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      Lewis Hamilton reveals how Red Bull’s cost cap breach is another ‘kick’ after controversially losing out on F1 title

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      LEWUS HAMILTON described Red Bull’s cost-cap breach as another “kick” – after he controversially lost out on the Formula One title.Hamilton was pipped on the very final lap of the 2021 season when race director Michael Masi ignored the safety car rules to manufacture a blockbuster ending to the season.
      Lewis Hamilton says Red Bull’s overspending to win the 2021 title is another “kick”Credit: Reuters
      Max Verstappen overtook the Brit on the final lap of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen, on fresh tyres, was able to overtake his rival and pip him to the chequered flag – and therefore the world championship.
      It has now been revealed the Dutchman’s team DID breach the £114million spending limit last year.
      Hamilton, 37, labelled the Abu Dhabi fiasco as “spirit-breaking” and “soul-crushing” and then admitted the extra blow of Red Bull’s rule-breaking “for sure brings up a little bit of emotion”.
      The seven-time world champ – who wants “transparency” from the FIA – said: “Because you kind of buried it and moved on and then it comes back up and it’s like another bit of a kick.
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      “And, yeah, that just bought it all kind of fresh again.
      “So then [it was a case of] just getting back into the phase of just suppressing it and moving forwards.”
      Red Bull insist they operated under the limit and claim they are innocent of any wrongdoing.
      Their overspend, estimated to be around £1.8m, triggered a ‘minor’ breach of the regulations, but was way short of the £10m initially mooted.
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      Red Bull now face a dilemma of whether to sign up to the FIA’s punishment and admit their guilt, despite their stance.
      It is believed that such a penalty will include a fine, plus a possible reduction in windtunnel development or even a reduced budget for future seasons.
      However, if they choose to appeal the FIA’s proposed penalty and take it to an independent panel of judges, they could risk an even-harsher penalty, should they fail.
      Hamilton took a complete break after the end of last season, including a social media silence, as he contemplated his future.
      There was speculation he may even retire and walk away from the sport after he felt disillusioned by the way events unfolded.
      Hamilton added: “Was I ever truly not going to come back? I am not one to give up like that, really.
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      “What really was breaking was to just believe that the sport would do something like that, that that would happen, given that there are so many people you rely on. You expect that the job would be done right.
      “And [that] an outcome of a world championship which so many people have worked so hard for would come out through a wrong decision from somebody, you know?
      “That was probably the only thing. It wasn’t for my lack of love for working with my team or racing cars; it was literally that.
      “If you can lose a championship through wrongdoing within an organisation, that was the thing that I wondered whether…
      “But I spent time with my family and that was really the best part of the healing, really. I just gave all of my time to the kids [his nephews and nieces], building snowmen and just being present with them.
      “That enabled me to really recover, really bounce back. If I wasn’t with them, I would have been stuck in a hole.”
      Hamilton has three races left of the 2022 season – giving him three chances to break his duck for the year.
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      The Stevenage star has won at least one race in every single F1 season he has competed in, dating back to 2007.
      But the problematic Mercedes car and Red Bull and Ferrari dominance have left him trailing well behind his rivals.
      Hamilton was visibly gutted and took a break before returning this seasonCredit: AP
      He has been unable to keep up with the newly-crowned world champ in 2022Credit: Splash More

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      Lewis Hamilton gives up on winning F1 race this season and tells Mercedes to be ‘realistic’ in battle with Red Bull

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      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON believes he has little chance of winning an F1 race this season.The Mercedes star has won a race every year since he turned pro, stretching back 15 years, but he thinks that run will come to an end.
      Sir Lewis Hamilton has given up hope of winning a race this yearCredit: AP
      Mercedes have struggled this year with Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell also failing to pick up a win.
      The team have lost out on the Constructors Championship for the first time in eight years to Red Bull.
      Hamilton, 37, acknowledged it has been impossible to compete with Red Bull and tips Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to dominate the last three races.
      Speaking about his chances of a victory, Hamilton told Sky Sports: “I think we really need to be realistic.
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      “The Red Bull car has been the fastest car by far all year and it is still the fastest car.
      “So [in USA] we were in the position we were in through reliability. If Charles [Leclerc] was there, if [Sergio] Perez was there for example, it would have been a different race because they would have been ahead of us. We would have been on the third row.
      “It was great to start third and be in a position to fight, but on true pace they were ahead of us and they will be the next three races.
      “Unless something drastic happens to any more of them, it’s highly unlikely we’ll have the true pace to be able to compete with them.
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      “We’ll give it everything we’ve got and we’re working on a car to be able to fight with them.”
      Hamilton finished second at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on Sunday.
      But he feels Mercedes are no closer to competing with their rivals and that could mean he fails to set a new record by winning a race in 16 consecutive years.
      He is tied on 15 with Michael Schumacher but has the chance to go one better in Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi over the next few weeks. More

