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      Why Lewis Hamilton could suffer huge F1 blow if Fernando Alonso is in the running for World Championship

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      LEWIS HAMILTON could suffer a major blow if Fernando Alonso stays in contention for the Formula 1 world championship.The Brit’s old rival and former McLaren team-mate has had a stunning start to the 2023 campaign after switching from Alpine to Aston Martin.
      Fernando Alonso has earned two consecutive podiums
      Lewis Hamilton has endured an underwhelming start to the seasonCredit: AFP
      Alonso, 41, has earned two podiums in the opening pair of races this year – only being beaten by the Red Bulls.
      Hamilton, meanwhile, has finished fifth in both Grands Prix – with Mercedes’ new car not having the pace to compete with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
      What will frustrate the seven-time world champion even more is that Aston Martin have seemingly built a quicker car with many of the same parts.
      The Silverstone-based team has the same engine, gearbox and rear suspension as Mercedes.
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      While their car also uses the same wind tunnel.
      Due to their affiliation with Aston Martin, Mercedes would rather them be the nearest challengers to Red Bull, if it can’t be them.
      Spanish outlet The Objective even claim that the Silver Arrows could prioritise giving their customer team their highest performing power units – in what would be a huge blow to Hamilton and team-mate George Russell.
      Hamilton, 38, has been in a bad mood with his car this season.
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      He has even been linked with a sensational move to Ferrari, with Merc boss Toto Wolff admitting he’d understand if Hamilton wanted to leave if the Silver Arrows couldn’t provide him with a winning car.
      Hamilton has tried to quash the rumours, saying: “I’m not focused on that — I love this team and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s been on this journey with me.
      “I don’t envisage being anywhere else, I don’t see myself quitting.
      “I wouldn’t say it’s giving me a lot. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. But I am trying to be patient and work with the team to get us to a good place. I must keep trying.”
      When Russell was promoted to third-place following a time penalty for Alonso at the weekend’s Saudi Grand Prix, which was later overturned, Hamilton said: “George did great and is up there on the second row.
      “But I don’t feel connected to this car and no matter what I do, no matter what I change, I can’t get confidence in it.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton claims Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car is fastest he has EVER seen in F1 career after Saudi GP annihilation

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      LEWIS HAMILTON claimed he had never “seen a car so fast” after Red Bull completed another annihilation.Sergio Perez took the chequered flag while Max Verstappen came from 15th on the grid to finish second, as this season is becoming a procession.
      Hamilton has struggled to compete with the Red Bulls this seasonCredit: Getty
      Verstappen and Perez have dominated the gridCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman even pumped in a fastest lap at the death – on a knackered set of old tyres that was still a second quicker than the rest – to secure a bonus point.
      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021. Since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      But it was the manner in which he breezed past the Brit on lap 12 of this dreary race which astounded the seven-times world champion.
      He said: “I’ve definitely never seen a car so fast.
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      “When we were fast, we weren’t that fast. I don’t know how or why but he came past me at such a serious speed, I did not bother to block because it was a massive speed difference.
      “Of course, everyone wants to see everyone closer but that isn’t the way it is, but that’s not my fault.”
      The result was a reversal of the outcome of the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point means he leads the championship from his team-mate.
      But the reality is this was another no-contest with Fernando Alonso coming third despite a controversial post-race penalty.
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      The Spaniard was hit with a 10-second time penalty after his Aston Martin team failed to serve their earlier five-second penalty for an infringement on the grid where he was out of position.
      As he came in to pit and serve his penalty, the Aston mechanics raised up the rear jack when the rules stipulate they cannot touch his car for a full five seconds.
      It was an obvious slam dunk yet for some unfathomable reason, the FIA did not apply the penalty until after the race – much to Aston’s frustration – and F1’s embarrassment given Amin H. Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi oil firm, Aramco, had presented Alonso with his trophy on the podium.
      The fall-out was spectacular but had an unexpected benefit for Russell, who was promoted into third place.
      Alonso said: “Today is not good for the fans. When you have 35 laps to apply the penalty and you wait after the podium, there is something wrong in the system.”
      In another incredible post-race twist, Alonso was later re-instated onto the podium after another FIA U-turn.
      Hamilton cut a lonely figure before the race as there was no help from Angela Cullen, the bleached-haired assistant who had performed his pre-race preparations for the past seven years.
      Instead of the New Zealander, the responsibility fell to a veteran garage hand known simply as Steveo, although he did not go the whole hog of holding back Hamilton’s braided hair while he put on his crash helmet.
      Hamilton scooted down the pitlane, unaccompanied and wearing earphones, he made his way to the front of the grid for the national anthem.
      And that was as close to the front he got, as this race turned into another Red Bull procession.
      Despite qualifying down in 15th place to a drive shaft problem, the pre-race talk was still about whether Verstappen could challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only not on for a top three finish but for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places. By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      Out in front Perez was keeping out of Alonso’s reach, with the Spaniard hampered by his initial penalty for being out of position on the grid.
      Red Bull were cruising to another one-two finish, albeit for a little late drama when Verstappen told his team his car was making a high-pitched noise.
      He need not have worried though, he was still going quicker than everyone else, so much so that Perez felt the need to get a hurry up at the fear of being gobbled up by his team-mate.
      He did enough to come home in P1 while Verstappen completed the maximum points haul for the Milton Keynes-based team.
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      Meanwhile, Merc boss Toto Wolff has refused to rule out copying his rivals’ designs as they look to get back to winning ways, despite being second in the constructors’ championship.
      He added: “I don’t know if you can call it a Red Bull or Aston Martin concept. At the end of the day, if it looks like a double-decker bus we would do it if it was fast!” More

