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    Lando Norris fastest on day one of 2022 F1 testing in Barcelona with Lewis Hamilton fifth and champ Max Verstappen NINTH

    LANDO NORRIS ended the first day of F1 pre-season testing top of the timesheets in Barcelona.The Brit notched 103 laps on the opening day as he led both Ferraris with Charles Leclerc second and Carlos Sainz third.
    Lando Norris was the quickest racer on day one of F1 testing for the 2022 season in BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Max Verstappen completed more laps than any other driver but could only finish ninthCredit: Getty
    Lewis Hamilton came in fifth on day one of testing, narrowly behind team-mate George RussellCredit: PA
    Hamilton had earlier had a nose around rival teams’ garages, including Red Bull’sCredit: Splash
    Defending champion Max Verstappen put in a huge shift as he completed 147 laps, more than any other driver on the grid.
    Verstappen ended the day ninth fastest after doing long runs, as Red Bull discover their new RB18 over long stints.
    Lewis Hamilton stepped into his Mercedes for the afternoon session and completed 50 laps.
    The Brit veteran was fifth fastest, just over a tenth slower than his new teammate George Russell.
    Hamilton began the day on a spy mission, peering into Red Bull’s garage on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
    The seven-time British world champion was spotted in the pit-lane examining Red Bull’s car for the 2022 season.
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    F1 has undergone the biggest overhaul of its regulations in a generation and Hamilton couldn’t wait to catch a glimpse of his rivals. 
    Hamilton said: “This morning, arriving and looking down the pit lane and seeing all the different cars, I think it’s one of the most exciting and interesting seasons that I’ve ever embarked upon. 
    “It will be interesting to see where everyone comes out and where we stand in the first race.
    ”Every year is exciting but this one is completely brand new. 
    “I’ve seen designs of our car obviously, but this is the first time you get to see the other teams out there on track. 
    “You want to keep a close eye and see why others have taken a different route. 
    “You have no idea where you stand, so it’s definitely exciting. 
    “I hope these rules deliver in terms of closer racing. It puts everyone on a closer playing field.”
    After contemplating retiring from the sport, Hamilton is back with his eyes set on eclipsing Michael Schumacher’s record by winning his eighth world title.
    But when asked if he fears Mercedes may not provide him with a car worthy of challenging for another title, Hamilton responded: “Why would I ever feel that way?
    “My team don’t make mistakes. Of course that is a risk (with the new regulations) but I trust the team. Whether it is good or bad we will work through it.”
    McLaren star Lando Norris put in a great shift and was the only racer to crack the 1min 20sec barrier in Barcelona on day one of testingCredit: Rex
    Full standings
    1) Lando Norris (McLaren) 1.19.568secs
    2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1.20.165
    3) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 1.20.416
    4) George Russell (Mercedes) 1.20.784
    5) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1.20.929
    6) Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) 1.21.276
    7) Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) 1.21.638
    8) Fernando Alonso (Alpine) 1.21.746
    9) Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1.22.246 
    10)  Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo )1.22.572
    11) Alex Albon (Williams) 1.22.760
    12) Mick Schumacher (Haas) 1.22.962
    13) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 1.23.327
    14) Nicholas Latifi (Williams) – 1.23.379
    15) Nikita Mazepin (Haas) – 1.24.505
    16) Robert Kubica (Alfa Romeo) – 1.25.909 More

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    ‘We need to move on’ – Wolff and Horner AGREE to put 2021 title finale behind them after Hamilton-Verstappen controversy

    MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff and his Red Bull rival Christian Horner agreed that it’s time to move on from last season’s controversial finale.The Silver Arrows have been smarting from Lewis Hamilton losing the title to Max Verstappen on a dramatic final day in Abu Dhabi.
    Christian Horner (second left) and Toto Wolff (second right) agreed to put the 2021 finale behind themCredit: Getty
    Lewis Hamilton drives the new Mercedes around Barcelona in testing on WednesdayCredit: PA
    The fallout even led to race director Michael Masi being fired and a change in regulations regarding team communications.
    But the cars hit the track in Barcelona on Wednesday for testing ahead of the 2022 season.
    And Wolff and Horner both think it’s time to look ahead to the new season rather than revisit the past.
    Red Bull chief Horner said: “Maybe we have different opinions, but that’s behind us now.
    “We saw a great battle last year from the first race to the last. That has been hugely important for the rise in popularity of Formula 1.”
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    And his rival Wolff agreed: “I agree with Christian that we need to move on.
    “There has been so much talk about Abu Dhabi that it came to a point that it is really damaging for all of us stakeholders of Formula 1 and we have closed the chapter and moved on.
    “Now it is about 2022. The game is on again, all points are back to zero and there are new opportunities and new risks.”
    The teams have a three-day test in Spain this week and three more days in Bahrain from March 10-12.
    The season begins on March 18 in Bahrain with 23 races currently on the 2022 calendar. More

