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      Toto Wolff ‘absolutely’ expects Lewis Hamilton to sign new Mercedes contract beyond 2023 despite first winless F1 season

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      MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff expects seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton to extend his stay at the Silver Arrows despite failing to record a win in 2022.Hamilton, 37, is under contract at Merc until the end of 2023 and has previously declared he would not like to race in F1 beyond his 40th birthday.
      Hamilton’s F1 contract expires at the end of next yearCredit: AFP
      Merc chief Wolff expects Hamilton to extend his stayCredit: Splash
      That would leave Hamilton with two or three seasons left in the sport and Merc chief Wolff is keen to make sure the Brit finishes with the team.
      Wolff “absolutely” expects Hamilton to extend his contract.
      He told F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast: “Certainly, Lewis’ contract is one of the topics that we will tackle over the winter.
      “There’s no firm deadline. Absolutely, Lewis is part of the team and the team is part of Lewis. 
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      “[There is] no reason [for that] to not continue. I think one of his strengths is that he’s always hungry, always eager. 
      “He’s a great sportsman but he’s also someone who is extremely driven and determined.”
      Hamilton and Co are hoping to bounce back in the 2023 season with the team recording just one win.
      And the win came for team-mate George Russell in Brazil – leaving Hamilton winless for the first time in an F1 season.
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      Hamilton would like to claim a record-breaking eighth world title, pushing him ahead of Michael Schumacher.
      However, Merc team-mate Russell has thrown his hat into the ring for a title bid.
      Russell, who finished the season in fourth, told Racer: “I think I’ve got enough experience now that I feel ready to fight for a championship and be able to handle the challenges and difficulties that come with it.
      “Obviously the likes of Lewis and Max have more experience in that scenario.
      “But if you go out and you put it on pole and win every race you will be world champion.
      “So you have just got to focus on smaller details and it’s in your own hands, almost.” More

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      Inside the abandoned £540m F1 circuit planned for the Vietnamese GP before it was axed when mayor was sentenced to jail

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      VIETNAM planned to host their very first Grand Prix back in 2020.The £540million Hanoi motor race circuit was set to welcome the paddock as Formula 1 expanded its reach to new territories across the globe.
      Vietnam was due to host its first F1 GP in 2020Credit: AFP
      The coronavirus pandemic led to the inaugural edition being postponedCredit: AFP
      It has not returned to the F1 calendar since 2020Credit: AFP
      Cyclists now use the Hanoi circuitCredit: AFP
      It has been abandoned as no F1 race appears on the horizonCredit: AFP
      Motorcyclists have also been seen driving through the gates of the fenced off circuitCredit: AFP
      Vietnam signed a 10-year deal with F1 back in 2018 – an agreement which cost around £54million and was to be funded by private conglomerate, VinGroup.
      But the inaugural edition of the Vietnam GP ended up being axed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
      Since then, it has not appeared on the F1 calendar.
      In 2021, it was dropped from the schedule after city mayor Nguyen Duc Chung – a major supporter of the race – was arrested.
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      He would later be sentenced to ten years in prison for corruption charges.
      State media then claimed last year that authorities had dismissed any hope of Vietnam staging a race there until at least 2029.
      However, the authorities refused to confirm this to external media outlets.
      F1 released the 2023 calendar last month, with Vietnam once again missing out.
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      And images of the track – which features a 1.5km straight and street-style third sector – show that the spectator stands have been taken away.
      The 3.5 mile circuit, which is surrounded by grass and weeds, is partly fenced off to the public.
      However, some cyclists and motorcyclists have been seen going through the gates, spilling over from the busy roads in the city.
      And another part of the circuit has been opened up for the Vietnamese people to use as public roads.
      It is not yet known if, when or what the circuit will be used for in the future.
      One side of the circuit has been opened up for day-to-day useCredit: AFP
      It is a sad sight to see the track abandoned two years after its first GP was scheduled to take placeCredit: AFP
      It is unlikely a Grand Prix will take place here before the end of the decadeCredit: AFP
      F1 fans in Vietnam have been left disappointed by the failure to stage a Grand PrixCredit: AFP More

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      Lewis Hamilton snubbed as F1 team boss names predicts three-way title race next season

