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      Aston Martin to appeal decision to disqualify Sebastian Vettel from F1 Hungary GP with new evidence on fuel

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      ASTON MARTIN plan to fight the decision to ban Sebastian Vettel from from the the F1 Hungary GP last weekend.The German driver was stripped of his second-placed finish after the race’s conclusion as stewards couldn’t extract the right amount of required fuel to sample from Vettel’s motor.
      Aston Martin plan to appeal Vettel’s disqualification from the Hungary GP with new evidenceCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
      This saw his rival Lewis Hamilton bumped up from third place to steal Vettel’s spot on the podium.
      But his Aston Martin team aren’t taking the FIA’s decision lying down and have revealed they’ll be fighting Vettel’s dismissal with new evidence that’s emerged about his fuel.
      In a statement shared by the Daily Mail, Aston Martin claimed that their findings show that Vettel’s car had MORE than the required 1.0 litre fuel amount after the race.
      And that he didn’t benefit from any advantage from the undeliberate alleged regulatory offence.
      They wrote: “After Sebastian Vettel’s drive to second place on the road in the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday August 1st.
      “He was disqualified from the results when a 1.0-litre sample of fuel was not able to be taken from his car after the race (a requirement as set out in the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations).
      “There was and is no suggestion that Vettel’s Aston Martin car benefited from a performance advantage from the alleged regulatory breach, or that it was deliberate.
      “Since the team’s data indicated that there was more than 1.0 litre of fuel in the car after the race – 1.74 litres according to the data – the team immediately reserved its right to appeal.
      “And has requested a right of review alongside the appeal procedure.
      “As a result of having discovered significant new evidence relevant to the sanction which was unavailable to it at the time of the FIA stewards’ decision.”
      If their appeal is successful, it will be the second time Vettel’s finished second, a feat which he first achieved earlier this year in Azerbaijan.
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      The 34-year-old also found himself in hot water again after the Hungary GP for wearing a rainbow-coloured top during the race in donning a rainbow flag in a message against Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law.
      Then the FIA reprimanded him for failing to remove the T-shirt.
      He received support from Hamilton, who slammed their decision to sanction him and said he’ll wear the same top next time in unison with Vettel.
      F1 star Sebastian Vettel helps Silverstone cleaners pick up litter after British Grand Prix More

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      MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi will RETIRE at end of the season as nine-time World Champion hints at move into car racing

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      MOTOGP icon Valentino Rossi will retire from the sport at the end of the season.The Italian, 42, is one of the greatest riders in motorcycle racing history and is a NINE-TIME world champion.
      MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi will retire at the end of the seasonCredit: AFP
      The Italian, 42, is a NINE-TIME World Champion – but has struggled in recent yearsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Rossi will bring down the curtain on an illustrious 25-year career which brought an incredible 115 victories and 235 total podium finishes
      He is the only rider to win the 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP world championships and one of just two men, along with Giacomo Agostini (122), to win more than 100 races.
      Rossi made the announcement ahead of the Styrian GP – at the venue where he took his first grand prix podium in the 125cc class in 1996.
      Nicknamed The Doctor, Rossi told a press conference: “I decided to stop at the end of the season.
      “It’s difficult, it’s a very sad moment because it’s difficult to say and to know that next year I will not race with the motorcycle.
      “I do this thing for more or less 30 years. Next year my life will change. But anyway, it was great, I enjoy very much this long, long journey and it was really, really fun.”
      When asked about the next stage of his career, Rossi hinted he could turn to four wheels after spending three decades on two.
      “I love to race with the cars,” he said.
      “Just a little bit less than racing with motorcycles. So I think I will race with the cars from next year.”
      He also said one aim was to compete in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

      Rossi has 115 wins – the second most everCredit: Reuters
      Rossi is riding for the Malaysia-based Petronas Yamaha team but his form has faded, the veteran languishing 19th in the championship with a best finish of only 10th from nine races.
      A showman on the bike and off it, and famed for his post-victory antics, he last won a race in 2017 with Yamaha, in the Dutch TT at Assen.
      The sport and his army of fans will miss him, the Italian still a crowd favourite with worldwide recognition and capable, in pre-pandemic times, of packing out his home races.
      Yamaha hailed him as a living legend and GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in a statement of thanks.
      “I entertain a lot of people on Sunday afternoons,” said Rossi. “One or two hours on a Sunday when they don’t think of anything and just follow my races.”
      The only rider to have started 400 or more races, Rossi has 89 wins from the top category and 26 others from the junior 125cc and 250cc categories.
      He has stood on the podium 235 times in his career, the first coming in Austria in 1996 with third place on a 125cc Aprilia.
      “It is a difficult decision but I think that at the end in all sports, the results make the difference. In the end I think it is the right way,” said Rossi, who could have hired himself to race on with his own, new Saudi-backed Aramco VR46 team.
      That team, using Ducati bikes, already has Rossi’s half-brother Luca Marini lined up and the sponsors were keen for them to pair up.
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      He previously was a test driver for Ferrari and could return to four-wheeled racingCredit: AFP