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    F1 testing LIVE: All the updates from Barcelona as Lewis Hamilton arrives at circuit

    FORMULA ONE is BACK with testing underway in Barcelona.All the teams have the opportunity to put their vehicles through their paces in Catalunya and Lewis Hamilton is keen to get on with the season underway, before renewing his rivalry with world champ Max Verstappen.
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    Stay up to date with all the updates from F1 testing in our live blog…
    Top ten (timing update)
    1) Charles Leclerc – 1m20.165
    2) Lando Norris – 1.20.474
    3) George Russell – 1.20.784
    4) Lewis Hamilton – 1.21.032
    5) Sebastian Vettel – 1.21.276
    6) Yuki Tsunoda – 1.21.638 
    7) Carlos Sainz – 1.22.134
    8) Max Verstappen – 1.22.246
    9) Alex Albon -1.22.938 C3
    10) Fernando Alonso – 1.23.317
    Norris stops in pit-lane
    The Brit’s strong start came to halt as he was wheeled back to his garage after stopping at the end of the pit-lane.Timing update:
    1) Charles Leclerc – 1.20.165
    2) Lando Norris – 1.20.474 
    3) George Russell – 1.20.784
    4) Sebastian Vettel – 1.21.276
    5) Yuki Tsunoda – 1.21.638
    6) Max Verstappen – 1.22.246
    7) Carlos Sainz – 1.22.516
    8) Fernando Alonso – 1.23.317, C3 
    9) Nicholas Latifi – 1.23.379
    10) Lewis Hamilton – 1.23.382
    Cars return on track…
    The afternoon session is underway but most of the cars have stayed in their garage.
    In recent years it’s known teams like to stick around the paddock for a long lunch….
    Verstappen is back out on track while Valterri Bottas is getting the first feel of his Alfa Romeo.
    Clocking up the miles
    Verstappen, Russell and Leclerc have spent the most time on track this morning in Barcelona.
    Verstappen with 80, Leclerc with 77 and Russell just crossing the line to complete his 76th lap of the day for Mercedes.
    Norris up to second
    The Brit is finding his groove with the new McLaren as he’s second behind Charles Leclerc.
    Norris trails Leclerc by two tenths as the young guns are looking to steal the show.
    Kubica finally sets a time
    Kubica has set his first representative lap time of 1:25.909.
    The Alfa Romeo is now nine laps in and his time has relegated the Haas of Nikita Mazepin to the bottom of the standings. 
    20 minute countdown
    Charles Leclerc is still top of the time sheets for Ferarri.
    Lando Norris has moved up to third fastest behind fellow Brit George Russell.
    1) Leclerc – 1:20:1652) Russell – 1:20:7843) Norris – 1:21:7134) Vettel – 1:21:2765) Tsunoda – 1:21:368

    Latifi leads the way
    Nicholas Latifi is first out for Williams as he exits in the pits having already done 47 laps.
    Williams’ new-boy Alex Albon will step foot in the car in the afternoon session.

    LECLERC REGAINS TOP SPOT
    Leclerc returns to the top of the timesheet with a 1:20:165.
    The Ferrari has now clocked up over 50 laps and is looking in good nick.
    George Russell slips down to second fastest but improves with a 1:20:784.
    Verstappen has done ten more laps than his Mercedes rival Russell with 65 under his belt.
    LIMITED TIME FOR ALFA ROMEO
    The Camouflaged car hasn’t been able to do much hiding out on track, as Kubica has only managed four laps.
    Is it a worrying sign for the Italian team?

    RUSSELL IS FASTEST
    The Mercedes is looking strong and so is their new star George Russell.
    Russell’s hard work over the winter appears to be paying off as he puts in a lap of 1:21:039.
    Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferarri make up the top three.
    MAX VERSTAPPEN HITS 50
    Verstappen has completed his 50th lap of the morning as the current world champion gets to grips with the new RB18.
    George Russell currently holds the fastest lap time with a 1:21:039 in his Mercedes.
    Verstappen is third on the time sheets with a time of 1:22:246.
    Ferarri have split the two Mercedes with Leclerc clocking a time of 1:21:718.
    ALL NEW ALFA ROMEO
    Alfa Romeo welcome their new driver line up ahead of the new season after bringing in Valtteri Bottas from Mercedes and Chinese rookie Zhou Guanyu.
    But this morning, neither of them are in the car as they’ve looked to experienced reserve driver Robert Kubica to pump in the miles in Barcelona.
    Bottas is set to be in the car later this afternoon while Zhou will be stepping into the car on Thursday.

