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      Max Verstappen threatens to quit F1 in row over rules changes with Red Bull ace insisting ‘I won’t be around for long’

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN says he could be driven out of F1 if the sport’s bosses keep tinkering with the rules.The F1 world champion is upset at plans to change the format of the sprint races – the six, 30-minutes races that are scheduled this season to form Sunday’s grid for the GP.
      Verstappen has threatened to quit F1 if more sprint races are introducedCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman topped the time charts in qualifying ahead of Russell and HamiltonCredit: Getty
      F1 chiefs are sold on the sprint races, which effectively allow them to sell the idea to promoters that they are getting additional track action, rather than meaningless practice sessions.
      However, some drivers are against the proposal with Verstappen saying he has had enough of them messing with the “DNA of F1”.
      When first quizzed about the proposal to cut down on one of the practice sessions, he said: “I’m happy with just the main race. I think that’s way better for the excitement.
      “I naturally hope that there won’t be too many changes otherwise I won’t be around for too long.”
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      And after qualifying on pole for tomorrow’s Australian GP, he snapped again on the sprint races, which could now get an additional qualifying session.
      He added: “I’m not a fan of it at all.
      “When we do all that kind of stuff the weekend becomes more intense and we’re already doing so many races. So that’s not the right way to go about it.
      “I understand of course they wanted to have every day exciting but then it’s maybe better to reduce the weekend, only race on Saturday and Sunday and make those two days exciting.
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      “We are adding into seasons that will soon have 24 or 25 races and if you start adding even more stuff, it’s not worth it for me, I’m not enjoying that.
      “For me, a sprint race is all about surviving, it’s not about racing. When you have a quick car there’s nothing to risk.
      “I prefer to just keep my car alive and make sure you have a good race car for Sunday.
      “Even if you change the format, I don’t find it’s the DNA of F1 to do these kind of sprint races.
      “F1 is about getting the most out of it in qualifying and having an amazing Sunday with a good long race distance, that’s the DNA of the sport.
      “I don’t understand or I don’t know why we should change that because I think the action has been good and how do you get even more action?
      “It’s about getting the cars closer, getting more teams able to fight for the win. I think naturally the show will be great.
      “If we have six or seven teams fighting for the win that would be insane and you really don’t really need to change anything.”
      Meanwhile, former FIA Race Director Michael Masi says he has received a warm welcome from F1 – despite the controversial end to his career.
      Masi was axed after his handling of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP that saw Verstappen clinch the title in controversial circumstances.
      He made his return to the F1 paddock for the first time as chairman of the Australian Supercar Commission.
      However, some reports claimed he was nervous about attending his first F1 GP since his departure.
      But Masi said he was welcomed back: “It’s been fantastic being back as a guest of both the FIA and F1.
      “It’s been really good. I’m here in my capacity as the Chair of the Supercars Commission, but it’s lovely to catch up with so many good friends and see so many people, including my old team at the FIA.
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      “It’s been fantastic. The welcome has been amazing from everyone that I’ve seen.
      “It’s like seeing the long-lost family in many ways, which has been great.” More

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      I had to get away from Lewis Hamilton when I was young but I’d love to finish our careers in same team, F1 icon reveals

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      FERNANDO ALONSO has revealed that he would like to finish his career at the same team as Lewis Hamilton.The Spaniard partnered the seven-time world champion for one season at McLaren Mercedes in 2007.
      Fernando Alonso is keen to partner Lewis Hamilton againCredit: Alamy
      Alonso stayed for just one year before returning to Renault after having a feud with Hamilton and team chiefs.
      The Brit disobeyed team instructions at the Hungarian Grand Prix 16 years ago and refused to let him past, which led to the veteran blocking his team-mate in the pit lane.
      They again clashed last year when the pair collided at the Belgian Grand Prix and the 41-year-old labelled Hamilton “an idiot”.
      However, in an interview with the Mail, Alonso seemed keen to put the past behind him.
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      He said: “It would be nice to end our careers together. I’d love that.
      “We had a difficult season. But we respected what the other was doing on track and still do.
      “We each consider the other to be a talented driver and one of the toughest competitors we have ever met.
      “The situation that season was not well-managed by our bosses. We were young. We were immature. We were many of the things we are not now, and we needed help from the management that we didn’t get.
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      “I couldn’t continue with McLaren. It was a team with eyes totally one side of the garage.
      “As Ron (Dennis, team principal) said after the penultimate race in China, ‘Our race isn’t with (Ferrari’s Felipe) Massa, it is with Fernando’.
      “When your team says that, you cannot continue. But you learn in a career.”
      Alonso is currently with Aston Martin, enjoying a good start to the 2023 campaign, finishing third at both races so far this season.
      He continued his good form at the Australian Grand Prix, coming fourth in qualifying behind Max Verstappen, George Russell and Hamilton.
      Alonso seemingly has no plans to retire anytime soon, saying: “I don’t imagine I will be tired of driving but the demands of travelling across such a long season can be draining.
      “But for now, with my experience, I’d like to believe I’m better than ever.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in ‘dream’ Australian GP qualifying as Mercedes pair eye shock F1 win