      Rossi joked that he had made himself an offer, and had thought seriously about it, but it was not the right move for just one season and it was time to do something different even if he will remain a paddock regular.
      “I feel that I am a rider or a driver for all life long,” added the Italian, who tested with the Ferrari Formula One team several times between 2004 and 2010, has competed in rallies and started out racing go-karts.
      “I’m a little bit sad to not win the 10th championship,” he said. “I think that I deserve (it) for my level and my speed. I lose two times in the last race. But it is like this. I can’t complain about the result of my career.”
      Robot motorbike takes on legendary MotoGP star Valentino Rossi in ultimate man vs machine track battle – but who wins? More

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      Lewis Hamilton shares training footage & admits staying in shape is ‘real pain in the butt cheek’ after long Covid scare

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      LEWIS HAMILTON admitted staying in shape is a ‘real pain in the butt cheek’.The Formula One superstar, 36, shared training footage on his Instagram story on Tuesday.
      Lewis Hamilton is putting in the hard work during the mid-season F1 breakCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      The reigning world champ joked the exercise is a ‘pain in the butt cheek’Credit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      Hamilton posted a series of videos in a bright orange T-shirt and grey shorts working out on an exercise bike, seemingly on a balcony with a sea view in the reflection.
      He added another clip topless with his tattoo artwork on display.
      The reigning world champion wrote to his 23.3million followers: “Summer training starts now. Let’s go!
      “Working through it. Nothing we can’t do.
      “Pushing to expand these lungs.
      “Training can be a real pain in the butt cheek but no pain no gain.”
      The videos come just a day after Hamilton prescribed himself some time off to rest and recover.
      He is struggling with the effects of long Covid, which left him dizzy and suffering from exhaustion at the weekend.
      The Brit crossed the line third at the Hungary GP on Sunday after a dramatic fightback.
      But the seven-time world champ was upgraded to second when Sebastian Vettel was disqualified for breaching fuel regulations.
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      That saw him extend his lead at the top of the drivers’ championship standings to eight points over Max Verstappen.
      Hamilton and his fellow F1 drivers have four weeks away from the track during the mid-season summer break.
      The F1 campaign resumes on the last weekend of August for race 12 of 23 at Spa in Belgium.
      Hamilton has four weeks until the next race weekend at Spa in BelgiumCredit: Instagram / @lewishamilton
      He took another step towards the world title on Sunday but felt dizzy and exhausted by the endCredit: Splash
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      Fatigued and dizzy Lewis Hamilton struggles to stand up on podium More

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      Sir Jackie Stewart says Max Verstappen would have been KILLED in Lewis Hamilton F1 crash ‘if it was back in my day’

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      SIR JACKIE STEWART reckons Max Verstappen would have been killed if his Silverstone crash with Lewis Hamilton had happened in his day.Verstappen was taken out by the Brit in a 180mph accident that thumped him into the barriers, with the impact g-force measured at 51g.
      Hamilton collided with Verstappen at 180mph with the impact g-force measured at 51g at Silverstone
      Verstappen was flown to hospital for an MRI and CT scans but later released the following night
      Sir Stewart thinks Verstappen would of been killed if the crash with Hamilton happened in his dayCredit: Alamy
      The Dutchman was flown to hospital for an MRI and CT scans but later released the following night.
      But three time world champion Stewart expressed a concern at “liberties that are being taken” by drivers.
      He said: “Lewis’ incident with Verstappen was very disturbing for me.
      “Frankly, if that had been in my day and well after my day, Verstappen would’ve been killed.
      “The race track has been made so safe, the run-off areas so big, and the structures that he [Verstappen] finally came to a stop on, and even then the g-forces were enormous.
      “I think that was a great example of what Silverstone have done to make the track safer.

