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      F1’s highest-paid drivers revealed ahead of 2022 season after Max Verstappen’s new deal and Lewis Hamilton’s return

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      THE 2022 F1 season is nearly upon us with the focus now finally on the new campaign.Max Verstappen edged Lewis Hamilton to last year’s crown with a thrilling final-lap overtake in December.

      Lewis Hamilton and F1 title rival Max Verstappen are in a different league for wages in 2022Credit: Getty
      After the controversy surrounding race director Michael Masi and the new changes brought in as a result, attention has now turned to pre-season testing and Bahrain.
      The drivers had their first round of trying their new cars out in Barcelona at the end of February.
      And Verstappen, 24, begins the defence of his maiden world title on March 20.
      That will be his first race since signing a mega £37million-per-year new contract with Red Bull.
      The new pay packet means he is just £3m behind his F1 rival Hamilton.
      The seven-time world champ, 37, went silent after the Abu Dhabi drama which led to speculation he may quit the sport.
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      But he reported back for duty at Mercedes HQ last month to begin his preparations and is now raring to go.
      And just like so often on the track, Hamilton and Verstappen are miles clear of the rest of the field when it comes to salaries too.
      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 McLaren veteran 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.
      Alpine’s legendary racer Fernando Alonso sits eighth with an annual salary of £6.55m.
      Red Bull whiz Sergio Perez (£4.5m) and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (£4m) complete the top ten.
      Lando Norris has risen to third in the list of top-paid F1 stars after signing a new McLaren dealCredit: AFP More

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      Russian driver Nikita Mazepin BANNED from racing at British GP despite being allowed to compete in season

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      NIKITA MAZEPIN will NOT be able to take part in this year’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone after Motorsport UK blocked all Russian and Belarussian racers from competing.Less than 15 hours after F1’s governing body, the FIA, failed to take decisive actions against Russian and Belarussian competitors, the UK’s motorsport organisation has.
      Nikita Mazepin has been banned from racing at SilverstoneCredit: Getty
      Motorsport UK blocked all Russian and Belarussian racers from competingCredit: Reuters
      Nikita Mazepin’s father, billionaire oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, has close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
      David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK, says they have “considered the appropriate response to the ongoing acts of war and aggression conducted in Ukraine by Russia and Belarus”.
      Richards said: “The entire Motorsport UK community condemns the acts of war by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and support towards all those affected by the ongoing conflict.
      “We stand united with the people of Ukraine and the motorsport community following the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have unfolded.
      “This is a time for the international motorsport community to act and show support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues at the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine.”
      Yesterday at an extraordinary meeting led by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the World Motor Sport Council agreed that competitors holding Russian and Belarussian racing licences could still race under an “FIA flag”.
      However, Motorsport UK has gone a step further by stopping them, including Mazepin, from competing full stop.
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      🔵 Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates
      The Motorsport UK statement added: “No Russian/Belarusian licenced teams are approved to enter motorsport competitions in the UK.
      “No Russian/Belarusian licenced competitors and officials are approved to participate in UK motorsport events.
      “No Russian/Belarusian national symbols, colours, flags (on uniform, equipment and car) to be displayed at Motorsport UK permitted events.
      “The Motorsport UK decision was made in full consultation with the UK Government and national sports governing bodies to ensure that there is a unilateral response to the crisis.”
      Richard added: “It is our duty to use whatever influence and leverage we might have to bring this wholly unjustified invasion of Ukraine to a halt.
      “We would encourage the motorsport community and our colleagues around the world to fully embrace the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee and do whatever we can to end this war.
      “Motorsport UK stands united with Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the FAU, the Ukrainian motorsport community and the Ukrainian people and calls for the violence to end with a peaceful resolution.”
      Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season More

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      Max Verstappen signs new £37m-A-YEAR Red Bull deal with F1 champ now in same pay bracket as rival Lewis Hamilton

