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      What is the 107% rule in F1?

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      FORMULA ONE is one of the most technical sports in the industry – and the 107% rule is a prime example of it. With the 2023 F1 season now underway, Red Bull have kicked off the campaign as they mean to go on.
      Max Verstappen celebrates his win at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5, 2023Credit: AFP
      Sergio Perez celebrates with trophy during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on March 19, 2023Credit: Alamy
      Max Verstappen cruised to victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix as he looks to retain his 2022 F1 title.
      And Red Bull maintained pole position as Sergio Perez secured the title at Saudi Arabian GP.
      However, the Red Bull superstar’s wouldn’t have been able to achieve those results if they violated the 107% rule.
      What is the 107% rule?
      The 107% rule is a F1 regulation affecting racing qualifying sessions.
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      To be eligible to compete in a grand prix, a driver must qualify within 107% of the time set in Q1 by the fastest car.
      For example, if the fastest drive set a Q1 time of 100 seconds, each driver would need to complete the race in 107 seconds to secure a race start.
      The regulation has mainly been implemented for safety reasons, to minimize accidents if drivers are too slow.
      Are there any exceptions for the F1 107% rule?
      If a team can prove that their car and driver is fast enough to race, the FIA may grant an exception to allow a driver to compete.
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      This can be done by showing the stewards their times from the three practice sessions if they are within 107% of the time set in the Q1.
      Also, if there is evidence of a mechanical failure that suggests the driver is not responsible for the performance, a concession can be given.
      What drivers have violated the F1 107% rule?

      In 2017, during the Italian Grand Priz, Haas driver Romain Grosjean failed to adhere to the regulation. He was granted a concession and was able to compete.
      In 2018, in the Azarbaijan Gran Priz, Toro Rosso driver Brendon Hartley was also allowed to start the race after violating the 107% rule.
      Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was another driver to be granted an excpetion after failing to finish within 107% during the French Grand Prix in 2021.
      Most recently, Logan Sargeant had to be given special permission to compete in the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP after failing to set a fast enough time.

      Logan Sargeant failed to finish within 107% of the fastest time during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.Credit: Reuters More

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      Why Lewis Hamilton could suffer huge F1 blow if Fernando Alonso is in the running for World Championship

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      LEWIS HAMILTON could suffer a major blow if Fernando Alonso stays in contention for the Formula 1 world championship.The Brit’s old rival and former McLaren team-mate has had a stunning start to the 2023 campaign after switching from Alpine to Aston Martin.
      Fernando Alonso has earned two consecutive podiums
      Lewis Hamilton has endured an underwhelming start to the seasonCredit: AFP
      Alonso, 41, has earned two podiums in the opening pair of races this year – only being beaten by the Red Bulls.
      Hamilton, meanwhile, has finished fifth in both Grands Prix – with Mercedes’ new car not having the pace to compete with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
      What will frustrate the seven-time world champion even more is that Aston Martin have seemingly built a quicker car with many of the same parts.
      The Silverstone-based team has the same engine, gearbox and rear suspension as Mercedes.
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      While their car also uses the same wind tunnel.
      Due to their affiliation with Aston Martin, Mercedes would rather them be the nearest challengers to Red Bull, if it can’t be them.
      Spanish outlet The Objective even claim that the Silver Arrows could prioritise giving their customer team their highest performing power units – in what would be a huge blow to Hamilton and team-mate George Russell.
      Hamilton, 38, has been in a bad mood with his car this season.
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      He has even been linked with a sensational move to Ferrari, with Merc boss Toto Wolff admitting he’d understand if Hamilton wanted to leave if the Silver Arrows couldn’t provide him with a winning car.
      Hamilton has tried to quash the rumours, saying: “I’m not focused on that — I love this team and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s been on this journey with me.
      “I don’t envisage being anywhere else, I don’t see myself quitting.
      “I wouldn’t say it’s giving me a lot. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. But I am trying to be patient and work with the team to get us to a good place. I must keep trying.”
      When Russell was promoted to third-place following a time penalty for Alonso at the weekend’s Saudi Grand Prix, which was later overturned, Hamilton said: “George did great and is up there on the second row.
      “But I don’t feel connected to this car and no matter what I do, no matter what I change, I can’t get confidence in it.” More

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      Michael Schumacher’s iconic 200mph Ferrari F1 car that racing legend won first world championship with goes up for sale

