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    Hilarious moment F1 star Nicholas Latifi takes a WRONG TURN at rainy Japanese GP leaving his Williams at dead end

    NICHOLAS LATIFI’S shocking season went from bad to worse when he took a WRONG TURN during a rainy FP2 at the Japanese Grand Prix.The Williams driver is yet to score a single point yet this season.
    Nicholas Latifi took a wrong turn during FP2 of the Japanese GPCredit: sky sports
    The Williams driver went down a dead endCredit: sky sports
    Latifi responded to the mishap by saying his car felt “strange”Credit: EPA

    Williams also confirmed last month that the Canadian driver, 27, will be leaving the team when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.
    But with five races left on the calendar, there is still time for Latifi to go out with a bang.
    Although it looks unlikely that he will be able to do anything special at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan after he had problems remembering the layout of the track.
    During FP2 Latifi hilariously swerved right way before the final chicane and ended up down a dead end.
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    He was forced to do a U-turn when faced by the barriers after seemingly getting confused by the track layout.
    Latifi blamed the car for the mishap, saying over the radio: “The car feels strange.”
    But F1 fans weren’t buying it.
    One joked on social media: “Love how he say ‘car felt strange’ styled that one out.”
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    Another wrote with laughing emojis: “Tried to blame car as well.”
    In Latifi’s defence, torrential rain made for awful conditions in Japan with visibility almost impossible for the drivers.
    And it wasn’t just him who struggled.
    Mick Schumacher lost control and wrecked his car after spinning out at turn seven due to the soggy surface.
    Mick Schumacher spun out and hit the well due to the wet conditionsCredit: Reuters More

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    Phil Read dead at 83: Seven-time motorcycle GP world champion and ‘Prince of Speed’ passes away as tributes pour in

    PHIL READ has died aged 83, his family have confirmed.The seven-time motorcycle GP world champion passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday.
    Legendary racer Phil Read has passed awayCredit: Getty
    Read remained involved in the sport as he got olderCredit: Getty
    Read was a legendary figure in motorcycle racing – winning Yamaha’s first ever world championship title in 1964.
    He would go on to add four more with the Japanese-Italian team before adding another pair in 1973 and 1974 for MV Agusta.
    Read’s achievements led to him receiving an MBE in 1979 for for “services to motor cycle racing”.
    In a statement posted online, the Read family paid tribute to the much-beloved former racer dubbed by fans as the “Prince of Speed”.
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    It read: “It is with incredible sadness that the Read family reports the passing of Phil Read MBE while peacefully asleep on the morning of October 6th, 2022, at his home in Canterbury, England.
    “Phil is best known for winning Yamaha’s first world championship title in 1964 with four more Yamaha-mounted titles including one fought as a privateer, plus two premier class 500cc world championships in 1973 and 1974 for the Italian MV Agusta marque.
    “Often a controversial and outspoken figure, his prolific racing career included 52 FIM Grand Prix wins and eight wins at the iconic Isle of Man TT Races. In 2002 he was granted the status of “MotoGP Legend” by Dorna.
    “Phil is survived by his sons Michael, Graham, Phil Jr, Roki and daughter Esme’. Further details on any public celebrations of life will be shared.”
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    Following the sad news of Read’s death, Moto GP paid tribute – writing: “All at MotoGP are saddened to learn of the passing of Phil Read
    “A 7-time World Champion, Phil helped to elevate our sport to a new level
    “His impact on the motorcycle racing community will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Phil.”
    Former GP rider Steve Parrish wrote: “So sad to hear the passing of Phil Read. One of the most talented riders to come from the UK.
    “I will never forget him coming to my house, with glamorous wife Madeline.
    “In a Rolls corniche, it was like Queen had arrived.”
    MotoGP star Joan Mir added: “Rest in peace, legend.”
    One fan tweeted: “RIP Phil Read. One of the greatest and hardest motorcycle racers of all time.
    “What a character, in both good and bad ways. A minutes silence will be required at Phillip Island next week.”
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    A second posted: “I got to spend time with Phil these past 15 years having fun at classic events. Phil was one of the greats of all time! R.I.P Phil Read.”
    A third added: “So sorry to hear that the legend Phil Read passed away, he made me laugh, wasn’t PC at all and he upset many without meaning to, which made me like him all the more.”
    Read hoists the trophy aloft after winning the British Junior Championship race in 1963Credit: Getty
    The outspoken star became one Britain’s most successful ever racersCredit: Getty More

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    Watch as Mick Schumacher CRASHES out of Japanese GP practice and destroys car as torrential rain soaks track

    MICK SCHUMACHER has crashed out of a soggy practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix.Torrential rain made for terrible conditions at the Suzuka circuit with drivers limited in how many laps they could complete.

