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      F1 fans moved to tears by heartwarming video of Michael Schumacher and a young Max Verstappen

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      A HEARTWARMING video of Micheal Schumacher and a young Max Verstappen has moved Formula 1 fans to tears.The F1 star spent a lot of time growing up with the Schumacher family as his dad Jos Verstappen and seven-time champ Michael were close friends.
      Video shows a young Max Verstappen with Michael Schumacher
      Schumacher pats a young Max Verstappen on the headCredit: Twitter/Semmieeef1/
      The F1 star has revealed he called Michael ‘uncle’Credit: PA
      Michael continues his recovery after his horror ski accidentCredit: PA:Press Association
      Max Verstappen has opened up about his close relationship with he man he called “Uncle”.
      The two families’ connection features in episode 4 – Like Father, Like Son? of Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
      Footage released as part of the show’s latest season feature Michael talking about young Mick and Max and discussing with Jos whether they would allow their children to become F1 drivers.
      One clip in particular, in which Schumacher bends down and pats Verstappen on the head, has moved Formula 1 fans.
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      “This moment makes me cry every single time i see it,” Tweeted a Verstappen fan account.
      In the clip Schumacher can bee seen smiling at the youngster, who he’s clearly very fond of.
      Several other fans responded with tear emojies to the clip, with one writing “that’s so adorable”.
      Max was introduced to racing from a young age alongside Michael’s son Mick, who also became an F1 driver.
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      Double-world champion Verstappen has revealed he spent a big part of his childhood with the Schumacher family as they would all go on holidays together.
      He told F1 Insider: “I was three or four years old at the time. I just knew that was Uncle Michael.
      “Who was very nice. Who was an extremely big family man.
      “But I never saw him as a record World Champion, I didn’t know that.”
      Max, a 35-time race winner, continued: “You can see that in the old photos and videos that we have at home. Mick or Gina was always there.
      “It was great. I still have positive memories of those weekends today.”
      The 24-year-old added that Jos and Michael would load their kids up on two-seater go-karts and two father and son duos would race against each other.
      He said: “We always went karting in two-seaters. Michael with Mick or Gina, my father with me.
      “But when it got too dangerous, the fathers quickly took over!”
      Netflix’s documentary also brought to light a touching photo showing Michael cradling baby Max on his lap alongside his own daughter, Gina-Maria.
      Drive to Survive also charts Mick’s difficult sophomore season in 2022 – including his horror 170mph accident in Saudi Arabia.
      Mick’s rough year saw him outscored by his teammate, the returning Danish veteran Kevin Magnussen.
      The show outlines Mick’s struggles – and the pressure that came with racing under the name “Schumacher”.
      Speaking about his good friend, Max said: “It was different for Mick than it was for me. His father is the record world champion, with seven world championships.
      “That’s a difficult starting position at first.”
      Michael, one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, continues his recovery after his horror ski crash in 2013.
      He raced from 1991 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2012 – a second act of his career which saw him become instrumental in setting up the dominant Mercedes team.
      The German won five world championships with Ferrari and two for Benetton.
      Schumacher retired in 2012, but just a year later he was involved in the life-changing skiing accident while on the slopes with Mick.
      He was left in a medically induced coma before being released home and then ever since it has been near silence on the driver’s condition.
      He has not been seen in public ever since.
      His family, led by wife Corinna, closely protect Michael’s privacy and offer him a quiet life.
      Read More on The Sun
      Since then there have only been hints and cryptic rumours about Schumacher’s health with drip-fed information from friends and unnamed sources.
      Schumacher pictured with Max Verstappen, right, and his daughter Gina-MariaCredit: Netflix
      Max is a two time world championCredit: PA More

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      Inside Michael Schumacher’s deep connection with Max Verstappen as F1 star would call him ‘Uncle’ Michael