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      MICHAEL Schumacher’s legendary F1 car from his 2000 season is going up for auction.The Ferrari in which Schuey won his third world championship and first with Ferrari could be yours if you put up enough money.
      The shiny Ferrari could be yours if you join the auction in Hong KongCredit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra
      The F1 legend won four back to back world championshipsCredit: Getty
      He secured the Aussie championship with the vehicleCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The 2000 Ferrari F2000 – chassis 198 – is being sold in Hong Kong by RM Sotheby’s from April 3 to April 12.
      The V-12 engine car was driven to victory by Schumacher at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2000.
      The race car can hit speeds of up to 200mph or more – making it a great addition to any thrill seeker’s life.
      He also drove it to pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix – the only pole position achieved by Schumacher at that circuit with Ferrari.
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      RM Sotheby’s said of the car: “There is no greater name in the pantheon of motorsport than Ferrari, and few more decorated or celebrated drivers than Michael Schumacher.
      “The Prancing Horse’s total domination of the sport from the turn of the millennium was due in no small part to Schumacher’s incredible once-in-a-generation talent.”
      When the Ferrari made its debut in 2000, it boasted amazing aerodynamics and a redesigned V-10 engine – which lowers the car’s centre of gravity.
      RM Sotheby’s added: “Chassis 198, the car offered here, proved vital to the success of Schumacher’s Championship-winning 2000 season.
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      “Serving initially as the Scuderia’s spare car, it played a pivotal role from just the second round of the championship after Schumacher ran wide during qualifying at Interlagos for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
      “Having badly damaged the undercarriage of his first car, chassis 198 was called up during qualifying and subsequently started the race third on the grid.
      “The car put Schumacher into pole position in that competition, winning him the title.
      “The car’s next competitive outing would come at Monaco, on the hallowed asphalt of Monte-Carlo.”
      Schumacher’s first Ferrari set him on a path to success, as he went on to win the next four world championships.
      The now-54-year-old also won an additional seven world titles, putting him in a tie with Brit driver Lewis Hamilton.
      Schumacher suffered a severe brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013, and has since lived privately in Switzerland.
      Last month, a touching photo of Schumacher and Max Verstappen was released.
      Seven-time champ Michael is seen smiling as he sits in a hanging chair with the baby driver in his lap alongside his own daughter, Gina-Maria.
      The photo was released as part of Netflix’s hit F1 show Drive to Survive and features in episode 4 – Like Father, Like Son? – with the series being released tomorrow.
      The double world champion – who broke Sir Lewis Hamilton’s four-year stranglehold on the F1 title – is the son of Michael’s former Benetton teammate Jos Verstappen.
      Read More on The Sun
      The Schumachers and the Verstappens became very close, with Mick, 23, and Max, 25, sharing a bond which endured as they both rose through the racing ranks into the top flight.
      The auction ends on April 12Credit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra
      The low centre of gravity of the engine makes this car a winnerCredit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra
      It’s an amazing addition to add to an F1 fanatic collectionCredit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra
      The details on the championship winning vehicle are amazingCredit: Jam Press/Andrew Trahan Photogra More

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      F1 farce that saw Fernando Alonso wait FOUR HOURS hours to confirm podium place proves FIA is not fit for purpose