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has penned a new £37million-a-year contract with Red Bull.And now the reigning champion is in the same pay bracket as bitter title rival Lewis Hamilton.
      Max Verstappen is now in the same pay bracket as rival Lewis HamiltonCredit: Getty
      The Red Bull star has penned a whopping £37m-a-year contract after winning the F1 titleCredit: Alamy
      The Dutch driver, 24, will now be tied to the team until after his 30th birthday after committing his future to them.
      He visited Red Bull’s factory in Milton Keynes yesterday to wrap-up his bumper extension after initially agreeing terms while in Barcelona last week for pre-season testing.
      Verstappen’s pay rise has now fired him right up alongside £40m-a-year Hamilton as Formula One’s top earner.
      However, given the length of his contract, it could be argued that it is the most remunerative package in F1 history.
      Red Bull have yet to officially confirm that Verstappen has agreed to the extension but are believed to be set to confirm the news later this week.
      However, Sun Sport understands that it is all done and despite reports elsewhere, it is worth £37m per year.

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      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff had been trying to lure Verstappen over to them but that move broke down at Silverstone in 2020.
      The driver was involved in a 180mph collision with Hamilton and needed hospital treatment afterwards.
      But he was upset with how enthusiastically Mercedes celebrated victory while medics attended to him.
      Verstappen begins his title defence in Bahrain in 18 days.
      That will be his eighth season in F1 and debuting aged 17 in the 2015 Australian Grand Prix for Toro Rosso.

      🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info More

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      Russian driver Mazepin – whose billionaire oligarch dad is pals with Putin – WILL be allowed to drive in F1 this season

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      FORMULA ONE’S governing body, the FIA, have failed to follow other sports in taking decisive action against Russian athletes.F1 was swift to act by cancelling the Russian GP following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
      Russian driver Nikita Mazepin will be allowed to race in the F1 2022 seasonCredit: Getty
      Russia have caused mass destruction and death by invading UkraineCredit: AFP
      But, somewhat staggeringly, the FIA have decided to allow Russian and Belarusian drivers to continue to drive.
      New president Mohammed Ben Sulayem presented the verdict from an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council held on Tuesday.
      It means controversial Haas driver, Nikita Mazepin, will be allowed to continue to drive in F1 – assuming he is retained by his team.
      Mazepin – son of billionaire oligarch Dmitry who has ties to Putin – will not technically be representing Russia and will race under an “FIA flag”.
      Ben Sulayem said: “The FIA is watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and I hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation.
      “We condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with all those suffering as a result of the events in Ukraine.”
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      A statement from the FIA confirmed that no competitions would take place in Russia and Belarus, until further notice and that flags, symbols or anthems associated with those countries would be used.
      Ben Sulayem’s failure to take strict action on Russian drivers will upset Leonid Kostyuchenko, the President of the Federation Automobile d’Ukraine, who had urged the FIA to intervene.
      Haas will now decide on whether to stick with error-prone Mazepin, whose father also part-owns Russian fertiliser company Uralkali, the F1 team’s sponsor.
      Dmitry is close to President Putin and the two met only last month.
      He is believed to be at risk of being targeted by the sanctions designed to paralyse the Russian economy. 
      Mazepin, 22, already has one of the most controversial F1 racing careers, which was almost terminated before he’d even done a single race.
      In December 2020, he posted an Instagram story in which he appeared to inappropriately grope a woman’s breasts.
      Mazepin was involved in pre-season testing in Barcelona last weekCredit: PA
      The Haas team rebuked Mazepin’s actions and called the video “abhorrent” and while the Russian later apologised, he subsequently deleted it from social media.
      The controversy led to the hashtag “#WeSayNoToMazepin” trending on Twitter with fans calling on Haas to cancel his contract.
      And in 2016, Mazepin was banned for a race for hitting fellow racer Callum Ilott twice in the face after the Brit accidentally blocked him during a practice session.
      Meanwhile, fellow Russian, former Red Bull driver Daniil Kvyat, had earlier pleaded with the FIA not to ban Russian drivers.
      Kvyat wrote on social media calling for a peaceful end to the conflict in Ukraine but stopped short of condemning the actions of Putin.
      Referring to the war as the “situation in Ukraine”, Kvyat also said it was “unfair” that Russian athletes were being targeted. More