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      “However, people are taking more liberties today than they were before because the penalties are not so large, now it’s so safe that I think people are taking too many chances.
      “The early laps at Silverstone was a good example of that because I think both drivers were overdriving, particularly when you think about it being only the beginning of the race.
      “We’ve got to readdress that and sadly it sometimes takes a big, big action or even a life to make that come to real understanding.”
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      Fatigued and dizzy Lewis Hamilton struggles to stand up on podium More

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      Lewis Hamilton slams FIA’s ‘bulls***’ decision to warn Sebastian Vettel for wearing rainbow T-shirt at Hungarian GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has slammed the FIA’s “bulls***” decision to reprimand Sebastian Vettel for wearing a rainbow T-shirt. The German was given a ticking off for not removing the item of clothing, which also had the words “same love” written across the front.
      Vettel wore the top in support of the LGBTQ+ community who the Hungarian government have controversial laws againstCredit: Reuters
      Hamilton has slammed the FIA’s decision to warn Vettel for wearing a rainbow coloured top at the Hungarian GPCredit: Getty
      It came after both Hamilton and Vettel spoke out against the Hungarian government’s controversial anti-LGBTQ+ law that limits education on homosexuality and transgender issues.
      Formula One last year launched the ‘We Race As One’ platform launched that counts diversity, inclusivity and sustainability as its core principles.
      Drivers are free to wear apparel with a message that is supportive of the initiative’s principles.
      But they were instructed to remove any such T-shirts before the national anthem and wear their race suits in a pre-race note issued by race director Michael Masi.
      Vettel failed to do so, later claiming he forgot to take it off because of the onset of rain.
      Hamilton wrote on social media: “Super proud of this guy. There is no rule that says what colour shirt you can wear and supporting the LGBTQ+ community is not reprimandable.
      “This is bs. Well done, Seb. I’ll join you next time with the same shirt.”
      He later removed the “bs” reference, amending his message to say: “Love to see this Seb supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Love always wins.”
      Meanwhile, Vettel’s Aston Martin has been impounded and sent to France pending a further FIA investigation after he was disqualified from the Hungarian GP.
      The German finished second but was later booted out after scrutineers were unable to obtain the required one litre of fuel from his car for a routine test.
      They recovered just 300ml of fuel with the team insisting there was a problem with a pump to recover it for a sample.
      Aston say they intend to appeal the decision to kick the four-time world champion out of the race.

      Following his dismissal, Hamilton was bumped up to second place in the race but had trouble standing up on the podium.
      This led the F1 champ with fears that he has a bout of long Covid after being left dizzy and suffering from exhaustion.
      In order to recover, Hamilton will take a long break from F1 training.
      Fatigued and dizzy Lewis Hamilton struggles to stand up on podium More

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      Lewis Hamilton will take break from F1 training to rest and relax after being floored by long Covid in Hungarian GP

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has prescribed himself a period of rest and relaxation after being floored by long Covid.The F1 champ was exhausted after a thrilling Hungarian GP where he went from first, to last, to eventually finish in second place.
      Hamilton hard a time standing up on the podium after the Hungarian GPCredit: Rex
      The F1 champ reckons long Covid is the cause and will take some time away from training to recoverCredit: Rex
      Hamilton’s swashbuckling drive left him dizzy, extremely tired and with shortness of breath – tell-tale signs of long Covid.
      The Brit contracted the disease last year and was forced out of the Sakhir GP in December after testing positive – and is still feeling the effects.
      SunSport understands that the seven-time world champion will now commit to a period of extensive rest after completing his post-race debrief with his Mercedes team.
      It comes as athletes around the world discover the effects of long covid.
      Rower Oonagh Cousins missing out on making the GB Olympic team after her training schedule exacerbated the virus.
      She told CNN: “It ended up developing into really bad long Covid. At its worst, for a couple of months, I would say I really struggled to get out of bed at all.
      “Getting out of bed to make breakfast was a huge mountain to climb.”
      Meanwhile, over the summer break Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is set to make a decision about who is Hamilton’s teammate next season.
      George Russell is expected to get the nod bringing Valtteri Bottas’s time with the team to an end.
      The Finn clattered into Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Lando Norris on the opening lap of the Hungarian GP after misjudging his breaking going into Turn One.
      Bottas, who has been given a five-place penalty for the Belgian GP, while Russell was reduced to tears after scoring his first points for Williams.
      He said: “It means more than just scoring our first points. It’s three years of hard work, dedication, tough moments…tough, tough moments personally and for everybody in the team.