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      F1 icon Lewis Hamilton rocks trendy double denim to film Jimmy Kimmel Live in Hollywood after thrilling defeat at US GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON rocked a trendy double denim outfit as he arrived to film Jimmy Kimmel Live in Hollywood.The 37-year-old pulled up in a striking green outfit, while also donning black boots and shades.
      Lewis Hamilton arrives to film Jimmy Kimmel LiveCredit: Getty
      The F1 superstar donned a green double denim outfitCredit: The Mega Agency
      Hamilton, 37, signs autographs for fansCredit: Getty
      Hamilton, 37, made the appearance after last weekend’s second-place finish at the United States Grand Prix.
      The seven-time champion led for much of the race, only to be picked off by Max Verstappen’s far speedier Red Bull with six laps remaining.
      His latest result means that, while performing well in his Mercedes, Hamilton is running out of time to extend his run of having won a race in every season of his career.
      He will have three more shots at it, starting at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.
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      Following that will be Brazil and Abu Dhabi next month.
      Off the track, Hamilton has launched his own film and TV company.
      As reported by DEADLINE, Hamilton’s new company will be called Dawn Apollo Films.
      The first of two upcoming projects will see a thus-far untitled F1 film from Top Gun: Maverick director Joe Kosinski that will star actor Brad Pitt, while the second one will be a documentary detailing Hamilton’s personal journey.
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      Gearing up for his new role, Hollywood superstar Pitt was in attendance at the US Grand Prix last weekend.
      The American awkwardly snubbed Sky’s Martin Brundle during his pre-race grid walk.
      After launching his new venture, Hamilton told DEADLINE: “I’ve always been into movies. I watch a lot. I find it a real escape. There are a lot of movies I find inspiring…
      “The goal is to make impactful stories and ultimately to inspire people through movies and storytelling.
      “A big part of the new company will be about social impact, community and causes.”
      Brad Pitt attended last weekend’s United States GPCredit: Splash More

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      What Lewis Hamilton told F1 rival Max Verstappen in US Grand Prix ‘cool down’ room with Brit making clear admission

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      LEWIS HAMILTON put his rivalry with Max Verstappen aside as they assessed the United States Grand Prix together – and the Brit admitted the Red Bull car is simply too good.Hamilton, 37, desperately tried to hold off the 25-year-old in the closing stages in Austin after a bodged pit stop for the Dutchman.
      Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen exchanged pleasantries after the United Stated GPCredit: Splash
      But the newly-crowned world champion, helped by fresh medium tyres, closed the gap on the Brit.
      And he eventually overtook him with six laps to go, denying the Stevenage star his first race win of the season.
      Despite the disappointment, Hamilton remained polite and engaging in the cool down room behind the scenes before stepping out on the podium with Verstappen and third-placed Charles Leclerc.
      Speaking to Leclerc about Verstappen, Hamilton said: “It’s so hard to stay ahead of him.”
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      Leclerc replied by asking about tyre degradation: “Were you losing the front or the rear?”
      Hamilton confirmed it was his rear tyres.
      Leclerc then asked about his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz, who started on pole but spun out on the first corner of lap one.
      The Monegasque ace said: “What happened to Carlos?”
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      Hamilton confirmed: “Erm, George [Russell] took him out.”
      Verstappen then entered the waiting room after celebrating sealing the 2022 constructors’ championship for Red Bull with his team.
      And Hamilton was left dumbfounded at how good their car is this year – with the Mercedes model too far off the pace to secure even one chequered flag yet.
      Hamilton, who has three races to avoid his first-ever winless season in F1, told the man who famously pipped him to the 2021 title: “You came from so far back!
      “We can’t compete with you on the straights.”
      The Sky Sports cameras and microphones in the room did not pick up Verstappen’s reply.
      Leclerc then complained about one specific section of the track and said: “Turn 11 was so bad, the grip,” with which his fellow drivers seemed to agree.
      Verstappen moved on to 391 points on Sunday as he landed a record-equalling 13th win of the season.
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      Leclerc is second on 267 with Hamilton back in sixth on 198 with just the Grand Prix in Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi to come.
      The Merc man put his weekend disappointment behind him quickly, though, as he celebrated his dog Roscoe’s birthday.
      Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were overheard holding a private conversation before Verstappen joinedCredit: Twitter
      The trio then headed out on to the podium for the trophy presentationCredit: AFP More