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      Verstappen storms from 15th to finish second as Perez wins in Red Bull 1-2 at Saudi Arabian GP with Hamilton fifth

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      RED BULL continued to dominate this F1 season as Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian GP with Max Verstappen going from 15th on the grid to finishing second.It was a reversed result from the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point for setting the fastest lap means he leads the championship.
      Mexico’s Sergio Perez started the Saudi Grand Prix in pole positionCredit: Reuters
      Defending champion Max Verstappen aggressively hunted down his team-mate after starting in 15th placeCredit: AFP
      But the Mexican held firm to claim victory in JeddahCredit: Getty
      But the reality is this was another no-contest with Fernando Alonso again the best of the rest yet still over 30 seconds behind.
      George Russell was third while Lewis Hamilton was fifth as Mercedes again failed to challenge the two Red Bulls.
      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021, but since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      Before the race, it was a strange sight, as Hamilton pulled onto the grid and climbed from the cockpit of his Mercedes.
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      For the first time in seven years, there was no help from Angela Cullen, the bleached-haired assistant who had performed his pre-race preparations.
      Depending on who you talk to in the paddock, the story is either that two had a fall-out in Bahrain at the season opener, or that Hamilton and Cullen mutually agreed to go separate ways.
      Instead of the New Zealander, the responsibility fell to a veteran garage hand known simply as Steveo, although he did not go the whole hog of holding back Hamilton’s braided hair while he put on his crash helmet.
      Hamilton looked a little lost as his new helper handed him his scooter, and he made his way off the grid for a pre-race comfort break.
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      Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Top Ten

      Sergio Perez
      Max Verstappen
      George Russell
      Fernando Alonso
      Lewis Hamilton
      Carlos Sainz
      Chares Leclerc
      Esteban Ocon
      Pierre Gasley
      Kevin Magnussen

      He cut a lonely figure as he scooted back down the pitlane, unaccompanied and wearing earphones he made his way to the front of the grid for the national anthem.
      And that was as close to the front he got, as this race turned into another Red Bull annihilation.
      A drive shaft problem during Saturday’s qualifying had given some weight to the claim that this year is not going to be a cakewalk for Verstappen.
      He qualified down in 15th place yet before this race the talk was still about whether he could still challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only he was not on for a top three finish but more on for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places.
      By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton mustered a fifth-placed finish after starting in seventhCredit: Rex
      Out in front, Perez was keeping out of Fernando Alonso’s reach, with the Spaniard hampered by a five-second time penalty for being out of position on the grid.
      Hamilton meanwhile was given a warning by the stewards for weaving on the straight, with him radioing the team and saying “the grip sucks on this tyre”.
      The Brit was then passed by Charles Leclerc and then Verstappen, as the Dutchman coasted by with such ease.
      Such is his car advantage, and in fairness his skill behind the wheel, at the halfway stage of this otherwise dreary race he had moved into second place.
      Red Bull were cruising to another one-two finish, albeit for a little late drama when Verstappen told his team his car was making a high-pitched noise.
      Read More on The Sun
      He need not have worried though, he was still going quicker than everyone else, so much so that Perez felt the need to get a hurry up at the fear of being gobbled up by his team-mate.
      He did enough to come home in P1 but lost out on the fastest lap, set by Verstappen on a set of hard tyres that were 32 laps old. More