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN clinched pole for the Australian GP while Mercedes were given a huge boost, with George Russell qualifying in second and Lewis Hamilton in third.It was a thrilling session as Verstappen, Hamilton and Fernando Alonso all set provisional poles before the world champion came out on top.
      Lewis Hamilton and George Russell enjoyed a ‘dream’ qualifying sessionCredit: EPA
      However, they were still unable to pip Max Verstappen to poleCredit: EPA
      But it was a nightmare for Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate, Sergio Perez, who will start in LAST PLACE.
      Verstappen, who overcame battery and gear-change problems, took his first pole in Australia and said: “The last run was very good. The whole weekend has been tough but it all worked out in Q3.
      “I think we will have a good race car and it will be a tricky race. I have been on the podium once but I want to be on a different step this time.”
      Russell produced an excellent performance to take second as Mercedes defied the odds after a difficult start to the season.
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      He said: “We wasn’t expecting that, that’s for sure! There is a lot of hard work going on and the car felt alive.
      “If I am honest, I am a little disappointed that I did not get pole. It shows how quickly things can change.
      “We would have been happy with fourth on Friday but we made some changes and the car felt great.”
      Hamilton, who starts third – alongside Alonso – was denied the chance to go even quicker on his final lap after getting caught in traffic and said his goal is now to “get first”.
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      He added: “I am so happy with this! This is totally unexpected. I am really proud of the team and George has done a fantastic job.
      “This is a dream for us. We are all working hard and to be this close to the Red Bull is incredible.
      “I hope we can give them a run for their money. I am super grateful for this position and will look to move forward tomorrow.”
      While Verstappen was P1, it was a shocker for Perez, who spun off in Q1.
      The Mexican, who won the last race in Jeddah, went too quickly into turn three and ended up hitting the wall and being dumped out of qualifying at the first hurdle.
      The session was stopped as his stricken Red Bull was recovered while Perez voiced his frustration to his team over the radio.
      “We need to fix that issue, man,” Perez says. “It was the same f issue again!”
      Williams’ revival continued with Alex Albon qualifying in eighth place after the team showed strong signs of progress in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
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      However, there was more misery for McLaren as their struggles continued with Lando Norris qualifying in 13th and Oscar Piastri in 16th.
      Norris has publicly said he was backing McLaren’s engineering changes but this was another poor showing that will ramp up the pressure on CEO, Zak Brown. More

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      Red Bull chief Christian Horner slams F1’s ‘ludicrous’ decision over fears teams will ‘trash’ their cars

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      CHRISTIAN HORNER has slammed F1’s decision to hold a sprint race at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix as “ludicrous”.The street track has been selected as one of F1’s six short races on a Saturday, which are used to determine the grid.
      Christian Horner has hit out at F1’s decision to hold a sprint race in AzerbaijanCredit: Alamy
      However, the fast nature of the track and close walls with little run off area, leads Horner to fear that teams will “trash” their cars.
      Red Bull were penalised for breaking the cost cap last year and big damage in Baku could cause another headache.
      He said: “It’s absolutely ludicrous to be doing the first sprint race of the year in a street race like Azerbaijan.
      “From a spectacle point of view – a fan point of view – it’s probably going to be one of the most exciting sprint races of the year.
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      “But from a cost cap perspective, all you can do is trash your car. And it costs a lot of money [in repairs if you crash] around there.
      “One race is enough in Baku.”
      McLaren boss Zak Brown agreed with Horner’s concerns as the parts bill comes out of the team’s budget, which is capped at £110million this season.
      He added: “Anytime we go to a street circuit – Baku creates pretty exciting races – some pretty big crash damage bills.
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      “It’ll be very exciting for the fans and hopefully, all the cars will come back the way they started.”
      The Azerbaijan GP is set to take place at the end of April. More