    Hamilton sets the tone
    LEWIS HAMILTON has been pictured peering into Red Bull’s garage on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona.
    The seven-time British world champion was spotted in the pit-lane examining Red Bull’s car for the 2022 season.
    Hamilton was eager to get a glimpse of the RB18 at the first opportunity at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

    F1 calendar 2022
    Here is how the season is set to shape up – with races starting in Bahrain in just under a month’s time.
    Then races make their way to Europe in April, before arriving at Silverstone in July for the British Grand Prix.

    🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Good morning and welcome to F1 testing
    Formula One testing is BACK underway in Barcelona ahead of what we hope will be another classic season.
    There are new cars, new liveries and drivers suited and booted for their new teams for the first time.
    But of course we’re expecting two familiar faces to go toe-to-toe for the F1 title this season.
    Lewis Hamilton has arrived on the track, three months after one of the most controversial moments in the history of any sport.
    The Brit is chasing his eighth world title, after being pipped by rival Max Verstappen in the last race of last season in Abu Dhabi.
    That led to Michael Masi being relieved of his duties as race director and a cloud cast over the sport’s rules.
    But one thing is for sure, a fast car will win you a race in Formula One and this is a crucial step in winning either a constructor’s or driver’s title – or ideally both.
    Load more entries… More

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    Hamilton wants ‘non-biased’ stewards and says ‘some drivers are friends with certain individuals’ after Masi controversy

    LEWIS HAMILTON has called for “non-biased stewards” ahead of the 2022 Formula One season.The seven-time British world champion hopes future decisions made by officials are not influenced by their friendship with drivers.
    Lewis Hamilton wants ‘non-biased stewards’ ahead of the new F1 seasonCredit: AP
    Hamilton said: “We need to make sure we get non-biased stewards.
    “Race drivers, some are very, very good friends with certain individuals, some travel with certain individuals and tend to take more of a keen liking to some of them.
    “I think people who have no bias and are super central when it comes to making decisions.”
    This comes after Hamilton lost out on a record-breaking EIGHTH world-title on the final lap in Abu Dhabi last season. 
    Race director Michael Masi controversially cleared the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen under a safety car, allowing the Dutchman to have a clear run on Hamilton with fresh tyres to clinch his first championship.
    But in response to Hamilton, Red Bull boss Christian Horner denies any knowledge of drivers travelling to and from races with stewards.
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    Lewis Hamilton trumps his rival Max Verstappen in almost every category
    Horner said: “I don’t think there is an intended bias, I’m not aware of any stewards travelling with drivers to races. 
    “We have a new president that is looking to bolster the structure and to bring in the equivalent of VAR which is something that certainly the top teams have available to them. 
    “I certainly don’t think there was any bias from stewards during the last seasons.”
    Mercedes chief Toto Wolff played down Hamilton’s suggestion of bias and agreed with Horner’s sentiment.
    He said: “I think we need professionalism in the stewards room. 
    “I don’t think there is a conscious bias to be honest.
    “It’s intelligent people, but most important is whether we talk about race direction, the support they will have back at base, or the stewards, there needs to be a standard. 
    “This is what we deserve and this is what everybody expects. 
    “I think there are some very good people that we can build upon. 
    “Most important – and we all have talked about it last year – was the topic of inconsistency.
    “There shouldn’t be a lot of room to interpret the rules. 
    “There shouldn’t be a lot of leniency depending on what a potential outcome could be, but the rules are the rules.”
    Michael Masi controversially cleared the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen under a safety carCredit: Getty More

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    Meet NZ mum-of-two Angela Cullen who is Lewis Hamilton’s confidante in the paddock and has a matching ‘Loyalty’ tattoo