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      Olivier Lavorel dead: Isle of Man TT Sidecar racer dies four months after crash that also killed team-mate Cesar Chanal

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      SIDECAR racer Olivier Lavorel has died from his injuries – four months after the Isle of Man TT crash that killed his team-mate Cesar Chanal.Event organisers initially wrongly identified the pair – confusing them both for the other – following the tragedy in the first Sidecar race of TT 2022.
      Frenchman Olivier Lavorel has died following the Isle of Man TT crash in JuneCredit: ISLE OF MAN TT
      The two French newcomers to TT were airlifted to hospital after the first-lap crash at Ago’s Leap.
      An inquest into Chanal’s death confirmed the men had been wearing the wrong dog tags, leading to the error in identifying them.
      Lavorel was 35 at the time of the accident and Chanal 33.
      A statement from TT chiefs said organisers were “deeply saddened” to learn of Lavorel’s death.
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      They added: “Olivier sustained serious injuries in an incident during the opening lap.
      “The accident occurred at Ago’s Leap, just under one mile into the Course, and also claimed the life of Olivier’s team mate, César Chanel.
      “Olivier was airlifted to hospital in Liverpool before being transferred to a hospital in France in late June where his treatment continued.
      “Both Olivier and César were newcomers to the Isle of Man TT Races in 2022 but were an experienced pairing, taking numerous victories and podiums in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships.
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      “Everyone at the Isle of Man TT Races passes on their deepest sympathy to Olivier’s family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time.”
      Lavorel’s death is the sixth from the 2022 Isle of Man TT, equalling the event’s highest-ever total of fatalies in 1970. More

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      Lewis Hamilton launches his own film and TV company and already has Brad Pitt lined up for major role

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has launched his own film and TV company. The seven-time Formula One champion has diversified his portfolio in recent years, buying shares in NFL team Denver Broncos.
      Lewis Hamilton has set up his own TV and Film production companyCredit: Splash
      Actor Brad Pitt will star in a feature F1 movie by Hamilton’s companyCredit: Splash
      And now he has added an entertainment company to his list.
      As reported by DEADLINE, Hamilton’s new company will be called Dawn Apollo Films.
      The Brit – who paid tribute to his beloved bulldog Roscoe as he turned 10 – set up the production company with talent outfit Copper, which is run by his manager Penni Thow.
      And some big names are already in the pocket of the company with a pair of big projects already in the works.
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      The first will see a thus-far untitled F1 film from Top Gun: Maverick director Joe Kosinski that will star actor Brad Pitt, while the second one will be a documentary detailing Hamilton’s personal journey.
      On the reasoning behind the move, Hamilton told DEADLINE: “I’ve always been into movies. I watch a lot. I find it a real escape. There are a lot of movies I find inspiring…
      “The goal is to make impactful stories and ultimately to inspire people through movies and storytelling.
      “A big part of the new company will be about social impact, community and causes.”
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      Hamilton has been a massive advocate for social change throughout his time as an F1 driver, pledging to donate £20million to help under-represented young people in Britain as part of the self-made “Hamilton commission.”
      On the upcoming projects, Hamilton added: “We have a couple of great projects in the works with Apple TV+.
      “One is the documentary and the other is the F1 movie we’re making with Brad Pitt and Joe Kosinski.”
      Formula One 2022Everything you need to know about F1 this season

      Pitt was involved in an awkward interaction with Sky Sports presenter Martin Brundle as he snubbed an interview with the ex-F1 driver during the grid walk for the US GP, which was won by Max Verstappen.
      Hamilton himself almost claimed his first victory of the season, but he was unable to hold off the Dutchman’s superior pace and was overtaken agonisingly close to the end of the race.
      Hamilton has a previous link with director Kosinski, revealing: “I actually had an opportunity to work with Joe on Top Gun: Maverick.
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      “Tom (Cruise) put me on the phone with him and Joe moved heaven and earth to create space for me to be one of the pilots in the film, but I wasn’t able to make it work, which I regret every day.” 
      The 37-year-old also said he had spoken to Star Wars creator George Lucas and former Disney chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg in order to “pick their brains” on how best to navigate his new line of work. More

