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      Lewis Hamilton hails F1 for finally cracking USA but admits Max Verstappen dominance is bad for sport

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is thrilled Formula One has finally found a home in the United States – but the real proof will come in Las Vegas in November.The seven-time world champion has hailed the way the sport has been run by Liberty Media since they took control in 2017.
      Lewis Hamilton has discussed F1’s surging popularity in the USCredit: Splash
      The US company have opened up the sport to a younger audience by engaging with social media, an area in which previous F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone failed.
      Liberty have also lucked into the hit TV series on Netflix, Drive to Survive, which has changed the demographic of the sport across the world.
      F1’s popularity has sky-rocketed and Liberty have added two races to the calendar with Vegas and Miami joining Austin, the host of this weekend’s US GP.
      Earlier this week, NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce both joined a group of investors in Alpine F1 team while Walmart heir and Denver Broncos owner, Rob Walton, has been linked with an investment in McLaren.
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      And Hamilton believes it all points to a healthy position in the US.
      He said: “When I came to the States for the first time in 2007, and for many years afterwards, you always find yourself just repeating yourself.
      “I couldn’t fully understand when I went to NFL games, NBA games, seeing how passionate the Americans are about sport, how they hadn’t yet caught the [F1] bug.
      “So it’s been amazing to see that a large portion of the country is now speaking about it. Everyone wants to be a driver.
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      “We have to continue to look at what is next. I think having the three races out here in such a huge nation, is massively helpful.”
      However, Hamilton admits this season’s domination by Max Verstappen has caused a down-turn in popularity on social media, with numbers noticeably down on the previous two years.
      The Dutchman has already wrapped up the title while his Red Bull team have also secured the constructors’ championship, which Hamilton says is turning fans off.
      The Brit, 38, added: “Within our sport, we have to continue to work on making sure we’re having close racing, because I think you’ve seen the social engagement drop a huge amount this year.
      “It’s obviously heavily impacted on competition. People want to see that. So, we have to make sure that we’re making the right decisions, or the governing body is making the right decisions, to keep us close.”
      Meanwhile, the Brit hopes the new F1 film starring Brad Pitt, which he is helping to write the script for, will take the sport to a new audience, particularly with Vegas joining the F1 calendar this season.
      He said: “The movie is a huge step in that direction of broadening the horizon.
      “That’s really part of the new leadership with Liberty Media and the great work they are doing and being open to trying new things.
      “The fact that we’re allowed to do this movie, and have the concessions in terms of allowing an extra team being on track and filming with these film stars, has never been done before.
      “And there’s going to be a huge spotlight on Vegas. And that will play an important part in our movie.
      “So with Austin, Vegas and Miami, we’ve got these great cities with amazing fan bases in each of them, all providing a different atmosphere.
      “I always felt that we needed more than one race in the US, because the complaint was always people having to get up in the middle of the night to watch a Grand Prix, so it was really difficult to get into it.
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      “So this is really enabling it to be something with a buzz that’s continuing. But we do have to continue to grow and I think the movie particularly is going to help do that.
      “F1 is the only truly international or global sport and so we need to educate more and more people in it. There’s still many people out there we’ve got to get to catch the bug.”
      Hamilton, 38, believes that Max Verstappen’s dominance is bad for the sportCredit: Rex More

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      Lewis Hamilton REFUSES to pay huge new F1 fines unless FIA meets seven-time champ’s conditions