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      Haas boss Guenther Steiner leaves F1 fans at Australian GP in stitches with brutal ‘your mum’ joke

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      FORMULA ONE team principal Guenther Steiner left fans in stitches after a brutal fan putdown. Thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive F1 series lifting a lid on the Italian, Haas team chief Steiner is known to be prone to angry tantrums as he much as he is a cheeky joke.
      Guenther Steiner produced a brutal putdown after a fan asked a question during a Q&ACredit: Getty

      And during a Q&A session with fans ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, one young petrol head found himself on the receiving end of one of his jokes.
      The young Aussie, named Noah, asked who was the better driver out of Haas duo Kevin Magnussen or Nico Hulkenberg.
      Steiner then responded by saying: “Ask your mum.
      “Who does she like better, you or your brother?”
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      The 57-year-old could not help but cast a wide grin after his comeback, with the crowd also left cheering and clapping the response.
      Fans online were also quick to chip in.
      One fan said: “They had to carry that kid off on a stretcher.”
      A second admitted: “I thought he was gonna end at ask your mum 🤣.”
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      A third declared: “Guenther is a worldwide treasure!”
      “Classic Gunther Steiner. Wouldn’t have it any other way,” commented a fourth.
      Another added: “GOAT.”
      Haas scored their first point of the season in last week’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix as Magnussen managed a P10 finish.
      They will be hoping the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne will see both drivers earn points.
      Further up the order, Lewis Hamilton and Co will be hoping to close the gap to the dominance of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
      They have secured one-two finishes in the two opening races of the season.
      Verstappen dominated in Bahrain before Perez won around Saudi Arabia as Verstappen recovered from a P15 start position to finish P2. More

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      Inside Formula 1 drivers’ luxury car collections – including Max Verstappen’s James Bond car and Hamilton’s £13m garage

