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      Toto Wolff defends Lewis Hamilton after Brit star’s furious X-rated rant following Mercedes’ horror Dutch GP blunder

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      MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff backed Sir Lewis Hamilton after his X-rated rant at the team’s strategists after the Dutch Grand Prix.Hamilton lashed out at his team as he blamed them for blowing his chance of winning his first GP of season in the Netherlands.
      Lewis Hamilton lashed out at his Mercedes team after a blunder at the Dutch Grand PrixCredit: Reuters
      Toto Wolff defended Lewis Hamilton despite his x-rated rantCredit: Splash
      The British superstar was leading in Holland with team-mate George Russell in second and arch rival Max Verstappen following in third.
      But as Mercedes brought Russell into the pits to put fast tyres on, it allowed Verstappen to close the gap.
      The Dutch star and Russell eventually overtook Hamilton, who finished fourth and took to the radio to vent his frustrations.
      Hamilton yelled: “That was the biggest f****p. I can’t believe you guys f*****g screwed me.”
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      However, Wolff defended the Formula One legend’s outburst as he claims it just proves his passion for winning.
      The Mercedes chief added that this was just a case of the 37-year-old becoming “emotional”.
      Wolff said: “You get emotional in the race. And when you’re a driver, it just comes out.
      “You can’t even stop it. This is how it has always been between a frustrated driver and the pit wall.”
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      However, Wolff also defended Mercedes’ strategists as he described them as the “best guys”.
      The Austrian even suggested that there is no need for changes after the recent shortcoming in Zandvoort on Sunday.
      Wolff added: “They are the best guys. They did exactly what we discussed – to take risks to try to win the race.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘dying’ for chance to challenge Max Verstappen again as F1 star targets single Grand Prix win this season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON says he is “dying” to get back competing with Max Verstappen.The Brit got a taste for the action when he led the Dutch GP on Sunday – only for a botched tyre strategy from Mercedes seeing him end up finishing fourth.
      Lewis Hamilton is yet to register a GP win this seasonCredit: Getty
      His 2021 title rival Max Verstappen has won 10 races already in 2021Credit: Splash
      Hamilton fumed to his team “that was the biggest f*** up” after Verstappen himself capitalised to register his 10th win of the season.
      Merc man Hamilton meanwhile is yet to get off the mark, having battled the Dutchman at the front of the grid for the entirety of the last campaign.
      But the 37-year-old is hopeful the day will come soon, as he targets a spot at the top of the podium for the first time in 2022.
      He said: “I’m dying to get back in that race and have the opportunity to fight Max, but the day hasn’t come [yet].
      Read More On Lewis Hamilton
      “There’s so many great things to take [from the Dutch GP]. If this can be the same in the future races, we’re going to be continuing to breathe down their necks and get that win.
      “I’m taking all these positives forwards, so grateful for the team and all their hard work because it has been a tough slog for all of them.
      “Let’s just not give up.”
      Hamilton won eight races last year, before being pipped to the world championship in controversial style by Verstappen.
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      The Dutchman has gone from strength to strength since then, and is on course to register his second consecutive title.
      He leads Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc by a whopping 109 points in the standings.
      And while is targeting further glory, Hamilton is starting with baby steps.
      The first thing on the agenda being to registering one GP win before the season comes to an end. More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s radio rant shows he still ‘effin cares – nobody can criticise him for X-rated exchange

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S radio rant at the Dutch Grand Prix was perfectly OK —  and rules out suggestions the Brit is not bothered now he’s not winning.In some circles Hamilton has been heavily criticised for the X-rated exchange.
      Lewis Hamilton was furious with his team’s tactics at the Dutch Grand PrixCredit: PA
      He came fourth in Zandvoort and is still waiting for a first win of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve said he “was aggressive, almost insulting”.
      He added that “after everything the team has meant to him, you should not speak to them like that”.
      Hamilton later apologised for the language but not the sentiment, and rightly so.
      It is fantastic that even after 303 races in 15½ years in F1 he still has that passion to win.
      READ MORE IN F1
      After such a dreadful year for his Mercedes team, he now finally has a reason to believe that he will eventually break his duck for the season.
      And when that win comes I fully expect another expletive-laden radio message.
      However, the title race is over.
      Max Verstappen’s tenth win this year means he has an incredible 109-point lead in the championship.
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      And it would take something incredible for the Dutchman not to retain his world title.
      It could even be sealed as early as Singapore, some six races before the end of the campaign.