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      Christian Horner breaks down in tears as he hugs Spice Girls star wife Geri Halliwell after Red Bull win F1 title

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      CHRISTIAN HORNER broke down in tears and was comforted by wife Geri Halliwell after Red Bull sealed another title. The team boss was snapped after Max Verstappen crossed the line to win the US Grand Prix on an emotional weekend for the team.
      An emotional-looking Horner left the pitwall with wife Geri HalliwellCredit: Grab
      It was an emotional weekend for Red Bull with the death of their founder and their first Constructors’ Championship win in nine yearsCredit: Rex
      Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz died at the age of 78 ahead of the race in America.
      Throughout the weekend, the team paid tribute to his huge contributions to Red Bull and motorsport as a whole.
      Verstappen then dedicated his victory to the late Austrian billionaire with his win – alongside team-mate Sergio Perez’s fourth-place position – sealing the Constructors’ Championship.
      The victory is Red Bull’s first team crown since 2013 and follows Verstappen winning the Driver’s Championship in Japan last month.
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      Horner was spotted by Sky Sports’ cameras looking teary as he left the pitwall alongside wife and Spice Girls star Geri.
      Shortly after the race win, Horner said over team radio: “Max Verstappen you are the world champion. We are the world champions.
      “Thank you so much and thank you to Dietrich Mateschitz.”
      It had been a hard-fought victory for the team and far from the straightforward procession Verstappen has enjoyed in other races this season.
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      The Dutchman beat pole-sitter Carlos Sainz off the start line and would have seen the Spaniard being spun around by George Russell in his rearview mirror.
      But then he had Lewis Hamilton on his tail as the pack were bunched together after two safety cars – the second of which came after a high-speed collision between Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.
      Verstappen’s day then took a turn for the worse after a botched pit stop saw him fall behind Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
      But the 25-year-old fought back and showed impressive speed to pass both drivers, with his move on Hamilton coming only six laps from the end. More

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      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s birthday celebrations for beloved dog Roscoe with special cake and chilling out with movie

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      LEWIS HAMILTON paid tribute to his beloved pet Roscoe as the bulldog celebrated his 10th birthday. The F1 legend, 37, pulled out the stops to make sure it was a special day, serving up cake and relaxing with a movie.
      F1 star Lewis Hamilton hailed his ‘best friend’ Roscoe as the dog celebrated his 10th birthdayCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton and Roscoe enjoyed a movie together to mark the star’s birthdayCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Roscoe’s Instagram page shows he was presented with a delicious-looking birthday cakeCredit: Instagram @roscoelovescoco
      Roscoe can often be seen trailing close behind Hamilton as he strolls around the paddock during race weekends.
      The seven-time world champion hailed his “best friend” in an Instagram post, where he also shared pictures of the two together.
      He wrote: “[Roscoe] turns 10 today. We’ve been through so much together, feels like we’ve grown up together.
      “Can’t tell you how many nights he’s kept me up with his snoring.
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      “But he’s still my best friend and such blessing in my life. Roscoe, Dads loves you.”
      Hamilton shared snaps of him and his dog as they enjoyed the birthday together.
      One picture shows a relaxed-looking Hamilton sat next to Roscoe, with the driver holding a yellow tennis ball in one hand.
      Another snap sees the Brit sat on a skateboard opposite his beloved pooch.
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      His Instagram story also reveals how they spent the special day, with Hamilton presenting Roscoe with a huge birthday cake.
      The pair then spent some time relaxing front of a movie.
      Like Hamilton, Roscoe is vegan and can often be seen in videos caught in the misadventures of the Mercedes driver.
      The dog has become so popular with F1 fans he can even boast an impressive 666,000 followers himself.
      Not long before Roscoe’s birthday celebrations, Hamilton was in Austin battling for victory in the US Grand Prix.
      Read More on The Sun
      He was pipped to the chequered flag by his former title rival Max Verstappen with only six laps to go.
      He now has three races left to try to win to avoid his first ever winless season in F1.
      Roscoe can often be seen trailing behind Hamilton in the F1 paddockCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
      Hamilton and Roscoe both enjoy vegan dietsCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton More