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      Mick Schumacher has FOUR races to save F1 future with son of legend Michael’s disaster crashes costing Haas a fortune

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      IT is always telling when someone gives praise and then pauses before adding ‘but…’.And so to the words of Gene Haas whose Hass F1 Team will compete in their home race – the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas – this weekend.
      Haas F1 team owner Gene Haas (centre) is looking forward to seeing them compete in Texas this weekendCredit: Getty
      Haas had been asked about the situation with Mick Schumacher, who is out of contract at the end of the season with rumours rife he will be ditched for 2023.
      Hass said: “I think Mick has got a lot of potential…. but, you know, he costs a fortune and he’s wrecked a lot of cars that have cost us a lot of money that we just don’t have” Ouch.
      It seems inconceivable to think Schumacher, 23, the son of seven-times world champion Michael, 53, is fighting for his career after less than two seasons in F1.
      Particularly when you remember that in 2021, Haas spent little money developing that car and instead ploughed the majority of their efforts into their challenger for this year.
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      In his rookie season, he comfortably got the better of his team-mate, the hapless Russian racer Nikita Mazipin, who was eventually axed.
      But the unfortunate reality for Schumacher is he is simply unable to turn in the error-free and stand-out performances his father was noted for during his early career.
      He has always maintained his surname is a blessing and hindrance in that it no doubt opened doors that would have remained closed to others, such as his place in the Ferrari driver academy.
      But it has also brought a level of public interest and, of course, expectation.
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      You only need to look at the stunted sports careers of Diego Sinagra, the son of Diego Maradona, and Michael Jordan’s son, Marcus, to witness how that burden limits performance.
      The harsh reality is Schumacher has not been consistently good enough against his current team-mate, Kevin Magnussen, and there have been the aforementioned crashes.
      He had big ones in Saudi Arabia and Monaco, plus last time out in Japan too – and Haas cannot afford for such errors.
      He now has the final four races to score enough points to convince Haas he deserves another chance in 2023.
      Meanwhile, his manager – interestingly the same one as his father employed towards the end of his racing career – is working on the potential for a switch to Williams – if the Haas option falls through.
      Schumacher now faces a crucial period if he is to remain in F1, as Williams are keen on American Logan Sargeant, providing he secures enough super licence points from his final races in F2.

      Brown blasts cost-cap breakers
      F1’s cost cap row will rumble on at this week’s United States Grand Prix in Austin.
      McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown has written to the FIA where he says teams caught breaking the budget cap “constitutes cheating”.
      Brown is one of a number of team bosses who are unhappy that Red Bull breached the spending limit.
      The FIA are yet to determine their punishment for the ‘minor’ breach, which is an amount of less than five percent (£5.7million) of the total £114million available.
      However, Brown has taken preemptive steps to ensure the FIA come down hard on any team who broke the rules.
      “The overspend breach, and possibly the procedural breaches, constitute cheating by offering a significant advantage across technical, sporting and financial regulations,” Brown is quoted as saying in his letter.

      Lando’s on song for Max
      LANDO NORRIS is having a go at being a DJ and recently performed at a party to celebrate Max Verstappen’s world crown.
      Videos have emerged across social media showing Norris taking to the decks in Monaco, where both drivers live.
      Max Verstappen celebrated his 2022 world title win with pal Lando NorrisCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Big hitters in NASCAR
      NETFLIX might want to take a look at the fisticuffs in NASCAR if they want to have more action in F1.
      Bubba Wallace and Kyle Larson tangled on track in Las Vegas and matters spilled over into the infield.
      Wallace was livid at being taken out of the race by Larson and confronted him, shoving him a few times in the chest before matters had to be calmed down.

      MotoGP looks in the Bag
      IT has been an incredible few months since Francesco Bagnaia crashed a car after a few drinks in Ibiza.
      The MotoGP rider has won three times, finished second once and his two third-place finishes in Thailand and Australia have moved him to the top of the championship.
      The Ducati ace can win the title at the next round in Malaysia. More

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      Red Bull ‘CHEATED’ by breaching F1 budget cap and Max Verstappen should be penalised, says McLaren boss in leaked letter

