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      Ben Hunt: Cracks starting to appear between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell – they’ve just been lost in the F1 drama

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      ARE the cracks starting to form in the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell?I am starting to sense that there is a little bit of needle developing between the two Mercedes drivers, which has largely gone unnoticed during the FIA’s operational cock-ups in Saudi Arabia and Australia.
      Cracks are starting to form between Lewis Hamilton and George RussellCredit: Splash
      In those last two races, we have been left tucking into what has gone wrong (again) in Race Control, which has seen some of Russell’s behaviour bumped out of the spotlight.
      To re-cap. Russell snapped back at Hamilton’s claim that he’d benefited from taking a different car set-up in Bahrain, saying “I don’t think there’s any luck in it at all, I think it’s down to the preparation you put in before the event…I believed it was going to be better than the set-up that Lewis opted for.”
      And then during the race in Melbourne, Russell came on the team’s radio when leading and being followed closely by Hamilton and said: “You’re asking me to manage and I’m being attacked by my team-mate!”
      And then, after he had retired with an engine problem, it was interesting to note Russell say he felt he could have won the race, despite Max Verstappen’s pace, because “it would have been difficult to pass, especially with Lewis between the two of us”.
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      Russell is doing nothing wrong here, but it is worth noting the language he is using.
      It is evident that he is increasing in confidence to now challenge Mercedes’ decisions and speak his mind.
      It is a contrast to when he first arrived at the team last season after driving on-loan at Williams.
      There is the distinct feeling that in the shadow of Merc’s struggles, Russell, 25, was able to establish himself within the team while Hamilton played the role of the sacrificial lamb as he tested out theories on how to cure the porpoising.
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      The upshot this year is that with a season under his belt, and let’s also remember Merc’s only victory in 2022, Russell senses now is his time to stand apart from Hamilton.
      Team-mate rivalries in F1 are nothing new of course and Hamilton has a line of them – Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg being the most contentious.
      However, unlike the other two where he was the up-coming youngster at McLaren, or at least on a par with Rosberg, there is no denying that Russell is the future for Mercedes.
      Unlike Hamilton, he also has a long-term deal with the Silver Arrows. He has also out-qualified his teammate in all three races this season.
      His confidence is growing, and the longer that continues, the more problems it could cause for Hamilton.
      RACE TALKS
      Talks are set to be held over the end of the Australian GPCredit: Splash
      THE FIA and F1 are set to discuss Sunday’s ridiculous end to the Australian GP.
      The race stewards want the sport to reassess the rulebook in relation to standing starts after the chaos in Melbourne.
      There were debates over all three red flags and the subsequent start procedures and the stewards.
      The stewards are concerned about the carnage caused by the slow-moving cars making their way to the grid behind the safety car.
      As cars slowed, there was a notable traffic jam, with some drivers forced to take action to avoid clattering into the rear of other cars.
      CHANGE TRACKS
      Zak Brown challenged Toto Wolff to a boxing matchCredit: Getty
      ZAK BROWN was buzzing after McLaren scored some much-needed points – so much so that in the heat of the moment he challenged Christian Horner to a car race at Silverstone – and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff to a boxing match in Las Vegas!
      He said: “When we go Vegas, what’s Vegas known for? [A] Little boxing match? I’m ready!”
      SAFETY FIRST
      A fan was hurt during the Australian GPCredit: Alamy
      A timely reminder that motorsport is dangerous – even to spectators.
      One fan suffered an injury when a piece of bodywork flew off Kevin Magnussen’s Haas and sliced his arm.
      Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott said: “Coincidentally we had one of our engineering staff there who saw it. It would appear that debris from the wheel hub has shot 20 metres in the air and landed down and lacerated a gentleman’s arm.
      “Our people were aware of the incident. It looks as if it was a freak one-off.”
      FEELING ROSS-EY
      Marco Bezzecchi won his first MotoGP in ArgentinaCredit: Reuters
      MARCO BEZZECCHI thanked mentor Valentino Rossi after taking his maiden MotoGP win in Argentina.
      The Italian won in tricky conditions for his, and the Mooney VR46 Racing team’s first victory and he now tops the championship standings.
      He said: “I am happy, more for the team because without them, Vale and the Academy, it would be probably impossible to arrive here.
      “My family made sacrifices and we spent a lot of time around the world in the beginning, so they put in a lot of effort to realise my dream.
      “The same for Vale, he is my idol and still is, since when I was young, I started because of him. So to meet him, become his friend and his rider, to win a MotoGP race, it’s incredible.”
      QUICK SNIP
      British GP is keen to help charity The Lions Barber CollectiveCredit: Getty
      THE British GT series promises to be the smartest in motorsport after men’s mental health charity, The Lions Barber Collective promised free haircuts during race weekends.
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      The Lions Barber Collective are teaming up with FastR and seeking to raise awareness of male mental health at every British GT round.
      The group of barbers are trained to recognise, ask and listen for signs of depression with their clients, and will cut hair during race weekends. More