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      MAX Verstappen has opened up about his close relationship with Michael Schumacher who he’d call “Uncle”.The F1 star spent a lot of time growing up with the Schumacher family as his dad Jos Verstappen and seven-time champ Michael were close friends.
      Max Verstappen spent a lot of time with the Schumacher family growing up
      The F1 star has revealed he called Michael ‘uncle’Credit: PA
      Michael continues his recovery after his horror ski accidentCredit: PA:Press Association
      Max was introduced to racing from a young age alongside Michael’s son Mick, who also became an F1 driver.
      The two families’ connection features in episode 4 – Like Father, Like Son? of Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
      Footage released as part of the show’s latest season feature Michael talking about young Mick and Max and discussing with Jos whether they would allow their children to become F1 drivers.
      The double-world champion has revealed he spent a big part of his childhood with the Schumacher family as they would all go on holidays together.
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      He told F1 Insider: “I was three or four years old at the time. I just knew that was Uncle Michael.
      “Who was very nice. Who was an extremely big family man.
      “But I never saw him as a record World Champion, I didn’t know that.”
      Max, a 35-time race winner, continued: “You can see that in the old photos and videos that we have at home. Mick or Gina was always there.
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      “It was great. I still have positive memories of those weekends today.”
      The 24-year-old added that Jos and Michael would load their kids up on two-seater go-karts and two father and son duos would race against each other.
      He said: “We always went karting in two-seaters. Michael with Mick or Gina, my father with me.
      “But when it got too dangerous, the fathers quickly took over!”
      Netflix’s documentary also brought to light a touching photo showing Michael cradling baby Max on his lap alongside his own daughter, Gina-Maria.
      Drive to Survive also charts Mick’s difficult sophomore season in 2022 – including his horror 170mph accident in Saudi Arabia.
      Mick’s rough year saw him outscored by his teammate, the returning Danish veteran Kevin Magnussen.
      The show outlines Mick’s struggles – and the pressure that came with racing under the name “Schumacher”.
      Speaking about his good friend, Max said: “It was different for Mick than it was for me. His father is the record world champion, with seven world championships.
      “That’s a difficult starting position at first.”
      Michael, one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, continues his recovery after his horror ski crash in 2013.
      He raced from 1991 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2012 – a second act of his career which saw him become instrumental in setting up the dominant Mercedes team.
      The German won five world championships with Ferrari and two for Benetton.
      Schumacher retired in 2012, but just a year later he was involved in the life-changing skiing accident while on the slopes with Mick.
      He was left in a medically induced coma before being released home and then ever since it has been near silence on the driver’s condition.
      He has not been seen in public ever since.
      His family, led by wife Corinna, closely protect Michael’s privacy and offer him a quiet life.
      Read More on The Sun
      Since then there have only been hints and cryptic rumours about Schumacher’s health with drip-fed information from friends and unnamed sources.
      Schumacher pictured with Max Verstappen, right, and his daughter Gina-MariaCredit: Netflix
      Max is a two time world championCredit: PA More

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      George Russell forced to abandon car during F1 pre-season testing in blow to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes