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      RED BULL effectively “CHEATED” their way to the 2021 championship title, according to McLaren chief Zak Brown. In a leaked letter to Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, Brown made it clear in no uncertain terms that he believed Red Bull should be punished severely for their breach of the cost cap in 2021.
      Zak Brown has told the FIA to throw the book at Red BullCredit: Rex
      Max Verstappen won last year’s title over Lewis Hamilton in controversial fashionCredit: AFP
      Last week the FIA published their findings following the financial audit of teams in the 2021 F1 season.
      And in doing so they found Red Bull to have gone over the £114million budget cap.
      However, the transgression only resulted in a “minor” breach of the rules, therefore meaning the potential punishment will be on the leaner side – and thus preserving Max Verstappen’s maiden title.
      But this has not stopped Brown from lobbying the FIA to give out harsh punishments, as revealed in a leaked letter dated October 12 and sent to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
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      He said: “The overspend breach, and possibly the procedural breaches, constitute cheating by offering a significant advantage across technical, sporting and financial regulations…
      “We have even been given a one-year dress rehearsal (in 2020), with ample opportunity to seek any clarification if details were unclear. So, there is no reason for any team to now say they are surprised.
      “The bottom line is any team who has overspent has gained an unfair advantage both in the current and following year’s car development.
      “We don’t feel a financial penalty alone would be a suitable penalty for an overspend breach or a serious procedural breach.
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      “There clearly needs to be a sporting penalty in these instances, as determined by the FIA.”
      “We suggest that the overspend should be penalised by way of a reduction to the team’s cost cap in the year following the ruling, and the penalty should be equal to the overspend plus a further fine.
      “I.e. an overspend of $2m (£1.76m) in 2021, which is identified in 2022, would result in a $4m (£3.53m) deduction in 2023 ($2m to offset the overspend plus $2m fine).”
      “In addition, we believe there should be minor overspend sporting penalties of a 20% reduction in CFD and wind tunnel time.
      “These should be enforced in the following year, to mitigate against the unfair advantage the team has and will continue to benefit from.”
      Brown also explained that extra spending of just £1.76m can have as much as a 50 per cent upgrade to a car’s performance over the season.
      Prior to the ruling’s announcement, Lewis Hamilton had also revealed the huge difference even one upgrade can make on the car – putting Verstappen’s first championship victory under even more scrutiny.
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      Meanwhile, fans crowned Hamilton as an eight-time world champion after the revelations were made public.
      Since then, Verstappen has now claimed a second title in far less dramatic fashion with a championship reminiscent of some of Hamilton’s most dominant years in the sport. More

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      Victor Steeman’s mum tragically dies of heart attack two days after World Superbikes ace’s death following horror crash

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      VICTOR STEEMAN’S mum has died just two days after her World Superbikes star son tragically passed away.Flora van Limbeek, 59, suffered a cardiac arrest at home in the Netherlands, according to Race Sport.
      Victor Steeman died just before his mum also passedCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman won four races this campaignCredit: Getty
      Steeman tragically died aged just 22 due to a horrific multi-car crash at the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship Race 1 in Portugal.
      He was one of the sport’s rising stars and was in the midst of a fantastic season, in the hunt to win the World Championships.
      The Dutchman picked up four wins and five podiums this campaign.
      His mother was his biggest fan and her passing comes just two days after Steeman’s death.
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      He died when he was involved in an awful crash on Turn 14 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.
      Steeman was immediately airlifted to hospital with the race red flagged.
      He was taken to Faro Hospital with serious head injuries, where he later passed away.
      Soon after his death a family statement read: “Something you have always been afraid of as a parent of a motorcycle racer has now happened. Our Victor could not win this last race.
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      “Despite the unbearable loss and grief, we are extremely proud to share with you that our hero, through his passing, was able to save five other people by donating his organs.
      “We would like to thank everyone for the way you have lived with us over the past few days. We will miss our Victor enormously.”
      All thoughts are with Steeman’s father and Van Limbeek’s wife, Willem, during this awful time. More

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      Meet Michael Schumacher’s incredible motor racing family dynasty including brother Ralf, son Mick & injured nephew David