    WHEN Lewis Hamilton lost his crown as the king of F1 back in December, he was comforted by confidante and performance coach Angela Cullen.The 47-year-old New Zealand mum-of-two has been a constant presence in the seven-time world champion’s life in the paddock since 2016.
    Lewis Hamilton and Angela Cullen share a special bondCredit: Rex
    Cullen has been a constant presence in the paddock for Hamilton since 2016Credit: Rex
    Their bond is so strong they share matching ‘Loyalty’ tattoos on their wrists.
    If he is to wrestle back supremacy this season from Max Verstappen, he will need to lean on Cullen, who he has called “the greatest thing to happen to him”, for sage advice.
    The only lady for Lewis
    Last October, Hamilton forced his way into the title reckoning by winning three races in a row.
    After a wretched start to the season, he was back on the trail of Verstappen.
    His attentions for his thrilling comeback to keep his season alive went straight to Cullen.
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    Hamilton revealed: “Angela and I are naturally incredibly close. We pretty much live together.”
    Previously, he said: “People for sure won’t understand it, naturally, because they see it from a distance, but she has been one of the greatest things that’s happened to me in my life.
    “I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of people… and she’s the single hardest-working woman that I get to be around.
    “She’s focused, selfless, and she makes my weekends peaceful. Every day I wake up, whatever time it is, she’s just positive – never a single day has she been negative, so that’s very, very important.”
    A physiotherapist by trade
    Born and raised in Auckland, Cullen played hockey for New Zealand between the ages of 15 and 21.
    She completed a health science degree, majoring in physiotherapy, in her homeland before moving to the UK.
    When Cullen arrived on our shores, she worked with track and field athletes, cyclists, and triathletes on the British Olympic team and at the English Institute of Sport. 
    Cullen cheers on Hamilton at the Mexican Grand Prix in 2018Credit: Rex
    Hamilton’s beloved bulldog Roscoe is trusted with CullenCredit: Rex
    But it was colleague Peter McKnight who pushed her towards the direction of Hamilton, suggesting the pair should work together.
    “At the time, Angela was mainly working with corporate clients, but when the opportunity to work with Lewis came up we thought, ‘Why not give this a go?'” McKnight told Telegraph Sport.
    “It has worked out perfectly.
    “There’s also just something quirky about it: a woman in her forties, with a family at home, two young kids, and then there’s this mid-thirties racing driver. It might seem a really weird match, but it just works.”
    Glam life
    Now based in Switzerland, Cullen is married to a cycling coach and has two children.
    Although, working in F1 means she enjoys the jet-set lifestyle and is rarely home when the season commences.
    The outdoor adventure-type often shares her exploits on Instagram, where she has an astonishing 320,000 followers.
    “I am so blessed in my job for many things but one of the most significant in terms of well-being is being on the move the entire day,” she once posted.
    “On any given race weekend day I can do up to 18,000 steps, this is such a blessing… and I don’t sit down at all.
    “This is a choice… staying upright, moving keeps my body fit and mobile, in a world where computers and devices are making us more sedentary, to be able to move constantly throughout the day is such a blessing.”
    When she’s not travelling around the world with Hamilton, Cullen enjoys the outdoor life in Switzerland
    Cullen helps Hamilton remain focused and alleviates the pressures of race day
    With Cullen by his side, Hamilton will be hopeful he can retain his title from fierce rival Max VerstappenCredit: Rex
    What she provides Lewis is simple. She blocks out the pressures and demands on him during a race day.
    She said: “I see my role as removing the noise of the race weekend to ensure things run as smoothly as possible, managing schedules, and timings of travel, nutrition, focusing on energy management to ensure the driver arrives on Sunday with the best possible perpetration to give the optimal performance.”
    If Lewis is successful in overcoming Verstappen this coming season, Cullen will be in some way responsible for his success. More

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    Alfa Romeo run special camouflage car in first public outing during F1 testing in Barcelona to keep new livery a secret

    ALFA ROMEO have done a good job of keeping their 2022 livery under wraps by fielding a camouflage car at F1 testing in Barcelona.Preparations are continuing for the upcoming 2022 F1 season, with testing taking place in the Spanish city.
    Alfa Romeo are conducting testing in a one-off camouflage liveryCredit: AP
    The official livery is not being revealed until SundayCredit: Rex
    The special design caught they eye at F1 testing in BarcelonaCredit: Rex
    And while the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren have already revealed their cars for next season, Alfa Romeo are yet to do so.
    The ninth-placed finishers in the Constructor’s Championship from last year don’t officially unveil their new livery until Sunday, February 27.
    So as a result a special one-off snazzy camouflage look is being used at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for F1 testing this week.
    Mercedes recently revealed their new W13 retro-looking car to high praise from fans of the Silver Arrows.
    Meanwhile Ferarri unveiled their new F1-75 car earlier this month too, which they hope will compete with Mercedes and Red Bull this year.
    Back at Alfa Romeo Valteri Bottas will partner Zhou Guanyu behind the wheel of the new C42 for the upcoming season.
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    The Finnish driver joins the team after being replaced at Mercedes by George Russell.
    And he’ll be hoping to help Alfa Romeo to more than the meagre 13 points they scored in the entire 2021 campaign.
    Only a pointless season from backmarkers Haas stopped Alfa Romeo from finishing rock bottom of the Constructor’s Championship.
    Elsewhere at testing in Barcelona Lewis Hamilton was spotted having a cheeky look into the Red Bull garage.
    The seven-time world champ went on a stroll down the pit lane as he gears up for a shot at a record eighth F1 world title this year.
    And he couldn’t resist a sneak peek at rival Max Verstappen’s car.
    Hamilton recently ended months of retirement speculation by confirming he would return to the grid for a sixteenth year behind the wheel. More