      HERTA’S NEW F1 TAUR
      AMERICAN driver Colton Herta is expected to be confirmed as a driver for the AlphaTauri team next season — paving the way for Pierre Gasly to join Alpine.
      It is the latest driver merry-go-round as teams scramble to fill seats for the 2023 season.
      Herta, 22, currently races in IndyCar but has attracted the interest of McLaren, who offered him a test in Portugal.
      However, it is Red Bull who look likeliest to sign him and park him at their sister team.
      Herta would become the first American to race in F1 since Alex Rossi in 2015.
      Meanwhile, Alpine could face an asking price if they want to sign Gasly.
      He has only just signed a deal with Red Bull but would be allowed to leave. It is whether Red Bull will waive the fee.
      His arrival could also upset Esteban Ocon, who has been urging them to sign Mick Schumacher as his team-mate instead.

      SAUDI BIKES PLAN
      MOTOGP announced plans to follow Formula One and Formula E by racing in Saudi Arabia.
      An agreement has been reached between Dorna, the promoters, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
      There is yet to be a date set for a race as there is no approved circuit but it could form part of the new F1 track being built in Qiddiya, on the outskirts of the capital city, Riyadh.
      Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta explained the deal was driven as it was becoming a key market in the Middle East.
      He said: “The region is a key market for motorsport and the demand in the Kingdom for events of this kind is growing with research showing that 80 per cent of Saudi fans want to see more in their country.
      “In the past few years, Saudi Arabia has shown its ability to stage major global motorsports events to the highest standards.”

      MO SO KEEN
      I GET the impression new FIA chief Mohammed bin Sulayem is enjoying his new job — he’s everywhere!
      On the grid before races, shaking hands with drivers and putting himself pride of place on the podium.
      At the Dutch GP, he was in his usual blue suit  and stopped to put on his oversized sunglasses. He was very much part of the show.

      PORSCHE BLOWOUT
      HAS Red Bull’s proposed tie-up with Porsche hit the skids?
      Reports in Germany say the F1 team have grown frustrated by the VW-owned company’s demands.
      And speculation is rife their current engine supplier, Honda, could perform a U-turn given the team’s success and stay in F1.
      Read More on The Sun
      WE have all got used to working with Zoom and even I can figure out how to add a blurry background.
      So it is a bit baffling why Nico Rosberg joined Sky’s F1 coverage from his bedroom, with the headboard and pillows in the background. More

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      Lewis Hamilton slammed as ‘aggressive and insulting’ after F1 star’s X-rated outburst at Mercedes after Dutch GP blunder

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      LEWIS HAMILTON was “aggressive and insulting” in his X-rated outburst to Mercedes at the Dutch Grand Prix, according to F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.The Silver Arrows opted to pit George Russell and put him on faster tyres with Hamilton leading the race.
      Hamilton was furious with his team’s decision to put Russell on SundayCredit: Getty
      Villeneuve has slammed Hamilton’s angry outburst at his Mercedes teamCredit: Getty
      The move allowed Max Verstappen to close the gap on the seven-time champion – and the Red Bull man went on to win the race, with Russell second and the fuming Hamilton only fourth.
      Hamilton told his team: “I can’t believe you screwed me like that, I can’t tell you how p****d I am,” later saying on his radio: “That was the biggest f*** up.”
      But Villeneuve, who won the F1 world championship in 1997, remains unimpressed with the Brit’s post-race comments.
      Speaking in his Formule1.nl column, he said: “I was amazed by Lewis Hamilton’s outburst in the race and especially the way it was done.
      READ MORE IN F1
      “He was aggressive, almost insulting. It is good that he has apologised, but this is not befitting a champion.
      “After everything the team has done for him, you shouldn’t be speaking to them like that.”
      Hamilton later apologised to his Mercedes team, insisting he was on the “edge of breaking point with emotions” and that the team understood it was a sign of his “passion” for the sport.
      And he then added to that on his Instagram story, saying: “We are a team Mercedes, we are world champions and we don’t always get it right.
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      “I didn’t get it right last week and we didn’t get it right today (Sunday), but we win and lose as a team.
      “We have been through worse. Everyone is doing their best and that’s all we can do.
      “We will rise and win again. I have 100% faith in this team and where we are heading,” 
      Hamilton is yet to win a race this season and sits sixth in the drivers’ championship.
      Read More on The Sun
      Meanwhile, Verstappen’s 10th win of 2022 takes him 109 points clear of Charles Leclerc as he closes in on a second successive title.
      With seven races remaining, the Dutchman needs to claim four more victories to eclipse Sebastian Vettel’s record of most wins in a single season – which currently stands at 13. More

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      F1 driver line-up 2023: Who is racing on the Formula One grid next season?