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      BERNIE ECCLESTONE once pondered the idea of a water sprinkler system to liven up dull F1 races. He believed that by forcing drivers to pit for wet tyres would add some jeopardy and keep people watching at home until the end.
      Fernando Alonso celebrated on the podium, then had his third place stripped off him, before the decision was reversed at Jeddah yesterdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      It was a silly idea but at least we would know who ended up on the podium at the end of the race. 
      However, at Sunday’s Saudi Arabia GP we were left waiting almost four hours after the race had ended – at around 2am local time – to find out whether Fernando Alonso was third or not.
      The farcical outcome did indeed liven up an otherwise dreary race but it is not a look the current F1 custodians want to have.
      They were left embarrassed and angry as the FIA once again proved they are not fit for purpose when it comes to refereeing races.
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      The stewards flipped and flopped their decision before siding with the Spaniard but not without a bawling from F1.
      It was hugely embarrassing given the dignitary who presented the trophy to Alonso on the podium was the CEO of Aramco – the state-owner oil business.
      The same company who sponsors Alonso’s Aston Martin team, have a handsome deal with F1, plus other F1-related deals. 
      It looked ridiculous as the governing body published emails detailing how a report came to light in the final few laps triggering the investigation into Alonso’s incorrectly-served penalty (conveniently when he did not have enough time to build up a big enough gap to protect him from a demotion). 
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      There was no indication as to where this report came from but the smart money is on Mercedes as they were telling George Russell to speed up because Alonso could get a time penalty and stood to inherit third place.
      Of course there were missing details, you’d not expect anything less as the FIA seem absolved of any accountability. 
      At least Michael Masi, the former race director who controversially fudged the 2021 Abu Dhabi and subsequently lost his job, had the decency and front up after races to tell us why he made the decisions he did – save for the final race of his tenure.
      Oh, but don’t worry we have been told, there is a meeting on Thursday to tighten up the rules. Until the next time it happens.
      And that is the problem. This keeps on happening. 
      Even after the spectacular fall out from the Abu Dhabi finale and the introduction of a state-of-the-art VAR-type set up,  it is simply not working well enough.
      F1 and the teams are understandably running out of patience. Last Sunday was a mess and it needs to be addressed, not in the form of an amendment to an out-of-date rulebook that’s open to interpretation, but by establishing a set group of professional stewards who oversee all the races and are answerable for their decisions. 
      Because if we are to have this unknown extending beyond the chequered flag, then I’d rather take Bernie’s idea of sprinklers.
      Red Rag to a Bull
      Despite their victory on track there seemed to be a touch of tension at Red Bull yesterdayCredit: Reuters
      There could be trouble brewing again between Red Bull’s two drivers. 
      After last year’s rift, centering on Sergio Perez’s accident in Monaco that allowed him to take a decisive pole position – much to Verstappen’s suspicion, trust is again proving thin.
      In the final stages of Sunday’s GP both drivers were given targets to stick to in order to maintain a gap and bring both cars home in first and second place.
      Only Verstappen went quicker and quicker leaving Perez surprised that the Dutchman had closed the gap, and breached the team’s clear instructions. He has now called on the team to review the process.
      Will I Never
      F1 bosses have asked Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am to produce some music that can be used before and after qualifying and races.
      The singer, rapper, producer, DJ, was filming a video in Saudi to accompany his music.
      While it is likely the traditional Prelude Act I Carmen ditty will be retained for the podium celebration, Will.i.am’s tracks will fill up the rest of the playlist over a weekend.
      In doing so, it will avoid any music rights issues that could occur when TV broadcasters pick up audio from guest DJs, who perform immediately after the podium presentation.
      Slippery Slope
      It was ironic in the land of oil that it would cause such a problem on the drivers’ parade.
      The fleet of old US motors brought in for the usual pre-race presentation around the track had to be scrapped – because they were leaking too much oil on the track.
      Masi Back?
      Could Michael Masi make his first return to F1 since his cock-up in the Abu Dhabi GP that cost Lewis Hamilton a record eighth title?
      Masi is now the chairman of the Australian Supercars Commission, which is on the bill for the Aussie GP later this month.
      Michael Masi left F1 as a divisive figure after the controversial ending to the 2021 seasonCredit: PA
      Flight Risk
      Drones caused a big problem for the Saudi GP bosses last year – with one being flown into a nearby fuel depot.
      But there were an incredible 1,600 of the flying devices being used to put on an impressive light display on race day.
      The drone show also featured one of the world’s most powerful laser beams, which was capable of being seen from as far away as Egypt, some 150 miles away.
      Hitting the Right Notes
      MOTO GP have enlisted the help of Hollywood composer Marco Beltrami to help them get on-song with the sport’s fans.
      F1 used American composer Brian Tyler for their theme tune, which has been a huge success, particular among new fans in the US.
      MotoGP chiefs have done something similar by asking Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning composer Marco Beltrami to produce a score for the series.
      The new MotoGP season kicks off March 25th in Portugal and this season will feature more GPs than ever before, plus the introduction of shorter sprint races.
      Read More on The Sun
      Motorsport fans already bored by F1 can look forward to the return of Moto GP this weekCredit: EPA
      New Man at Merc
      Former F1 driver and Formula E team boss Jerome d’Ambrosio has been appointed as Mercedes’ new director of driver development.D’Ambrosio, who drove for Marussia in F1 before switching to FE where he worked with Toto Wolff’s wife, Susie.
      He will oversee the development of the team’s young drivers, a role that was previously held by James Vowles, who left to become boss of Williams. More