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      FORMULA 1 drivers definitely live life in the fast lane – on and off the track.As some of the highest-paid sports stars in the world, they have huge mansions, designer outfits, and an impressive supercar collection to show for it.
      Lewis Hamilton shows off his Mercedes-Benz GLC SUVCredit: LewisHamilton/twitter
      Carlos Sainz with his Ferrari 600 LT SpyderCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      And as many of them have shown, driving for some of the world’s biggest carmakers like Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Mercedes-Benz comes with incredible perks.
      Just ask Lewis Hamilton, whose partnership with Mercedes has netted him some of the manufacturers’ most amazing vehicles.
      Here, we take a peek into the garage of some of Formula 1’s biggest stars to see what they drive when they are not competing on the grid.
      Sergio Perez
      Sergio’s private car collection is said to be worth £4.3millionCredit: Rex
      His Bugatti Chiron cost a mind-blowing £2.5millionCredit: bugatti
      Although Sergio is yet to win a major championship, he’s still one of the most recognisable Formula 1 stars and is the fourth highest-paid driver on the grid right now.
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      The Mexican reportedly has five luxury cars to his name including a Bugatti Chiron, which retails from a mind-blowing £2.5million.
      Other cars in his collection include a McLaren 720S, a Mercedes Benz AMG, a Porsche Panamera, and a BMW X7.
      In total, the Red Bull racer’s cars are said to be worth over £4.3million.
      Charles Leclerc
      Charles Leclerc is one of the richest stars on the grid todayCredit: AP
      His vast collection includes a Rolls Royce WraithCredit: AFP
      Monte Carlo-born Charles is one of the grid’s most talented stars, with an estimated net worth of £42.5million after signing a deal with Ferrari in 2019.
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      He has one of the most impressive collections of private vehicles said to be worth £5.6million, including the powerful Bugatti Chiron and a Rolls Royce Wraith, worth £811,180.
      He also has a Ferrari GTC4 in his garage, which reportedly set him back £689,000, and a McLaren GT, which retails at £649,000.
      But that’s not all – the 25-year-old owns a Ferrari F8, a Land Rover Discovery, and a Jaguar XF.
      Max Verstappen
      Max’s collection is inspired by James BondCredit: Max33Verstappen/twitter
      Max also owns an Aston Martin Valkyrie, said to give drivers an F1 experienceCredit: Reuters
      The Red Bull driver is one of the highest-paid stars in Formula 1 and has a private car collection inspired by James Bond.
      Max owns a 007-type DB11, a follow-up to the DB10, driven by the fictional secret agent in Spectre.
      The Dutchman is reported to have added an Aston Martin Valkyrie to his collection. According to reports, the vehicle is priced at a whopping £2.1million.
      The manufacturer’s website describes the car as the closest anyone will get to having the Formula 1 experience on the road.
      Lewis Hamilton
      The Mercedes-Benz driver has several cars made by his teamCredit: MercedesAMGF1/twitter
      He says he no longer drives many of his supercars for environmental reasonsCredit: Xposure
      As a seven-time champion, it is no surprise that Lewis Hamilton likes to travel in style with a collection of some of the most luxurious vehicles.
      He has owned a 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and a Ferrari LaFerrari.
      But these days, he prefers to be a bit more low-key as he takes the environment into consideration.
      In 2020, he told Reuters: “I don’t drive any of the cars that I own anymore. I only drive my [electric Mercedes] EQC.”
      It’s been reported that he also has a Mercedes-Benz G63, a GLC SUV, a McLaren P1, and a Pagani Zonda 760. According to reports, his private car collection is worth over £13.8million.
      Carlos Sainz
      Carlos Sainz has proudly shared snaps of his McLaren 720S on social mediaCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      The star also has a McLaren 600 LT SpyderCredit: mclarenautomotive/facebook
      Carlos’ net worth is estimated to be £6.4million, meaning he has the means of securing himself an enviable car collection.
      It includes a Ferrari 812 Competizione, worth nearly £488,000.
      The Ferrari driver also has two McLarens – a 720S and a 600 LT Spyder – and has proudly shared snaps of them on social media.
      At £177,310, his Ferrari Roma is the least expensive vehicle in his possession.
      Fernando Alonso
      Fernando has several supercars including a McLaren
      Before switching teams from Alpine to Aston Martin, Fernando, 41, used to travel around in an Alpine A110 but has since upgraded.
      He now drives an Aston Martin DBX luxury SUV, which Fernando says is his dream car – the car doesn’t come cheap either, with the 2022 version boasting a starting price of £158,000.
      According to Slash Gear, the Spaniard’s garage includes a La Ferrari, a Porsche 918 Spyder, and a McLaren P1, which costs a staggering £895,000.
      Other cars in his collection are a Maserati GranCabrio, and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fernando Alonso Edition, which only had 40 units and typically sells for £244,000.
      Lance Stroll
      Lance Stroll is worth £41.6million and and owns a range of supercarsCredit: Splash
      His Ferrari California set him back a staggering £290,000Credit: Alamy
      Although Lance Stroll is worth £41.6million, his father Lawrence, who is a part owner and executive chairman of Aston Martin has a £2.4billion wealth.
      Lance’s car collection is one of the most incredible and is said to include a Ferrari California, which set him back £290,000.
      The Canadian also owns a Lamborghini Huracan, a Mercedes Benz AMG GT-R, and an Aston Martin Vantage, which is sold for about £131,000.
      His father, on the other hand, has a £50million Ferrari 250 GTO – the world’s most expensive car, and a £200million superyacht.
      Lando Norris
      Lando Norris has been living a glam life ever since swapping the UK for MonacoCredit: Getty
      Lando drives a powerful McLaren 720S, with a £248,800 price tagCredit: Getty
      He was seen driving a Fiat 500 Jolly in MonacoCredit: Norrislandofans/twitter
      He left the UK for Monaco when he got an extension to his McLaren deal last year and has been living the glam life ever since.
      Lando’s supercars includes a £248,800 McLaren 720S, which has the capability to go from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 212 mph.
      Staying loyal to his team, he also owns a McLaren 570 GT, which comes with a £169,000 price tag.
      He isn’t all about the big cars, however – he has been spotted driving around Monaco in a cute Fiat 500 Jolly, which has sparked a ton of memes and TikTok videos.
      Valtteri Bottas
      Valtteri Bottas has a £25million fortune and a number of carsCredit: EPA
      Valtteri owns a McLaren 765LT, which sells for £310,000
      Vatlterri, 33, who spent most of his career at Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s teammate, has a £25million fortune in his own right and takes home £8.6million a year driving for Alfa Romeo.
      It’s no surprise then that he can afford a car collection that includes a McLaren 765LT Spyder, which goes for £310,000.
      There’s also a Mercedes Benz AMG GT Black Series for nearly £286,000, and an Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifogilo for £74,736
      The least expensive car in the Finnish racer’s collection is a Mercedes AMG C63 for £69,000.
      George Russell
      George Russell with his Mercedes AMG GT that cost £97,000Credit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      He also owns a Mercedes C63 S Coupe and posted a picture on social media of him washing itCredit: Instagram @georgerussell63
      As a driver for Mercedes, George, 25, has an array of supercars he could choose from, including his Mercedes AMG GT, which costs £97,000.
      Powered by a 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, it can go from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 and has a top speed of 190 mph.
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      The British racer also owns a Mercedes C63 S Coupe which is on the market for £63,482.
      He has even shared pictures of himself on social media washing the car himself by hand. More

