Motorsport

FOR a second day running, a procession swept through Mexico City.On Saturday night it was the hour-long parade of floats and dancers for the spectacular Día de los Muertos – or Day of the Dead – celebrations.
Winner Max Verstappen shares the podium with his Red Bull Racing’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, plus Lewis Hamilton and Sergio PerezCredit: AFP
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning a record 14th GP of the yearCredit: Reuters
Lewis Hamilton races ahead of Sergio Perez but had to settle for runner-up spotCredit: Getty
And on Sunday it was Max Verstappen’s turn as he coasted to an easy victory to set a new Formula One record for winning 14 races in a season.
He said over the team’s radio: “Amazing guys, 14 wins in a season, unbelievable.”
And the Dutchman later added: “Of course the start helped me out a lot.
“We were also on a different strategy to the other cars around us but again, an incredible result.
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“The pace of the car was really nice. We had to look after our tyres because it was a really long stint on the mediums but we made it work.
“It’s an incredible atmosphere and we love to come here. It’s been an incredible year so far,”
Boss Christian Horner said: “Well done mate, that is a new record. That is the most race wins we have had in a season.”
Not that Sky F1 viewers would hear too much about it afterwards, given that Verstappen and his Red Bull team snubbed the broadcaster over a row centering on the channel’s roving reporter, Ted Kravitz.
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Contrary to some views, the feud was not a reaction to Sky’s presentation of Red Bull’s cost-cap breach.
Verstappen said: “It was not to do with this weekend but this year a constant kind of…being disrespectful, especially one particular person.
“Enough is enough and I don’t accept it.
“You have to move on and social media is such a toxic place and if you are constantly being like that live on TV you are making it worse instead of making it better in the world and disrespecting me and I won’t tolerate it and that’s why I decided to stop answering [to Sky].”
It’s the culmination of what the F1 team feel has been on-going sniping from Kravitz in the wake of last year’s Abu Dhabi GP.
The final straw was last weekend when Kravitz implied Hamilton had been “robbed” of last year’s title in a bumbling chat about a potential Hollywood script for Brad Pitt, who is making an F1 film.
When asked by SunSport, Sky declined to comment while Red Bull say the ban is indefinite as they clearly feel the broadcaster has some making up to do.
The fallout between the two was in truth more spectacular than this race.
Sure, its capacity and colourful crowd made this event, but this was a comfortable win for Verstappen as Lewis Hamilton was unable to mount a serious threat and finished in second place, some 15 seconds behind.
Verstappen got a good start, as did Hamilton who was able to squeeze past George Russell on the first lap.
World champ Max Verstappen heads Carlos Sainz on the way to victoryCredit: Getty
Russell was then passed by Serio Perez as the home favourite was able to make up a place from his fourth-slot on the grid.
But we were denied the tantalising prospect of seeing Hamilton slug it out with pole-sitter Verstappen, who was just too quick on the soft tyre.
The Red Bull man was maintaining his gap to Hamilton until he stopped for fresh tyres at the end of lap 25.
His pitstop was quick at 2.5 seconds, unlike Perez, who had to wait twice as long for his pitstop on the previous lap.
That promoted Hamilton into the lead as Verstappen’s stop dropped him to third behind Russell.
But his time out in front did not last long, as he stopped himself at the end of lap 30.
And when Russell made his pitstop on lap 37, it was Verstappen who was leading again with Hamilton second, Perez third and Russell in fourth.
It remained that way until the end with Russell pitting on the penultimate lap for fresh tyres as he was able to set the fastest lap and snatch a bonus point.
While Ferrari were left as the best-of-the-rest once again, as the Italian team failed to impress with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in fifth and sixth place respectively.
Meanwhile, Hamilton has been told he has a job at Mercedes for life by Wolff.
I was so close in that first stint but I think the Red Bull was clearly too fast today and ultimately, maybe they had the better tyre strategy.Lewis Hamilton
The Mercedes ace, 37, will start to open talks over a new deal with the team to remain in F1 after 2023.
He already has a contract in place for next season, worth £40million a season, but he is looking to prolong his F1 career into his 40s.