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      GEORGE RUSSELL was forced to abandon his Mercedes Formula One car during pre-season testing after suffering a hydraulics failure. The Mercedes W14 was brought to a halt with Russell behind the wheel during the second session of the day on Friday, causing a red flag.
      George Russell suffered a hydraulics failureCredit: Getty
      The Mercedes car had to be abandoned on track and Friday’s second session was red flaggedCredit: Getty
      Russell and team boss Toto Wolff have been talking up the performance of their car ahead of the new season. 
      However, Friday’s failure will come as a blow to Merc, Russell and team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who are hoping to be competitive this season.
      The hydraulics failure left Russell unable to change gear or use power steering.
      The Brit could not shift up or down from fourth gear and had to abandon the car on track.
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      Former F1 racer Anthony Davidson said on Sky Sports’ coverage: “It would make sense that he’s stuck in fourth gear because the hydraulics controls the gear shift mechanism along with the power steering.
      “He had no clutch and that’s also controlled by hydraulics.
      “He’s got the green light on top of the car as well so it’s not a hybrid issue.”
      The team later said on Twitter: “We’ve confirmed it was a hydraulic failure that caused George’s car to stop on track.
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      “That’s likely to be the end of our running for today. Back on track tomorrow.”
      The fault comes after Russell expressed confidence that he can match double champ Max Verstappen, who’s driving for Red Bull.
      The 25-year-old said: “I definitely head into the season believing I can [win the championship].
      “At every point of my career I have gone in believing, but you need to take a rational view once you get to the track.
      “We definitely believe that eventually we will have a car capable of getting into that fight.
      “But Red Bull are looking very strong, very stable, and obviously Max is performing really well so realistically it will be a stretch for us next week.
      “But there is no reason why we cannot get there eventually at some point this year.
      “We have always seen in the past the strength of Mercedes’ development rate, so the belief is there.”
      The F1 season kicks off next weekend in Bahrain.

      Complete F1 2023 race calendar – every Grand Prix from this year More

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      Slim Borgudd dead at 76: F1 driver who amazingly toured with Abba dies after battle with illness

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      FORMER F1 driver and musician Slim Borgudd has died at the age of 76 after a long battle with illness. The racer managed to enjoy a successful career in both music and motorsport.
      Borgudd drove for ATS and Tyrrell during his F1 careerCredit: Getty
      When he wasn’t driving, Borgudd was drumming with music another big passion of hisCredit: Dominique Musik YouTube
      He even toured with ABBA and became a session drummer for the band as he attempted to launch his F1 career.
      Borgudd would eventually take part in 10 Grand Prix races through the 1981 and 1982 seasons.
      He first drove for ATS and then for the Tyrrell team.
      He would pick up his only championship point at the 1981 British Grand Prix when he finished sixth in the ATS car.
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      Before breaking into F1, the Swedish driver raced in lower categories through the 1960s before making it to Formula 3 in 1976.
      His music career would bring more glamour as he played drums for Swedish jazz-rock bands.
      ABBA’s rise to stardom would actually help the star fund his racing career.
      Borgudd was close friends with ABBA founder member Björn Ulvaeus and the band sponsored him to drive for the ATS team with the band’s name on his car.
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      After his F1 career ended, he went on to become a European champion in truck racing before retiring.
      Tributes have been pouring in for the star after his death was announced.
      One fan wrote on Twitter: “RIP Slim Borgudd. ABBA drummer, F1 driver. Wild but excellent combo.”
      Another F1 viewer said: “R.I.P Slim Borgudd. I had the pleasure to watch you race at my first British Grand Prix in 1981.” More

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      Heartwarming moment Schumacher talks about son Mick and ‘nephew’ Max Verstappen becoming F1 drivers in rare video

