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      Lewis Hamilton breaks silence over his REAL relationship with F1 rival Max Verstappen and reveals he ‘respects’ him

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      LEWIS HAMILTON came clean on his real relationship with Max Verstappen.The Formula One rivals have been pitted against each other in recent years with the veteran driver facing his strongest challenge on the track for years.
      Lewis Hamilton gave an honest insight into his relationship with Max VerstappenCredit: AP
      Their intense battle for the 2021 championship featured multiple flashpoints on and off the circuits with collisions and a war of words culminating in the controversial finale in Abu Dhabi as Hamilton was robbed of a record-breaking eighth world title.
      Verstappen defended his crown in 2022 and is preparing to try and win a hat-trick in the upcoming season.
      But Hamilton and Mercedes will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous campaign and challenge for the titles.
      However, despite their frosty receptions for each other at times, Hamilton insists he has no issues with Verstappen – and talk of any such problems is “fairytales”.
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      But he cannot speak on behalf of the 25-year-old Dutchman.
      The Stevenage star, 38, told Formula One Magazine: “People like to talk about there being problems between Max and me.
      “I respect him.
      “He is a lot younger, so maybe he has a problem with me.
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      “But I am not sure about that and I actually assume not. Although I can’t speak for him.”
      Hamilton added: “He did everything he had to do in 2021, so why should I have a problem with him? 
      “He performed and delivered every weekend, nobody can take that away from him.”
      Hamilton and Verstappen will lock horns again for the first time in 2023 at the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.
      That is the first of 24 races scheduled for this year, although the fourth round in mid-April is still to be confirmed.
      It was due to be staged in Shanghai but was cancelled in December due to ongoing Covid problems in China. More

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      F1 owners Liberty Media ‘reject stunning £16BILLION bid from Saudi Arabia to take over sport’

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      FORMULA 1 owners have reportedly rejected a £16billion bid from Saudi Arabia to take over the sport.The bid is believed to have been made by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
      The PIF have reportedly had a £16billion bid for F1 rejectedCredit: Getty
      The current owners of Formula One are Liberty Media.
      The media company took over the sport itself in 2017, having completed the purchase for £3.56bn.
      However, they have now rejected a bid for the motorsport from the PIF worth £16bn, according to Bloomberg.
      The report revealed that an approach was made last year by the PIF, but the negotiations broke down in the early stages.
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      However they are believed to remain interested in buying the sport should Liberty Media decide to cash in.
      Formula One would be only the latest in Saudi Arabia’s sporting ventures.
      The PIF took over Newcastle United from Mike Ashley in 2021 and has also hosted some major boxing fights and created the breakaway LIV Golf Tour.
      Saudi club Al-Nassr recently signed Cristiano Ronaldo in a £175million-a-year deal.
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      The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix has been criticised by fans of the sport as they accused of ‘sport washing’ since it was added to the calendar in 2021.
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      The term is used to describe the use of sports by individuals, groups, corporations, or governments as a practice to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing.
      Human rights issues in Saudi Arabia has been consistently raised, with driver Lewis Hamilton insisting he would have to raise awareness while in the country. More

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      Mick Schumacher shares loving snap of dad in touching tribute to F1 legend amid health battle

