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      Mercedes could launch legal challenge to Max Verstappen’s 2021 title – if Lewis Hamilton is STRIPPED of 2008 crown

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      MERCEDES could launch a legal challenge to Max Verstappen’s 2021 title – depending on the outcome of Felipe Massa’s attempts to have Lewis Hamilton’s championship overturned in 2008. Massa has instructed a team of lawyers to investigate claims that former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA knew of Renault’s plot to have Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crash in the Singapore GP to benefit their other driver, Fernando Alonso.
      Mercedes could launch a legal challenge to Max Verstappen’s 2021 title winCredit: Alamy
      Lewis Hamilton could end up losing his 2008 crown to Felipe MassaCredit: Reuters
      Massa is seeking to have the outcome of that season’s championship overturned after he lost to Hamilton by a single point, claiming F1 and the FIA should have acted sooner.
      When asked for his view on the subject ahead of this weekend’s Singapore GP, Wolff was coy on his team’s stance.
      He said: “The rules are pretty clear in Formula One. It will certainly set a precedent — whatever it is. We’re looking from the sidelines with curiosity.”
      The decision is significant given the FIA’s handling of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP where former Race Director Michael Masi fudged the rules in a dramatic climax to the season.
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      Masi was later axed from his role and the subject of a three-month FIA investigation while Mercedes pulled a U-turn on their decision to challenge the outcome of the race.
      Hamilton went to ground during the winter raising questions as to whether he would return to the sport given the controversy surrounding the championship.
      And Wolff pointed out: “And the FIA commented on the 2021 race, with a clear statement. So, that’s why we are looking at it [Massa’s challenge] with interest.”
      Defiant Wolff also refused to apologise to Verstappen for labelling his record of 10 successive wins as “irrelevant” and something for “Wikipedia”.
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      Massa has launched a legal challenge following the 2008 Singapore GP’s ‘Crashgate’ incidentCredit: AFP
      Wolff was heavily criticised for his disingenuous comment with Verstappen claiming the Mercedes chief was just “pissed off” after “a pretty s*** race” in Monza.
      While admitting the comments were not correct, he stopped short of saying sorry to the Dutchman.
      He added: “Obviously when you look at the comments in the circumstances you can think about whether it was the most intelligent thing that I could have said and maybe not.
      “But it’s always been my mindset. It is something that I’ve taken from Niki [Lauda].
      “Niki gave his trophies away to get a free car wash. You won’t find a lot of memorabilia in my places either because those numbers never mattered for the two of us.
      “F1 is a meritocracy. And I said it often during this year that only the best will win world championships and you need to recognise what a great job is being done there.
      “At the end they will take another big trophy and that’s something that’s the most valuable: the best person in the best car wins the world championship.”
      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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      Mick Schumacher ‘could QUIT F1 for new sport’ amid struggles at Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes

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      MICK SCHUMACHER could reportedly quit Formula One after struggling at Mercedes.The son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher had long hoped to become a regular driver, however he appears to have had a change of heart.
      Mick Schumacher could swap F1 for the 24-hour Le MansCredit: PA
      He is the son of F1 legend Michael SchumacherCredit: AFP
      Schumacher, 24, is a reserve driver for Mercedes but has struggled to get a chance behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
      He is also a reserve for McLaren.
      He has recently admitted that he was looking at alternative options.
      However, he seems to have a more specific plan in mind, according to Motorsport Aktuell.
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      The report claims that the German driver could join the Alpine group and participate in the 24-hour race in Le Mans, France.
      Alpine Motorsport vice president Bruno Famin is believed to have contacted Schumacher about taking a test drive.
      Schumacher spent two years at F1 team Haas but left in 2022.
      He was replaced by fellow German driver Nico Hulkenberg.
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      Father Michael has not been seen in public since his horror ski crash in 2013.
      His former team-mate Johnny Herbert suggested that his friends do not hear much “positive news” about the retired driver.
      He 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.” More

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      F1 fans distraught as Fernando Alonso RUNS OVER giant lizard dubbed ‘Godzilla’s kid’ during Singapore GP practice

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      THIS is the incredible moment the Singapore GP was invaded by a giant LIZARD – forcing champ Max Verstappen to swerve around “Godzilla’s kid.”But the reptile paid the ultimate price as he was eventually run over by Aston Martin star Fernando Alonso, leaving fans in tears.
      Max Verstappen was forced to swerve to avoid a lizard at the Singapore GPCredit: Sky Sports F1
      The giant reptile, dubbed ‘Godzilla’s kid’, calmly crossed the tarmac during practiceCredit: Sky Sports F1
      The cheeky lizard was eventually run over by Fernando AlonsoCredit: Getty
      Verstappen and Alonso were caught off guard as Formula One stars warmed up for this weekend’s race in Southeast Asia.
      With temperatures in the low 30s, many exotics animals are thriving in Singapore’s humid climate.