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      McLaren F1 chief Zak Brown calls out Mercedes boss Toto Wolff for Las Vegas BOXING MATCH at Australian GP

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      MCLAREN chief Zak Brown has sensationally challenged Toto Wolff to a BOXING MATCH in Las Vegas. Following the chaotic Australian Grand Prix, Brown was in a jubilant mood as Lando Norris and homeboy Oscar Piastri scored their first points of the season.
      Zak Brown has challenged Toto Wolff to a Las Vegas boxing matchCredit: Rex
      Wolff would certainly be a tough opponentCredit: Getty
      And while speaking to Sky Sports, the McLaren CEO issued a challenge towards Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes chief Wolff.
      He said: “We were talking about racing Christian in Silverstone, because I used to race against Christian.
      “And I’ve talked to Toto about it, we’ll see if he’s up for it.
      “When we go Vegas, what’s Vegas known for? [A] Little boxing match? I’m ready.”
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      After some laughter from the Sky crew, their boxing nicknames were also formed with Brown being dubbed “Slugger Brown” and Wolff being dubbed “Terminator”.
      Unfortunately, fans would need to wait until November for such an event to take place, with the Las Vegas Grand Prix not until November 18.
      In the meantime, there are more pressing matters at hand for both.
      Mercedes remain some way short of Red Bull’s pace despite a P2 finish from Lewis Hamilton today.
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      Hamilton himself cast a surprised figure post-race, declaring there was still a long way to go before they would catch Red Bull.
      Meanwhile, McLaren will want to make sure their Australia form carries on for the foreseeable future and that they do not return to their woeful results in the opening two races. More

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      Max Verstappen accuses Lewis Hamilton of breaking F1 rules despite beating his rival to win Australian GP

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has sensationally accused Lewis Hamilton of breaking F1 rules during the Australian Grand Prix. The Dutchman, who won the chaotic Australian Grand Prix under a safety car, went wheel-to-wheel with Hamilton on lap one.
      Max Verstappen accused Lewis Hamilton of breaking F1 rulesCredit: AP
      It was because of an overtake on lap oneCredit: Getty
      Verstappen went on to win while Hamilton finished on the podiumCredit: Getty

      The Brit dived up the inside of Verstappen at turn three, putting him in position to overtake as the Red Bull was forced deep into the corner.
      However, a furious Verstappen believed the move was not legal due to him being forced off track.
      Over the team radio he fumed: “He pushed me off the track. I was ahead at the apex, he pushed me off.”
      When overtaking in F1 a reasonable space needs to left to ensure the other driver does not go off track.
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      However, the race stewards deemed the incident not to be worthy of a penalty.
      After the race Verstappen doubled down, saying: “From my side, I just tried to avoid contact.
      “It’s quite clear in the rules what you’re allowed to do on the outside, but clearly it’s not followed.
      “It’s okay, we had good pace and we passed them anyway, but it’s something for the next race to take into account.”
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      Hamilton would go on to finish second, revealing he was “so happy” to be back on the podium.
      But this did not stop him from lambasting his car while describing Red Bull as in “another league”.
      Verstappen claimed his first-ever victory in Australia with today’s win, also seeing him pick up his second win of the season.
      On the win, the two-time champion said: “It’s great to win here – my first win, it’s been a while for the team as well so very very happy.”
      Drama had unfolded throughout the race, with THREE red flag incidents and George Russell’s car setting ON FIRE mid-race. More