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      Who is F1 star Nikita Mazepin’s dad Dmitry and will driver still race in F1 this season?

      by

      NIKITA MAZEPIN is a Haas F1 Team driver who races alongside Mick Schumacher.After finishing fifth in the F2 championship, Nikita was presented with the opportunity to compete in F1, but the 22-year-old largely struggled throughout his opening season.
      Dmitry Mazepin helped son Nikita Mazepin compete in F1 after finishing fifth in F2Credit: Rex
      Day three of the F1 at Circuit de Barcelona – CatalunyaCredit: Getty
      The Russian finished in last place for the final F1 driver’s standings having received multiple penalties.
      But now, his name is being linked with controversy.
      To understand why, you will need to know more about his father Dmitry…
      Who is Nikita Mazepin’s dad Dmitry?
      Dmitry Mazepin is a Russian Forbes-listed billionaire father of driver Nikita Mazepin, who owns F1 team Haas’ sponsor Uralkali.
      He is a majority shareholder in successful mineral fertiliser company Uralchem.
      The 53-year-old who was born on 18, April 1968 and graduated from the Suvorov Military Academy in 1985, before serving as a military interpreter in Afghanistan between 1986 and 1988.
      Nikita Mazepin, left, and dad Dmitry were photographed with Vladimir Putin in 2020Credit: Alamy
      He then went on to graduate from the MGIMO University Department of Economics in 1992, which led to Mazepin leaping into the financial sector in both Russia and Belarus.
      He joined executive positions on TNK and Sibur, where he became one of Russia’s hugely influential figures.
      However he was not done there because in 2008, the Russian picked up another degree from the Saint Petersburg Institute for Economics and Management before earning his PHD in the same school four years later.
      Dmitry is married and has five children – the most famous being Haas F1 driver Nikita.
      What does Dmitry Mazepin own?
      In 2002, Dmitry was elected president of Sibur; a subsidiary gas producer company for Gazprom, to replace former position holder Jacob Goldovsky who was arrested for illegal removing assets from the company.
      The 53-year-old only held presidency for a year before leaving to create his own firm, Constructive Bureau.
      After a series of acquisitions, he then combined his assets to form Uralchem in 2007.
      By 2013, Dmitry was able to acquire a 20 per cent stake in the world’s largest potash producer, Uralkali, which operated as the official sponsor for his son Nikita’s F1 team Haas.
      Is Nikita Mazepin being dropped from Haas?
      Russia’s invasion of Ukraine put the future of Nikita Mazepin’s future in jeopardy due to his father’s apparent connections with Vladimir Putin.
      The billionaire Oligarch has been previously pictured meeting with Putin and is an associate of the Russian president.
      Owner Gene Haas has cut ties with Uralkali’s sponsorship following the invasion, potentially putting Nikita’s place on the grid at risk.
      But the FIA decided that Russian and Belarusian drivers can still compete, though they will be regarded as neutral athletes.
      That means Mazepin will still be able to race unless Haas decide to cancel his contract themselves.
      HaasF1Team have removed their Uralkali sponsorship following Russia’s invasion of UkraineCredit: Getty
      What has been said?
      Hass team principal Guenther Steiner commented on the matter by saying: “It needs to be resolved.
      “Not everything depends from us here what is happening. There’s governments involved, I have no power over them and we also need to see how the situation develops in Ukraine.”
      Son of Dmitry Mazepin, Nikita Mazepin later tweeted: “To my fans and followers – it’s a difficult time and I am not in control over a lot of what is being said and done.
      “I’m choosing to focus on what I can control by working hard and doing my best for @HaasF1Team.
      “My deepest thanks for your understanding and support.”
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      F1 decision to cancel Russian Grand Prix will hopefully end Vladimir Putin’s vanity project plans amid Ukraine invasion

