Motorsport

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.
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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

RED BULL face an anxious wait to discover if they will be slapped with financial AND sporting penalties as the F1 cost-cap row reignites at the US GP.The Milton Keynes-based team can wrap up the constructors’ championship at this weekend’s race in Austin, Texas.
Christian Horner with Max VerstappenCredit: PA
However, that risks being overshadowed by the punishment dished out by the FIA after they deemed Red Bull breached the £114million spending limit last year.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner was informed that his team failed to meet the cost cap just an hour after Max Verstappen won the title in Japan 11 days ago.
The hammer blow was delivered by a phone call from FIA interim secretary general for motorsport Shaila-Ann Rao.
She has only been in the role since June having previously worked for Red Bull’s rivals, Mercedes, for three and a half years. Red Bull maintain that their submission was under the limit when they filed the accounts in March.
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However, SunSport understands they feel the goal posts have since changed with clarifications over parts produced for historical vehicles and those produced for their current F1 cars.
Red Bull have also bungled their submission, as they included a canteen bill for the whole of their UK campus, rather than the staff directly associated with the production of their F1 cars.
Further complications come in the clarification for employees placed on gardening leave and those on sick pay.
It has resulted in an overspend, estimated to be around £1.8million, triggering a ‘minor’ breach of the regulations, but way short of the £10million 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, even though they insist their innocence.
It is believed that such a penalty will include a fine, plus 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.
The row has become even more complicated by the fact that Mercedes Toto Wolff has been so outspoken on the matter.
And McLaren’s CEO, Zak Brown, has also interfered in proceedings in a letter lobbying for the FIA to punish Red Bull, possibly compromising a fair decision.
The FIA say that Rao is in no way working in the cost-cap administration process and simply acting as a liaison between the two parties.
Max Verstappen wins the FIA world championshipCredit: Rex More

DANIEL RICCIARDO could continue in F1 by agreeing to join Haas at the end of the season.The Australian was bought out of the last year of his contract for £10million by McLaren and will leave the team at the end of the year.
Daniel Ricciardo could continue in F1 by signing for HaasCredit: The Mega Agency
But his F1 journey may not end there with Haas opening the door to the former Red Bull star.
Mick Schumacher looks set to leave Haas and team principal Guenther Steiner is considering Ricciardo as his replacement.
Steiner told the AP: “If he’s interested in us, he’s not shy to call me up. I am not going to chase him down.
“I want him to decide what he wants to do for himself, first, before being talked into something.
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“I think he’s a good driver and I don’t know how he got in the situation he’s in now, but I think he needs to come clean with himself and decide what he’s going to do.”
“For us he would be a big hit. He was a race winner and now he is without a job.
“He was a race winner just last year. I rate him as a driver, I have no idea why he doesn’t perform right now. That is for him to figure out.”
Steiner reportedly sent Ricciardo a text about his future in the summer with the 33-year-old running out of options – Williams are the only other team who will have a vacant spot at the end of the season.
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And it appears Ricciardo is not ready to call it quits just yet, despite his disappointing campaign.
He said: “I could probably keep going, I believe I still thrive off it because I still believe I belong [in Formula 1] and can do it.
“That’s what really gets me jacked.
“And the love of it, as well as knowing that any weekend that could be there [a win], like it could be around the corner, you know.
“The truth is, the highs you get are just so high because so much goes into it.
“So then the high and the reward is pretty amazing and pretty spectacular.” More