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      THIS is the heartwarming moment Michael Schumacher talks about his son Mick and his “nephew” Max Verstappen in a rare interview. Newly unearthed footage featuring Michael and his former teammate – Max’s dad Jos Verstappen – was released as part of Netflix’s latest season of Drive to Survive.
      Michael Schumacher talks candidly with Jos Verstappen about their sons – Mick and Max
      Michael and his son Mick as he shows him his car
      Michael pictured with a very young Max
      The touching clip features in episode 4 – Like Father, Like Son? – which briefly delves into the close relationship between the Verstappens and the Schumachers.
      Both Michael and Jos’s sons grew up to race in F1, with Max being a two-time champ and Mick currently serving as reserve driver for Sir Lewis Hamilton’s team Mercedes.
      Drive to Survive reveals how the families used to holiday together, with the two future drivers – now 25 and 23 -essentially growing up together thanks to their dads.
      The show includes a rare clip showing Jos and Michael discussing if they would let their children became F1 drivers in an interview filmed during the noughties.
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      The question prompts a laugh from Michael.
      “I think this could be the first time we have an argument if our two would be racing,” says the German.
      Jos replies: “For sure, they are a very similar age and they will compete with each other if they grow up and decide into go-karts.”
      But in a full version of the clip – which is available in grainy quality elsewhere online – Michael elaborates further, suggesting perhaps he wasn’t keen on the idea.
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      “I think horse-riding or golf is a much better sport for our kids,” he goes on.
      Jos replies that he will support Max in anything he wants to do – and he is famous for helping his son get onto the ladder in F1.
      Drive to Survive also has video of Max as a toddler hanging out with Michael.
      “We used to go on holidays when we were little together, the two families, and these kind of memories will stay with me,” explains Max, who is now a 35-time race winner in F1.
      “For both of us to be in F1 is amazing and also for Michael, he’s a very proud dad for sure.”
      Previously, Max has revealed that Michael used to be like his “uncle”.
      And he revealed as he grew up with the Schumachers he didn’t even know Michael was a multiple F1 champ.
      “I was three or four years old at the time. I just knew that was Uncle Michael. Who was very nice. Who was an extremely big family man,” Verstappen told F1 Insider.
      “But I never saw him as a record World Champion, I didn’t know that.”
      Max – a 35-time race winner – went on: “It was great. I still have positive memories of those weekends today.”
      And he revealed that Jos and Michael would load their kids up on two seater go-karts and two father & son duos would race against each other.
      Max would go on to break Schumacher’s long-standing record of the most races in a season – notching up 15 wins in 2022, two more than Michael’s 13 in 2004.
      Michael Schumacher pictured with Max, right, and his daughter Gina-MariaCredit: netflix
      Michael has not been seen in public ever since – with any information about his condition tightly controlled by his privacy-focused family led by wife Corinna.
      Fans are desperate for news – with the tenth anniversary of Schumacher’s accident coming up in December.
      And adding to further heartache for fans of the Schumachers, Mick lost his F1 seat at the Haas team at the end of 2022.
      He was replaced by F1 journeyman Nico Hulkenberg – and will have sit out 2023 as a reserve driver at Mercedes behind Sir Lewis and his hotshot teammate George Russell.
      Drive to Survive charts Mick’s difficult sophomore season in 2022 – including his horror 170mph accident in Saudi Arabia.
      Mick’s rough year saw him outscored by his teammate, the returning Danish veteran Kevin Magnussen.
      The show outlines Mick’s struggles – and the pressure that came with racing under the name “Schumacher”.
      “Mick has the lineage of one of the greatest drivers the sport has ever seen,” says F1 journalist Will Buxton.
      “But it remains to be seen if [he] has the same character as his dad.”
      Haas boss Steiner said the Schumacher name was “blessing and a curse” for Mick.
      But in characteristically non-nonsense fashion, the famously foul-mouthed team principal says at some point the young German will have “stand up” and be his “own man”.
      Mick opens up about his struggles with pressure in the show, including the candid admission that “dreams don’t always come true”.
      His dad Michael is one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, dominating the sport in the early 2000s after rising to power in the 90s.
      He raced from 1991 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2012 – a second act of his career which saw him become instrumental in setting up the dominant Mercedes team.
      The German won five world championships with Ferrari and two for Benetton.
      Schumacher retired in 2012, but just a year later he was involved in the life-changing skiing accident while on the slopes with Mick.
      He was left in a medically induced coma before being released home and then ever since it has been near silence on the driver’s condition.
      His family, led by wife Corinna, closely protect Michael’s privacy and offer him a quiet life.
      Read More on The Sun
      Since then there have only been hints and cryptic rumours about Schumacher’s health with drip fed information from friends and unnamed sources.
      But the only people who know for sure are Schumacher’s family and his closest pals.
      Max Verstappen is a two time world champion – winning in 2021 and 2022Credit: Getty
      Mick will be Mercedes reserve driver in 2023 – backing up Lewis Hamilton and George RussellCredit: Twitter More

