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      ‘What an idiot’ – Lewis Hamilton OUT after crashing into F1 rival Fernando Alonso on first lap of dramatic Belgium GP

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      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON was forced to retire in the first round of the Belgian Grand Prix after a dramatic crash in the opening lap.The Stevenage speedster went over the top of Fernando Alonso after colliding with the Apline ace in the second corner of the Spa race.

      Lewis Hamilton went over the top of Fernando Alonso in the opening lap of the Belgian Grand PrixCredit: GETTY
      Hamilton’s Mercedes was badly damaged from the crashCredit: Getty
      Hamilton soared through the air but miraculously didn’t harm the Spaniard and was able to continue driving – albeit not very well.
      After the collision, Mercedes chiefs told the Brit: “Stop, stop, stop!”
      The seven-time champion begrudgingly listened to their advice, bringing his race to a premature end.
      A furious Alonso raged on the Apline team radio: “Yeah. What an idiot!
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      “Closing the door from the outside. I mean, we had a mega start.
      “But this guy only knows how to drive and start in first.”
      F1 fans were quick to react to the dramatic opening lap, with one saying: “All on Lewis there, anyway who says otherwise doesn’t watch F1.”
      Another said: “Lu lu can only drive at the front with a fast car.”
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      And another said: “As Fernando, said he only knows how to drive from 1st in the fastest car, complete fraud.”
      One remarked: “Alonso just turned in on him.”
      Another chimed in: “How’s that happened then?”
      Mercedes superstar Hamilton was confident of picking up his first win of the season ahead of this afternoon’s race.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton has yet to taste victory this seasonCredit: AP
      He said: “We’ve been improving, we’ve had this consistency of the recent races and great progress that the team is making, everyone pulling together and continuing to push.
      “The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start of the year!
      “It’s more like a normal racing car in terms of its characteristics so that’s positive.
      “The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. That for us was a huge boost, that we can close that gap.
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      “It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down.
      “The other guys are doing an amazing job but I do believe we can close the gap.”
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      Lewis Hamilton releases new +44 clothing range based on lucky number ahead of Belgium GP as he chases first F1 win

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      SIR Lewis Hamilton has launched his own clothing brand after finally breaking his Instagram following duck – and it involves his lucky number.Fans of the F1 superstar went into a frenzy after he recently followed +44 on the social media app.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton has long used the number 44Credit: GETTY
      And he’s launched a clothing brand with the numberCredit: PLUS 44
      And the account has since revealed it’ll be selling merchandise designed by the seven-time champion.
      Hamilton shared a picture of himself donning a white top with the logo on his Twitter on Friday night.
      His accompanying caption read: “Eye of the storm.”
      Plus 44 is currently selling short and long-sleeved t-shirts and a fluorescent yellow poncho.
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      Forty-four, of course, is Hamilton’s race number – which he’s used since F1 drivers were allowed to have them in 2014.
      But the Stevenage speedster didn’t randomly choose the number.
      He said: “Of course, each year I start, basically it’s a new fresh start for everyone.
      “I always start with the number 44 because that’s the number that I had on my go-kart when I was eight years old.
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      “It was my dad’s car registration number, F44, so each year it’s just a new chance to rise to the challenge.”
      Mercedes superstar Hamilton has yet to taste victory this season, although he’s confident of picking up his first win.
      Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Belgian Grand Prix, he said: “We’ve been improving, we’ve had this consistency of the recent races and great progress that the team is making, everyone pulling together and continuing to push.
      “The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start of the year!
      “It’s more like a normal racing car in terms of its characteristics so that’s positive.
      “The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. That for us was a huge boost, that we can close that gap.
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      “It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down.
      “The other guys are doing an amazing job but I do believe we can close the gap.”
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      Lewis Hamilton handed huge Belgian Grand Prix boost with Leclerc and Verstappen set to be demoted to back of grid