Wolff said: “It is 100 percent his seat,” when asked if he was looking at other drivers for beyond 2023.
He added: “We haven’t started any talks. We want to definitely finish the season and then find some quiet time over the winter like we did last time around.
“He’s much more than a driver to us now.
“And although we’re not talking about a career end, it’s also important to speak about his role as an ambassador for Mercedes and the many sponsors we have and the implication he can have in our wider universe.”
Hamilton admitted to discomfort at the reception he got from home fans.
He said: “This has been an amazing crowd, definitely a bit awkward this time around with boos all day.
“But, nevertheless I have so much love for Mexico and for the people here. What a great race and an event they’ve put on this weekend.
“I was so close in that first stint but I think the Red Bull was clearly too fast today and ultimately, maybe they had the better tyre strategy.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON has been told he has a job at Mercedes for life.The Mercedes ace, 37, will open talks in the winter to discuss a new deal which will see him remain in F1 after 2023.
Hamilton is expected to sign a new deal with MercedesCredit: Splash
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has promised him a long-term roleCredit: PA
He already has a contract in place for next season, worth £40million, but he is looking to prolong his F1 career into his 40s.
And Merc boss Toto Wolff says Hamilton is assured of his seat – providing he wants to remain in F1.
Wolff said: “It is 100 percent his [Lewis’] seat,” when asked if he was looking at other drivers for beyond 2023.
He added: “We haven’t started any talks. We want to definitely finish the season and then find some quiet time over the winter like we did last time around.
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“He’s much more than a driver to us now.
“And although we’re not talking about a career end, it’s also important to speak about his role as an ambassador for Mercedes and the many sponsors we have and the implication he can have in our wider universe.”
Wolff’s comments come at a time when he has been linked with a potential swoop for current world champion Max Verstappen in the future.
A paddock source has told SunSport that Wolff holds regular talks with Verstappen and his father, Jos, although the content of those conversations remain private.
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Hamilton has won six of his titles during his 10 years with Mercedes and has played a crucial role in helping them develop their car this season.
He has made no secret of the fact he still “feels young” and has set no time limit for how long he wishes to continue racing.
And Wolff also believes his driver is far from over and says he could follow American Football star Tom Brady, who still plays in the NFL at the age of 45.
He said: “You can see today’s athletes pushing the boundaries in terms of age.
“For me, Fernando (Alonso) is performing at a very high level and you look, for me, at the best athlete in the world, Tom Brady, on the field being tackled and throwing a ball at 45-years-old.
“As long as you continue to look after yourself and your cognitive sensors, I think he has many more years in him.
“I’m pretty certain that’s going to be the case here in the team.”
Ahead of the Mexico GP, Alonso had suggested Verstappen’s two titles were worth more as he was fighting other drivers, rather than his own teammate.
Hamilton responded on Twitter with a brilliant image of him on the top step of the podium in the 2007 US GP with Alonso in P2.
Wolff also responded to Red Bull’s breach of F1’s cost cap, saying the fact they were found guilty and subsequently penalised with a £6million fine and reduction in wind tunnel time also caused “reputational damage” to his rivals.
He said: “They (the FIA) were absolutely good in assessing. I know how rigorous they were with us all throughout the year. That was a difficult process.
“Overall, it’s good to see that there is a penalty, whether we deem it too low or too high.
“What you see is that beyond a sporting penalty and financial fine, it’s also reputational damage.”
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has snubbed Sky Sports at the Mexico Grand Prix as he is upset by some comments from the presenters on the channel.
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Reporter Ted Kravitz implied he “robbed” Hamilton of the title last year when bumbling about a potential Hollywood script for Brad Pitt.
Consequently, the world champion swerved the UK-based Sky Sports team, as well as their German and Italian affiliates. More

MAX VERSTAPPEN has laughed off claims that Lewis Hamilton won’t even say his name.The pair were embroiled in a bitter battle for last year’s world championship… with Hamilton being denied the title by a botching of the rules by then-race director Michael Masi.
Lewis Hamilton has been cordial with Max VerstappenCredit: Rex
Following Verstappen’s controversial victory in Abu Dhabi Masi was axed… although the Dutchman has followed up his success with a much more comfortable title this time around.