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      FORMULA ONE drivers are furious they could now be fined up to a million euros for breaking the sport’s rules after the FIA QUADRUPLED their maximum punishment.The ruling came into effect after a World Motorsport Council meeting in Geneva on Thursday – led by FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
      Lewis Hamilton says he’d only pay a big fine if it went to a good causeCredit: Rex
      Hamilton was fined heavily after an early smash with George RussellCredit: Rex
      It comes after a series of punishments were dished out to drivers in the Qatar Grand Prix.
      Lewis Hamilton was slapped with a €50,000 fine (43.5k), of which half was suspended, for crossing the live race track following his first-lap smash with Mercedes teammate George Russell.
      And the seven-time world champion was stunned to learn of the new maximum penalty that picky stewards could now dish out.
      And he says he will REFUSE to pay it unless it goes towards a good cause.
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      He said: “We do need to be thinking about the message that sends out to those watching. If they are going to be fined a million, let’s make sure 100 percent goes to a good cause.
      “It is a lot of money in this industry and there is a lot more we need to do in terms of creating better accessibility and diversity, that’s the only way they’ll get that million from me.”
      Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc added: “It’s a huge amount of money. I have no idea what deserves a 1m euros penalty, some drivers are making less than that.”
      Haas driver Kevin Magnussen said it was “ridiculous” and AlphaTauri’s Daniel Ricciardo labelled it “scary.”
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      Meanwhile, Russell who is director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association was stunned to learn of the news via a question in the press conference ahead of the US Grand Prix.
      The FIA had not consulted drivers that the maximum penalty was being raised from €250,000 and there is now a fear they will start hitting them in their wallets.
      He said: “I think it’s pretty ridiculous that a driver could be fined a million Euros.
      “In my first year in F1, I was on a five-figure salary and actually lost over six figures in that first year paying for a trainer, flights, an assistant and that’s probably the case for 25 percent of the grid.
      “We are doing what we love, so not complaining about that but if you fine him a million, I don’t know what’s going to happen.
      “We’ve requested before from FIA to hear where these fines are going towards, what causes. It needs to be invested in grassroots but so far had no response on where that’s going.
      “I would love to get some clarity and transparency, if they truly believe a million fine is worthwhile and going to reinvest into sport, then maybe one of the drivers who earns a lot is happy to pay that, but it seems obscene.
      “We just want transparency and understanding. I think already the fines are getting out of control.
      “Max Verstappen was fined €50,000 for touching a car in Brazil, Lewis being fined €50,000…it feels like these numbers are being plucked out of the air.
      “There’s a lot greater global issues going on and so much poverty around the world how can a federation make up these fines?
      For me, it sounds obscene and there needs to be a lot more transparency about where these fines are going.George Russell
      “I don’t know what you have to do to get a fine of million euros, I don’t know of any sport or profession outside of the corporate world where you can be fined that amount.
      “For me, it sounds obscene and there needs to be a lot more transparency about where these fines are going.
      “There needs to be a much better dialogue between FIA and drivers.”
      The FIA point out that while the previous limit was €250,000, no offence had been deemed worthy of issuing the maximum penalty.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton says that he does not believe he is being singled out by the penalty he picked up in Qatar.
      Hamilton has also recently been the subject of a jewellery ban by the FIA, which had resulted in him being granted a medical exception for a nose stud.
      However, there was some confusion that the FIA would re-open their investigation into walking across the track following a clunky-worded statement.
      He added: “No, I don’t think I was singled out. Ultimately it was poor communication, I don’t think what the FIA said is what they meant.
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      “I think they are going to look into how they can tackle those things [crossing a track] moving forwards, so those things don’t happen.
      “We need to make sure we are continuously focusing on safety, the FIA just need to speak to their PR agent to do a better job.” More

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      Inside the abandoned NASCAR track once ‘fastest in the country’ overrun by nature and flattened for a parking lot

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      FLEMINGTON Speedway was once the oldest operating race track to hold weekly racing events until its closure at the start of the century.The New Jersey speedway was created as a nineteenth-century fairgrounds horse racing track before converting to vehicles.
      Flemington Speedway was a motor racing circuit in Flemington, New JerseyCredit: YouTube/Black Flags Matter
      The abandoned NASCAR track was once ruled the “fastest in the country”Credit: YouTube/Black Flags Matter
      It was paved in 1990Credit: YouTube/Black Flags Matter
      The speedway was a weekly attraction for fans in the surrounding areaCredit: YouTube/Black Flags Matter
      Originally the track was a half-mile, four-cornered dirt oval.
      In 1911, motorcycles were first allowed to race on the track.
      Soon after, the venue’s grandstand was constructed and remained standing until the speedway’s demolition in 2005.
      Auto races became a high point of the annual Flemington Fair, with stock car racing becoming the weekly attraction after lighting was built in 1955.