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been handed a huge boost ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix with title leaders Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen set to be demoted to the back of the grid. The Brit driver is still looking for his first win of the season and will likely not get a better chance this season with both frontrunners having to fight through the pack.
      Charles Leclerc is looking to turn his fortunes around after Ferrari’s form fell off a cliff in the last few racesCredit: Rex
      Max Verstappen has an 80 point lead in the Driver’s ChampionshipCredit: Rex
      Lewis Hamilton has not won an F1 race since December’s Saudi Arabian Grand PrixCredit: Rex
      Leclerc and Verstappen are just two of SIX drivers set to take penalties, with several teams choosing to take new power units and having to start from the back of the grid as a result.
      McLaren’s Lando Norris, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas of Alfa Romeo and Haas’ Mick Schumacher are the other drivers set to be penalised.
      The penalties have been confirmed by the governing body the FIA after the first practice session.
      Teams are believed to be taking the penalties at this race as it is easier in to overtake in Belgium and make up places than other tracks.
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      It will throw the cat among the pigeons as F1 returns from its mid-season break at the legendary Spa circuit.
      Leclerc and Verstappen have won all but two races between them this season but their low starting positions could open the door to other drivers.

      Lewis Hamilton finished 2nd at the Hungarian Grand Prix and was very competitive at last month’s chaotic British Grand Prix.
      The seven-time World Champion is also on a run of five podiums on the bounce as Mercedes gradually close the gap to Ferrari and Red Bull.
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      His team-mate George Russell may also now believe his first victory is within reach with the Brit snatching his first ever pole at Hungary in the last race.
      Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, both with only a sole win so far this season, may also think their team-mates’ penalties could open opportunities for the race victory.
      After his early season struggles, Hamilton is feeling increasingly positive about his Mercedes car.
      He told the Belgian Grand Prix press conference that the Merc was becoming “more of a racing car” after its uncompetitive showing in the early races.
      The 37-year-old also had an active summer break as he toured Africa to explore his roots. More

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      ‘I’m in love’ – Lewis Hamilton believes he is closing in on first F1 win of season and hints at snubbing retirement

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      LEWIS HAMILTON believes he is finally closing in on achieving his first win of the year ahead of this weekend’s Belgium GP.Hamilton is currently on the longest winless run of his F1 career – a streak that stretches back to the Saudi GP last December.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton is on the longest winless run of his F1 careerCredit: SPLASH
      But the Brit is confident his drought will soon come to an endCredit: Splash
      But the 37-year-old, who has won at least one race in every year he has competed in F1, is confident of finally breaking his duck in 2022.
      Hamilton, who was second in Hungary, said: “We’ve been improving, we’ve had this consistency of the recent races and great progress that the team is making, everyone pulling together and continuing to push.
      “The car is becoming more of a racing car, which is not particularly what it was at the start of the year!
      “It’s more like a normal racing car in terms of its characteristics so that’s positive.
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      “The last race was the best showing we’ve had so far. That for us was a huge boost, that we can close that gap.
      “It’s naturally going to be tough, we’ll keep our heads down.
      “The other guys are doing an amazing job but I do believe we can close the gap.”
      Hamilton also says he has no plans to quit the sport, despite his soul-searching trip to Africa during the F1 summer break.
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      He added: “There’s still plenty to achieve here, personally.
      “Maybe not that many records, but still a lot of ground to cover with the team.
      “I am still deeply in love with the sport.

      “And I particularly like the direction and the things that we’re doing within it.
      “But of course there’s lots more outside that’s continuing to grow as well. So it’s an exciting time.”
      Meanwhile, F1 chiefs are expected to confirm on Friday that Audi will be coming into the sport in 2026.
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      The German car brand have taken a majority stake in the Sauber team, who are currently badged as Alfa Romeo.
      Audi is just one of the car brands owned by the Volkswagen group, with Porsche also expected to forge links with Red Bull.
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      Lewis Hamilton has ‘shot at winning races’ after Mercedes ‘out-develop rivals’ with ‘big, big upgrade’ during break