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      MICK SCHUMACHER has changed his Twitter profile picture to a throwback snap of him and his F1 legend dad Michael.Seven-time world champion Michael, 54, has not been seen or heard from since a horror ski crash back in 2013.
      Michael Schumacher has not been seen since his skiing accidentCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Mick Schumacher has been a part of Formula 1 since 2021Credit: Splash
      But fellow F1 racer Mick, who recently left Haas and became Mercedes’ reserve driver, has continued to show support for his father.
      On Monday, he shared an old photo of him and his dad on Twitter.
      The snap, which is already his Instagram profile pic, is a shot of his dad holding a young Mick during his racing days.
      The 23-year-old added the caption: “#NeuesProfilbild”, which translates to “#NewProfilePicture”.
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      Earlier this month, Mick wished his dad a happy birthday as he turned 54.
      He said: “Happy birthday to the best Dad ever ❤️ love you!”
      And Michael’s Instagram account responded to the thousands of birthday wishes he received.
      The message read: “Thank you so much everybody for the warm birthday wishes!
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      Mick shared this old picture of him and his dad on TwitterCredit: Twitter / @SchumacherMick
      “They are greatly appreciated 👍. #TeamMichael #KeepFighting #KeepFightingMichael.”
      Meanwhile, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently spoke about his team acquiring the younger Schumacher as their reserve driver for the 2023 season.
      The German spent two years with Haas but was released at the end of the 2022 campaign.
      Yet despite mixed fortunes in F1 so far, Wolff is excited to have him on board.
      The Mercedes boss said: “I believe that if we can provide him with a safe environment to develop further, he can be a good driver in a full-time seat in the future.
      “We had to let Nyck [de Vries] go in the same way for him to have a career, now that could also happen with Mick.
      “Whether it’s with our team or whether we have to let him go, we don’t know yet.
      “He will contribute enormously as he has already driven the new car and he has been in Formula 1 for two years. He will be super helpful in the simulator and when judging the car.
      “It’s good to have him on track and in the debriefing area.” More

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      F1 fans ‘crying’ as Sebastian Vettel shares picture of Michael Schumacher nearly decade after horror ski accident

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      FORMULA ONE fans have been left emotional after Sebastian Vettel shared a throwback picture with Michael Schumacher. The four-times world champion retired from the sport at the end of last season after a sensational racing career spanning almost 15 years.

      Vettel said goodbye to F1 at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
      He long admired fellow German and F1 legend Schumacher, who won seven titles across the 90s and 2000s.
      Schumacher was involved in a ski accident in 2013 and has not been seen in public since.
      But Vettel shared an old picture of the ex-Ferrari driver which touched many F1 fans.
      The Instagram snap showed Schumacher knelt over a young Vettel, sat in a small silver go-kart.
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      Wearing a red cap, Schumacher looks over Vettel while holding a flag in his right hand.
      A small audience of people are visible in the background for the competitive karting race in Germany.
      Vettel captioned the photo: “Receiving last Orders (NRW Cup Final, Kerpen, Germany).”
      Fans were loving the heartfelt photo.
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      One wrote: “This right here. This is cute.”
      Another said: “Seb, I don’t want to cry but now you are making me.”
      A third said: “Who’s cutting onions man?”
      Schumacher won the world championship in 1994 and 1995 with Benetton and then every year from 2000 to 2004 at Ferrari.
      Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson would all win F1’s greatest prize before Vettel began his own reign of dominance between 2010 and 2013 for Red Bull.
      In recent years Vettel has taken up a mentoring role for Michael’s son Mick, who is now a reserve driver with Mercedes after two years racing with Haas.
      Mick posted his own emotional message to his father earlier this month on Michael’s birthday. More

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      F1 hero Jackie Stewart gives heartbreaking health update on dementia-stricken wife as he reveals she can no longer walk