    Mich Schumacher’s crash caused considerable damage to his front wingCredit: Reuters
    The Haas star emerged from his car unscathedCredit: AFP
    Schumacher, 23, had completed his session and was heading back to the pits when he lost control of the rear of his car.
    The wet conditions caused him to spin at turn seven and he violently hit the barriers, leading to considerable damage to his front wing.
    He was unharmed and was able to get out of the vehicle unscathed.
    Schumacher said over team radio: “Ah, I just had a huge aquaplaning.”
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    Aquaplaning occurs as a result of water build-up in the tyres and creates a loss of traction and reduces steering ability, meaning the Haas driver was helpless to avoid the crash.
    Elsewhere, a cautious Max Verstappen completed just four laps, with the Red Bull star keen to avoid crashing too.
    The Dutchman can claim the F1 championship this weekend with a race win and fastest lap, so he was careful not to put that at risk.
    Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are looking to stop Verstappen and were quick in practice before also winding down their efforts because of the weather.
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    Lewis Hamilton and George Russell only completed ten laps between them.
    They too showed hesitancy, recording the 13th and 18th quickest times respectively, with Hamilton 2.3 seconds off the pace. More

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    Tributes flood in after British Superbike star Chrissy Rouse dies aged 26 after horror crash at Donington

    TRIBUTES are pouring in for superbike rider Chrissy Rouse, who has died aged 26, just days after his horror crash at Donington Speedway.Rouse was taken to hospital after crashing on the final corner and being struck by an oncoming rider.
    Rouse passed away aged 26 after a horror crashCredit: Twitter
    The crash happened at the Donnington Park Circuit in LeicestershireCredit: Rex
    He was competing in the third race in Sunday’s penultimate round.
    Rouse underwent an emergency neurosurgery procedure late on Sunday night, but a statement has now confirmed the Crowe Performance rider has passed.
    Tributes have poured in for the Newcastle-born fan favourite.
    Rouse’s former college have hailed him as a “person of excellence”.
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    Emmanuel College said on Twitter: “We are very deeply saddened by the death of former student, staff member and friend, Chrissy Rouse.
    “Someone who exemplified the spirit of Emmanuel College.
    “A person of excellence who lived with humility and demonstrated remarkable love for others.”
    A racing fan said: “There really are no words.
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    “The world has lost a true gent, a top podcaster, British champion and all round nice guy. RIP Chrissy Rouse, you will be sorely missed.”
    A statement from the British Superbike Championship read: “Following an accident during Bennetts British Superbike Championship race three at Donington Park (on Sunday 2 October 2022), competitor Chrissy Rouse crashed heavily on the opening lap of the race and was unavoidably struck by an immediately following rider.
    “He sustained a significant head injury.
    “The race was stopped and he was treated immediately trackside by the BSB Medical Team before being transferred to the circuit medical centre.
    “He was stabilised and put in a medically induced coma at the medical centre before being transferred to Queens Medical Centre/University Hospital, Nottingham for further assessment and treatment.
    “He underwent an emergency neurosurgical procedure shortly after admission.
    “It is with great regret that we have to announce that Chrissy Rouse aged 26, from Newcastle upon Tyne, has succumbed to his injuries, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family in hospital earlier this afternoon.”
    The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board has vowed to investigate how the incident occurred.
    The statement continued: “On behalf of Chrissy’s family they wish to convey their deep appreciation for the support and well wishes that they have received in recent days.
    “As well they wish to thank all the attending marshals and medical services who provided such skill and care attending to Chrissy.
    “The family also ask for privacy at this difficult time as they attempt to deal with their devastating loss.
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    “MSVR is now working with the Coroner, Police and the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board in order to investigate the full circumstances of this tragic accident.
    “Our deepest condolences are extended to Chrissy’s family, friends and team members.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton claims F1’s integrity will be RUINED if Red Bull are found to have breached £114m cost cap