      In 1966, the speedway was reworked and received a major upgrade.
      It was increasing it’s length to a 5/8th mile, semi-banked rounded rectangle, dubbed “The Square.”
      24 years later, the track got its last renovation.
      Flemington speedway was paved in 1990, increasing speeds dramatically and causing a series of crashes.
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      After the crashes and injuries drivers endured, Flemington made final improvements by adding foam blocks to the walls.
      Speeds got so high that fans claimed the speedway was the “fastest in the country.”
      Unfortunately, Flemington continuously lost money after being paved and closed in 2002.
      The property was sold off to developers and demolished in 2005.
      It’s still viewable via renderings from Google Earth, but the speedway is completely flattened.
      A parking lot and Lowe’s store now occupies the defunct speedway property.
      The once speedway is now a Lowe’sCredit: Youtube/BlackFlagsMatter
      Flemington Speedway’s last race was held in 2002Credit: Youtube/BlackFlagsMatter More

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      Bianca Bustamente breaks down in tears as she throws on McLaren gear for first time after making history with F1 giants

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      BIANCA BUSTAMENTE broke down in tears as she threw on her McLaren shirt for the very first time.The F1 Academy racer made history by becoming the first ever female driver to join the constructor’s Driver Development programme.
      Bianca Bustamente posted her reaction to joining McLaren’s Driver Development programmeCredit: Instagram @racerbia
      Bustamente threw on her McLaren gear for the first timeCredit: Instagram @racerbia
      She broke down in tears during the videoCredit: Instagram @racerbia
      Well wishes and congratulations flooded in for Bustamente following the announcement yesterday.
      But taking to Instagram, she revealed her reaction to putting on the McLaren team shirt for the first time.
      Bustamente broke down in tears of joy as she put on the shirt and could not hide her joy.
      The 18-year-old wrote a lengthy post regarding the “special moment”.
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      She said: “Was sooo shy to post this one, but I just had to. Putting on my McLaren team shirt for the very first time was a very special moment. So many thoughts and emotions came to me.
      “All the struggles and trials my family and I had to battle through, the support from so many people to help me get here, the community of race fans cheering me on, the history and prominence that McLaren represents…
      “It’s reallllly hard to describe this moment but I couldn’t fight back my tears… It’s one step closer to my dreams, but still such a long way to go.
      “Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart. I promise to give it my all, I will not waste this opportunity 🧡.”
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      Bustamente will represent McLaren in the 2024 F1 Academy season and run the team’s livery on her race car with ART Grand Prix.
      She made her single-seater debut in the 2022 W Series, before it was axed halfway through the season and went in administration a year later.
      In 2023 the Philippine international has raced with PREMA racing in the inaugural season of F1 Academy.
      Bustamente has earned two race wins and two further podiums during the season, with the finale taking place Austin, TX, United States alongside the weekend’s F1 GP.
      Her joining McLaren comes after James Bond stunt driver Jessica Hawkins became the first woman to test an F1 car since 2018 for Aston Martin last month.
      Bustamente was use McLaren’s livery in races next seasonCredit: Instagram @racerbia
      She said it was a ‘very special moment’Credit: Instagram @racerbia
      Bustamente has scored two race wins and two podiums in this season’s F1 AcademyCredit: Instagram @racerbia
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      McLaren F1 team make history by adding first ever female driver to its ranks