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      FEW sporting families have endured and enjoyed more than Michael Schumacher’s incredible motor-racing dynasty.Nine years after the seven-time F1 champion suffered life-changing head injuries skiing, nephew David has fractured his spine in a fireball race crash.
      Michael Schumacher and wife Corinna, seen skiing before his 2013 accident, are in Spain for the winter with children Mick and Gina MariaCredit: AFP
      Michael’s nephew David Schumacher fractured his spine in a frightening crash at Hockenheimring DTM event on Saturday
      Wife Corinna and daughter Gina Maria were on hand when Michael was awarded a North Rhine-Westphalia State Prize in Cologne in JulyCredit: Splash
      Son Michael Schumacher is hoping to emulate just a little of the success of dad Michael, who lifted the F1 crown seven timesCredit: AFP
      Schumacher senior, wife Corinna and their two children Mick and Gina Maria have moved to a £27million mansion in Majorca for the winter.
      It’s thought the sea-view property includes all the medical equipment the 53-year-old needs for rehabilitation.
      Schuey always kept his family life as private as possible.
      And that’s stayed the same since his accident, with little known about his condition.
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      But his family’s love for racing can’t escape the spotlight.
      Brother Ralf notched six F1 wins and now Michael’s son Mick also competes in motorsport’s top championship.
      Michael’s daughter Gina Maria admitted she too was tempted by the fast lane. But after a season of karting she swapped racing for riding – with equestrian.
      Here’s our guide to one of the sport’s greatest families.
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      MICHAEL SCHUMACHER
      The fiercely, famously, fantastically competitive German shares the record for most F1 crowns – after Lewis Hamilton caught him up on seven in 2020.
      After two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, Schuey lifted the crown five times with Ferrari.
      He retired  in 2006 with 91 GP wins but surprisingly returned in 2010 for two mediocre years with Mercedes.
      Many fans and pundits regard Michael Schumacher as F1’s greatest driver everCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Michael Schumacher took the 1994 and 1995 F1 world titles with Benetton before winning five championships for Ferrari, the last in 2004Credit: AFP
      F1 legend Michael Schumacher sustained his serious head injury while skiingCredit: Reuters
      Schumacher’s situation changed forever, though, when he fell and hit his head while skiing off-piste in 2013.
      After being air-lifted to a hospital and having two surgeries he was placed in a medically induced coma for six months to reduce swelling of his brain.
      And via another hospital in Switzerland he finally returned to his home in Lake Geneva in 2015, where it’s understood he has mainly remained.
      CORINNA SCHUMACHER
      Michael’s wife is a keen horsewoman, winning the 2010 European Championship in western style horse riding.
      Wife Corinna Schumacher is a horse-rider, dog-lover and fighter for animal rightsCredit: AFP or licensors
      The animal rights activist, who is also 53, has two children with the racing legend – son Mick and daughter Gina Maria.
      RALF SCHUMACHER
      Michael’s younger brother, 47, won six GPs when competing in F1 from 1997-2007 with Jordan, Williams and Toyota.
      Ralf Schumacher raced in the shadow of older brother Michael but still recorded six victories and 27 podium finishesCredit: AFP
      German actress and model Cora Brinkmann was married to Ralf Schumacher from 2001 to 2015, sandwiching his F1 careerCredit: Reuters
      They are the only siblings to have both triumphed triumph in F1 races.
      Ralf is now a co-commentator for Sky Sport in Germany.
      MICK SCHUMACHER 
      Son Mick’s F1 career could be in the balance after just two years.
      Michael’s son Mick awaits his first F1 podium spot in his second year with HaasCredit: Getty
      Pointless in 2021, he was buoyed by finishing eighth and sixth in the British and Australian GPs respectively this year.
      But Haas team principal Guenther Steiner claims he “lacks consistency”.
      Mick first released his racing bug in karting – in 2008 – before working his way up through F4, F3 and F2.
      Now, 23, Mick reckons playing chess is a major help in his mental build-up to racing – meaning check first, chequered flag second.
      DAVID SCHUMACHER
      As Ralf’s son, Michael’s nephew and Mick’s cousin, David is the youngest of the racing Schumachers.
      Ralf Schumacher is shown trackside with son David, who now faces several weeks out after fracturing his spineCredit: Getty
      But the Mercedes driver, 20, faces at least six weeks out after an horrendous crash on Saturday.
      He fractured his spine in a collison with Thomas Preining in Saturday’s DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) event at Hockenheimring.
       Both cars smashed into the barriers and bounced back onto the circuit.
      And although David was initially given the all-clear, further scans revealed the far more extent of his injuries.
      GINA MARIA
      Michael’s daughter, 25, won gold at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland – after confessing she “preferred the horses” to race cars.
      Michael’s daughter Gina Maria Schumacher prefers riding to racingCredit: Rex Features
      The Western riding star did try karting for a year – but quickly decided it wasn’t her mane interest.
      Showjumper Iain Bethke is her long-term boyfriend. More

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      Heart-stopping moment race driver’s £170k Porsche flies through air at 100mph and almost crushes marshal in huge crash

