Motorsport

MAX VERSTAPPEN was heckled by fans at the US Grand Prix as they chanted “cheater, cheater!” at the double-world champion.A video has emerged on social media of the Red Bull man on stage at a fan event in Austin, Texas, for this weekend’s race.
Max Verstappen was booed on stage in Texas ahead of the US Grand PrixCredit: @lewis_nation
His Red Bull team are awaiting to see what punishments they will be given from the FIACredit: @lewis_nation
Verstappen won his second championship at the last race in JapanCredit: Getty
But a group are heard in the short clip shouting at the Dutchman, whose team are the subject of a cost-cap breach with the sport’s governing body, the FIA.
Red Bull are anxiously waiting to find out what sort of penalties they will be hit by, with sporting and financial penalties both very much on the table as they attempt to hash out a deal.
Team Principal Christian Horner has maintained the team’s innocence over their breaking of the £114million budget cap.
The overspend transgression is believed to be in the region of £1.8m, with Horner adamant the team did not gain a competitive advantage over their rivals.
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However, in a leaked letter to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 boss, Stefano Domenicali, McLaren chief Zak Brown said their overspend would “constitute cheating.”
He also lobbied the FIA to enact harsh financial and performance-related penalties on the team going forward, including reducing their budget cap next season and limiting their wind tunnel testing.
But Horner hit back at the accusations, saying: “We have had sight of that letter, which wasn’t copied to us, and it is tremendously disappointing for a fellow competitor to be accusing you of cheating.
“To accuse you of fraudulent activity is shocking. For another competitor, without the facts and without any knowledge of the details to be making that sort of accusation.
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“We have been on trial because of public accusations since Singapore, the rhetoric of cheats, the rhetoric that we have had this enormous benefit.
“The numbers put out in the media are miles out of reality and the damage that does to the brand, to our partners, to our drivers, to our workforce…
“You cannot go around just making that kind of allegation without any facts or substance. So, we are absolutely appalled by the behaviour of some of our competitors.”
In the first race weekend since the drivers championship was concluded, Verstappen was third quickest in qualifying for the US Grand Prix.
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However, following a 10-place grid drop for Charles Leclerc, the Dutchman has been promoted up to second on the grid, with seven-time champ Lewis Hamilton also benefitting and moving up to third.
Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz passed away this week aged 78, leaving the team and all of F1 in mourning. More

CHRISTIAN HORNER has launched into an extraordinary blast at McLaren boss Zak Brown as F1’s cost-cap row rumbles on.Horner’s Red Bull team are in discussions with the sport’s governing body, the FIA, after being accused of going over the £114million spending limit.
Horner has defended his team’s conduct amid allegations of cheatingCredit: Getty
Brown has accused Red Bull of cheating by exceeding the cost capCredit: Rex
The two are trying to thrash out a deal for their proposed punishment while Brown lobbied the FIA in a private letter to president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and copied in the F1 boss, Stefano Domenicali.
Brown said the overspend breach “constitute cheating” before he suggested a list of punishments for Red Bull, which has left Horner furious.
He said: “We have had sight of that letter, which wasn’t copied to us, and it is tremendously disappointing for a fellow competitor to be accusing you of cheating.
“To accuse you of fraudulent activity is shocking. For another competitor, without the facts and without any knowledge of the details to be making that sort of accusation.
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“We have been on trial because of public accusations since Singapore, the rhetoric of cheats, the rhetoric that we have had this enormous benefit.
“The numbers put out in the media are miles out of reality and the damage that does to the brand, to our partners, to our drivers, to our workforce.
“In an age where mental health is prevalent, we’re seeing significant issues now within our workforce.
“We’re getting kids that are being bullied in playgrounds that are our employees’ children. That is not right through fictitious allegations from other teams.
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“You cannot go around just making that kind of allegation without any facts or substance. So, we are absolutely appalled by the behaviour of some of our competitors.”
Brown saye he wrote the letter to be transparent, taking it upon himself to say how fellow team’s felt about the cost cap breach.
He said: “All the teams have opinions and some speak about it vocally, others don’t necessarily always bring forward.
“I thought it was important from a transparency standpoint. We all sit around the table. There’s a lot of times we discuss things openly and then there’s a lot of back-channelling and I thought I would just lay it out there.”
Horner, who refused to say what punishment he was haggling over, said his team have not gained from their overspend, believed to be around £1.8million.
And he said it was vital that the FIA come up with a solution to stop this farce from happening again, as this row – which relates to the 2021 season – could yet rumble on for another NINE MONTHS.
He added: “We have spent the last 10 days or so going backwards and forwards with the FIA. I hoped for it to be resolved before this weekend. I’m hopeful that it can be resolved during this weekend.
“But should that not not happen, the next process is it goes to the cost cap administration and then beyond that, there’s the International Court of Appeal.
“So they could drag it out for another six, nine months, which is not our intention.
“We want closure on 2021. I think that you know, we’ve had some healthy and productive discussions with with the FIA, and I’m hopeful of being able to reach a conclusion in the near future.
“We made an interim submission in 2021. There was no feedback or suggestion that we were doing anything that was contrary to any regulations.
“The submission was made in March. Again, we didn’t hear anything from that until September.”
He also added: “We categorically don’t feel that we’ve had any advantage, either in 2021 or 2022 or 23. Or 24, or somebody’s talking about 2026. It is totally fictitious.
“We cannot be in November or October waiting for the outcome for last year’s championship.
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“The regulations were placed on the FIA to police and surprised them the scale of some of the teams and the complexity of if.
“We have been assured the process will be quicker for the next of this year but there are already significant challenges for 2022.” More

