-time winner at Silverstone – three more than any other driver has managed in the history of the sport.
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      Add to that the fact he has won seven of the last nine British Grands Prix.
      However, Red Bull have clinched each of the eight races in 2023 – with reigning world champion Max Verstappen claiming six of them.
      Heading to the Red Bull Ring, the Dutchman, 25, boasts 195 points, meaning he is 69 ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez in the drivers’ standings.
      Hamilton has picked up 102 points, leaving him fourth in the championship, 15 behind Fernando Alonso but 37 clear of fellow Mercedes man George Russell. More

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      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff opens up on tragedy of losing his dad to cancer at just 15 and says it motivated him to succeed

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has opened up about the tragedy of losing his dad to cancer when he was just 15 – and says it has motivated him to become the successful F1 boss he is today.Wolff, 51, was born in Vienna, a two-hour drive from the venue for this weekend’s Austrian GP.
      Toto Wolff has opened up on losing his dad at 15Credit: Reuters
      His net worth saw him announced as a billionaire by Forbes earlier this year – but it was a far cry from the financial hardship and loss he experienced as a child.
      He said: “There is a certain genetic predisposition that you have, you are good at things, bad at others.
      “You have a certain degree of talent but there is a big influence obviously through your childhood and I believe that there were many effects in my life — humiliation and trauma — that were beneficial for my later career.
      “I would rather that they did not happen. So it is a mix in my opinion.

      “Talent needs to meet hard work, there needs to be ambition, particularly with children and teenagers who grow up, the right support network and then a big portion of luck.
      “It [his father’s death] has an impact until today. Since I can remember my father was ill with the brain cancer and suffered with it for 10 years and then eventually died when I was 15.
      “That is a time when as a boy you need the father. That wasn’t the case with me. We were in financial difficult circumstances that didn’t help either.
      “So that certainly is part of how I am today with all the bad sides that come with it, the trauma, but also on the other side, I think ambition and eagerness to do well.”
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      The death of his dad has motivated Toto Wolff to succeedCredit: Alamy
      Wolff had a short-lived racing career in the Austrian Formula Ford, but it ended after a few years when his main sponsors pulled out of racing.He shifted his focus from racing to the business of racing, and he enrolled in the Vienna University of Economics. pic.twitter.com/kZiELuaPgb— Polina M. Pompliano (@polina_marinova) October 6, 2021

      Wolff started his career in motorsport as a driver in 1992 competing in the Austrian Formula Ford Championship.
      He had some success and in 1994, he won the 24 Hours Nürburgring in his category.
      His involvement in F1 started in 2009 when he bought a share of the Williams Formula One Team and joined the board of directors.
      In 2012, he was named executive director of Williams F1 but a year later had left the team to become an executive director of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
      Since then he has won eight constructors’ titles with the Brackley-based team, forming a strong partnership with Lewis Hamilton.
      And Wolff says he has always wanted to be a leader of a team that comes out a feeling of protection.
      Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton have had significant success together at MercedesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Speaking on Secrets of Success, which is available on Sky Sports and Sky Documentaries, he added: “I always had that desire of protecting the ones around me — my family and my friends.
      “Also the organisation that I am lucky enough to lead, it’s that professional family, that tribe and if somebody tries to do bad then it’s my full force I will give it to protect them.
      “First of all, you need to create a safe environment. If somebody is scared to lose his or her job then they are not going to speak up.
      “So you need to prove that safe environment. Here it is allowed to make mistakes.
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      “On the contrary, mistakes make us improve as tough as the situation may be. And eventually that is going to trickle down into the organisation that you can do that.”
      Secrets of Success is available on Sky Sports and Sky Documentaries from Wednesday June 28. Toto Wolff was speaking with Nasser Hussain, the former England cricket captain. More

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      I beat Lewis Hamilton to an F1 world title before abruptly retiring to run festivals for worthy causes

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      NICO ROSBERG was once on top of the F1 world but after suddenly retiring he has started running green technology festivals.The German-Finn beat childhood friend and rival Lewis Hamilton to the world championship in 2016 but left the sport just five days later.
      Nico Rosberg is now a sustainability entrepreneurCredit: Getty
      He won the F1 World Championship in 2016Credit: PA:Press Association
      He beat Mercedes team-mate Leiws Hamilton to the title by five pointsCredit: Getty
      Rosberg, 37, admitted that the main reason behind his retirement was down to being “afraid” he would not be fast enough and eventually left without a team.
      He has since gone on to become a success in the sustainability world and established the Greentech Festival for technology in 2019.
      He told the Sustainability Mag: “While I was still an active F1 driver, I was fully concentrated on my career.
      “This changed drastically when I ended my racing career and began to show interest for other technologies, particularly in the space of sustainable mobility.
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      “Through my former employer Daimler, I was introduced to the latest powertrain developments and future technologies in their R&D, which I thought were fascinating.
      “So I began to invest in e-mobility start-ups and later moved on to other sustainability projects.”
      Rosberg has overcome being judged for his career in F1 in the sustainablitiy world and has argued that motorsport has helped road cars become more efficient.
      He added: “In the beginning, the shift from F1 to sustainability certainly seemed like a bold move, but people quickly understood that we need to have a positive view on innovation and technology in order to advance on matters of climate protection.
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      “Motorsport has played a big role in making our road cars more efficient and continues to be an important platform for new technologies.
      “The mindset in F1 is, there is no ‘can’t do’.
      “This is precisely what we need to fight climate change.”
      The technology festival takes place annually and has featured in Berlin, London, New York and Singapore.
      After his retirement, Rosberg also worked for Sky Sports as a pundit during the F1 season.
      During his career behind the wheel Rosberg claimed 23 wins in his 206 races and finished on the podium 57 times.
      He suffered a huge crash in Abu Dhabi in 2012 when he collided with Narain Karthikeyan.
      Luckily, Rosberg came away unscathed from the incident, but reflecting on moments such as these make him all the more pleased he stopped when he did. More