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      Lewis Hamilton insists Mercedes can close gap on Red Bull despite still blasting car after second at Australian GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has insisted Mercedes are capable of catching Red Bull – after a fresh blast at his current car. The seven-time world champion finished an impressive second in a chaotic Australian Grand Prix.
      Lewis Hamilton was back on the podiumCredit: Getty
      He said he was ‘so happy’ to get such a positive resultCredit: AFP
      He and Mercedes team-mate George Russell qualified strongly before overtaking Verstappen on the opening lap to hold a one-two.
      However, the race eventually unravelled as Russell’s car set ON FIRE on lap 18 and Hamilton was breezed past by the Dutchman, who claimed his first-ever win in Australia.
      Following the race, Hamilton praised the efforts of the team back in the Mercedes factory, but described Red Bull as being in “another league”.
      Speaking to Sky Sports he said: “Firstly a huge thank you to everyone back at the factories. I feel so happy right now and grateful to them for continuing to push.
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      “I think we arrived with a car that’s been difficult and for us to be finishing on the podium and getting these points is remarkable, especially at this early phase when we have not actually changed the car.
      “It’s just happened to work this weekend and we have a lot of work to do to catch Red Bull because they came flying past.
      “But I hope this really gives us a boost of hope and energy that it’s so early on in the season [but] we’re there or thereabouts.
      “So I hope this is a message to everyone to just dig deep and keep pushing because it’s not that far away [and] it’s relatively close to reach (a win).”
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      Prior to the safety car caused by Alex Albon spinning off, Russell and Hamilton had been keeping Verstappen at bay.
      However, Hamilton does not believe his team-mate being there would have been enough to thwart Verstappen’s efforts to win the race.
      He added: “Max is in another league, his car is so fast.
      “I mean he passed me halfway down the straight and he was several metres ahead.
      “Like I don’t know how they’re so quick on the straight, it’s insane.
      “They’re in another league and until we pick up speed on straight and have the crazy downforce they have through the corners we won’t be near.” More

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      Max Verstappen wins chaotic Australian GP after huge pile-up in two-lap shootout helps him hold off Hamilton and Alonso

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN won a chaotic and controversial Australian GP – which raised more questions about the FIA’s ability to referee F1 races.The Dutchman was deserving of his victory while Lewis Hamilton took second-place and Fernando Alonso survived a spin to come home in third place.
      Max Verstappen won the Australian Grand Prix for the first timeCredit: Rex
      Lewis Hamilton finished a close secondCredit: EPA
      A huge pile-up occurred late onCredit: https://twitter.com/F1

