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      Christian Horner turns barman as his Red Bull team sing Wonderwall to celebrate F1 Constructors’ Championship

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      RED BULL celebrated winning the Constructors’ Championship by putting Christian Horner behind the bar.Max Verstappen clinched victory at the Japan Grand Prix on Sunday, meaning he can win his third world title in a row in two weeks time.
      Christian Horner switched the paddock for the bar as Red Bull celebrated in styleCredit: Instagram
      A member of the Red Bull team got out a guitar to lead the songCredit: Instagram
      The party began on the track at SuzukaCredit: Splash
      It’s Red Bull’s sixth titleCredit: Splash
      But before turning their attention to the race in Qatar, the Red Bull team celebrated winning back-to-back Constructors’ Championships.
      The crew partied in Tokyo as Horner jumped behind the bar to pour pints.
      All involved then belted out Oasis classic Wonderwall as the booze flowed throughout the night.
      Earlier in the day, Verstappen praised the team over the radio as he passed the chequered flag.
      READ MORE ON F1
      He said: “You can all be very proud. Everyone here and back in the factory, what a rocketship we’ve built.”
      Meanwhile, Horner added: “It’s a testimony to the men and women in the team, the partners.
      “It’s a collection of everyone doing their bit to help the team.
      “Max is on another level at the moment, today was an incredible performance.”
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      He also wrote on Instagram: “This kind of season would be impossible without the hard work that goes on behind the scenes from all the different departments both back at Milton Keynes and here at track.
      “From the crazy hours that they work through to the relentless pursuit for better, it is a true team effort and one to be immensely proud of.
      “We’ll celebrate tonight and then turn our focus to Qatar.”
      Red Bull sit top of the standings with 623 points with six races to go.
      Nearest challengers Mercedes have less than half their total on 305.
      It is the team’s sixth Constructors’ Championship title. More

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      I used to play Gran Turismo on PlayStation thanks to footballer dad but now I’m pro GT racer with movie about my life

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      WHEN Jann Mardenborough picked up his PlayStation controller for the first time, he never dreamed it would end like this.He was just eight years old and had been introduced to the classic racing game Gran Turismo at a friend’s house.
      Jann Mardenborough played Gran Turismo as a kid before becoming a pro GT racerCredit: Getty
      Dad Steve was a pro-footballer and although immensely proud of his old man, kicking a ball about for a living wasn’t for him.
      “My dad always said to me from a very young age to do something in life which you’re passionate about,” Mardenborough told SunSport.
      “When you are eight years-old you don’t really understand what that means but those words were very powerful.”
      His dream was to become a racing driver – and his skills were honed in his bedroom.
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      Little did he know that, fast forward 24 years, and blockbuster film Gran Turismo, starring the likes of A-lister Orlando Bloom, would let the world know about the one of craziest sporting journeys of all-time.
      The racing game Gran Turismo became everything for the youngster – super-competitive race offs with his pals were a daily occurance – and by the time the technology improved and online racing came into the equation, Mardenborough was on fire.
      He had built his own racing set up in his bedroom – steering wheel, pedal and a homemade racing frame –  after getting money from his parents for some good grades.
      So when GT Academy was created, a chance to realise his dreams came zooming into view.
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      Winners of the online tournament were given an unreal chance of joining the real-life Nissan racing team.
      With hours of PlayStation experience in the bag, Mardenborough, then 19 and living in Cardiff after dropping out of university and working part-time in a clothes store, entered the competition and raced to victory.
      Next up? A spot in the Dubai 24-hour race.  
      “I thought I was good, but not the best,” he admitted. “That was the first time-trial I had ever entered.”
      A place on the Nissan team was in the bag but despite all those hours in front of the box, Mardenborough had never stepped foot on a racetrack.
      Did playing on the PlayStation help in any way?
      “The cars act in the same way so subconsciously just logging things and going ‘Okay, that’s the same, that’s the same.’ 
      “I didn’t think about it too deeply, so it felt normal to me.”
      Mardenborough has even had a movie made about his lifeCredit: Getty
      What happened next was anything but normal, however.
      Mardenborough effortlessly moved through the gears, impressing on the track and travelling the world racing.
      He  has enjoyed a remarkable rise from bedroom racer to pro speedster to helping with the Hollywood production of his own story.
      He did many of the stunts himself and played a key role in helping ensure the film was as realistic as possible.
      It’s a remarkable tale – although one of its darkest moments was tough to process.
      In 2015 during a race in Germany, Mardenborough was involved in a smash which killed a spectator.
      The Brit escaped with minor injuries but reliving the nightmare was tough.
      “Anyone who has done something successful has periods of darkness,” he admitted. “It was challenging to go back and open all that back up.”
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      The film – which has former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell playing his mum – has been well-received and now the project is over, Mardenborough, who spent four years racing in Japan between 2016 and 2020, is keen to keep on racing in the United States.
      “This chapter is complete,” he said. “Now it’s on to the future.” More