CARLOS SAINZ took pole position for the US Grand Prix at Austin.The Spaniard will start in P1 for the third time in his career after beating his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Carlos Sainz will start on pole in his Ferrari at the US Grand PrixCredit: Reuters
Sainz was fastest in qualifying in TexasCredit: EPA
Leclerc, was second-quickest but will be hit with a 10-place grid drop for taking a new engine while Sergio Perez will also move back five places also due to taking new parts.
It means while Sainz will start at the front, Max Verstappen will take second spot on the grid with Lewis Hamilton in third and George Russell lining up in fourth.
Verstappen, who found out a little over an hour before qualifying that Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz had sadly passed away said the team will be looking to win Sunday’s race in his memory.
Verstappen said: “It was hard news for everyone. What it means for Red Bull and for me, it is really tough and hard day.
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“I gave it everything and unfortunately we missed out but there is a long race ahead and we will try to win for him tomorrow.
He added: “The result doesn’t matter today. Without him I would not be sitting here today and not had the success I have had, so a terrible time for everyone.
“Luckily, I got to see him a few weeks back and spend some time together.”
Sainz said: “It was a lot of fun, very tricky with the gusts of wind. I managed to put together a good lap without mistakes.
Max Verstappen will start in second as he mourns Red Bull chief Dietrich MateschitzCredit: AP
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“Pole position was a long time coming in the dry. Red Bull is still the favourite as they usually have the better race pace.”
Lando Norris will also benefit from Leclerc and Sainz’s respective penalties and will start the race in sixth place.
Meanwhile, Mick Schumacher, who is under pressure to stop crashing and start delivering if he is to earn a new deal at Haas, suffered another miserable result.
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The German spun and while he kept his car out of the barriers, he was booted out of Q1 at the first hurdle.
McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo, who has no seat next season, was also given an early exit and qualified in 17th place. More

RED BULL founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, has died at the age of 78 after a long illness – plunging the F1 team into mourning.The Austrian billionaire businessman, who co-founded the energy drink company in 1984, has seen the company build up a high-profile of sports teams across the world.
Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz has passed away ages 78Credit: Getty
Mateschitz founded the Red Bull racing team and is mourned by F1Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Mateschitz – believed to be worth around £24bn – was a salesman for Blendax toothpaste when he discovered Krating Daeng, the drink that would later become Red Bull, on his travels.
He owned 49 percent of the energy drinks brand and was the driving force behind its move in to sport.
Red Bull first entered F1 in 1995 in partnership with the Sauber F1 team.
In November 2004, Mateschitz bought the Jaguar Racing team from Ford to create Red Bull Racing.
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He appointed Christian Horner that January to run the team, becoming the youngest team principal at the time.
Horner said: “It is very, very sad, what a great man. He is one of a kind. What he has achieved and done for so many people around the world is second to none.”
F1 chief Stefano Domenicali said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened by the news that Dietrich Mateschitz, a hugely respected and much-loved member of the Formula 1 family has passed away.
“He was an incredible visionary entrepreneur and a man who helped to transform out sport and created the Red Bull brand that is known all around the world.
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“I will miss him greatly , as will the whole community in Formula 1, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams at this very sad time.”
Red Bull have won six drivers’ championship and can wrap up a fifth constructors’ championship this weekend in Austin.
Mateschitz also played a key role in Red Bull’s expansion into football.
He founded RB Leipzig in 2009, and has watched the German side become Champions League regulars after a rapid ascent.
Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg, MLS franchise the New York Red Bulls and Brazilian outfit Red Bull Bragantino are also among the company’s portfolio.
Mateschitz also founded German ice hockey Red Bull München. More

FUMING Fernando Alonso tore into Lewis Hamilton during practice for the US Grand Prix. The long-term rivals were getting in the extra laps during the extended Friday session to test the tyres on the COTA 2023 track.
Fernando Alonso was annoyed with Lewis Hamilton during FP2Credit: EPA