      by

      FORMULA ONE’S decision to cancel the Russian Grand Prix will hopefully spell the end of Vladimir Putin’s pathetic vanity project.
      The race – due to be held in September in Sochi, the venue for the 2014 Winter Olympics – was ditched following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
      The Russian GP in Sochi was dropped as F1 responded to Putin invading UkraineCredit: Getty
      It is the swiftness with which F1 acted to dump the race from its calendar that should have the despot concerned, for the sport no longer needs him or his grubby roubles.
      Putin has always used sport as a way to reaffirm his position as Russia’s leader.
      The Winter Olympics and the 2018 World Cup – high-profile events, somehow procured but used to show the world he means business.
      But his deal with F1 was something more personal.
      It was a deal very publicly brokered with ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and one that was meant to show commitment until 2025 and also to involve Putin’s home city St Petersburg.
      But with Ecclestone no longer in control, the Russian GP has turned out to be nothing short of an embarrassment.
      Ecclestone convinced Russia to pay $50million (£37.3m) a year – at the time of the first race in 2014, it was more than any other venue on the F1 calendar.
      In fact, only oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Qatar currently stump up more than the bill Russia gets handed each year.
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      And, despite the huge sum, it is widely regarded as the worst on the calendar – for so many reasons.
      Sochi itself is Russia’s largest resort city, optimistically dubbed as the “Russian Riviera” – it sits by the Black Sea but has disappointing beaches and, well, not much else.
      The horribly dreary track is like racing around a giant car park and the rarely used theme park that sits behind the circuit is known in Formula One circles as “DismalLand”.
      Back in that debut season, Putin attended the race and made the podium presentations – never one to miss his opportunity, he subsequently has stood on it a few more times.
      In 2014, the sanctions imposed on Russia for invading Ukraine to annex the Crimean Peninsula were already beginning to bite.
      I remember an Italian restaurant running out of pasta and pizza bases while it took another two and a half hours to knock up a burger and chips.
      Attendances are always underwhelming and, without any Russian driver of any skill, there was never much interest in the sport in the country.
      In 2023, the plan is to move the Russian GP to the newly constructed Igora Drive circuit outside St Petersburg that has cost north of £200m to construct and giving Putin his dream.
      Lewis Hamilton met Vladimir Putin when he won the 2018 Russian GP and also triumphed last time out at Sochi in 2021Credit: AFP
      But unlike in 2014 when Ecclestone was organising the sale of F1, the sport’s American owners, Liberty Media, no longer need Russia’s £50m – or the headaches that come with it.
      This year, despite ongoing travel restrictions, F1 has no problem putting together a record-breaking 23-race calendar.
      F1 say there are no issues with legalities with the Russian promoter and that crucially there are no shortages of venues willing to fill the gap.
      Qatar is likeliest but Portugal, Turkey, and potential second races for Abu Dhabi, Bahrain or Saudi Arabia are all options.
      Add into the mix extra races in Las Vegas and Germany in 2023, plus China’s return, there is very little need to go back to Russia ever again, which would be welcomed by everyone in F1.
      FIA WAR SUMMIT
      THE FIA will hold “an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council” today to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.
      It comes after F1’s governing body was put under increased pressure to boot out Haas’ Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.
      The FIA have been urged to stop all drivers competing with a Russian racing licence.
      Haas could replace him with Pietro Fittipaldi, grandson of two-time Formula One world champ Emerson Fittipaldi.
      But engine suppliers Ferrari want Italian Antonio Giovinazzi.
      MOTO GP BOOST
      MOTOGP chiefs hope their new fly-on-the-wall TV series gives the championship a boost – just like F1’s own Netflix effect.
      The season begins this weekend in Qatar and MotoGP have a deal with Amazon Prime to show eight 50-minute episodes, launching on March 14.
      The only problem is season four of F1’s Drive to Survive starts three days earlier.
      MAX EX IS ELECTRIC
      MAX VERSTAPPEN’S ex, Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky, is leading the electric offroad series, Extreme E.
      Sweden’s Mikaela Ahlin-Kottulinsky is worth a plug after her outstanding start to the electric offroad series, Extreme ECredit: Splash
      The Swedish driver, 29, dated the Formula One champion for nine months when he drove for Toro Rosso – but the pair split up when he joined Red Bull in 2016.
      Ahlin-Kottulinsky drives for Nico Rosberg’s RXR Extreme E team and holds the record of five podium finishes.
      DOOR OPEN FOR HASLAM’S WSBK RETURN
      LEON HASLAM, son of legendary Rocket Ron, could yet return to WorldSBK – that is despite choosing to race in the 2022 British Superbike Championship.
      The 38-year-old Brit, who won the BSB title in 2018, is in advanced talks to make possible wildcard appearances for the Pedercini Kawasaki team. More