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      SCREAMING spectators saw a Porsche almost crush a race marshal after flying into the air in a horrifying crashWill Martin’s £170,000 car hurtled off the track at Brands Hatch and wedged in a fence – just above the official.
      Will Martin’s Porsche eventually lodged just above the fortunate marshal
      Spectators could barely believe no-one was badly hurt after this accident
      Fencing collapsed as marshals dived for cover in an accident that turned into a miracle escape – with no-one seriously hurt.
      Sussex star Martin, 19, admitted it was “super lucky” no one was seriously hurt in the “scary” incident.
      One Twitter user claimed the fortunate marshal was her dad as she posted: “A small piece of catch fence saved his life!”
      Martin’s Porsche spiral backwards at high speed after he lost control.
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      The rear of the car smashed into the tyre wall, where marshals stood just behind.
      The vehicle then went through the wall, sending tyres everywhere.
      Fencing behind the wall fell apart as the Porsche careered on.
      Three marshals in orange suits had to leap clear – but even then they were nearly hit by a bail of tyres that came loose,
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      Most heartstopping of all, Martin’s car went flying into fencing above the marshal – but came to a halt in mid-air.
      The hot prospect, who has notched 16 wins in 94 races, said: “It was probably one of my biggest shunts.
      “I was pretty lucky to come out the other side.’
      He believes the fencing dragged concrete up with it – but were then cushioned by trees.
      He added: “As I was coming towards the exit of the corner I had a touch from behind.
      “Obviously, coming out the corner I was still trying to turn.
      “I was spinning off towards the barrier on the right. I hit the barrier backwards which sort of lifted the car up as I went over.
      “Just glad that my Dad is still here to tell the tale… a small piece of catch fence saved his life Twitter user Kieron Salmons
      ‘I landed pretty much in a tree on a catch fence and the barrier. I ended up six foot in the air. Luckily, everyone was safe and no one got hurt.
      ‘It was a bit of a scary crash. The concrete the catch fence was built into had ripped out of the ground.
      ‘The tree must have helped keep the fence off the marshals’ post so the guy in the post was super super lucky.
      ‘It could have been much worse. Sometimes people do go off on that corner but not every often.”
      Track workers eventually freed Martin after he was trapped in his car for ten minutes.
      Twitter user Kieron Salmons posted: “Just glad that my Dad is still here to tell the tale.
      “Not sure how that happened but a small piece of catch fence saved his life! Yes my Dad is the marshal underneath the car in this photo.’ More

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      Max Verstappen’s stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet strips naked for sexy photo shoot after Red Bull star’s F1 triumph

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN’S stunning girlfriend Kelly Piquet got daring as she starred in a naked photoshoot. Kelly, the daughter of former Formula One world champion Nelson Piquet Sr, has been dating Verstappen since 2020.

      Kelly Piquet alongside boyfriend Max VerstappenCredit: Rex
      Kelly donned a trendy look for Milan fashion weekCredit: Getty
      And after securing his second successive title, Kelly posed in a daring photoshoot on her Instagram.
      The photo was complete with a forest back drop and a heavy black-and-white filter.
      Loved up duo Kelly and Verstappen posted a photo of her kissing the Dutchman on the cheek after he completed his title victory around Suzuka, Japan.
      However, the 33-year-old used to date former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
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      The pair even had a child, Penelope, in 2019.
      Kelly’s father won three F1 titles with three different teams in 1981, 1983 and 1987.
      Consequently, he is regarded as one of the best racers to have graced the sport.
      However, he has been cast out of F1 after being embroiled in a racism storm where used a racial slur in reference to Lewis Hamilton following the Silverstone Grand Prix in 2021.
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      When the news emerged, Piquet was given a life-long from the F1 paddock after issuing a public apology in which he claimed his words were mistranslated.
      However, Verstappen criticised the decision to ban him and said he did not believe Piquet Sr was a racist.
      Kelly congratulates Verstappen after clinching his second world titleCredit: Getty
      She also dated Daniil Kvyat beforeCredit: Getty More

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      F1’s top 10 highest-paid drivers revealed with Lewis Hamilton still leading the way ahead of world champ Max Verstappen

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      THE 2022 F1 season has seen Max Verstappen stroll to a comfortable second title with several races to spare.The Dutchman, 25, edged Lewis Hamilton to last year’s crown with a thrilling final-lap overtake in December.
      F1’s highest-paid drivers for the 2022 season
      Hamilton and F1 title rival Verstappen are in a different league with their wagesCredit: Getty
      But this year’s title fight was far more straightforward as Verstappen coasted to the crown ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.
      It comes after he signed a mega £37million-per-year new contract with Red Bull prior to the 2022 campaign.
      The pay packet means he is just £3m behind his F1 rival Hamilton.
      Seven-time champion Hamilton, 37, remains the best-paid driver with a salary of £40m after add-ons and bonuses.
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      And the pair are miles clear of the rest of the field when it comes to their salaries.
      McLaren star Lando Norris comes in third after signing a new bumper four-year contract.
      Norris, 22, will take home £10.5m per year – more than Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and outgoing McLaren driver Daniel Ricciardo (both £10.19m).
      Ferrari ace Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin star Sebastian Vettel both earn £7.28m per year on their current deals.
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      Alpine’s legendary racer Fernando Alonso sits eighth with an annual salary of £6.55m.
      Red Bull’s Perez comes next (£4.5m) and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (£4m) completes the top ten.
      Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell failed to even make the top half of the grid.
      But he is delivering more than enough on the track, currently sitting fourth in the standings, 27 points ahead of Hamilton.
      Lando Norris is third in the list of top-paid F1 starsCredit: AFP More

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      Inside the eerie abandoned £540m F1 circuit as Vietnamese GP axed from calendar after mayor jailed for 10 years

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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