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      Max Verstappen sends ominous warning to Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull ace fastest in first session of F1 pre-season testing

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN shot an ominous warning signal to Lewis Hamilton as he set the fastest time during the first session of pre-season.The drivers and teams are out in Bahrain for three days of testing before the opening race of the season next month at the same venue.
      Max Verstappen has won the last two driver’s championshipsCredit: Rex
      Testing gives engineers and drivers a chance to explore their cars and make tweaks to its framework before racing begins.
      The three-day event can occasionally signal a changing of the guard with some cars finding lap time and others dropping off.
      But Verstappen has alerted his rivals that he and his Red Bull are still top of the pile by clocking the fastest time over eight hours of running.
      The reigning world champion set his fastest lap at 1.32.837 having gone round the circuit 157 times, far more than any of the other drivers.
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      Fernando Alonso came second, only 0.029 behind the Red Bull, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third-fastest.
      Hamilton did 83 laps and set the sixth-fastest time through the session, while teammate George Russell sharing the Mercedes was ninth.
      It was a good day for struggling Williams who saw Alex Albon and rookie Logan Sargeant set the seventh and tenth quickest times respectively.
      While Felipe Drugovoich, standing in for the injured Lance Stroll, saw his Aston Martin break down early in the session and require work in the garage.
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      Major shakeups to the grid order are not expected with the regulations largely unchanged from last year, although car floors have been raised 15mm off the ground.
      This is in response to the issue of porpoising last season which appeared to particularly affect Mercedes – but they have reported better results this time round. More

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      Lewis Hamilton given huge boost as Mercedes chief confirms ‘no porpoising’ issue on day one of F1 pre-season testing

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff is confident his team have ironed out their bouncing problems from last season.Wolff watched as the W14 took to the track in Bahrain for pre-season testing today when there was no repeat of the porpoising that had plagued their previous model and left drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in considerable discomfort.
      Lewis Hamilton has received a big boost ahead of the new seasonCredit: Rex
      The new Mercedes no repeat of the porpoising in Bahrain todayCredit: Getty
      Hamilton went winless for the first time in his F1 career last season while Russell won just once late in the year in Sao Paulo.
      Wolff had been hesitant to speak about this year’s model until it hit the track but says he was pleased with what he saw.
      He said: “It seems to be balanced in the right way. There’s no bouncing, which is good news.
      “We’re gathering a lot of data because that was important to correlate obviously after last year, and trying different things, so a productive first morning.
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      “We knew that we were in trouble [last year], the car was just bouncing around and we really weren’t able to drive it correctly. So that is very different.
      “I think we have a solid base now to work from and try to optimise the car, which we haven’t done yet.
      “It’s really just finding out are there any areas that could be a real performance hindrance like last year with the bouncing. We’ve just got to work through the programme.”
      Meanwhile, Wolff and his rival at Red Bull, Christian Horner, were unusually aligned when it came to controversial FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stepping back from his role.
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      After a series of blunders, Ben Sulayem has removed himself from the day-to-day running of F1’s governing body and delegated the duties to Nikolas Tombazis.
      The experienced F1 designer chaired the recent F1 Commission meeting where new rules were finalised, which proved a positive decision for the team bosses.
      Wolff added: “We have a structure now that is very clear. Nikolas chaired the last commission. We have a lot on the agenda, short and long term.
      “What we need to try to achieve is to work together pragmatically. Lots of objectives are aligned  in having the best, robust regulations and policing to put on a great show.”
      Red Bull boss Horner added: “For once, I agree with everything Toto said!
      “It is an evolution. There are big topics that need to be dealt with, particularly 2026.
      “We need to make sure the engine world, the chassis world, and the product of what we want F1 to be all aligned.
      “There is enough time to do that. It needs to be a priority over the coming months.” More

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      Huge Drive to Survive star reveals he never watched a single episode of hit Netflix show ahead of 2023 F1 season