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      F1 ace Lando Norris ‘robbed of his incredibly rare £144,000 designer watch while leaving Wembley after Euro 2020 final’

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      F1 ACE Lando Norris was robbed of his “unique” £144,000 designer watch in Wembley Stadium’s VIP car park, a court heard yesterday.The McLaren driver, 23, was targeted for his Richard Mille timepiece – one of only five in the world – as he walked to his £165,000 McLaren GT after the Euro 2020 final.
      Lando Norris’ watch was stolen in July 2021 as he left Wembley StadiumCredit: Getty
      Liam Williams, 25, has denied robbing the F1 starCredit: Dan Charity
      The Richard Mille “prototype limited edition McLaren watch”, also known as the RM6702, was the only one in the world with a blue strap made to measure for the driver’s wrist.
      Despite never being made available for sale, the designer estimates the value to be around £144,000 – excluding VAT.
      Liam Williams, 25, from Merseyside has denied robbing the Belgian-British F1 star on July 11, 2021.
      He appeared at court today wearing a navy-blue t-shirt and grey ripped jeans.

      The robbery came after England’s defeat to Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
      Tyrone Silcott, prosecuting, said the attack happened in the VIP yellow car park at Wembley Stadium following the final.
      Mr Norris told Harrow Crown Court it was midnight and raining as he spoke to members of the public next to his McLaren.
      He then realised two suspects were circling the car.
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      He added: “I noticed the suspect looking around my car and myself while keeping his head down. I believe his right hand was near, or on, his pocket.”
      The first suspect “slowly approached”, he added.
      “When I turned towards him, he asked me ‘is this your car?’ I do not recall exactly what happened.
      “Suspect 1 then went behind me and put his right arm around my neck and his left arm was under my back.
      “Suspect 1 pushed me into him and pulled me back by my neck.”
      Lando was left looking up at the sky as the first man told the second to “grab the watch”.
      He added: “Suspect 2 struggled to get the watch for a while however they used force to pull the watch off leaving scratches on my arm.
      “When suspect 1 had his arm around my neck the suspect manages to get the watch off my left wrist.”
      After just 30 seconds the attackers ran away via a nearby pedestrian walkway.
      Cops took two swabs from the F1 driver, two from his neck and two from his left wrist, where the watch was stolen.
      The prosecutor said the tests suggested a match with Williams’ DNA.
      And Williams’ phone records show he travelled to Wembley from Liverpool on the day of the theft.
      His phone was logged near Wembley Stadium in the early hours of July 12, 2021 before travelling back to Liverpool on July 13, 2021.
      Williams was arrested in Liverpool on July 18, 2021 on suspicion of robbery and attended a voluntary interview that day, where he answered no comment to all questions.
      He was interviewed again on July 19 and answered no comment again to all questions.
      On that same day a “video identification” took place, however Mr Norris was unable to identify him as one of the robbers, jurors heard.
      Read More on The Sun
      He then attended a third interview on December 12, 2021 where he again answered no comment to all questions.
      The trial continues. More

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      I fell in love on Netflix reality TV show Too Hot To Handle – now I am focused on returning to motor racing