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    Watch cheeky Lewis Hamilton peer into Red Bull garage on spy mission on first day of F1 testing after title heartbreak

    CHEEKY Lewis Hamilton went on a spy mission peering into Red Bull’s garage on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. The seven-time British world champion was spotted in the pit-lane examining Red Bull’s car for the 2022 season.

    Hooded Hamilton strolled down the pit-line peering into garages looking at his rivals’ carsCredit: SPLASH NEWS
    Hamilton was checking out all of the garages in the pit-lane – including the Williams teamCredit: SKY SPORTS
    Hamilton was eager to scope out the competition and get a glimpse of the RB18 at the first opportunity at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
    He also took a look at most of the other teams during his stroll, in which he wore a hood and a mask and a long coat.
    The Brit is hungry to clinch his record-breaking EIGHTH world title after cruelly missing out on the last lap in Abu Dhabi last season.
    The FIA controversially cleared the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen under a safety car, allowing the Dutchman to have a clear run on Hamilton with fresh tyres to clinch his first championship.
    This dramatic Grand Prix led to a social media blackout from Hamilton for over two months, which led to questions regarding whether or not he would walk away from the sport.
    But Hamilton ended silence with the message: “I’ve Been Gone. Now I’m Back!”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    The Brit confessed he had lost faith in the sport after the debacle which led to race director Michael Masi being axed from his role by the FIA.
    He said: “It was obviously a difficult time for me to be honest. I just unplugged. I switched off.
    “I think that firstly, one side of it is I deserve to be able to switch off at the end of the year anyway.
    “I had my family around me, which was a rare occasion for us all to be together, and I just focused on being present with them.
    “Obviously it took time to digest what had happened, which is still difficult to fully understand everything.
    “But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so I put my focus into training, getting healthy and enjoying the time off.” More

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    Toto Wolff insists Lewis Hamilton is NOT Mercedes No1 as George Russell prepares for his debut season at reigning champs

    TOTTO WOLFF insisted Lewis Hamilton is not the No1 man at Mercedes – because the team do not rank their drivers. Hamilton has a new team-mate with the Silver Arrows this season.
    Toto Wolff claims there is no hierarchy between Lewis Hamilton and George RussellCredit: AFP
    George Russell returned from his loan at Williams and is ready to compete for the title in his debut season with the reigning constructors’ champions.
    And team principal Wolff denied suggestions Russell is simply there to support Hamilton on the track.
    The Austrian said to Sky Sports: “We never had a situation where one and two.
    “They have equal opportunities and the same car.
    “This year, the interesting situation is we have in George the up-and-coming star [in one seat], and undoubtedly the best Formula One driver ever in the other seat.
    “So the dynamic is new and clearly it’s something that we will try to steer in a direction that has the most positive effect on developing the car and making us overall competitive.”
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    Valtteri Bottas spent five years alongside Hamilton at Mercedes, but it was clear he played second fiddle to the Brit.
    They won five constructors’ championships together but Hamilton fell agonisingly short of an eighth drivers’ title on the final lap in Abu Dhabi in December.
    Now with Alfa Romeo, Bottas revealed he found it tough as the obvious No2.
    He told SunSport: “When I joined Mercedes, it was difficult for me to take the lead because of Lewis being there.
    “With him being in the team, it was always difficult for me to take that lead role.
    “So now it is different and a fresh start for me — and having that lead role is a good feeling.
    “There were great moments and I enjoyed working with Lewis and Toto, but I am also really excited for my new chapter.”
    ‘WORK WELL TOGETHER’
    Speaking at Mercedes’ launch of their new 2022 season car last week, Russell was confident he and Hamilton will make a strong partnership.
    The 24-year-old from King’s Lynn said: “I think we’re pretty similar. Time will tell.
    “From what I’ve seen, I do think we have a similar way of driving, where we always try and find the limit of the tyre, but not often trying to go over the limit.
    “[We’re] pretty smooth in our general approach… I think we’ll be in a very similar boat. I have no doubt that we’ll be working well together.”
    The first days of pre-season testing take place this week with another round in March before the F1 season gets underway in Bahrain on March 20. More