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      F1 legend Lewis Hamilton wishes both his mums a Happy Mother’s Day in heartwarming post before Saudi GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has posted a heartwarming message to both his mums for Mother’s Day ahead of the Saudi GP.The F1 driver grew up with a mum, Carmen, and step-mum, Linda, as influences on his life.
      Lewis Hamilton has wished both his mums a happy Mother’s DayCredit: INSTAGRAM
      He was influenced by both his mum Carmen (right) and step mum Linda (left)Credit: INSTAGRAM
      And to commemorate the day, he posted a lovely message to them on Instagram.
      The 38-year-old also extended his wishes to “all amazing mums” in the world.
      He wrote: “Growing up with a Mum and a step Mum who have always supported me is such a gift.
      “No matter what happened in school or on the track, the amount of love and care never changed.
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      “Making them both proud is one of my top achievements, so I’ll do everything I can to make them proud today.
      “Happy Mother’s Day to them and all amazing Mums out there.”
      Hamilton will be hoping to secure his first triumph of the season from 7th spot on the grid.
      He has a decent headstart on Max Verstappen, who starts the race in 15th.
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      The F1 icon will start down the grid due to a faulty car in the qualifier.
      However Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate George Russell will start 3rd on the grid. More

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      ‘I don’t feel connected to this car’ – Lewis Hamilton speaks out on Mercedes woes with Wolff understanding if he quits

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is committed to staying with Mercedes — despite another miserable performance.The Brit could only qualify in eighth for today’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but will be promoted to seventh on the grid due to Charles Leclerc’s ten-place engine penalty.
      Lewis Hamilton has reiterated his commitment to MercedesCredit: AFP
      Hamilton, 38, has struggled to get to grips with his new carCredit: AP
      Merc boss Toto Wolff said he would understand if Hamilton wanted to go if they could not give him a car that can win.
      But Hamilton said: “I’m not focused on that — I love this team and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s been on this journey with me.
      “I don’t envisage being anywhere else, I don’t see myself quitting.
      “I wouldn’t say it’s giving me a lot. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. But I am trying to be patient and work with the team to get us to a good place. I couldn’t get any more out of the car today but I must keep trying.”
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      His team-mate George Russell has been promoted to third on the grid for the start.
      Hamilton said: “George did great and is up there on the second row.
      “But I don’t feel connected to this car and no matter what I do, no matter what I change, I can’t get confidence in it.”
      Hamilton has also played down rumours of a rift with his former performance coach Angela Cullen.
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      Sir Lewis has split with performance coach Angela CullenCredit: PA
      The Kiwi was in Bahrain for the season opener with paddock sources claiming they had a fallout but Hamilton insists they are still pals.
      He said: “She’s moved on to a different phase in her life. We’re still super close, she’s texting everyday.
      “She’s massively supportive and I’m massively supportive of her.
      “I’m so grateful to have had her on this journey. She’s one of my closest friends and continues to be.”
      Meanwhile, there were signs world champion Max Verstappen will not get it all his own way this season.
      After his comfortable Bahrain win, Russell predicted the Dutchman could win all 23 races.
      Verstappen had looked untroubled all weekend and was comfortably ahead of the rest of the field in all three practice sessions.
      His best times were almost a second up on the rest of the grid apart from his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, who was still behind him but has now secured pole.
      But he slowed in Q2 and complained he did not have much power.
      As his team tried to resolve the driveshaft issue remotely he was eventually told to pit and they set about frantically working on his car.
      But there was not enough time to fix it and Verstappen was dumped out of qualifying and will start 15th.
      He said: “The car has been really quick all weekend and every time I went out, the car worked really well.
      “I felt comfortable and I’m sure we can move forward.
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      “I do think that trying to win the race is a bit of a stretch because of the management that needs to happen on the tyres.
      “Everyone just seems to drive to a certain pace but we’ll try to recover as much as we can.”
      Max Verstappen was dumped out of qualifying in Q2Credit: Rex More

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      Lewis Hamilton looks relaxed wearing very baggy trousers ahead of Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

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      SIR Lewis Hamilton peaces together what he hopes could be a winning combo ahead of today’s Saudi Arabia F1 GP.The seven-time world champ, 38, sported an all-black outfit of short sleeve-fitted top with loose-fitting cargo pants and big rounded boots.
      Lewis Hamilton was in good spirits as he arrived for qualifying in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Splash
      Hamilton qualified in seventh place for the second Grand Prix of the seasonCredit: AFP
      He rounded off the look with a peace sign as he arrived for qualifying at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit yesterday.
      Sir Lewis was pictured smiling, but wasn’t quite as joyful after only managing seventh place on the grid for today’s race.
      It was at least better than rival Max Verstappen, who could only qualify in 15th.
      Days earlier, the race ace spoke of his unease at human rights violations in the Middle East.
      READ MORE LEWIS HAMILTON
      And this week he split from long-time performance coach Angela Cullen after seven years working together.
      Amid speculation over his Mercedes future, former teammate Heikki Kovalainen has backed him to stay and even win an eighth world title.
      Team supremo Toto Wolff has admitted Mercedes need to provide Hamilton with a car capable of winning.
      Hamilton this week ended his working relationship with his long-time performance coachCredit: Rex More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s next move predicted by former team-mate following private chat, with Mercedes ace linked with Ferrari