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      LEWIS HAMILTON won’t be part of a three-way Formula 1 title race next year, claims one team boss.The seven-time world champion slumped to sixth in the driver standings this year in Mercedes’ disappointing car, but showed encouraging signs towards the end of the campaign.
      George Russell has been backed to be in a title race ahead of Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      Franz Tost is team principal of Red Bull affiliate AlphaTauriCredit: Getty
      Hamilton, 37, is raring to go ahead of a renewed battle with the likes of Max Verstappen next season.
      But AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost doesn’t think he stands a chance.
      And he even reckons that Hamilton’s own team-mate George Russell, in the very same car, has greater title hopes.
      Tost, 66, told Speedweek: “Such superiority as shown by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing this year is rather rare.
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      “I expect a three-way battle between Max, Charles Leclerc and George Russell, which is already stronger than Lewis Hamilton.
      “The FIA ​​penalty will have a negative impact on Red Bull Racing, no question, even if the team has some of the best engineers.
      “But I trust Red Bull Racing to be able to fight for the world title again.”
      AlphaTauri are owned by Red Bull and are an affiliate team of Red Bull Racing.
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      Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc will be in the mix once againCredit: Reuters
      Russell, 24, earned his first race win in F1 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, after Verstappen had sent Hamilton off track earlier in the race.
      The Brit came fourth in the driver standings, 35 points and two places above his illustrious team-mate, who particularly struggled with his car’s porpoising during the first half of the season.
      Despite Russell finishing ahead of him, Hamilton recently beat his team-mate to Autosport’s British Driver of the Year award.
      Since the season finished, Hamilton has been enjoying himself on holiday in Egypt.
      The F1 superstar checked out the pyramids, while also hanging out with supermodel Naomi Campbell.
      Hamilton, 37, hung out with Naomi CampbellCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Charles Leclerc and Charlotte Sine’s relationship, from lavish Monaco lifestyle to hilarious Twitch live stream

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      IT’S a sad end of one of F1’s seemingly strongest relationships.The Ferrari driver, 25, and his longterm sweetheart Charlotte Sine have called time on their romance after three years together.
      F1 couple Charles Leclerc and Charlotte Sine have split up after three years togetherCredit: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesiine/
      Leclerc and Sine enjoyed a jet-set lifestyle in Monte CarloCredit: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesiine/
      The Monacan revealed he had broken up with the qualified architect on his Instagram story.
      He wrote: “Hello everyone, Charlotte and I have decided to end our relationship and we remain good friends.
      “We have shared so many great moments and she is and always will be a very special person to me.”
      He added: “She is amazing and deserves the best, please respect our decision and her privacy in a time like this.”
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      “Thank you.”
      Sine, 23, echoed Leclerc’s message in her own Instagram story.
      She wrote: “Hello, Charles and I have decided to end our relationship and stay good friends.
      “It’s been three beautiful years together with loads of memories. He is an amazing person and I wish him the best.
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      “Please respect our decision and privacy. Thank you.”
      During their time together, the pair enjoyed a lavish lifestyle together.
      From sailing on fancy yachts on the Mediterranean Sea to sharing intimate moments in the paddock, they seemed to have it all.
      And there was even a hilarious moment on Twitch that had fans in stitches.
      Leclerc announced their split on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM@CHARLESLECLERC
      Sine released a joint statement with Leclerc about their break up on social mediaCredit: Instagram
      Monte Carlo life
      Charles and Charlotte were born in Monte Carlo, and come from wealthy stock.
      He dreamed of race car stardom, while she got her diploma in architecture.
      Her dad Emmanuel is the director of Bains de Mer, a company that operates the Casino of Monaco.
      They met when they were teenagers, with the former student’s mum living next door to the Leclerc family.
      But they wouldn’t start officially dating until 2019, when he started driving for the Ferrari team.
      As he gradually got more and more successful, Charlotte was seen supporting her man in the paddock.
      The ambitious graduate wasn’t content with being an F1 Wag, though.
      In recent years, she launched her own shoe line.
      However, his £10million-per-year salary helped finance their lavish lifestyle.
      Sine is from wealthy stock – her dad works for a company that operates the Casino of MonacoCredit: Instagram @charlottesiine
      Leclerc and Sine used to take his yacht Monza for a spin on the Mediterranean SeaCredit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
      Sine used to ride in Leclerc’s private jet – laid on by FerrariCredit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
      On Instagram, they regularly shared images on board his stunning £1.5million yacht called Monza.
      While when they flew to different circuits around the globe, Charlotte would join Charles and fellow racer Carlos Sainz on an £18,000-per-hour private jet for the jouney.
      Envious living quarters
      Like plenty of F1 stars who call tax-haven Monaco home, Charles boasts a spacious apartment in the principality.
      Last year, he gave fans a glimpse into his fabulous digs in a video he shared on social media.
      The clip shows Leclerc in his abode playing an expensive handcrafted Steinway & Sons piano – the talking point of his living room.
      In his living room Leclerc boasts an expensive Steinway & Sons grand pianoCredit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
      Leclerc and Sine lived together in Monaco in a glam apartmentCredit: Getty
      We also get a snapshot of his kitchen – complete with a white marble countertop, sleek white cabinets and a wine fridge.
      Charlotte and Charles lived together, which once got him into bother when he forgot she did.
      Getting Twitchy
      Leclerc is an avid gamer, who has a Twitch channel that’s followed by nearly 850,000 fans and shows what video games he’s playing online.
      But that once got him into hot water with his missus.
      Hilariously, when she was locked out of the home, Charlotte had to subscribe to his Twitch channel because he couldn’t hear her as he was playing a racing simulator and had a headset on.
      Charles Leclerc on TwitchCredit: twitch.tv/charlesleclerc
      Sadly, Leclerc and Sine are no longer a coupleCredit: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesiine/
      She was left hanging outside for 25 minutes, before having to subscribe to Leclerc’s channel – costing her £4.99.
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      He tweeted: “My girlfriend had to buy a subcription to my Twitch to be able to ask me in the channel chat if I could open her the front door.
      “She waited 25 mins downstairs as I couldn’t hear my phone, I had the headphones and was very focus on my rally race.” More

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      F1 star Charles Leclerc reveals he has split from stunning girlfriend Charlotte Sine and asks for privacy

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      F1 superstar Charles Leclerc has announced his split from girlfriend Charlotte Sine.The Ferrari star and Sine began dating three years ago and proved to be an inseparable duo.
      Charles Leclerc and Charlotte Sin began dating three years agoCredit: Instagram
      The pair were inseparable, with Sine following the Ferrari ace across the worldCredit: Getty
      But Sine is no longer Leclercs’s girfriendCredit: Instagram
      Leclerc announced their split on InstagramCredit: INSTAGRAM@CHARLESLECLERC
      But the pair have called time on their relationship, a split Leclerc announced on social media.
      The 25-year-old wrote on his Instagram story: “Hello everyone, Charlotte and I have decided to end our relationship and we remain good friends.
      “We have shared so many great moments and she is and always will be a very special person to me.”
      The Monegasque racer urged his 9.5million Instagram followers and F1 fans to leave his former beloved alone following their split.
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      He continued: “She is amazing and deserves the best, please respect our decision and her privacy in a time like this.
      “Thank you.”
      Sine, 23, echoed Leclerc’s message in her own Instagram story.
      She wrote: “Hello, Charles and I have decided to end our relationship and stay good friends.
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      “It’s been three beautiful years together with loads of memories. He is an amazing person and I wish him the best.
      “Please respect our decision and privacy. Thank you.”
      Leclerc endured a frustrating season with Ferrari, finishing second to champion Max Verstappen.
      But he’s confident the Italians will be able to break Red Bull’s stranglehold on the title next year.
      He said: “We just need to take all the mistakes we’ve done this year and try to improve for next year.
      “I think we really did some steps forward in terms of strategy and the way we have been taking decisions recently, in the last few races.
      Max Verstappen believes Ferrari can dethorne Red Bull next yearCredit: REX
      “Unfortunately, it was a bit more difficult to show it because the pace is not as good as at the beginning of the season.
      “But I’m confident, in terms of pace, we will manage to catch Red Bull back next year.” More

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      F1 fans all say same thing as Lewis Hamilton beats Mercedes team-mate George Russell to prestigious end-of-year award

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      FORMULA ONE fans have been left baffled after Sir Lewis Hamilton scooped up a prestigious end-of-year award.The Mercedes star endured a difficult campaign and finished sixth in the F1 championship standings.
      F1 fans cannot understand why Lewis Hamilton was named Autosport’s British Competition Driver of the YearCredit: Getty
      Many fans felt George Russell deserved to win the awardCredit: Alamy
      He failed to win a single race or even pole as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dominated on his way to a second world title.
      Yet Hamilton, 37, has still be named Autosport’s British Competition Driver of the Year after topping a reader’s poll.
      He beat his Mercedes team-mate Russell to top spot, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and IMSA SportsCar champion Tom Blomqvist also nominated.
      But fans cannot understand why given Russell finished two places and 35 points ahead of Hamilton in F1.
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      The 24-year-old also won a race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after taking pole.
      Reacting to the news, one fan said: “I’m a Lewis fan but not sure how he got this. George was better this year and probably Lando too.”
      Another added: “Um, what? George Russell would be ahead of Lewis for this award in any sane scoring.”
      And a third commented: “Should be Lando Norris or George Russell and I’m a Hamilton fan.”
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      Another confused fan wrote: “He wasn’t even the best British driver on his team??”
      Hamilton was unable to attend the award ceremony but thanked those who voted for him.
      He said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Autosport readers. There are some amazingly talented British drivers.
      “I don’t know how we continue to produce such great drivers in the UK but I’m really proud to be a part of it. I want to congratulate all the nominees.” More