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      HANDSOME racing driver turned reality TV star Seb Melrose is ready to return to motorsport.The 25-year-old, who last appeared at the Ginetta GT4 Supercup in 2021, found a new audience when he starred on Netflix hit Too Hot To Handle.
      Seb Melrose is keen to return to motor racing after his stint on reality TV
      Handsome Melrose came runner-up with stunning LA girl Kayla RichartCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      He came runner-up with now ‘longterm’ love Kayla Richart – scoring plenty of fans and admirers, as well as earning a huge social media following.
      That makes Melrose a more attractive proposition for manufacturers now, as they look to bring sponsors in and he looks for a drive this season.
      While, with his fame affording him a subsidised seat, it’s realistic for the Scottish star to become a gentleman driver who pays for his seat.
      Melrose told SunSport: “I am trying to sort out a few deals – I really want to get back into racing cars.
      read more sports news
      “I’ve had a few chats with touring car, so we will see where that takes us.
      “But, for the first time ever, money is no longer the issue. It’s about finding the drive.
      “I’ve found different opportunities with it now.
      “Since the age of 16, I always wanted to become a racing driver and work my way up to becoming a works driver for a big manufacturer.
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      “That’s kind of changed now. I feel there’s more of an opportunity to earn and to keep your life fairly free. So you could be almost like a gentleman driver – without sounding like an old guy!
      “I’ve got the opportunity now to not race as a full-on professional, but be a professional driver while keeping my contracts wide open.
      “I’ve no longer got that pressure that I need to find a manufacturer and get paid.
      “Because of my social media numbers now, the growth and engagement I can provide to manufacturers, they have subsidised a lot of the seats for me.
      “Racing is cheaper than it has ever been. I don’t mind paying, and now I can pay for a seat that is subsidised.”
      Thanks to his popularity on Too Hot To Handle, Melrose has over 500,000 followers on Instagram.
      The godson of three-time Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti also receives plenty of paid partnerships on social media. It makes him a far more attractive prospect to hire.
      He revealed: “I’m not going to talk for anyone, everyone is on their own journey. For me, specifically, for what I can now provide to sponsors and teams is something that other drivers can’t.
      Now with a strong Instagram following, Melrose is a huge catch for manufacturersCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      Thanks to his new found fame, Melrose enjoys a glam lifeCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      “I am still a quick driver. I can still peddle a car. So not only will they get someone who has the ability to get on the podium, they also get someone who can market their sponsors.
      “When it came to the crunch of chasing my dream in racing or going on a reality TV show, I thought I could actually combine the two.
      “Thankfully, it paid off. I’ve got the numbers now and I came across well, but it could easily have gone south.
      “I could have been hated, and the sponsors might not have wanted to associate with me.”
      Despite flirting with celebrity, Melrose admitted he missed motor racing.
      He eloquently explained what it means to him: “It’s an escape for reality.
      “You get the helmet on and the belt and strapped in, you’re not thinking about anything else, but what you’ve got to do on that race track at any given time.
      “It’s almost like a form of meditation for me now.
      Melrose appeared on Too Hot To Handle’s recent fourth season
      Kayla Richart stole the heart of Melrose on the show
      “You are still faced with other types of stress, performing and timings, but you kind of go into another world and all you care about is your car and what is going on around you.”
      Melrose won the charms of stunning LA beauty Kayla, 22, despite plenty of competition on Too Hot To Handle.
      In a way, he joked, it was almost like the sport he competes in.
      “It was competitive, just like racing,” he said.
      “Everyone was competing for the same girl, Kayla. She was the girl I fancied and I felt there was a connection there, just like the other guys.
      “But I wasn’t biggest guy there, I didn’t have the biggest muscles, and wasn’t the tallest. I probably had the worst engine out of the lot, but I still managed to leave everyone else behind.
      Kayla is looking forward to seeing Melrose race againCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      Melrose is ready for a sport in touring carCredit: https://www.instagram.com/sebmelrose
      “I couldn’t have had a better experience. I came out with Kayla, who is someone I view as longterm.”
      And in Kayla, Melrose will have his No1 supporter cheering him on from the stands when he returns to the track.
      “She’s looking forward to me racing just as much as I am,” Melrose added.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Kayla’s nervous about it, and she would like me to race in the States. I’ve got a couple of options this season, so we will see.
      “But this year I am ready for it, I want to get out there and show people what I can do and have fun doing it.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton claims Max Verstappen’s Red Bull car is fastest he has EVER seen in F1 career after Saudi GP annihilation