      Hamilton was delighted with his podium as he was no match for Verstappen’s pace.
      But it was the late drama which drew the attention, as a series of bizarre steward decisions again caused confusion.
      Ironic that former FIA Race Director, Michael Masi, was in the paddock for the first time given it was his bungling of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP which cost him his job.
      The three world champions all held their nerve but it was heartbreak for George Russell, who had a nightmare.
      After a dream start where he beat Verstappen off the line, the Mercedes man came under pressure from his team-mate.
      He radioed his team saying: “You’re asking me to manage and I am being attacked by my own team-mate!”
      Mercedes responded by calling him in from second place to pit for tyres but it happened at the worst possible time as the race was red-flagged.
      The stop was caused by Alex Albon’s crash and allowed Russell’s rivals to make free pitstops for fresh tyres.
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      It was a controversial decision to stop the race with many drivers feeling that the stewards were too cautious.
      The pitstop dropped him to seventh place when he had been running in first but things soon turned even worse when his engine blew up on lap 18, sending him out of the race.
      It came after George Russell’s car set on fire earlier in the raceCredit: https://twitter.com/F1/status/1642404122967113729?s=20
      Meanwhile, Hamilton, who had inherited the lead from Russell’s pitstop, held off Verstappen at the restart after the red flag.
      But it lasted just two laps as the Dutchman breezed past Hamilton around the outside before turn nine.
      He then set about opening up a staggering TWO SECOND gap over Hamilton, which he made in just half a lap, such is the speed advantage of his Red Bull.
      But for a lock-up late on, Verstappen was untroubled as he maintained his advantage over Hamilton.
      The real excitement was between Hamilton and his old nemesis Alonso, as they battled for second place.
      At one point Hamilton radioed his team saying: “There’s no way I am losing to him!”
      The two sparred over the duration of the race until it was turned on its head just three laps from the end.
      Kevin Magnussen crashed his Haas, sending debris onto the track and, just as they had done with Albon’s crash the stewards again stopped the race.
      It meant that the race came down to the final two laps – just as the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP should have done.
      But Verstappen was furious and radioed his team saying: “What the f***! We don’t need a red flag.”
      It was the third standing start of the race and it sparked even more chaos as a total of SIX cars were all involved in collisions.
      Carlos Sainz clipped fellow Spaniard Alonso, earning himself a five-second penalty, which was hard on the Ferrari man.
      Alonso was spun and dropped back but the FIA decided to re-rack the grid for the THIRD standing start, moving him back into third place.
      “No!” said Sainz as he was told the news. “They need to wait until after the race to discuss it with me.”
      He was livid and it was understandable.
      The two Alpines hit each other too, sending debris all across the track, as they were both knocked out of the race when it had been looking so good for the team.
      Amid the chaos, the stewards again red-flagged the race with just a lap remaining.
      This time, the FIA CHANGED their rules and opted for a finish behind the safety car, so it was a rolling start.
      It was another spell of confusion, and big delay, as the stewards tossed up and thumbed through their rulebook to again decide the outcome of a race.
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      It resulted in a damp squib, as they were told not to overtake and the final lap was a processional finish.
      It was anticlimactic, but this time it was fair – perhaps how the Abu Dhabi race should have ended too. More

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      F1 star George Russell pulls out of Australian GP as car SETS ON FIRE after Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes pal had led race

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      GEORGE RUSSELL was forced to retire from the Australia Grand Prix after his car SET ON FIRE. The Mercedes driver had been enjoying a good race in Melbourne until his afternoon was cut prematurely short.
      George Russell was forced to retire from the Australian Grand PrixCredit: AFP
      His car set on fire while he was in fourth placeCredit: https://twitter.com/F1/status/1642404122967113729?s=20
      And Russell was consequently forced to retireCredit: https://twitter.com/F1/status/1642404122967113729?s=20
      He was having a strong race, leading in the opening lapsCredit: AFP

      Russell had overtaken championship Max Verstappen on lap one after a better getaway off the grid.
      Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton followed him through shortly after, seeing the Mercedes duo hold a one-two position.
      However, this was to be short-lived as Alex Albon lost control of his car and spun into the wall, causing a safety car.
      Merc chiefs opted to pit race leader Russell to give him the optimum tyre strategy upon the restart.
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      But as the race director switched to a red flag, the strategy – and Russell’s race lead – went up in smoke.
      Upon the restart, Russell began his fightback from his newfound position of P7, fighting up to P4.
      But on lap 18 disaster struck as fire and smoke began blowing out the back of his W14.
      The 25-year-old then pulled to the side of the track and vacated his vehicle for stewards to extinguish the danger.
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      Russell has already taken to Twitter to bemoan his bad luck.
      In a short tweet he said: “When it’s not your day, it’s not your day.”
      The Brit became the third driver to retire from the race after Charles Leclerc became beached in the gravel trap upon being tagged on lap one and Albon’s crash.
      Russell’s team-mate Hamilton had inherited the race lead but was unable to hold off Verstappen for long as the Dutchman swept by him thanks to the help of DRS.
      Verstappen held on to win the race despite a huge pile-up at the end of the Grand Prix.
      Hamilton and Alonso shared the podium with him. More

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      I had to get away from Lewis Hamilton when I was young but I’d love to finish our careers in same team, F1 icon reveals