But veteran Alonso was left annoyed when he had to abort a flying lap.
After a blistering start, the Spaniard had to put on the brakes when he caught up with Hamilton.
Alonso, 41, could not overtake the seven-time world champion and seemingly was not left enough space to go round him.
And the two-time Formula One champ – who clashed with Hamilton in Belgium – was understandably frustrated with his former McLaren team-mate.
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He complained down the team radio: “Hamilton has no mirrors today. Unbelievable!”
It compounded a difficult day for the Alpine driver who was 17th fastest in FP2 – while Hamilton was eighth.
The Brit, 37, has four races to try and avoid his first season without a single race win.
But the Mercedes driver is feeling optimistic heading into Sunday’s Texas showdown.
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Hamilton said: “Firstly, I’m super grateful to everyone back at the factory for working so hard and bringing us the upgrade for this weekend.
“It’s been a tough year for everyone at the factory and for them to be continuously pushing and keeping their heads down and pulling out these new upgrades, I’m super grateful. I kept the car in one piece today – just about – which is good.
“And definitely felt improvements in the car. Obviously, FP2 was a bit of a waste in terms of figuring out performance, but P1 was feeling quite good.
“I’m hoping we make some changes tonight and we’ll find out exactly where we stand. But it doesn’t feel like we are too far away.”
Alonso and Hamilton were team-mates in 2007 but haven’t always seen eye to eyeCredit: Instagram / @mercedesamgf1 More

MAX VERSTAPPEN has defended Red Bull against “hypocritical” rivals who have criticised his team over the cost cap scandal.Last week the FIA found Red Bull were guilty of breaching their budget cap for 2021.
Max Verstappen branded Red Bull critics naysayersCredit: Getty
Verstappen and Red Bull claimed the F1 championship in part thanks to that additional funding, which has sparked a backlash within the sport.
Sir Lewis Hamilton was one of several vocal critics with the Mercedes star calling for greater transparency.
The Brit fears F1 could lose its integrity if Red Bull are not sufficiently punished but Verstappen believes the criticism is partly born out of jealousy.
He told Sky Italia: “I think it’s mainly because we’re doing well.
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“They try to slow us down in any way possible. At the end of the day that’s how Formula 1 works.
“Everyone is a bit hypocritical but I’m fine with that. We just have to focus on our job.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet but as a team we know what we have to deal with and we are very clear with what we think is correct.”
Sergio Perez echoed his team-mate’s belief that rivals are just trying to hold Red Bull back, but he is confident the facts will tell the true story.
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He added: “At the end of the day, there are always teams that want to take performance out of you, especially when you are winning.
“It’s part of the sport, and this has been the case forever. I just think it’s a normal situation. At the end of the day, facts will come out and people will see and understand the situation.” More

LEWIS HAMILTON is “praying” for a non-bumpy car next year as he joked his dental fillings could fall out at the US Grand Prix.The Mercedes star went third fastest in FP1 at the Circuit of the Americas on Friday.
Lewis Hamilton says he is praying for a non-bumpy car next yearCredit: AFP
He says his Mercedes feels incredibly stiff at the US Grand PrixCredit: Reuters
But after the practice session Hamilton revealed it was a tough ride on the bumpy track, despite the upgrades made to his car.
Although the Brit acknowledge improvements have been made, he still pointed out it is a far cry from the car he drove last year.
Hamilton said: “I came here after Montreal and I drove last year’s car and it was so good.
“I remember getting out and just beaming from ear to ear because it was so smooth and had good downforce, good power. This year obviously we lost a bit of power with the biofuels.
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“The car is so stiff now. Coming and driving the car, luckily I don’t actually have many [dental] fillings because, if I did, they would have all come out this year, for sure.
“It’s just so, so bumpy. I’m really praying for a non-bumpy car next year.”
Hamilton suffered with a back injury in the summer as a result of the car’s porpoising and the injury was so bad it prevented him from sleeping.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff expressed his concern over the porpoising issue, stating it is not safe for drivers.
🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info

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He claimed it could cause drivers brain damage and his team have been trying to remedy the issue all year long.
The latest steps include improvements to the front wing to improve flow conditioning, while the floor fences and floor edge have also been upgraded.
Hamilton feels the upgrades have worked and believes he is not too far off his rivals.
He added: “I kept the car in one piece today, which is good, and definitely felt improvements in the car.
“I’m hoping we make some changes tonight and we’ll find out tomorrow exactly where we stand. But it doesn’t feel like we’re too far away from everyone.”
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Hamilton heads into the US Grand Prix still seeking his first win of the season.
Rival Max Verstappen however has already wrapped up the Drivers’ World Championship with four races remaining. More