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      How oblivious Lewis Hamilton caused chaos for Brooklyn Beckham’s £3m wedding with Nicola Peltz and sparked £132k lawsuit

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has unwittingly found himself at the centre of a legal battle following Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding. The F1 star had been invited to the £3million marriage ceremony between David Beckham’s son Brooklyn and billionaire heiress Nicola Peltz in April last year.
      Lewis Hamilton was involved in a legal battle for a wedding he did not even attendCredit: AFP
      It came as Brooklyn Beckham’s and Nicola Peltz’s wedding planners failed to remove Hamilton from the guest listCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The oblivious 38-year-old was unable to attend, but this did not stop his name from being entangled in a £132,000 lawsuit between Nicola and the wedding planners.
      The Daily Mail revealed how planners Nicole Braghin and Arianna Grijalba had left Hamilton’s name on the guest list despite the Brit failing to RSVP them.
      A leaked conversation between the parties saw Nicola write: “Lewis Hamilton did NOT RSVP.
      “So explain why his name is on the list please?
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      “We spoke to him. He can’t come so explain why you said he RSVP’d yes.”
      The planners tried to explain how a technological error was the cause of the issue, before Nicola replied: “That’s not true. He didn’t rsvp AT ALL.”
      She later added: “I’m tired of catching mistakes on this rsvp list honestly.
      “When will I get a straight answer on this.”
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      After months of turmoil Nicola and Beckham are looking to get their deposit back from the company.
      Michelle Rago was eventually finalised as their planner in a last minute change.
      Hamilton is good friends with David Beckham and Co, with the ex-Manchester United star visiting the Mercedes garage at last season’s Miami Grand Prix.
      In the meantime, Hamilton will be hoping to get back to winning ways in the Australian Grand Prix, having not won at the circuit since 2015.
      Beckham and Peltz had hoped Hamilton would be able to attend the weddingCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-F1 boss Michael Masi says he fell into mental turmoil after Lewis Hamilton’s controversial title loss in Abu Dhabi GP

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      EX-FORMULA ONE race director Michael Masi has revealed he fell into mental turmoil after the controversial ending to the 2021 season. Michael Masi, 44, was overseeing the season finale in Abu Dhabi when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen’s title battle reached its climax.
      Michael Masi has revealed he received professional help after the 2021 season finaleCredit: Getty
      It comes as Hamilton said he has ‘nothing to say’ to MasiCredit: Getty
      Following a late crash by Nicholas Latifi which prompted a safety car, Masi then allowed lapped cars to unlap themselves to set up a one lap shootout between Verstappen and Hamilton.
      On fresh tyres Verstappen went on to overtake the Brit and snatch away Hamilton’s would-be record eighth world title, despite the Brit leading for most of the race.
      The fallout from the decision was huge, with Masi axed as race director in the following February before later leaving the FIA to move back to Australia in the summer.
      Lifting the lid on the backlash he received, Masi has revealed he battled through mental turmoil, bringing in professional help to help with his rehabilitation.
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      In an interview with the Daily Mail, he said: “When I stopped at the FIA, I told my parents, ‘Those days are done for me’.
      “I had told them after the Abu Dhabi fallout not to bother reading or watching anything. It’s not healthy.
      “The place can be a very toxic place. In many ways social media can be a great tool, but not so great in others.
      “I have spent time looking after myself. It’s done me good. It’s what I needed. I spent a lot of time getting into physical shape but didn’t spend enough on the mental side for a long while.
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      “There were people I was speaking to privately, my then partner – she was an amazing support – and friends and family.
      “As for professional help, I got that, but probably later than I should have done – the latter part of last year, but things had largely calmed down by then.”
      An FIA investigation into the race concluded “human error” led to Hamilton losing to Verstappen.
      Masi has returned to the F1 paddock for the first time since the incident ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, however, Hamilton has declared he will not speak to Masi about the 2021 incident.
      Asked by reporters whether he would seek out an explanation from Masi, Hamilton replied: “I don’t [plan to]. I am just focused on my future.
      “I am focused on trying to get back to winning. There is nothing to say.”

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