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      BIANCA BUSTAMANTE has made history by becoming McLaren’s first-ever female driver.The academy racer has become the newest addition to the British motor racing team’s development programme.
      Bianca Bustamante has made history by becoming McLaren’s first female driverCredit: Getty
      Bustamante has earned two podium finishes in the F1 Academy seasonCredit: Instagram @racerbia
      The 18-year-old is currently with PREMA racingCredit: Instagram @racerbia
      Bustamante, 18, was born in the Philippines and made her single-seater debut in the 2022 W Series.
      This year she raced in the inaugural F1 Academy season with PREMA racing where she has so far earned two wins and another two podium finishes.
      She will be heading into the season finale in Austin, Texas this weekend currently sitting in 7th place.
      The McLaren programme will include the youngster to represent the team on the 2024 F1 Academy grid and run their livery.
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      Bustamante is also set to switch teams to ART Grand Prix next season.
      The programme is led by the legendary Emanuele Pirro – where the promising young driver will join McLaren’s talented rank in the hope of racing in the prestigious F1, IndyCar and Formula E.
      Speaking on her success as the first female to join the British side, Bustamante said: “This is such an unreal moment in my career.
      “To sign with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is way beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined growing up racing karts in the Philippines.
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      “I still have a hard time seeing my name next to McLaren without getting emotional, as the history and heritage linked to this team leaves me truly speechless.
      “I’m so grateful for this opportunity as I believe I now have the best possible development structure around me to take the next step up in my career.
      “And for this, I am so thankful. 2023 was all about improving my speed which I demonstrated across several races this year.
      “But in 2024 my aim is to establish consistency and improve my mental strength in order to make a title challenge in the coming F1 Academy season.
      “For now, my focus is to finish off the F1 Academy season strongly here in Austin, but we’ll get to work immediately on the 2024 season. I’ve never been more motivated in my life!
      “A big thanks goes to Susie Wolff and the team at F1 Academy for fighting so hard for us girls and to give us this opportunity to be the best we can be.” More

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      F1 fan-favourite to return THIS WEEKEND at US GP in Austin as fans say ‘time to show Red Bull what he’s made of’

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      F1 cult hero Daniel Ricciardo will return from injury for this weekend’s United States GP.The 34-year-old has missed the past five races after he broke his left hand in practice for the Dutch GP.
      Daniel Ricciardo will return from injury for this weekend’s United States Grand PrixCredit: PA
      The racing star is fan-favourite among F1 followersCredit: AFP
      The Australian will be back behind the wheel at Austin, after recently participating in a Red Bull demonstration run in Nashville.
      Ricciardo was handed a second chance by Red Bull’s junior team AlphaTauri following his dismissal by McLaren at the end of last season.
      He was only three races into his comeback when he had a crash in Zandvoort. 
      Liam Lawson, who has been filling in for Ricciardo, will now step aside as the fan favourite returns.
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      And his loving supporters are thrilled to see him return to the Circuit of the Americas.
      One Ricciardo enthusiast wrote: “Time to show Redbull what he is made off!”
      A second said: “I hope he comes out swinging.”
      A third added: “And hopefully next season he will be in the Red Bull with Max.”
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      Despite his injury, AlphaTauri announced that they have kept the eight-time GP winner on their team for 2024, alongside Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda.
      And Ricciardo hopes to use that as a springboard for a potential return to the Red Bull seat he vacated five years ago. 
      Sergio Perez is out of contract at the end of next year and the team will consider its options for who may partner Max Verstappen in the long-term.
      The US Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday, as Verstappen has already wrapped up the season with his third successive title.
      Daniel Ricciardo underwent surgery for a broken hand in August More

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      I spent drunk nights with Michael Schumacher – he’d get smashed & rip pals’ clothes off… we’d never get away with it now