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      FERNANDO ALONSO has revealed that he would like to finish his career at the same team as Lewis Hamilton.The Spaniard partnered the seven-time world champion for one season at McLaren Mercedes in 2007.
      Fernando Alonso is keen to partner Lewis Hamilton againCredit: Alamy
      Alonso stayed for just one year before returning to Renault after having a feud with Hamilton and team chiefs.
      The Brit disobeyed team instructions at the Hungarian Grand Prix 16 years ago and refused to let him past, which led to the veteran blocking his team-mate in the pit lane.
      They again clashed last year when the pair collided at the Belgian Grand Prix and the 41-year-old labelled Hamilton “an idiot”.
      However, in an interview with the Mail, Alonso seemed keen to put the past behind him.
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      He said: “It would be nice to end our careers together. I’d love that.
      “We had a difficult season. But we respected what the other was doing on track and still do.
      “We each consider the other to be a talented driver and one of the toughest competitors we have ever met.
      “The situation that season was not well-managed by our bosses. We were young. We were immature. We were many of the things we are not now, and we needed help from the management that we didn’t get.
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      “I couldn’t continue with McLaren. It was a team with eyes totally one side of the garage.
      “As Ron (Dennis, team principal) said after the penultimate race in China, ‘Our race isn’t with (Ferrari’s Felipe) Massa, it is with Fernando’.
      “When your team says that, you cannot continue. But you learn in a career.”
      Alonso is currently with Aston Martin, enjoying a good start to the 2023 campaign, finishing third at both races so far this season.
      He continued his good form at the Australian Grand Prix, coming fourth in qualifying behind Max Verstappen, George Russell and Hamilton.
      Alonso seemingly has no plans to retire anytime soon, saying: “I don’t imagine I will be tired of driving but the demands of travelling across such a long season can be draining.
      “But for now, with my experience, I’d like to believe I’m better than ever.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in ‘dream’ Australian GP qualifying as Mercedes pair eye shock F1 win

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN clinched pole for the Australian GP while Mercedes were given a huge boost, with George Russell qualifying in second and Lewis Hamilton in third.It was a thrilling session as Verstappen, Hamilton and Fernando Alonso all set provisional poles before the world champion came out on top.
      Lewis Hamilton and George Russell enjoyed a ‘dream’ qualifying sessionCredit: EPA
      However, they were still unable to pip Max Verstappen to poleCredit: EPA
      But it was a nightmare for Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate, Sergio Perez, who will start in LAST PLACE.
      Verstappen, who overcame battery and gear-change problems, took his first pole in Australia and said: “The last run was very good. The whole weekend has been tough but it all worked out in Q3.
      “I think we will have a good race car and it will be a tricky race. I have been on the podium once but I want to be on a different step this time.”
      Russell produced an excellent performance to take second as Mercedes defied the odds after a difficult start to the season.
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      He said: “We wasn’t expecting that, that’s for sure! There is a lot of hard work going on and the car felt alive.
      “If I am honest, I am a little disappointed that I did not get pole. It shows how quickly things can change.
      “We would have been happy with fourth on Friday but we made some changes and the car felt great.”
      Hamilton, who starts third – alongside Alonso – was denied the chance to go even quicker on his final lap after getting caught in traffic and said his goal is now to “get first”.
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      He added: “I am so happy with this! This is totally unexpected. I am really proud of the team and George has done a fantastic job.
      “This is a dream for us. We are all working hard and to be this close to the Red Bull is incredible.
      “I hope we can give them a run for their money. I am super grateful for this position and will look to move forward tomorrow.”
      While Verstappen was P1, it was a shocker for Perez, who spun off in Q1.
      The Mexican, who won the last race in Jeddah, went too quickly into turn three and ended up hitting the wall and being dumped out of qualifying at the first hurdle.
      The session was stopped as his stricken Red Bull was recovered while Perez voiced his frustration to his team over the radio.
      “We need to fix that issue, man,” Perez says. “It was the same f issue again!”
      Williams’ revival continued with Alex Albon qualifying in eighth place after the team showed strong signs of progress in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
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      However, there was more misery for McLaren as their struggles continued with Lando Norris qualifying in 13th and Oscar Piastri in 16th.
      Norris has publicly said he was backing McLaren’s engineering changes but this was another poor showing that will ramp up the pressure on CEO, Zak Brown. More