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      LEWIS HAMILTON and team-mate George Russell now have a shot at winning races.That’s according to Juan Pablo Montoya, who claims that Mercedes have had a “big, big upgrade” during the F1 break.
      Lewis Hamilton will now have a shot at winning races, says Juan Pablo MontoyaCredit: Getty
      The seven-time champ posted a photo on social media to declare that he was back driving after the F1 breakCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lewishamilton/
      There are still nine races left on the calendar this season and Brit racer Hamilton sits sixth in the individual standings.
      The upcoming Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday signifies the end of the month-long break for the drivers.
      Hamilton, 37, whose father Anthony is of Grenadian descent, took the time to travel across Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania on a self-discovery mission.
      The seven-time champ has not won a race since December last year, but legendary driver Montoya thinks that may change soon.
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      He told Vegas Insider: “The rumour is that Mercedes has a big, big upgrade coming for their cars.
      “And, if that is the case, Mercedes really comes up with a car, which is really cool to see from Mercedes.
      “It is very exciting. Mercedes is still gonna get better, against everybody else, but everybody else in the field is gonna stay very constant.
      “Because they all keep developing and making the cars better to drive, easier to drive.
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      “Everybody is getting a little more comfortable with the new package, and understanding the new package.”
      “So I think the way everybody is developing the cars is going to be very similar, but I still think that Mercedes out-develops everybody else. That is my two cents.” 
      “The question is, is Mercedes’ step so big that they start winning every race, and they are going to win the last nine races, and they are going to do one, two, seven or eight times, and you know, they have a shot at the Constructor Championship, while everybody else fumbles?”
      I see Mercedes might have a shot at winning a couple of races this year if their developing goes wellJuan Pablo Montoya
      “Or their step is, ok, we are starting to fight against Red Bull and Mercedes, and we are just there? That is the more realistic version of what I see coming.
      “I see Mercedes might have a shot at winning a couple of races this year if their developing goes well.”
      Hamilton said he was “transformed” by his trip through Africa.
      And it could prove to be the perfect reset after a tough start to the season where he remains winless – and on the longest drought of his F1 career.
      He has not won a race since the Saudi Arabian GP last December, but said the break was “some of the best days of my entire life”.
      Legend Montoya thinks that Mercedes ‘out-develop’ the rest over the course of the seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      ‘I’m not the same man I was’ – F1 star Lewis Hamilton ‘transformed’ by Africa trip and raring to go for Belgium GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON returns to work this weekend at the Belgium GP after being “transformed” by his trip through Africa.Hamilton, whose father Anthony is of Grenadian descent, travelled across Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania on a self-discovery mission.
      Lewis Hamilton says he was ‘transformed’ by his trip to AfricaCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton has not won a race in F1 since December last yearCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton says it was a much needed breakCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      F1 is back this weekend in SpaCredit: Getty
      The 37-year-old explored with a bunch of mates, including Daniel Forrest, known as Spinz, who documented Hamilton’s travels on social media.
      And it could prove to be the perfect reset after a tough start to the season where he remains winless – and on the longest drought of his F1 career.
      Hamilton, who has not won a race since the Saudi Arabian GP last December, said the break was “some of the best days of my entire life”.
      He added on social media: “I’m not the same man I was before this trip, all the beauty, love, and peacefulness I experienced has me feeling fully transformed.
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      “No amount of photos could capture how I’m feeling now and what I’m trying to say. Just know, where words fall short, emotions run deep.
      “I connected with my roots and my history and I feel my ancestors with me now stronger than I ever have before.”
      Hamilton’s trip saw him take a hot air balloon ride, visit the Pokot people in Kenya and take in an animal sanctuary, as he crammed a lot into F1’s three-week break.
      However, he will be back on duty this weekend at the Belgium GP where he is going in search of victory after finishing second last out in the Hungarian GP.

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      World champion Max Verstappen’s victory at the Hungaroring saw him extend his lead over Charles Lecelerc to 80 points while Hamilton is a whopping 112 points behind the Dutchman.
      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will hope that Hamilton’s expedition through Africa will not have rekindled thoughts about retirement.
      Hamilton has spoken about quitting and has given it some serious thought, but during this season, there appears to have been a u-turn.
      Wolff first mentioned that he was speaking to Hamilton about extending his stay in the team beyond 2023, when his current deal is set to expire.
      The Austrian said at the French GP – Hamilton’s 300th race in F1 – that their partnership could go “about five to 10 years”, so “we can go to 400 [races]”.
      And Hamilton too recently said in a recent Vanity Fair interview that he’d “be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought about extending”.
      Mercedes and Wolff will be praying that still remains the case.
      Meanwhile, Belgium GP bosses will show off the circuit’s £80million overhaul, including resurfacing, which promises quicker lap times.
      However, as yet, there is no contract in place with the historic circuit meaning this is the last Belgium GP as it stands.
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      Last year, the race turned into a farce as heavy rain forced the start to be delayed multiple times.
      The race lasted for only one lap – the shortest in F1 history with fans left upset and feeling short-changed. More