      And one cheeky heat-loving creature appeared to want a close-up encounter with Verstappen and Co.
      The huge reptile, believed to be a monitor lizard, left pundits and drivers stunned as it sauntered across the track during Friday’s practice THREE times.
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      The beast took little notice of the zooming cars while crossing the tarmac.
      And one racer who had a close encounter with the lizard was none other than Red Bull superstar Verstappen.
      It wasn’t his first face-off with one of the creatures in Singapore, with Verstappen facing off against a lizard in 2016.
      But this time the double world champ was forced to swerve to avoid making contact while turning a corner, forcing yellow flags to be deployed.
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      Verstappen previously encountered a lizard in Singapore seven years ago
      Verstappen exclaimed on the Red Bull team radio: “There’s a lizard again on the track! A smaller one this time.”
      His team responded: “Ok understood. Maybe Godzilla had a kid.”
      Verstappen laughed: “That makes sense!”
      Williams star George Russell also encountered the lizard as he zoomed past, declaring it was the second one he’d seen that day.
      He said on his team radio: “Another lizard but a different one this time!”
      Fans certainly found the incident hilarious, with one saying: “Them lizards love that race.”
      Another declared: “Best seat in the house.”
      One added: “Who let him onto the track?”
      However, it later emerged the innocent lizard had been squished by Spanish star Alonso as the Aston Martin man zoomed around at 70mph.
      One heartbroken fan said: “Aint no way, did someone actually run over a lizard.”
      Another declared: “The lizard got run over? I am heartbroken.”
      One added: “Finding out there was a lizard on track and someone run him over…”
      As far as practice went, it was a one-two for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc finished 0.078 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz.
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      Verstappen came third, with Lando Norris fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth.
      And all eyes will be on tomorrow’s qualifying round to see if any more cheeky lizards make an appearance. More

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      F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2023: Start time, stream, TV channel, full schedule as Hamilton looks to stop Verstappen’s run

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN is arguably one of the best F1 racers to have lived – but he has never had success in Singapore.The Dutch superstar secured the all-time record in Italy by winning his 10th consecutive race.
      Max Verstappen recorded a 10th consecutive win at the Italian GPCredit: Rex
      And as a result, Verstappen is now 145 points clear of his second-placed Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
      But the F1 icon will need to break his Marina Bay duck if he is to continue this incredible form.
      However, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso have other ideas as they battle it out for third place on the leaderboards.
      When is the F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2023?

      The F1 Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 17.
      It is expected to get underway from 1pm UK time – 8pm local time.
      Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore will be the allocated track for this race and it can host a staggering 90,000 supporters.
      Sergio Perez clinched first place on the podium in the 2022 edition.

      Read more on F1
      What TV channel is the F1 Singapore Grand Prix 2023 on and can it be live streamed?

      The Singapore Grand Prix will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports F1.
      Subscription members of Sky Sports can stream the entire action on the Sky Go app or Sky Sports website.
      The race will also be available to NOW TV users via all mobile devices and tablets.
      Alternatively, SunSport will have lap-by-lap coverage of the whole race including podium reaction.