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      MICHAEL Schumacher used to get smashed and rip his pals’ clothes off at wild post-race parties, his ex-teammate has revealed.British F1 legend Johnny Hebert has come clean about his crazy times with the seven-time world champion – but admits they would never get away with it now.
      Schumacher in his heyday as he celebrates his win at the British Grand Prix in 2004Credit: EPA
      His pal and former teammate Johnny Herbert has revealed his wild post-race shenanigansCredit: Getty
      Herbert said the Germany racing star used to love to ‘get drunk early’ and ‘rip’ mates’ clothes offCredit: Getty
      Hebert, 59, raced in Formula One between 1989-2000 and battled frequently against Schumacher, even when the pair were teammates for the now-defunct Benetton in 1994 and 1995.
      Now, he has revealed just what the German driver was like behind the scenes as he blew off steam after races.
      “The social side was better in my day,” he said in a recent interview with Lucky Block.
      “The big one we had was in Adelaide after the last race. Everyone went to the same bar or club.
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      “Michael would get quite drunk early on.
      “His party trick was to go up to someone and rip their shirt apart with buttons popping everywhere. You knew it was coming!”
      However the former speedster admitted that “everything” has changed now.
      “It was an easier thing to do back then. Adelaide was the main blow out.
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      “What has changed is the advent of social media. It has changed everything. You can’t go anywhere without being papped.
      “They still have fun now but it has to be more controlled behind closed doors.”
      Herbert also weighed in on the recent uproar over the gruelling heat of the Qatar Grand Prix and its effect on drivers.
      The FIA officially launched a review last week over the “extreme” cockpit temperatures after drivers called it “unacceptable” and “dangerous”.
      However, Hebert argued that the circuit had always been hot enough to “cook an egg inside the cockpit” and that Schumacher had come alive in conditions like that.
      “I remember Michael Schumacher changed the whole dynamic, changed everyone’s mindset as to what it should be like to drive a formula one car to make it win, which was to drive as fast and flat out throughout a race.”
      The 59-year-old said that unlike the German racing legend, the current drivers operate at “maybe 60 to 70 per cent” of their limit.
      “That is not testing the human element as much as I would want to be honest,” he added.
      Schumacher, considered by many to be the greatest driver in Formula One history, hasn’t been seen in public since his life-changing skiing accident nearly a decade ago.
      The racing superstar suffered a horrific ski accident while with his son Mick, on the slopes above Méribel in the French Alps in 2013.
      Any information about the state of his condition is tightly controlled by his privacy-focused family led by wife Corinna.
      In September, Herbert revealed his former pal was “not close” to his former self following his ski crash and that his friends are often left in the dark about his health.
      Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, the ex-Sky Sports pundit said: “There’s never any news. What we do know is we never hear any positive news.
      “That’s the horrible thought that he is still not able to be close to the Michael that we all remember. And that is very sad.”
      Herbert also reflected on how Schumacher would have made a good pundit after he retired from racing.
      He said: “He would have been outspoken. He was always very aware of what you can and can’t do. 
      “His character was always in your face, telling you directly if you had done something to him on the track.
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      “Remember Spa with David Coulthard.  He would have been very good,” he recalled fondly.
      The two racing legends together in 1995Credit: Getty
      Schumacher reportedly used to have a huge ‘blow out’ after AdelaideCredit: AFP More

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      Max Verstappen hints at stunning career change when F1 legend’s Red Bull contract expires

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN aims to follow in his idol’s footsteps by switching to GT racing in the future.The Red Bull driver sealed his third consecutive world championship after finishing second in the Qatar GP sprint race.
      Max Verstappen has hinted at a career away from F1Credit: Getty
      Verstappen, still only 26, became the first driver to wrap up a title during a sprint event, the short-form format introduced in 2021.
      But despite his dominance, the F1 ace sparked speculation earlier this year that he could walk from the sport when his current contract expires in 2028. 
      And now the Dutchman has claimed he wants to mirror the career of MotoGp legend Valentino Rossi.
      Verstappen made it clear that working with GT cars is an avenue he would like to explore.
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      He told Gazzetta Dello Sport: “I will race longer, but not in Grand Prix races.
      “It would be nice to do it like Valentino Rossi, I like to see his races in GT, a category I have an interest in because we have our own car entered.
      “He did everything he could in MotoGP, with a crazy career, and now he’s having fun.
      “While still working hard and wanting to win again. I think I will look for something similar in the future.”
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      Motorbike icon Valentino Rossi won seven MotoGP championships
      GT racecar engines are factory engines with some performance tweaks that are designed for road cars.
      A grand tourer is a type of vehicle that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving.
      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also suggested that Verstappen will not continue deep into his thirties.
      The F1 ace will be 31 at the end of his current deal, which he signed last March.
      F1 drivers head to the United States GP on Sunday- with Verstappen leading his team-mate Sergio Perez by 209 points. More