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      SIR JACKIE STEWART revealed his wife Lady Helen can no longer walk due to her dementia.The Formula One legend explained Helen, 81, was first diagnosed with the condition seven years ago.
      Sir Jackie Stewart spoke about wife Helen on Good Morning BritainCredit: Getty
      The pair were childhood sweethearts and married in 1962Credit: Tom Farmer
      Stewart and Helen celebrate after victory at the 1969 Dutch Grand PrixCredit: Alamy
      Stewart and Helen at Wimbledon in 2019Credit: Getty
      But she has now worsened and has trouble remembering conversations as well as being left unable to walk.
      Stewart, 83, says she is still “wonderful” ahead of her 82nd birthday on Saturday.
      Appearing on Good Morning Britain, he said: “She’s wonderful, of course, she can no longer walk, sadly.
      “And now if I have a chat with her as I do a lot, very quickly the last conversation disappears.
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      “Helen was identified about seven years ago, but it’s now pretty bad, and she has a birthday actually, coming up this weekend on Saturday.
      “She doesn’t want to hear this, but she is, I think, going to be 82. She’s always been a great looker.”
      Stewart continued by explaining he has seven nurses who take care of Helen, providing around the clock support.
      In 2018, he set up the charity Race Against Dementia and also spoke about the severity of the condition.
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      Stewart added: “I am very, very fortunate because of my racing career, I can afford to have seven neuro nurses looking after Helen.
      “Two at a time, because it’s 24 hours a day, but few people can afford that, and really, dementia is now the biggest killer in the world, even more than cancer.
      “There’s more people dying of dementia than cancer and the latest statistic is one in three people are going to die of dementia and yet there is no cure.” More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘offered £62 MILLION per season extension to F1 Mercedes deal but huge world champion bonus removed’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has reportedly been offered a mega £62million-a-year extension to his Mercedes contract.His current deal expires at the end of the 2023 season.
      Lewis Hamilton has reportedly been offered a new Mercedes deal worth £60mCredit: AP
      Merc chief Toto Wolff is relaxed about the situationCredit: PA
      However, the reported new contract does not include the whopping £22million bonus for winning the World Championship that is in his current deal.
      Instead, French outlet 20 Minutes say Hamilton, 38, has been offered a two-year deal worth £62m-a-year.
      His current deal is worth a reported £40m-a-year.
      So instead of potentially earning a bonus £22m for winning a record eighth world title, Hamilton will reportedly see his base salary increase by that figure.
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      The deal is also rumoured to include a 10-year ambassadorial role for when he does eventually retire, worth £22m-a-year.
      Mercedes sponsor Ineos, founded by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will reportedly pay 90 per cent of the contract.
      Earlier this week Ratcliffe formally launched a takeover attempt at Manchester United.
      Hamilton is yet to pen a fresh Mercedes deal, but Merc chief Toto Wolff is relaxed about the situation.
      Most read in Motorsport
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      The Brit F1 legend has been enjoying the off-season, and recently celebrated his birthday with an incredible trip to Antarctica.
      And Wolff, 51, is confident it’s only a matter of time before Hamilton extends his stay with Mercedes.
      He recently told Sky Sports: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
      “We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”

      He added: “It’s just a matter of him physically being back in Europe, sticking our heads together, wrestling a bit, and then leaving the room with white smoke after a few hours.”
      The 2023 F1 campaign begins with pre-season testing on February 23, with the first race in Bahrain on March 5.
      Hamilton will be hoping the 2023 season goes better than the last.
      Persistent issues with his Mercedes car saw Hamilton finish the season without a win or pole position for the first time in his career. More

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      Lewis Hamilton ‘not in same class’ as Sebastian Vettel with Brit told he was way ahead in terms of F1 talent