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      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s F1 off-season as Mercedes star heads to Egypt to see Pyramids and party with Naomi Campbell

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has shared photos of his trip to Egypt following the end of the Formula 1 season.The seven-time champion finished off a disappointing campaign in Abu Dhabi last month by retiring on the 55th lap as he ended the year without a win for the first time in his F1 career.
      Lewis Hamilton visited the Pyramids while in EgyptCredit: Instagram
      He also met up with Naomi CampbellCredit: Instagram
      Hamilton also posed in front of a Dior backdropCredit: Instagram
      Hamilton is enjoying some downtime after the end of the F1 seasonCredit: Instagram
      He has been exploring the African country and shared pictures on social mediaCredit: Instagram
      The incredible shots encapsulated Hamilton’s breathtaking tripCredit: Instagram
      The Brit, 37, came sixth in the drivers’ standings, 214 points behind champion Max Verstappen and 35 adrift of Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
      But he remained composed and positive throughout what was a difficult year for the team and has gone into the off-season filled with optimism about what could be achieved in 2023.
      And he is now enjoying some well-earned downtime in Egypt, exploring the Pyramids and partying with model Naomi Campbell.
      Hamilton spent the summer break tracing his roots in Africa, visiting countries such as Namibia and Rwanda.
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      Now he is exploring another and took to social media to post about the incredible trip.
      Speaking on Instagram, he said: “First time in Egypt!!
      “I’ve wanted to come here for the longest time, and I’ve been wanting to see more of Africa after my trip this summer.
      “Got to do both in one trip. Thank you @mrkimjones and the @dior team for inviting me along, these two beautiful days in Cairo were incredible 🇪🇬♥️.”
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      On track, Hamilton remains committed to trying to win a record-breaking eighth world title.
      He is currently level with Michael Schumacher on seven and came incredibly close to eclipsing the German in 2021 – only for Verstappen to overtake him on the last lap of the final race.
      But Hamilton, who turns 38 in January, is determined to keep fighting.
      Speaking at the end of the season, he said: “These next couple of weeks, we’ll be back at the factory, we’ll get to see everybody, and while we’re not celebrating a world championship, we’ll be celebrating them still for their hard work and efforts.
      “I hope that the struggles this year really provide us with the tools and the strengths to fight for many more championships moving forward.” More

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      Patrick Tambay dead at 73: Former F1 driver who starred for McLaren and Ferrari dies after long battle with illness

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      FORMER Formula One driver Patrick Tambay has died aged 73.His family announced his sad passing today after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
      Patrick Tambay has passed away aged 73 after a long battle with illnessCredit: AFP
      Tambay raced in the iconic red of Ferarri in 1982 and 1983Credit: Getty
      The French star featured in nine F1 seasons between 1977 and 1986.
      He started 114 races and secured two victories.
      Both of his chequered flags were claimed while racing for Ferrari in 1982 and 1983, finishing seventh and fourth respectively in the world championships.
      Tambay, born in Paris in 1949, also raced for McLaren, Renault and Team Haas – and competed in two 24-hour Le Mans races.
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      Tambay also loved skiing and was a junior champion before focusing fully on racing.
      In the sport, his wins at Germany and Saint-Marin were two of 11 podium finishes.
      His fourth place in the 1983 championship standings saw him finish behind Nelson Piquet, Alain Prost and Rene Arnoux.
      He returned to the cockpit in 2005 and 2006 as part of a Grand Prix Masters series for retired F1 drivers.
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      Tambay’s son Adrien also became a racing driver – as did his godson Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 world champion.
      Tributes poured in on social media for Tambay.
      Rolland Courbis tweeted: “He was a very nice guy. I had the chance to have known his son. I send my condolences and I embrace his whole family.”
      Alexandre Delperier said: “You are gone my dear friend Patrick Tambay! So much memories! What a passion for #F1 shared together on @RMCsport.
      “Rest in peace! I mourn the marvellous man that you were! Sincere thoughts to your family and especially to @TambayRacing.”
      David Lisnard added: “I learned with great sadness of the death of Patrick Tambay.
      “I had admired him as a top athlete, in particular a talented Formula 1 driver, and known as a local elected official in Le Cannet. Always dignified and positive, including in illness, Patrick Tambay was a beautiful person.”
      And Eric Ciotti wrote: “Very sad to learn of the death of Patrick Tambay. A great champion, he was also a devoted elected official.
      “I will never forget his emotion at the inauguration of the gymnasium of the Department which bears his name in his city of Le Cannet.”
      Tambay also raced for Renault as well as Haas and McLarenCredit: AFP
      He was also a keen skier, especially as a youngsterCredit: Getty More