      FULL schedule
      Friday, September 15

      Practice One – 10:30am BST
      Practice Two – 2pm BST

      Saturday, September 16
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      Practice Three – 10:30am BST
      Qualifying – 2pm BST

      Sunday, September 17

      Grand Prix – 1pm BST

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year

      Driver standings
      Here are the current F1 Driver standings:

      Max Verstappen / Red Bull Racing / 364
      Sergio Perez / Red Bull Racing / 219
      Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin / 170
      Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes / 164
      Carlos Sainz / Ferrari / 117
      Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 111
      George Russell / Mercedes / 109
      Lando Norris / McLaren / 79
      Lance Stroll / Aston Martin / 47
      Pierre Gasly / Alpine / 37
      Esteban Ocon / Alpine / 36
      Oscar Piastri / McLaren / 36
      Alexander Albon / Williams / 21
      Nico Hulkenberg / Haas / 9
      Valtteri Bottas / Alfa Romeo / 6
      Zhou Guanyu / Alfa Romeo / 4
      Yuki Tsounda / Alphatauri / 3
      Kevin Magnussen / Haas / 2
      Logan Sargeant / Williams / 0
      Daniel Ricciardo / Alphatauri / 0
      Nyck De Vries / Alphatauri / 0 OUT More

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      Heartbreaking Michael Schumacher health update as ex-teammate reveals how stricken star is ‘not close’ to his old self

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      MICHAEL Schumacher is “not close” to his former self following his horror ski crash, his ex-teammate has revealed.The F1 legend has not been seen in public since the shocking 2013 accident, and little is known about his condition.
      Michael Schumacher suffered devastating injuries in a ski accident in 2013Credit: AFP
      His former teammate Johnny Herbert said ‘there is never any news’ on the starCredit: Getty
      Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, ex-Sky Sports pundit Johnny Herbert, who used to be the German’s teammate, hinted that even his friends are kept in the dark.
      He 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.”
      Seven-time world champion Schumacher suffered catastrophic injuries in a devastating ski accident in the French Alps in 2013.
      Read More on Schumacher
      He has been undergoing rehabilitation at his home in a lakeside mansion in Lausanne, Switzerland, ever since.
      It has also been reported that he has been spending more time at his family’s luxury £27million villa in Majorca.
      In 2021 his wife, Corinna, shared a rare update during his Netflix documentary, revealing Schumacher is “different, but here”.
      Herbert also told how the star’s condition has affected his brother in particular.
      Most read in Motorsport
      He said: “When Ralf Schumacher was with Sky Germany we often met.
      “Ralf has had to do a lot of things for and with the family given what happened to Michael.
      “He has matured. He is very different now to the person he was as a driver.
      “He is a good human being now. He has changed a lot having had to cope with the ongoing situation with his brother.”
      Reflecting on his friend, Herbert said Schumacher would’ve made a good pundit after retiring 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.
      “Remember Spa with David Coulthard.  He would have been very good.”
      Schumacher poses with his wife Corinna in 2005Credit: AFP More

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      F1 legend Sebastian Vettel hints at shock comeback aged 36 as he claims ‘I can’t say no’

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL has refused to rule out a sensational return to Formula One.The four-time world champion retired from F1 last season.
      Sebastian Vettel has refused to rule out a return to F1Credit: AFP
      The four-time world champion retired from the sport last yearCredit: Getty
      However, he has now hinted at a possible return to the grid in 2024.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, Vettel was asked whether he was keeping himself race ready.
      In response he said: “Yeah, but because I want to, not because I’m like, come back or if somebody falls out I’m going to [step in], not because of that.
      “But so I guess my neck is not up to speed. No, it can’t be, but everything else is pretty, pretty good, I would say.”
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      The green-fingered Vettel was a popular figure in the sport before his retirement.
      The 36-year-old won the title four times in a row with Red Bull, before driving with Ferrari and Aston Martin in the latter stages of his career.
      Past world champions have made returns to the sport following an exit.
      Kimi Raikkonen, Niki Laudu, Alain Prost Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso are a few prominent examples.
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      Indeed, when Lance Stroll injured his wrist in pre-season testing, Aston Martin flirted with the idea of bringing the German back into the fold.
      On a return, Vettel added: “I can’t say no, because that you don’t know.
      “I think it’s something that if you asked all of them, probably some of them would have said ‘no’.
      “And some of them I don’t know, but in the end all of them came back, so I can’t exclude it.
      “I think it’s something that if you asked all of them, probably some of them would have said ‘no’.
      “And some of them I don’t know, but in the end all of them came back, so I can’t exclude it.
      “It probably will depend much on when, and obviously it’s not endless, because 36 is not like, ‘yeah in 10 years’ time’.”
      He continued: “Maybe I think about it when time has passed but it will depend on the challenge, whatever, but it’s not in my head right now.
      “And I’m enjoying the sort of outlook of the challenge of what to do next.
      “It will be the way I see it, the biggest challenge for any racing driver and the biggest challenge for any sportsman, sportswoman, what do you do after?
      “Because naturally you will be like 30-35, 40-45 – depending on your sport and discipline. And then what?
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “There’s a lot of life left and life can be great even though you’re not racing, you know, the absolute limit in the fastest car in the world, but you can still do lots of great things that give you great pleasure.”
      F1 visits Singapore this weekend for the next race in its calendar. More