    LEWIS HAMILTON has declared that the integrity of Formula One will be RUINED if the FIA fail to punish teams who breached financial budget caps. Reports have been circulating since last week suggesting Red Bull and Aston Martin went over the allowed cost caps for the development of their cars last season.
    Lewis Hamilton believes the integrity of F1 will be ruined if teams go unpunished for breaking rulesCredit: Splash
    The financial audit for the team’s 2021 accounts were expected to be made public on Wednesday, but the FIA has since delayed this until October 10 – after the Japanese Grand Prix.
    And if found guilty then Hamilton believes any transgression must be punished if the sport’s integrity is to remain intact.
    Hamilton said: “I think it’s imperative, honestly, just for transparency. I think we need to continue to have transparency for the fans, for the integrity of the sport.
    “Obviously there’s lots of conversations that are going on in the background. No one truly knows.
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    “There’s different numbers and different things being said here and there, so I was expecting those results – like you – to come out yesterday.
    “I would like to think that if it’s been delayed it’s because it’s been taken very seriously and I trust that Mohammed (bin Sulayem) is taking it seriously and will do what is right for the sport, I hope.
    “I think it would be bad for the sport if action wasn’t taken if there was a breach.”
    The budget cap – a new introduction to the sport aimed at making F1 more financially sustainable and levelling the playing field – allowed teams to spend up to £114million in developing their cars.
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    Of course, Hamilton likely has an implied bias given the controversial circumstances he lost the 2021 title to Reb Bull’s Max Verstappen under.
    If Red Bull’s alleged breach is found to be five per cent or more of the cap, this will constitute a “material (major) overspend breach” which could see them be punished in a number of ways.
    These include sanctions as little as financial penalties or limits on aerodynamic testing, all the way up to the deduction of points from teams and drivers and suspension or exclusion from the championship.
    Hamilton, who was spotted wearing a T-shirt with his own name paired with a floral coat, added: “It’ll put in question our values, the integrity of the sport.
    “I remember last year as a driver, you were always asking for updates, updates, updates on things, whether it’s fuel, whatever it is. 
    “And I remember in Silverstone when we got our last update and I remember that was almost three tenths, and I’m pretty certain it cost less than a million.
    “But I remember after that needing more updates – but then seeing trucks of updates continuing to arrive on the other car, thinking ‘jeez, it’s going to be hard to beat them in the championship if they keep bringing updates.”
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    F1 has gone through scandals before, such as 2007’s Spygate and 2008’s Crashgate.
    And recently as 2020 controversy loomed as the FIA refused to publish details of a “settlement” they reached with Ferrari over the operation of the team’s power unit.
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    Lewis Hamilton wears T-shirt with his own name on it and flowery coat as F1 star prepares for Japanese GP

    LEWIS HAMILTON wore another stylish outfit just days after landing himself in hot water over breaking Formula One’s attire rules. Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton – ever the fashion guru of F1 – donned a T-shirt with his own name on it.
    Lewis Hamilton wore a striking T-shirt and coatCredit: Getty
    His T-shirt saw his name etched on in black font with a colourful monster paired alongside itCredit: Getty
    Meanwhile, his coat saw a stunning floral pattern run down the armsCredit: Getty
    The white T-shirt he sported had a stylish black font for his name and paired it with a colourful cartoon monster and more dashes of colour to contrast the otherwise plain black and white.
    He paired this with a khaki coat which had a bouquet of flowers down each arm.
    The 37-year-old has a well-earned reputation for wearing extravagant clothing and fashion accessories.
    But just days ago he almost landed himself a fine by breaching the International Sporting Code of the FIA.
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    Prior to the Singapore Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion had been called to the stewards relating to a breach of Appendix L, Chapter III, which prohibits the wearing of certain jewellery.
    Hamilton was hauled in relating to the wearing of a nose piercing.
    But he was able to avoid a personal fine due to having a doctor’s note, while his team Mercedes were slapped with a £22,400 fine for failing to alert the FIA about the piercing.
    Despite the drama, Hamilton went on to produce his best qualifying result of the season before his weekend crumbled on race day – finishing with a disappointing P9.
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    The ex-McLaren driver is on course for his worst-ever season in F1, with him sitting in a lowest-ever P6 in the drivers standings and yet to win a race this season.
    However, he insists he is “happier than ever” in the sport amid rumours he could sign a bumper new five-year contract.
    While Hamilton was spotted with his trendy shirt and coat around the paddock, other F1 stars have been seen enjoying the sights of Japan.
    Namely AlphaTauri duo Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda, who were pictured in a hilarious must-watch karaoke session in Tokyo.
    On track, talk of title business could be wrapped up this weekend with Max Verstappen having a golden chance of claiming a second successive title.
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    Although the ramifications of last season’s controversial title are still being felt, and there may yet be another word had on that with the FIA preparing to finalise their financial audit of the teams.
    Their findings are now set to be made public on October 10, with speculation mounting that Red Bull and Aston Martin have breached the budget cap.
    Retiring Sebastian Vettel was in a happy mood around Suzuka, where he has won four timesCredit: Getty More

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    Watch F1 drivers Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsuonda butcher Adele song ‘Hello’ in hilarious karaoke session