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      THE 2022 F1 season is racing along with Max Verstappen leading the championship.That has led to plenty of talk about the 2023 Formula One campaign and who will be racing for each team. Here is everyone that has been confirmed so far as the 10 teams look to strengthen.
      Max Verstappen and Lando Norris will stay at Red Bull and McLaren next season
      Red Bull
      Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
      Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is signed for Red Bull until 2028 and Sergio Perez penned an extension until 2024 after the Monaco Grand Prix.
      Red Bull have been utterly dominant in 2022 and see no reason to change their driver line-up for next season as they look to continue their stranglehold on sport.
      Verstappen will more than likely be a two-time F1 world champion by the time 2023 comes around.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Mercedes
      Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
      Mercedes will retain Lewis Hamilton and George Russell for 2023 and will hope their car can be more competitive.
      The new regulations for 2022 have cost the team with Red Bull and Ferrari now ahead of the Silver Arrows in the pecking order.
      Many believe 2023 could well be Hamilton’s last year in the sport but Mercedes will definitely want to keep him if he wants to continue his glittering career.
      Formula One 2022Everything you need to know about F1 this season

      Ferrari
      Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
      When they linked up in 2021 Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were the youngest line-up Ferrari had ever had.
      Both will race for the Prancing Horse in 2023 and will hope for better from their team who have made a number of errors with their strategy.
      Ferrari will need to deliver for their drivers next season or they could be tempted to move elsewhere as they are both out of contract at the end of the year.
      The 2023 grid is starting to take shapeCredit: AFP
      McLaren
      Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
      Lando Norris has a contract with McLaren until 2025 and is unquestionably the driver who leads the team.
      All the drama has been around the second seat though with McLaren ending the contract of Daniel Ricciardo a year early to bring in fellow Australian Oscar Piastri.
      Alpine thought they had an agreement in place for the driver they have backed throughout his career but Piastri signed a deal with McLaren instead.
      READ MORE ON F1
      Alpine
      Esteban Ocon and TBC
      Esteban Ocon is confirmed for 2023 after he signed a multi-year deal last season after an impressive start.
      Alpine were desperate to keep Fernando Alonso but were not willing to budge on offering him a one-year deal which meant he opted to shock them and sign with Aston Martin.
      Alpine then announced Oscar Piastri only for him to take to social media and state he wouldn’t be driving for them.
      The smart money is on Pierre Gasly joining the team from AlphaTauri and making it an all-French affair.
      Fernando Alonso is leaving Apline for Aston Martin in 2023Credit: Splash
      Aston Martin
      Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
      Fernando Alonso shocked Alpine by letting the world know he was joining Aston Martin to replace the retiring Sebastian Vettel.
      The Spaniard joins Lance Stroll who has the safest seat in F1 with his father owning the team.
      Aston Martin will hope Alonso can make a difference in helping the team move further forwards on the grid.
      Valtteri Bottas is set to continue at Alfa RomeoCredit: Rex
      Alfa Romeo
      Valtteri Bottas and TBC
      Valtteri Bottas left Mercedes for Alfa Romeo last season and signed a deal that is thought to run until 2024.
      His current teammate Zhou Guanyu has not been signed for 2023 yet and it is unclear whether he will be retained.
      Sauber will end their links to Alfa Romeo at the end of 2023 with Audi set to come into the sport in 2026.
      READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
      AlphaTauri
      Pierre Gasly and TBC
      Pierre Gasly does have a contract with AlphaTauri but he is believed to be in negotiations with Alpine over a move to the team in 2023.
      Yuki Tsunoda has had a more encouraging season and with Gasly leaving he could have more chance of keeping his seat.
      Red Bull junior Liam Lawson could also be a name worth monitoring if AlphaTauri do lose Gasly.
      Pierre Gasly could leave AlphaTauri for AlpineCredit: Rex
      Williams
      Alex Albon and TBC
      Alex Albon has impressed following his return to the sport and has gotten the maximum out of a car that has been hard to drive in 2022.
      Nicholas Latifi is expected to leave the team and Oscar Piastri was going to drive for Williams.
      The fact the Australian has now signed for McLaren leaves Williams considering their options as to who their other driver will be. Mercedes reserve driver Nyck de Vries has been a name mentioned.
      Read More on The Sun
      Haas
      Kevin Magnussen and TBC
      Kevin Magnussen returned to Haas and F1 at the beginning of 2022 with the sacking of Russian driver Nakita Mazepin amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
      Mick Schumacher has shown glimpses of his potential this season but his contract has yet to be renewed.
      Daniel Ricciardo has been linked with Haas if Schumacher is let go by the team. More