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      NETFLIX’S new instalment of their hit F1 show “Drive to Survive” airs on Friday but one of the stars of the series has never watched a single episode.Haas boss Guenther Steiner was the key character in the first series, which has been responsible for helping propel F1’s success across the globe.
      Drive to Survive is set to be released on Friday, February 24
      Haas boss Guenther Steiner has gained popularity from the seriesCredit: Splash
      The sport’s popularity is booming – three sold-out races in the US, a joint-record 23-race calendar with more circuits clambering to join along with some new teams – F1 has never had it so good.
      Anyone who has watched the show will know that Steiner – and his F-word rants – can lay claim to helping boost F1’s appeal – but as he puts it, he’s still waiting for F1 to provide him with a big cheque to say thank you.
      “I have never watched an episode,” he says. “In the beginning I didn’t want to watch because I don’t really enjoy watching myself.
      “I also didn’t want to get influenced to change when I am doing something. If you are an actor, you learn from your mistakes.
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      “I don’t want to be an actor because maybe everytime I see a camera, it may have an effect on how I behave.
      “It sounds very complex but for me it was a very simplistic thought process and now if I start to watch it, it was OK in the beginning, so why go back and change now?”
      Steiner says he jokes with F1’s CEO Stefano Domenicali and business tycoon, Greg Maffei, who is the CEO of Liberty Media CEO, who own the rights to F1, about his influence in the show.
      The likeable Italian is now an icon thanks to playing himself and his popularity is staggering.
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      He added: “We always joke with Stefano and Greg but you know, they have not reached out and told me they are sending a cheque!
      “Stefano has known me for 20 years and knows I am the same person and nothing has changed. It is part of what we are doing.
      “But I am recognised a lot more. The strange thing is you never know when you are alone or not.
      “You can be sitting somewhere and you’re thinking nobody knows you and you forget about it and then someone says your name, but it is nothing bad, especially in the States, people are well behaved and ask for a picture.
      “For my family, when the first series came out, my daughter was eight and people called your name or stopped me on the street and she would ask me if I knew these guys, and I was like no, but now it is not an issue.”
      Steiner says he is not shocked by just how popular the fly-on-the-wall series has been but he is surprised about how it has changed the shape of F1 commercially.
      His team, and the same of others on the grid, have been able to attract sponsorship they would not have been able to after Liberty Media opened up the sport to a wider audience.
      He said: “F1 gives a lot of interesting things to the fans. To the new fans, it opens it up and they are telling the story.
      “F1 missed out on not telling the story. Can you imagine if it would have started up maybe 20 years ago?
      “Liberty Media understood the entertainment and they came in and realised there is a bigger story to be told.
      “It has been a benefit to teams. A lot of sponsors come in because they want to be seen and it has done well for all the teams.
      “The big teams are not the only ones people are interested in.
      Before, you only saw the big teams on TV but now on normal TV they show the smaller teams as well because people are interested in what they are doing as well.
      “We have been put on the map for sponsors that we are an interesting team, even if we are not winning races yet.”
      Steiner saw his team kick off pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday ahead of the season-opener on March 5th.
      He has picked veteran Nico Hulkenberg to replace Mick Schumacher, who is now a reserve driver at Mercedes.
      Steiner was also linked with a move for Daniel Ricciardo, who finds himself as a reserve at Red Bull after turning down Haas.
      It seemed like a backward step for the Aussie to turn down a seat on the grid, but Steiner has no hard feelings.
      He said: “Nico is settling in really well. All the interaction is as expected. There was a plan because he was an experienced person and he is giving guidance to the guys.
      “As for Daniel, I am not disappointed. Everybody can take his decision. If Danny had no interest, I respect that he did not waste my time in speaking with me.
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      “I respect that fully. It was pretty clear when he did not engage that he had no interest and I did not call back to show that I was desperate so it was a fair way of dealing with it.
      “I am very OK with the attitude because he did not waste my time and we can both get on like we did before.” More