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      Max Verstappen on verge of F1 title after Japanese GP win as he celebrates with special ‘kiss’ trophy

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN celebrated his win at the Japanese Grand Prix with a special “kiss” trophy as he put one hand on his THIRD world title.The victory also gave Red Bull back-to-back Constructors’ Championships.
      Max Verstappen celebrated his win at the Japanese Grand Prix with a ‘kiss’ trophyCredit: Reuters
      The trophy lit up with the colours of the Dutch national flag after he kissed itCredit: Getty
      It was Verstappen’s 13th race win of the seasonCredit: AP
      Verstappen can clinch the drivers title as early as the sprint shootout in Qatar on October 7, the day before the Sunday’s full Grand Prix.
      The F1 star’s triumph in Japan marked a return to winning ways having finished fifth last time out at the Singapore GP as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz picked up his first win of the year.
      When standing on the podium the Dutchman was presented with a unique “kiss me” trophy designed by race title sponsor Lenovo.
      After being handed with the award, Verstappen planted a kiss on it which saw it light up with the colours of the Dutch national flag.
      Verstappen, 25, had a tough start to the race as he fought off both McLarens in his Red Bull car and claimed his 13th win this season.
      The rival team also had a successful race, finishing in the remaining podium places.
      Brit Lando Norris claimed the second spot while team-mate Oscar Piastri finished in third.
      It was a less successful race for the Mercedes’ British drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
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      Verstappen can win his third title in the Qatar sprint shootoutCredit: Getty
      The win handed Red Bull and Christian Horner the Constructor’s championshipCredit: Getty
      The pair finished back in fifth and seventh, although they did advance a couple of spots from their starting grid places.
      Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took fourth.
      Verstappen could be heard praising the Red Bull team for building a “rocketship” on the team radio as he passed the chequered flag.
      He said: “You can all be very proud. Everyone here and back in the factory, what a rocketship we’ve built”
      After finishing, Verstappen was thrilled and claimed that the race was “straightforward”.
      He said: “It’s been an unbelievable weekend. To win here was great here, the car was working well on every compound.
      “Also to win the constructors is great, I’m proud of everyone, we’re having an incredible year, very proud of everyone.
      Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Verstappen’s title claim.
      He said: “It’s been the most amazing race and year for us.
      “It’s a testimony to the men and women in the team, the partners. It’s a collection of everyone doing their bit to help the team.
      “Max is on another level at the moment, today was an incredible performance.”
      Second-placed Norris did suggest that McLaren are closing the gap to Red Bull.
      After finishing, he said on the team radio: “We’re coming for Red Bull!”
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      There were five drivers that failed to finish the race in Japan, such as Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon.
      In a stunning twist of events, Perez ended up retiring his Red Bull from the race TWICE after he went back on track to serve a five-second penalty to avoid carrying it over to the next race.
      Red Bull won the title with six races to spareCredit: Getty
      Verstappen’s victory marked a return to winning ways after SingaporeCredit: Reuters
      Verstappen did have to fend off two McLarensCredit: AFP More

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      F1 tragedy as Las Vegas Grand Prix construction worker killed while setting up for inaugural Nevada race

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      A CONSTRUCTION worker has died working on the Formula 1 track in Las Vegas.The man was working at the Bellagio fountains on the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday.
      A Las Vegas Grand Prix construction worker has been killed while setting up for the inaugural Nevada raceCredit: Splash News
      The worked reportedly suffered a “major laceration to the neck” and was pronounced dead at a local hospitalCredit: Splash
      Metro Police say they were called to the scene at 11.30am after a worker had suffered a “major laceration to the neck,” as per the local CBS affiliate.
      After being transported to a local hospital, the man was pronounced dead.
      The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will reportedly be in charge of the ensuing investigation.
      Further details surrounding the incident have yet to be made public.