    FORMULA ONE drivers are not exactly known for their singing voices, but Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsunoda gave it their best shot with a hilarious karaoke session. Following last weekend’s race in Singapore, the drivers have jetted off to Japan where the next race will be commencing.
    Yuki Tsunoda poured his heart and soul into the karaoke session
    He was joined by AlphaTauri team-mate Pierre Gasly
    The pair share a great relationship off-trackCredit: Getty
    Japanese driver Tsunoda was showing AlphaTauri team-mate Gasly the sights of Tokyo – 187miles away from the Suzuka circuit.
    The pair then hit a Karaoke bar, where they duetted Adele’s 2015 hit Hello.
    The duo gave it their all but singing was clearly not their best attribute on the night as they hilariously butchered the iconic record.
    And to say their best work is done behind the wheel of an F1 car might be an understatement.
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    At the last race, Gasly managed to squeeze a point out with a P10 finish, while Tsunoda was forced to retire.
    The Red Bull sister team have struggled at times this season, and consequently sit in P9 in the Constructors standings.
    Sergio Perez went on to win the race despite being given a five-second time penalty for an infringement under the safety car.
    Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz completed the podium spots while Max Verstappen failed to wrap up the championship with a P7 finish.
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    However, he remains firmly in control of the outcome of the title and is tipped to win his second successive championship when the lights go out for the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday.
    But this week has been marred by reports suggesting Red Bull and Aston Martin broke F1’s new cost cap, which could have major ramifications for last season’s controversial title race.
    F1 regulator, the FIA, announced earlier today their financial audit would not be concluded until October 10 despite an initial promise of results being published today.
    They said: “The analysis of financial submissions is a long and complex process that is ongoing and will be concluded to enable the release of the Certificates on Monday, 10 October.”
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    Lewis Hamilton, who was the unfortunate party to miss out in 2021, revealed he was “happier than ever” despite being on course for his worst ever season in the sport.
    This came amid rumours he could sign a new five-year deal with Mercedes after hints were dropped by team principal Toto Wolff. More

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    Lewis Hamilton ‘happier than ever’ despite Mercedes star on course for WORST F1 season of his career

    LEWIS HAMILTON has insisted he is happy at Mercedes despite being on track to produce his WORST-ever season in Formula One. The seven-time World Champion is yet to win a race this year, with Mercedes struggling to produce a car near the pace of Red Bull or Ferrari.
    Lewis Hamilton has insisted he is happy in F1 despite his struggles this seasonCredit: Getty
    Hamilton laboured to a P9 finish in SingaporeCredit: Getty
    And Hamilton, 37, has also struggled himself and currently sits 6th in the driver standings – 32 points behind Carlos Sainz and 33 behind team-mate George Russell.
    But Hamilton has reaffirmed his happiness in F1 amid rumours of him signing a new five-year contract.
    Hamilton told Sky Sports: “I definitely feel I’m happier than I’ve ever been, which is really strange because I’m not winning in racing, and that’s really been my go-to thing.
    “Having success there would bring me so much happiness, but I’m finding more happiness in my personal life now, just being more comfortable in who I am, and my surroundings and my intentions.”
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    Despite being in cars which were arguably less competitive than this year’s W13, Hamilton has always managed to wrestle a race win out of every season he has competed in F1.
    Furthermore, he has never finished below fifth place in the driver standings.

    Hamilton went on a run of winning five podiums in a row – with back-to-back runner-up medals – prior to the mid-season break but has failed to replicate that form in the four races since.
    He failed to finish the Belgium Grand Prix after taking damage from Fernando Alonso, and then came 4th and 5th in the next two races before a P9 result in a turbulent Singapore Grand Prix.
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    Next up for the drivers is Suzuka, Japan, a circuit which has not been raced at in F1 since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
    The race this weekend could Max Verstappen finally wrap up the title after failing to do so in Singapore.
    Following his trip around Africa during the break, Hamilton revealed he feels more at peace with himself.
    He added: “We live in such a bubble, there’s so much happening around the world and so many people are struggling with so much.
    “It’s sad to see if you really sit and watch the news because it feels like it’s worse than ever.
    “That experience of going to Africa, seeing people with so little – I say so little but they also have everything, they’re so happy – but just seeing a different way of living.
    “We accumulate too much stuff, we eat too much food, the things that we take for granted, people don’t have that luxury and I think it’s really great to have that experience to put things into perspective.
    “There, it was just when I was most at peace.”
    There had been fears Hamilton would quit the sport after the controversial way he lost the title to Max Verstappen last year.
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    And despite being more than half a season beyond those events, they have returned to the spotlight once again with reports indicating Red Bull – along with Aston Martin – may have exceeded F1’s new budget cap.
    Depending on how bad the transgression is, it may even lead to Hamilton being awarded the 2021 title.
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