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL was “never in the same class” as Lewis Hamilton, according to former Williams and Ferrari team manager Peter Windsor.Four-time world champion Vettel, 35, retired at the end of the 2022 season after 16 years in F1.
      Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel have won 11 world titles between themCredit: Getty
      Vettel won four F1 world championships between 2010 and 2013Credit: Reuters
      All of his title triumphs came with Red Bull as he claimed four successive championships between 2010 and 2013.
      He then went on to drive for Ferrari and Aston Martin but failed to clinch a fifth crown.
      Meanwhile, Hamilton has gone on to win seven world titles – a record he shares with Michael Schumacher.
      The Brit, 38, who is preparing to enter his 17th season in the sport, won his first championship with McLaren and has won his other six with Mercedes.
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      Both men made their debuts in the 2007 season and have enjoyed historic careers in F1.
      But Windsor, who worked as a sponsorship manager at Williams and general manager of Ferrari’s UK base in the 1980s, believes Vettel cannot be considered on the same level as Hamilton.
      Speaking on his Twitch channel, he said: “I always thought Vettel was a very reflexy, very fast, very well-balanced driver who, even in his testing for Sauber days, was nothing other than the ultimate exponent of turning the corner into a V shape.
      “And when he couldn’t do that because of the geography of the corner, he was about the same as the average [driver], but when he could do it on a particular type of corner, he was brilliant and had that ability to do it.
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      “And he had that at Red Bull, when he had that amazing grip at the rear, blown diffuser and everything else.
      “When that went away in the regulations in his last year at Red Bull, he became just an ordinary racing driver and actually struggled against Daniel Ricciardo. It was obvious then that that’s how he was exposed.
      “He didn’t say at the end of that year, or during that year, ‘wow, I’m in trouble here. When I don’t have a great back end, I need to start to be able to play with it a bit more and do more with the front, get the front to work.’
      “[There were] all sorts of things he could have done but he didn’t do any of that.
      “He just signed off and went to Ferrari and arrived as the four-time World Champion who was greeted with a lot of money and a lot of fan adulation.
      “And he never got any better, he was still the same driver. That’s the Sebastian Vettel story.”
      Windsor then referenced the collision between Vettel and Hamilton in 2017 where the German hit the back of the Brit after accusing him of brake testing.
      Continuing to talk about Vettel, he added: “The only thing you only can add is that he’s also the guy, behind the Safety Car, who drove into Lewis Hamilton at Baku [in 2017] because he was annoyed with Lewis for driving slowly.
      “He got away with that. He got away with that with a very, very small fine whereas Dan Ticktum lost his licence for a year for doing virtually the same thing. So that was disproportionate. He was very lucky to get away with that.
      “I never would have put him in the same class as Lewis. Maybe, if he’s got a really good back end on the car, I’d put him up there with Fernando [Alonso] – but if he’s got a wayward back end and not a lot of grip [he’s in trouble].
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      “Overall, throw a bit of crosswind at Seb, throw a bit of crosswind at Fernando, throw a bit of oil on the track, throw a bit of tyres going off – Fernando’s always going to do a better job [than Vettel] with all the variables up in the air.
      “Seb is very locked into what he does well.”
      Peter Windsor rates Hamilton well above VettelCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s incredible Antarctic holiday during F1 off-season as Brit snowboards with A-list celebs

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has enjoyed an incredible Antarctic holiday during the Formula One off-season snowboarding with A-list celebrities.The seven-time world champion went snowboarding in a winter wonderland alongside Hollywood star Nina Dobrev.
      Hamilton is enjoying some time away ahead of the F1 seasonCredit: Instagram
      The Brit failed to win a race in 2022Credit: Instagram
      Hamilton went snowboarding alongside fellow A-listers such as Vampire Diaries’ DobrevCredit: Instagram
      Dobrev, Hamilton and Co sat on a slopeCredit: Instagram
      Group photo including the likes of Tatro, three-time Olympic gold medalist White and LetoCredit: Instagram
      The Canadian actress, 34, is best known for her starring role in six seasons of the hit show Vampire Diaries.
      The pair were all smiles as they took a selfie in their cosy snowboarding gear.

      A group photo was also taken, where the likes of Jimmy Tatro, three-time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White and Jared Leto can be seen.
      Hamilton shared a series of snaps to his Instagram with the caption: “Antarctica was chill.”
      READ MORE ON F1
      There have also been rumours of romance for Hamilton during the trip.
      Eagle-eyed F1 fans believe he was getting close to Kanye West’s busty ex-girlfriend Juliana Nalu during the trip.
      Fans have been loving the updates from Hamilton’s trip.
      One said: “It’s so nice seeing you this happy.”
      Most read in Motorsport
      Another said: “What an amazing experience!”
      Hamilton, 38, is gearing up for another season in F1.
      Testing is due to take place on 23-25 February at the Bahrain International Circuit.
      Hamilton’s current deal at Mercedes expires at the end of 2023.
      However, the Silver Arrows are confident they can get the Brit to extend his stay as he chases a record-breaking eighth world crown.
      Merc chief Toto Wolff said: “As for contract discussions, we have a full year to go.
      “We are so aligned – in the last ten years our relationship has grown.”
      Hamilton’s Merc contract expires at the end of this yearCredit: Instagram
      F1 testing starts late next month in BahrainCredit: Instagram
      Hamilton is expected to extend his stay at MercCredit: Instagram
      Hamilton is chasing a record-breaking eighth world crownCredit: Instagram
      Dobrev has over 20million Instagram followersCredit: Instagram More