      The US Sun has contacted Metro Police and Formula 1 for a comment.
      The Vegas Grand Prix circuit is set to wind its way through downtown, passing all the major landmarks.
      These will include the likes of Caesars Palace, the Bellagio, the Venetian, and The Sphere, as per F1.
      The 3.8mile track will feature fourteen corners and is set to cost around $560million to construct, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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      A multi-story paddock building is being constructed off of the Strip, at a cost of $480million.
      Three football fields in length, the building will include team garages, suites, and on the roof, a 28,000-square-foot screen.
      The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 19.
      It will be only the third time the city has hosted a Grand Prix, with downtown also having played host to F1 in 1981 and 1982.
      The circuit will be 3.8 miles long and wind through downtownCredit: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) More

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      F1 Japanese Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Latest updates as Verstappen starts on pole while Hamilton begins seventh on grid

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN claimed pole position in qualifying on Saturday morning as he looks to get back to winning ways.Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz ended the Dutchman’s 10-race winning streak last weekend after a thrilling race in Singapore.
      Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton claimed a podium finish and will be looking to do the same in Japan despite starting seventh on the grid.

      Race start time: 6am BST
      TV channel: Sky Sports F1
      Live stream: NOW
      Grid: 1. Verstappen 2. Piastri 3. Norris 4. Leclerc 5. Perez 6. Sainz 7. Hamilton 8. Russell 9. Tsunoda 10. Alonso 11. Lawson 12. Gasly 13. Albon 14. Ocon 15. Magnussen 16. Bottas 17. Stroll 18. Hulkenberg 19. Guanyu 20. Sargeant

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      Follow our live blog below…
      How can I watch the Japanese GP?

      The Japanese 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.

      Current driver standings

      Max Verstappen / Red Bull Racing / 374
      Sergio Perez / Red Bull Racing / 223
      Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes / 180
      Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin / 170
      Carlos Sainz / Ferrari / 142
      Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 123
      George Russell / Mercedes / 109
      Lando Norris / McLaren / 97
      Lance Stroll / Aston Martin / 47
      Pierre Gasly / Alpine / 45
      Oscar Piastri / McLaren / 42
      Esteban Ocon / Alpine / 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 / 3
      Liam Lawson / Alphatauri / 2
      Logan Sargeant / Williams / 0
      Daniel Ricciardo / Alphatauri / 0
      Nyck De Vries / Alphatauri / 0 OUT

      Credit: Rex
      Red Bull boss Horner on Verstappen’s performance in qualifying
      Max Verstappen was back to his best after blitzing pole in Suzuka.
      The Dutchman was over half a second clear of McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in what was one of the stand-out laps all time.
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: “What we have witnessed is something very special.
      “That last lap, the first sector was absolutely mighty. Gianpiero Lambiase [Verstappen’s race engineer] started winding him up before his last run ‘let’s see a 28 [a lap of 1m.28s.] in there’ and I said to GP ‘I would like to see four wheels on the car at the end of it’.
      “That first run looked good enough to get the job done but then he went quicker again.
      “All his laps have been stunning today. An absolutely mind-blowing performance.”
      Credit: Reuters
      Qualifying in full
      1. Max Verstappen
      2. Oscar Piastri
      3. Lando Norris
      4. Charles Leclerc
      5. Sergio Perez
      6. Carlos Sainz
      7. Lewis Hamilton
      8. George Russell
      9. Yuki Tsunoda
      10. Fernando Alonso
      11. Liam Lawson
      12. Pierre Gasly
      13. Alex Albon
      14. Esteban Ocon
      15. Kevin Magnussen
      16. Valtteri Bottas
      17. Lance Stroll
      18. Nico Hulkenberg
      19. Zhou Guanyu
      20. Logan Sargeant
      Hello and welcome to SunSport’s live blog of the Japanese Grand Prix!
      Max Verstappen will start on pole after a stunning qualifying session on Saturday morning.
      The Dutchman made no mistake after last week’s shock Q2 exit in Singapore.
      The McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will line up behind Verstappen in second and third respectively. 
      Lewis Hamilton will start seventh on the grid, with Mercedes teammate George Russell beginning just behind in eighth.
      Max Verstappen will be hoping he can get back to winning ways after Carlos Sainz ended his 10-race winning streak last time out in Singapore.
      Today’s race is set to get underway at 6am BST, stay with SunSport’s live blog to keep up to date with all the antics from Japan.
      Load more entries… More