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      ‘F*** up’ – Hamilton still has faith in Mercedes despite X-rated blast after error allowed Verstappen to win Dutch GP

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      THIS felt like a case of déjà vu.Lewis Hamilton in the lead while driving behind the safety car – only to be passed by the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, who would go on to take the glory.
      Lewis Hamilton was left raging at his Mercedes team at the Dutch GPCredit: PA
      Max Verstappen went on to claim the victory in his homelandCredit: Getty
      There was also the tin-foil hat brigade on social media casting wild accusations of a conspiracy after Red Bull’s sister team had sparked a rather strange virtual safety car.
      The scars from those wounds inflicted at last year’s controversial finale in Abu Dhabi are still obvious at Mercedes.
      But there was no need for an inquest here. No race director sacking, either. Just a good old passionate outburst in obvious frustration after a team cock-up.
      Hamilton fumed over the radio at his team: “That was the biggest f*** up.”.
      READ MORE F1
      He later added: “I can’t believe you guys f****** screwed me. I can’t tell you how p***** I am.”
      Hamilton came home in fourth place behind teammate George Russell and Charles Leclec, who finished in second and third place respectively.
      He later apologised for his language used towards his team but didn’t for his passion.
      Quite why Mercedes failed to pit Hamilton – when they did his teammate Russell – will be unpicked at their Brackley HQ today.
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      But once he had cooled down after his rant on the team’s radio, Hamilton was adamant they ARE still the best in the business – despite the error which denied him a long-awaited win.
      When asked if he felt whether Mercedes had the right staff in place, Hamilton was definite.
      “One hundred percent we do,” he said: “This team are a group of young, super-determined individuals.
      “Some have been here as long as me or longer. They continue to be motivated every year. I 1,000 percent believe we have the right team in place.
      “Today wasn’t an easy call. Of course we could always look back at all the scenarios and see what we could have done or if we would have made a different choice.
      “But that’s not life. You just learn from it. I was hopeful to get a podium. I was hopeful to get a first or second at least but we move on.”
      It was a thrilling race from start to finish. Hamilton nearly collided with Carlos Sainz on the first lap when they came dangerously close to touching.
      But this week there was no repeat of the incident which ended his race on lap one of the Belgian GP just seven days earlier.
      He was three seconds behind pole-sitter Verstappen before Hamilton started cutting his way back into the race.
      He tangled with Sergio Perez as the Mexican driver put up a spirited fight before Hamilton finally squeezed past on lap 36.
      On the hard tyre, Hamilton started cutting into Verstappen’s lead in the hope of going the race distance with only one pitstop.
      But that strategy went out the window on lap 47 when Yuki Tsunoda complained of feeling his wheels were not fitted correctly.
      The Japanese driver made a pitstop but came out back on track only to pull over to the side and the race director deployed the virtual safety car, which allowed Verstappen to make a stop for fresh tyres.
      It played into his hands as he was able to maintain his place at the front.
      But on lap 56, it was Hamilton’s turn for a long-overdue slice of luck.
      It came in the form of a retirement for his chum Valtteri Bottas, whose Alfa Romeo conked out.
      Verstappen decided to stop again, but curiously Hamilton had stayed out, promoting him to the lead.
      Merc boss Toto Wolff admitted it was a tough call not to bring Hamilton in for tyresCredit: Splash
      But rather than stopping for tyres himself, Mercedes kept him out on track and he was left a sitting duck when the race resumed on lap 66.
      It was all too easy as Verstappen swooped past into turn one and into the lead and on his way to victory.
      Hamilton’s chances of his first win of the season were extinguished and he then saw his podium disappear too, as he was eventually passed by Russell and Charles Leclerc.
      Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff admitted it was a tough call not to bring Hamilton in for tyres.
      He said: “It’s right [he’s angry], because the pitwall and strategists try to calculate probabilities and come up with the best possible decisions.
      “It all came so quickly. It was so tremendously difficult to make the right judgement call and especially if you have two drivers that are competing against each other.
      “One is going to be upset and the other one is going to be happy and that’s the swing and just acknowledge that the frustration on one side is always there.
      “Every single day of my life, I’d rather risk everything for winning the race rather than cementing second and third.
      “We get emotional in the race. And when you’re the driver in the car, it just comes out and you can’t stop it.
      “We are the trash can, the vomit bag in the aeroplane. And we’re taking all that because we need to.
      READ MORE SPORT
      “This is how it has always been in a relationship between a frustrated driver and the pitwall.
      “We decided to take a risk that really backfired for him. But there’s more positives to take and this is what we chatted about.” More