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      Lewis Hamilton opens up on retirement and his F1 future after Toto Wolff claims Mercedes star can reach 400 races

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has lifted the lid on his F1 future after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff claimed the Brit can reach 400 races in the sport.Hamilton’s had an illustrious career since starting out with McLaren in 2007.
      Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has claimed Lewis Hamilton can reach 400 races with the teamCredit: Reuters
      But Hamilton revealed he’s taking it one race at a time in response to Wolff’s predictionCredit: Rex
      The Brit went on to join Mercedes in 2013, and has scooped seven titles thus far.
      He was denied the chance to break F1 legend Micheal Schumacher’s record and lift his eighth title by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen last season.
      And Hamilton’s crushing loss sparked fears that his pending retirement loomed.
      But he brushed off the rumours to reach 300 races this season at the French GP.
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      Hamilton finished the race in second, behind Verstappen, and his performance led Wolff to claim the Mercedes star can add another 100 races to his catalogue, over the next decade.
      He said: “[Lewis and I] talked a few weeks ago about how long our partnership can go and the figure discussed was about five to 10 years, so I think we can go to 400.”
      However, Hamilton didn’t share the same optimism when asked about Wolff’s prediction.
      He responded: “That’s a lot of races! I firstly just want to be grateful to get to this point.

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      “But I still feel fresh and still feel like I’ve got plenty of fuel left in the tank.
      “So, I’m enjoying what I’m doing. I’m… really, really proud and enjoying arriving every day and working with this incredible group of people. I’m also enjoying working with the sport more than ever.
      He also urged Mercedes to do better after their poor start to the season.
      Mercedes languish in third in the F1 table, behind Ferarri and leaders Red Bull.
      While Hamilton’s chances of clinching the F1 title look slim as he sits in sixth spot in the driver standings.
      He added: “But again, just with our team, I always want to continue to be building.
      “It’s one thing having races, but it’s also continuing the work that we do outside and doing more; I think Mercedes and us can always do more, and we will.”
      Mercedes and Hamilton will have the chance to close the gap this weekend at the Belgium GP after the F1’s month-long break. More

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      ‘He’s taking it easy’ – Lewis Hamilton slated for ‘not dusting off his right foot’ after slow start to F1 season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has taken the first half of the 2022 season “easy”, according to former F1 world champion Nigel Mansell.The 37-year-old Brit made a slow start to the year as Mercedes struggled for pace against the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari.
      Russell currently leads Hamilton in the drivers’ championshipCredit: Getty
      Mansell feels Hamilton has taken the first half of the 2022 season easyCredit: Getty
      Hamilton’s new team-mate George Russell raced into a substantial lead over his more experienced Mercedes partner.
      But the seven-time champion closed the gap to just 12 points before the summer break thanks to five successive podium finishes.
      And Mansell feels Hamilton has not yet put his foot down in 2022 – but does not think that should take away from the performances of Russell or McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris.
      Speaking to Adrian Flux, he said: “I like both George Russell and Lando Norris.
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      “I think the opportunity that George has cast on the fact that Lewis hasn’t decided to dust off his right foot yet.
      “I think he’s taking it easy.”
      Yet despite claiming that Hamilton is yet to really put the pressure on Russell, Mansell insists he is impressed by both the new Mercedes man and Norris.
      He added:”He [Russell] is doing a great job and I think Lando when the car is performing, he’s put some great results in.”
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      The F1 season gets back underway this weekend after a month break with the Belgian Grand Prix.
      The paddock is preparing for a hectic three weeks with races in Belgium, Holland and Italy all taking place before the middle of September.
      Defending champion Max Verstappen leads the championship by a huge 80 points from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
      Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez is a further five points adrift, with Russell, Carlos Sainz and Hamilton propping up the top six ahead of Norris.
      Hamilton will be hoping he can secure a first victory of 2022 in the final nine races to maintain his record of winning a Grand Prix in every season since debuting back in 2007.
      Norris is the highest-placed driver outside of Red Bull, Ferrari and MercedesCredit: Splash More