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      ‘Hope for peace’ – Daniil Kvyat begs for Russian drivers not be banned from F1 and demands talks after Ukraine invasion

      by

      FORMER F1 driver Daniil Kvyat has pleaded with the FIA not to ban Russian drivers from racing.The former Red Bull driver is due to race in the World Endurance Championship this season.
      Former F1 star Daniil Kyvat has urged the FIA not to ban Russian driversCredit: Getty
      But he risks being hit by the blanket ban under pressure from the International Olympic Committee to prevent all Russian athletes from competing.
      Kvyat wrote on social media calling for a peaceful end to the conflict in Ukraine but stopped well short of condemning the actions of his country’s leader, warmonger Vladimir Putin.
      Referring to the war as the “situation in Ukraine”, Kvyat also said it was “unfair” that Russian athletes were being targeted.
      He wrote: “I really hope for a peaceful solution to this situation in Ukraine, and that we can all live in peace.
      “Hopefully all parties can find a solution by sitting together and through a respected dialogue. It horrifies me to see two brotherhood nations in a conflict. 
      “I don’t want military actions and wars to influence the future of humanity. I want my daughter and all children to enjoy this beautiful world.
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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      “I would also like to highlight and address all sports federations across the world, including IOC, that sport should remain outside politics.
      “And disallowing Russian athletes and teams from participating in world competitions is an unfair solution and goes against what sport teaches us in principle: the unity and peace.
      “Who else if not us sports people will help to glue nations together in the upcoming times.”
      It is difficult to dismiss Putin’s association with sport.
      He has been a long-term supporter of the Russian GP and has stood on the podium on a number of occasions and issued the trophies. More

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      Motorsport star-turned-porn star Renee Gracie wants to return to racing, but fears being targeted by rivals

      by

      DRIVER-turned-porn star Renee Gracie still wants to race cars, despite being snubbed by motorsport organisations in her native Australia. The 27-year-old Brisbane beauty competed in the V8 Supercar Championships, before setting up an OnlyFans account and making a fortune through adult-only content.
      Renee Gracie wants racing but fears being a target for her rivalsCredit: Instagram / @therenee_gracie
      Recent reports suggested Gracie was looking into the prospect of buying her own team from her earnings.
      But for the moment, she is keeping her options open and hasn’t ruled out a move overseas to revive her motorsport career.
      “At the moment I’m trying to find something that is going to be fun, a safe and fun environment,” she told SunSport.
      “My mental health is important to me after seeing how motorsport can affect it.
      “So the decision to race won’t be taken lightly. I want to make sure it suits me, the people I race for and my sponsors.
      “At this stage I’m still thinking about if I stay in Australia or go overseas where I feel I would be more welcome. 
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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      “I really do want to race again. I got a go-kart, I did a few races to try get back into the swing of things.”
      However, Gracie fears she may be targeted by other drivers who could try to shunt her out of races.
      For that reason, choosing the right category to drive in is vital.
      She revealed: “As a female I was always targeted anyways, so if I get back into racing I’m sure it will still be the same.
      Gracie bought herself a go-kart to practiceCredit: Instagram / @therenee_gracie
      “So picking a category where people are crashing into me because of who I am is a big consideration.
      “Being targeted is something that will happen and I don’t feel like being crashed into at every race.
      “I just want to go racing, have fun, throw an amazing event, meet some new people and push myself to the limit again. If I can tick all these boxes I’ll be very happy.” More