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      ‘That was the biggest f*** up’ – Lewis Hamilton fumes at Mercedes after blowing chance to win first Grand Prix of season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON fumed at Mercedes for blowing his chance of winning his first Grand Prix of season. Hamilton was leading in Holland with team-mate George Russell in second and arch rival Max Verstappen placed third.
      Lewis Hamilton during the Dutch GPCredit: Alamy
      But as Mercedes brought Russell into pits to put fast tyres on, it allowed Verstappen to close the gap.
      The Dutchman and Russell eventually overtook Hamilton, leaving the seven-time champion fuming.
      He said: “I can’t believe you screwed me like that. I can’t tell you how p****d I am.”
      He was also heard saying on radio: “That was the biggest f*** up.”
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      Hamilton’s day ended in misery as he failed to secure a podium spot, finishing in fourth.
      Reigning champion Verstappen made it a winning return on home soil with Russell in second.
      Charles Leclerc came third meaning Hamilton came away with nothing.
      And it had fans online calling for the Brit to LEAVE Mercedes after being cost his pole position.
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      One said: “Mercedes and George Russell just cost Lewis Hamilton the win. Make no mistake.”
      Another said: “Lewis Hamilton has to leave Mercedes, please.”
      One added: “Sorry, but I think this is the race that changes everything. Lewis Hamilton needs to leave Mercedes.
      “That call is not something that can be ignored.”
      Another commented: “Nah, Mercedes does not deserve Sir Lewis Hamilton.”
      Lewis Hamilton before the Dutch Grand PrixCredit: Getty More

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      Who is F1 star George Russell’s girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt, how long has she been with the Mercedes driver?

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      GEORGE RUSSELL has impressed this season as Mercedes’ new F1 superstar. The Brit has put in some sterling performances with Lewis Hamilton by his side in the paddock.
      Carmen Mundt enjoyed some time at a Miami Heat game with George Russell earlier this yearCredit: Instagram @carmenmmundt
      Mercedes driver George Russell enjoys trip to the country side with girlfriend Carmen MundtCredit: Instagram / @carmenmmundt
      Though the driving starlet has yet to win a Grand Prix, there seems to be plenty for Russell to be getting excited about in his career.
      But his personal life is flourishing nicely too, as Russell’s girlfriend is investment broker Carmen Montero Mundt.

      Who is Carmen Montero Mundt?
      Mundt has been in a relationship with Russell since 2020, months after the latter finished things with his ex-girlfriend.
      Russell split with former flame Seychelle de Vries, who is the sister of ex-Mercedes academy team-mate Nyck de Vries.
      Not much has been said in public by Russell about Mundt, who has been pictured alongside her man at F1 races on numerous ocassions.
      Mundt was a student at the University of Westminster and studied for a degree in business management and finance.
      After graduating, Mundt took up a job working for investman firm W1 Investment group as a client relationship intern.
      But she moved onto Ruffer LLP in 2022, becoming an investor relations associate.
      Carmen Mundt works as an investment broker with Ruffer LLPCredit: Instagram @carmenmmundt
      Carmen Mundt has travelled the world with George Russell since making their relationsjip officialCredit: Instagram @carmenmmundt
      Since making things official with Russell, the pair have travelled the globe together thanks to the Brit’s driving exploits.
      But they’ve holidayed for pleasure too, as the pair were pictures soaking up the sun in St Barts last year.
      They also attended the premiere of James Bond film ‘No Time To Die’ in 2021.
      And after Russell’s move to Mercedes, Mundt posted on Instagram to congratulate her partner on his big move, writing: “All smiles. So proud @georgerussell63.”
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