With the championship already in the bag going into this evening’s Mexico GP, Verstappen has opened up about his relationship with rival Hamilton.
Speaking to the Mail, the 25-year-old said: “People have told me that he doesn’t use my name.
“I was always taught that you have to respect what people have achieved in sport.
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“I have no problem with what Lewis has achieved. He is one of the best ever.
“I know it is not only the car he has been driving. That helps. We all know that, but you still have to beat your team-mate and Lewis has done that consistently.
“I think you have to acknowledge the person has done an amazing job as well.”
Hamilton, 37, has been cordial with Verstappen this season – performing a polite handshake following confirmation of his victory in Suzoka earlier this month.
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Following Red Bull’s cost cap breach, and Hamilton’s general popularity in the States – Verstappen was greeted in Austin, Texas, last week by boos and cries “cheater”.
In response to the jibes, bullish Max said: “It’s not like football and all the abuse in the stadiums.
“It’s probably just frustration that has built up among fans of their particular driver who is not doing so well, or they don’t like me.
“I am not here to be liked and it’s not going to ruin my day. I am having a great time with my team. People can say what they like, but I am here to perform.”
Verstappen will begin tonight’s Mexico GP on pole position – with Mercedes duo George Russell and Hamilton starting in second and third.
Hometown hero Sergio Perez will get his race underway from fourth position.
Hamilton’s former team-mate Fernando Alonso, who the Brit beat to the world title as a sophomore in 2007, bizarrely hit out at him this week.
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The Spaniard said: “I have a lot of respect for Lewis, but still it is different when you win seven world titles when you only had to fight with your team-mate.
“Then I think a championship has less value than when you have fewer titles but have had to fight against other drivers with equal or even better material.”
Verstappen will start tonight’s race on pole with Hamilton and George Russel just behindCredit: Alamy More

LEWIS HAMILTON was denied pole position for Sunday’s Mexico GP as Max Verstappen took P1.Just days after being hit with a penalty for breaking F1’s cost-cap, the Dutchman provided the perfect boost to his Red Bull team.
World champ Max Verstappen is on pole, ahead of Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, in Mexico CityCredit: Getty
Hamilton had topped both Q1 and Q2 and it was looking like a hat-trick as he went into the final session.
Sergio Perez drew first blood to bring thousands of fans to their feet while he was soon leapfrogged by Verstappen, who took provisional pole.
Hamilton’s time was only good enough for third – but he then had it deleted for exceeding track limits by the picky stewards.
He then radioed his Mercedes team saying he had “driveability issues” with the “power dropping out”.
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But Hamilton later said: “We were not quite good enough and Red Bulls are so fast but this is the best qualifying we have had this year and it just shows that perseverance and never giving up can pay off.
“I’m quite happy with that position – it’s a long way to Turn 1.”
“Generally my laps have been really good and on he last lap there is more in it and I am happy with that position.”
Verstappen then went even quicker to cement his place in P1 while George Russell qualified in second and Hamilton was third marking the team’s best qualifying performance of the season.
World champ Verstappen said: “It was a good qualifying! It was a close one, and to be on pole again is amazing.
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“After FP3 we made a few adjustments and got the car into a better rhythm.
“We have a quick race car and I am sure it will be a fun race. It will be close and depends on what you can do with strategy.”
But Russell felt Mercdes were unlucky.
He argued: “The team deserved more today. They’ve produced a really great car this weekend and testament to them and the hard work they have been putting in.
“This weekend, it felt like our pole to have and I did a terrible lap at the end. But there are no points in qualifying and glad to be on the front row.”
Perez will start in fourth while Carlos Sainz qualified in fifth ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc while Lando Norris will start the race in eighth.
Daniel Ricciardo failed to make it into the top 10 and qualified down in 11th place in his McLaren.
Mick Schumacher, who has been put under pressure by his Haas team and told he needs to score points if he wants a new deal for next season, qualified down in 16th place.
The German risks being shown the door after a number of expensive crashes for the team to leave his F1 career hanging in the balance.
He was given the boot at the first hurdle along with Nicholas Latifi, Alex Albon, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel. More