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      Michael Schumacher update as F1 pal reveals how horror ski crash and health battle ‘changed’ his brother Ralf

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      MICHAEL Schumacher’s tragic health battle has had a severe impact on his brother Ralf, a close friend of the F1 legend has revealed.Former Formula One driver Johnny Herbert has explained that Michael’s younger brother has changed a lot since the star’s horror ski crash.
      Herbert said Michael’s accident has changed and matured his brother RalfCredit: AFP
      The former F1 driver said his pal Michael would have made a great punditCredit: Getty
      Herbert used to be Michael’s number 2Credit: Getty
      The 2013 accident sent shockwaves through the motorsports world at the time as the seven-time world champion was placed in a medically-induced coma in hospital.
      Little is known about Michael’s condition ever since as his family maintains strict privacy.
       Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, ex-Sky Sports Johnny Herbert, who used to be the German’s teammate, described how the star’s condition has affected his brother in particular.
      He said: “When Ralf Schumacher was with Sky Germany we often met.
      read more on schumacher
      “Ralf has had to do a lot of things for and with the family given what happened to Michael.
      “He has matured. He is very different now to the person he was as a driver.
      “He is a good human being now. He has changed a lot having had to cope with the ongoing situation with his brother.”
      Herbert branded “horrible” a comment made by journalist Roger Benoit that Schumacher is a “case without hope.”
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      He added: “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.”
      The former F1 driver also disagreed with Benoit’s statement that the stricken legend should be stripped of the controversial F1 title.”
      Speaking about his pal, Herbert said he would have made a good pundit.
      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.
      “Remember Spa with David Coulthard.  He would have been very good.”
      The F1 legend has not been seen or heard since his accident in the French Alps in 2013 where he suffered catastrophic injuries.
      He has been undergoing rehabilitation at his home in a lakeside mansion in Lausanne, Switzerland ever since.
      Even Schumacher’s close friends and family are believed to have been left in the dark about his condition.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
       In 2021 his wife, Corinna, shared a rare update during his Netflix documentary.
      She revealed that Schumacher is “different, but here”.
      Herbert said Ralf is a different person now than since he was a driverCredit: AP:Associated Press More

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      British speedway star Charles Wright rushed to hospital after damaging spine, neck and arms in horror high speed crash

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      A BRITISH Speedway star was rushed to hospital following a horror crash and is currently “not very mobile”.Charles Wright was competing for Sparta Wroclaw in Poland at the weekend.
      Charles Wright was rushed to hospital following his crashCredit: Instagram / @cwr_26
      The British racer went crashing into the barriersCredit: twitter
      Wright has since undergone surgeryCredit: twitter
      He suffered an awful crash after clipping the back wheel of his competitor’s tyre as he took on the first bend.
      It led to Wright losing control of his bike and he went flying into the barriers at high speed.
      The 34-year-old was taken to hospital immediately and has suffered spine and rib fractures.
      He also picked up neck, chest and arm damage.
      READ MORE ON MOTORSPORT
      Wright underwent surgery on his collarbone on Monday morning.
      The former British champion is in a stable condition in a Wroclaw hospital but is in considerable pain and is struggling to move.
      A fundraiser has been launched to support Wright and his family with him set to be sidelined for sometime.
      He hopes to raise £2,000 and he has already secured £1,200 from generous and concerned supporters.
      Most read in Motorsport
      Fans were left fearing the worst after watching him spin-off the track, one said: “Fingers crossed Wright is okay.”
      Another added: “Heal quick champ. Stay strong.”
      The injury means Wright will miss the Ekstraliga play-offs.
      He became individual British champion in 2019 and his recent great form saw him win the team trophy last year while at Belle Vue Aces.
      Wright also raced for Somerset Rebels and the Redcar Bears during his lengthy career. More