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals bespoke helmet for Japanese Grand Prix – and fans are convinced it’s ‘inspired by Daft Punk’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed a stunning helmet design for the Japanese Grand Prix.The seven-time F1 champion is no stranger to striking helmet designs, and fans have also been left impressed with his latest head piece.

      Lewis Hamilton unveiled a stunning all-chrome helmet designCredit: EPA
      Fans are convinced the helmet design is inspired by Daft PunkCredit: Getty
      Hamilton, 38, has gone for an all-chrome look in a week where he was also spotted wearing a red and white polka-dot Super Mario hat during a trip to Universal Studios Super Nintendo World in Osaka.
      The dazzling design saw fans draw comparisons with French house music duo Daft Punk, with their signature look being chromed-out helmets.
      Reacting to pictures of the helmet, one fan said: “The Daft Punk helmet.”
      A second wrote: “This must be Daft Punk inspired, mega!”
      READ MORE ON LEWIS HAMILTON
      “So daft punk is a trio now,” commented a third.
      A fourth remarked: “Daft Hamilton or Lewis Punk?”
      Another typed: “Absolutely astonishing 🔥looks fire.”
      A sixth joked: “Lewis HamilTRON.”
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      While another added: “Lewis with that swag, always.”
      However, while Hamilton may win the award for best helmet, he was far off the pace of a resurgent Max Verstappen in qualifying.
      Verstappen’s record-breaking 10-race winning streak came to an end in Singapore last weekend, but he looks to be back to his best after claiming pole at the Suzuka circuit.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton was only seventh-quickest, with his lap time over a second slower than championship leader Verstappen.
      Hamilton played down any chance of winning this weekend’s race following a “bad day” during Friday’s two practice sessions.
      He said: “It was a really bad day, to be honest. A real struggle out there.
      “[We were] a long way off, two seconds off in the first session and over a second off in the second. We’re working away at just trying to fix the car’s balance.
      “We’ll work on it overnight and turn it around for tomorrow, but we definitely won’t be winning this weekend!
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      “If I in particular can move further up the order so I can at least back up George, who did a not-such-a-bad lap… yeah, tough one.”
      The Brit’s former team, McLaren, put in impressive P2 and P3 results in qualifying, with rookie Oscar Piastri planting his car on the front row on his first time at the track with Lando Norris coming in third.
      Daft Punk’s signature look is their chromed out helmetsCredit: Getty
      Hamilton is no stranger to striking helmet designsCredit: Rex
      Hamilton laboured to P7 in Japanese Grand Prix qualifyingCredit: Splash
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      Frustrated Hamilton only makes seventh as Verstappen produces one of best laps in F1 history to take pole at Japanese GP