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      LEWIS HAMILTON claimed he had never “seen a car so fast” after Red Bull completed another annihilation.Sergio Perez took the chequered flag while Max Verstappen came from 15th on the grid to finish second, as this season is becoming a procession.
      Hamilton has struggled to compete with the Red Bulls this seasonCredit: Getty
      Verstappen and Perez have dominated the gridCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman even pumped in a fastest lap at the death – on a knackered set of old tyres that was still a second quicker than the rest – to secure a bonus point.
      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021. Since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      But it was the manner in which he breezed past the Brit on lap 12 of this dreary race which astounded the seven-times world champion.
      He said: “I’ve definitely never seen a car so fast.
      Read More on F1
      “When we were fast, we weren’t that fast. I don’t know how or why but he came past me at such a serious speed, I did not bother to block because it was a massive speed difference.
      “Of course, everyone wants to see everyone closer but that isn’t the way it is, but that’s not my fault.”
      The result was a reversal of the outcome of the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point means he leads the championship from his team-mate.
      But the reality is this was another no-contest with Fernando Alonso coming third despite a controversial post-race penalty.
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      The Spaniard was hit with a 10-second time penalty after his Aston Martin team failed to serve their earlier five-second penalty for an infringement on the grid where he was out of position.
      As he came in to pit and serve his penalty, the Aston mechanics raised up the rear jack when the rules stipulate they cannot touch his car for a full five seconds.
      It was an obvious slam dunk yet for some unfathomable reason, the FIA did not apply the penalty until after the race – much to Aston’s frustration – and F1’s embarrassment given Amin H. Nasser, president and CEO of Saudi oil firm, Aramco, had presented Alonso with his trophy on the podium.
      The fall-out was spectacular but had an unexpected benefit for Russell, who was promoted into third place.
      Alonso said: “Today is not good for the fans. When you have 35 laps to apply the penalty and you wait after the podium, there is something wrong in the system.”
      In another incredible post-race twist, Alonso was later re-instated onto the podium after another FIA U-turn.
      Hamilton cut a lonely figure before the race as there was no help from Angela Cullen, the bleached-haired assistant who had performed his pre-race preparations for the past seven years.
      Instead of the New Zealander, the responsibility fell to a veteran garage hand known simply as Steveo, although he did not go the whole hog of holding back Hamilton’s braided hair while he put on his crash helmet.
      Hamilton scooted down the pitlane, unaccompanied and wearing earphones, he made his way to the front of the grid for the national anthem.
      And that was as close to the front he got, as this race turned into another Red Bull procession.
      Despite qualifying down in 15th place to a drive shaft problem, the pre-race talk was still about whether Verstappen could challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only not on for a top three finish but for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places. By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      Out in front Perez was keeping out of Alonso’s reach, with the Spaniard hampered by his initial penalty for being out of position on the grid.
      Red Bull were cruising to another one-two finish, albeit for a little late drama when Verstappen told his team his car was making a high-pitched noise.
      He need not have worried though, he was still going quicker than everyone else, so much so that Perez felt the need to get a hurry up at the fear of being gobbled up by his team-mate.
      He did enough to come home in P1 while Verstappen completed the maximum points haul for the Milton Keynes-based team.
      Read More on The Sun
      Meanwhile, Merc boss Toto Wolff has refused to rule out copying his rivals’ designs as they look to get back to winning ways, despite being second in the constructors’ championship.
      He added: “I don’t know if you can call it a Red Bull or Aston Martin concept. At the end of the day, if it looks like a double-decker bus we would do it if it was fast!” More

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      Late Formula 1 drama as Fernando Alonso is demoted from podium spot in 100th race before dramatically being RE-INSTATED

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      FERNANDO ALONSO celebrated a podium finish before being demoted to fourth – only to the then be re-instated BACK to third.In a farcical outcome hours after the chequered flag, the Spaniard was stripped of third place – after the podium celebrations – before being reinstalled when the stewards reversed their decision.
      Fernando was awarded third place after stewards reversed a 10-second time penaltyCredit: Reuters
      A bizarre stewards’ decision to award him a post-race penalty was overturned nearly FOUR HOURS after the race.
      The Spaniard was hit with a ten-second penalty after his Aston Martin team failed to serve their earlier five-second penalty for an infringement on the grid where he was out of position.
      As he came in to pit and serve his penalty, the Aston mechanics raised up the rear jack when the rules stipulate they cannot touch his car for a full five seconds.
      It was an obvious slam dunk yet for some unfathomable reason, the FIA did not apply the penalty until after the race after a rival team had questioned the legality of the pitstop.
      Read more F1 news
      It all came in Alonso’s 100th F1 race.
      Red Bull continued to dominate this F1 season as Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian GP with Max Verstappen going from 15th on the grid to finishing second.
      It was a reversed result from the opening race in Bahrain – but Verstappen’s bonus point for setting the fastest lap means he leads the championship.
      George Russell was third while Lewis Hamilton was fifth as Mercedes again failed to challenge the two Red Bulls.
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      It is incredible to think that Hamilton’s last victory in F1 came at this track back in 2021, but since then Verstappen has dominated in a remarkable change of fortunes.
      Verstappen qualified down in 15th place yet before this race the talk was still about whether he could still challenge for a podium.
      The consensus was unanimous – only he was not on for a top three finish but more on for the win.
      By lap two, he had made up two places.
      By lap eight, he had made up three more as he started to power his way through the field.
      In the end, Red Bull cruised to the one and two positions. More