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S next move has been predicted by former team-mate Heikki Kovalainen.Kovalainen raced alongside Hamilton at McLaren for two years, but struggled to match the Brit’s pace.
      Lewis Hamilton’s next move has been predicted by a former team-mateCredit: Getty
      Heikki Kovalainen raced with Hamilton for two yearsCredit: AFP
      With seven world titles now under his belt, Hamilton is determined to win an eighth.
      However, things are not going to plan at Mercedes after a torrid season last year and a less-than-desirable start to proceedings this time around.
      Indeed, it has even led to team chief Toto Wolff declaring Hamilton can LEAVE if they cannot produce a title-winning car for him.
      This has led to the 38-year-old being linked with a seat at Ferrari, with Hamilton himself admitting he is a fan of the Scuderia.
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      But Kovalainen doesn’t see things turning out this way, revealing a chat the pair had last year.
      He told the Mirror: “Personally, I don’t see that coming – to me, he’s committed to Mercedes.
      “I met him in Hungary last year and we had a good chat there.
      “Without going into detail of what was said in a private conversation, the body language and the feel I got from him, I just felt that this is something that he wants to turn around.”
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      “He wants to turn things around for Mercedes and that’s going to tick another box on his resume – to show that it’s not that he’s only been driving good cars and making the most of the good cars, but that he can actually turn a struggling team around and lead that team.
      “That’s the reason why I’m thinking he’s not going to change.
      “I feel he wants to turn this thing around with Mercedes and then he can show the world that he can turn a struggling team into a winning team again.
      “It’s going to be exciting to watch and I one hundred per cent believe he has the skill and the will.
      “If anyone, he can probably do it.”
      In a radical move, Hamilton has parted ways with long-term performance coach Angela Cullen, who had been by his side for the last seven years.
      Paying tribute, Hamilton wrote: “For the last seven years Angela Cullen has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself.
      “I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her. So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams.
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      “Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”
      Hamilton is back in action this weekend at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

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      Toto Wolff sensationally tells Lewis Hamilton he can QUIT Mercedes and find new team if they can’t provide winning car

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff says he will have “no grouch” if Lewis Hamilton quits Mercedes – IF they can’t deliver him a car capable of winning world titles.Hamilton and Wolff are in negotiations over a new deal, with the Brit racer’s contract set to expire in December.
      Lewis Hamilton has been told he can quit Mercedes if they don’t make a title-winning carCredit: Reuters

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      While no terms have yet been agreed, both are adamant they are committed to extending their partnership.
      However, for the first time, Wolff has admitted that the seven-time world champion could be forced to look elsewhere if he wants a record eighth title.
      He said: “I don’t think that Lewis will leave Mercedes.
      “He’s at the stage of a career where we trust each other, we have formed a great bond among each other and we have no reason to doubt each other, even though this is a difficult spell.
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      “But so nice it will be when we come out of this valley of tears, and come back to solid performances.
      “As a driver, nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to make sure that he has the car.
      “And if we cannot demonstrate that we’re able to give him a car in the next couple of years, then he needs to look everywhere.
      “I don’t think he’s doing it at that stage, but I will have no grouch if that happens in a year or two.”
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      Amid Mercedes’ struggles, Hamilton has been linked with a move to a rival constructor, including Ferrari and Red Bull.
      Indeed, the 38-year-old has in the past admitted driving for Ferrari was something he wished to achieve.
      He told Sky Sports Italia: “For many years, when I came to Monza, walking next to the fans… I could hear them saying ‘Come to Ferrari!’
      “This warmed my heart, but it’s pretty amazing that I’ve never driven for Ferrari in so many years. Because it is a dream for anyone, a goal to be achieved.”
      Charles Leclerc has been linked with a sensational swap with HamiltonCredit: AP
      He later added: “It has never really been possible [to drive for Ferrari] and I will never quite know exactly why.
      “I wish them the best and in my near future I will continue to prevent them from winning the world championship.
      “I’ve seen photos of their drivers and red is always red. I have a couple of Ferraris at home. I can drive those, but not the Ferrari F1.”
      Rumours persist that Hamilton could be part of a sensational swap with Ferrari poster boy Charles Leclerc.
      Read More on The Sun
      The 25-year-old Monegasque driver requested an emergency meeting with Ferrari president John Elkann following the Scuderia’s poor Bahrain race.
      Friday practice ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix saw Hamilton’s and Leclerc’s best finishes down at P6 and P9 respectively. More