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN produced one of the best laps in F1 history to take pole for the Japanese GP while Lewis Hamilton was left criticising his Mercedes after only making seventh.Verstappen had seen his 10-race winning run come to a halt in Singapore but was back to his best after blitzing pole in Suzuka.
      Max Verstappen secured yet another pole as he seeks a 13th win of the seasonCredit: Splash
      Lewis Hamilton was left frustrated after only managing seventh in qualifyingCredit: Rex
      Verstappen was over half a second clear of McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in what was one of the stand-out laps all time.
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: “What we have witnessed is something very special.
      “That last lap, the first sector was absolutely mighty. Gianpiero Lambiase [Verstappen’s race engineer] started winding him up before his last run ‘let’s see a 28 [a lap of 1m.28s.] in there’ and I said to GP ‘I would like to see four wheels on the car at the end of it’.
      “That first run looked good enough to get the job done but then he went quicker again.
      READ MORE IN F1
      “All his laps have been stunning today. An absolutely mind-blowing performance.”
      Verstappen’s lap was impeccable and former F1 driver Karun Chandhok said: “I’m still breathless watching that. I think that was one of the great qualifying laps in F1 history.
      “He thought about every metre [of the lap] and for me that’s a driver who’s ahead of the car.”
      McLaren continued their impressive resurgence with both drivers turning in mighty laps to start in second and third.
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      But Hamilton was dismayed by Mercedes’ after he was only good enough for seventh while George Russell was eighth-quickest – both drivers were over a second slower than Verstappen.
      Hamilton said: “We as a team really need to when we go back and do the debrief – I hope the team already realise – but a second gap is huge. And it is real.
      “To be two years in and still be a second down to the Red Bulls is not a good showing and we need to make sure we work hard over the winter to get back at least half that gap before next year.
      “We have a very peaky car. It is like trying to balance a knife on its tip.
      “It is never perfectly balanced, it is one way or the other. You try and get it as close as you can to the middle but it is very hard to do each weekend.”
      Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda will continue to drive for AlphaTauri next season.
      Liam Lawson, who has filled in for Ricciardo who broke his hand in Zandvoort, will be reserve and simulator driver for both of Red Bull’s F1 teams.
      Ricciardo, who could be back at the US GP in Austin, said: “I’m stoked to be driving with Yuki again next year and continuing the journey with Scuderia AlphaTauri.
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      “Following the progress we have already made and the plans for the future, it’s an exciting time for the team.
      “We are building and it is a great feeling. There is a lot of work to do, but we are heading in the right direction and there is a lot to look forward to.” More

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      F1 star Alex Albon demands HUGE change to race weekends but fears it will never happen due to ‘TV money’

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      WILLIAMS F1 driver Alex Albon has demanded a huge change to race weekends but fears it will never happen due to “TV money”.The 27-year-old has suggested that F1 should turn to a two-day race weekend to help teams manage the ever-increasing race calendar.
      Alex Albon has demanded changes need to be made to the F1 race weekendsCredit: Getty
      Albon told the Express: “I would love to see a two-day race weekend.
      “Practice and qualifying on a Saturday and then a race on a Sunday. I don’t think that will ever happen as TV money is important.”
      The Thai driver sits 13th in the driver standings and will be competing in the biggest F1 race of 2023 in Las Vegas.
      But Albon has revealed the drivers won’t be able to enjoy it to the fullest due to the packed calendar.
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      The race’s inclusion was set to push F1’s race calendar up to 24 races before the Chinese Grand Prix’s exclusion due to Covid-19.
      Albon continued: “I’m excited for Vegas. I think for us as drivers we don’t get to see that much.
      “We’re kind of… hotel, circuit, and then airport. Vegas is not the last race of the season, unfortunately, so I don’t think we can celebrate it quite like the fans.
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      “But I’m sure that we can still take in the atmosphere.”
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      F1 will take over Vegas in November, but lights out is set for Sunday 19th at 6am UK time.
      Albon says F1’s current amount of races is manageable but adds that compromises need to be made to ease the workload.
      He added: “I think at the current state it’s fine. But at the minute there’s been no compromise about it.
      “If we think about all the races we have been doing, the workload is still the same. The teams have to leave on a Wednesday more or less, sometimes a Tuesday.
      “Work Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and then be back in the office on a Monday and then start again on Tuesday.
      “Even in terms of drivers, to begin with, on Thursdays, drivers getting more free time went away quite quickly.
      “For example, this weekend we went from Singapore to Suzuka. And on paper, it’s not much of a difference in time zone but we’ve just gone from a night race to a day race.”
      “So, we’re moving nine or ten hours in terms of difference in the middle of a season and it takes a toll on everyone.
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      “As a team, we’re doing quite a good job; we’re on a rotation basis for most of the people who work here, which has helped.
      “But still, it’s on the limit, let’s say that.” More