      “I’m emotional. It’s weird. It’s more than what the result showed. It shows that you should never give up and we’ve got here because when we were last every single race in 2019, we didn’t stop fighting.
      “If we had stopped fighting in 2019 – now in 2021 we’ve got a faster car – and maybe we wouldn’t have been on top of our game like we were here.
      “It just shows no matter the situation, there is always something to learn and you’ve just got to give it everything every time out there.”
      Fatigued and dizzy Lewis Hamilton struggles to stand up on podium More

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      Defiant Sebastian Vettel warned for wearing rainbow T-shirt in stance against Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law before being DQd

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL has been issued a reprimand for failing to remove his rainbow t-shirt ahead of the Hungarian GP.The Aston Martin driver wore the shirt with the words “same love” across the front having previously worn shoes sporting a rainbow flag in a message against Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ law.
      Sebastian Vettel was warned for not removing his rainbow shirtCredit: Rex
      The German driver finished second in his Aston Martin but was disqualifiedCredit: Getty
      ‘We Race As One’ is a platform launched by Formula One last year that counts diversity, inclusivity and sustainability as its core principles.
      Drivers are free to wear apparel with a message that is supportive of the initiative’s principles.
      But they were instructed to remove any such t-shirts before the national anthem and wear their race suits in a pre-race note issued by race director Michael Masi.
      Vettel failed to remove this t-shirt for the national anthem and claims he forgot to take it off because of the onset of rain.
      Vettel, who was second in the race, spoke to Sky Sports ahead of the verdict and said: “I heard it’s because I left my shirt on for the national anthem.
      “I’m happy if they disqualify me. They can do whatever they want to me, I don’t care. I would do it again.”
      Vettel went on to finish second after a crazy race in Budapest.
      He was narrowly behind race winner Esteban Ocon with Lewis Hamilton coming from the back of the pack to finish third.

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      But Vettel was disqualified after the race for failing to provide a fuel sample.
      With the ruling, Aston Martin’s second-ever Formula One podium finish vanished.
      That saw Hamilton rise from third to second on the podium – and a crucial extra three points in the F1 drivers’ championship.
      Carlos Sainz jumped up into third to complete the podium while Max Verstappen moved ninth and Kimi Raikkonen claimed the final point.
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      F1 star Sebastian Vettel helps Silverstone cleaners pick up litter after British Grand Prix More

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      Lewis Hamilton struggles to stand up on podium as ‘fatigued and dizzy’ Brit fears long Covid after Hungarian Grand Prix

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      LEWIS HAMILTON fears he is suffering from long Covid after being left dizzy and suffering from exhaustion.The F1 champ produced a Herculean drive to go from last-place to third in a crazy Hungarian GP to regain top spot in the championship.
      Lewis Hamilton struggled to stand on the podiumCredit: ANTONIN VINCENT / Every Second Media / DPPI
      The Brit wipes his face as he struggles with fatigueCredit: AFP
      However, the 36-year-old, who tested positive for Covid 19 and was forced to miss the Sakhir GP in Bahrain last December, is still struggling.
      Hamilton was left hunched over on the podium and barely had enough energy to lift up his trophy after a heroic drive, also saw the team’s doctor after crossing the line.
      He said after the race: “I just gave it absolutely everything right until that last lap. I am so exhausted afterwards. One of the weirdest experiences I’ve had on the podium.
      “I think [the Covid] is lingering there. I remember the effects of when I had it and training has been different ever since then.
      “The level of fatigue that you get is different and it’s a real challenge. I’m trying to keep training and preparing as best I can.
      “Who knows what it is? Maybe hydration. I don’t know but it was definitely different. I had something similar at Silverstone but this was way worse.
      “I was having real dizziness and everything got a bit blurry on the podium. I have been fighting all year to stay healthy and what happened at the end of last year [contracting Covid-19] but still it’s a battle.”
      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff added: “A race like that with the heat and tons of overtaking is exhausting.
      “He should be all right but better to be safe than sorry.”
      Hamilton, 36, battled back from the brink during a chaotic Hungarian GP to overtake a fuming Max Verstappen in the Driver Standings.
      The seven-time champion was left largely unscathed, after team-mate Valtteri Bottas caused a huge crash that severely damaged Verstappen’s car.
      But after requiring a pit stop that saw him fall from first to LAST place, Hamilton had to battle back himself in a pulsating race.
      It had already been an eventful weekend for Hamilton, who was booed by fans at qualifying yesterday.
      He showed his class today, however, powering through the field from last place to secure a podium finish.
      Hamilton’s achievement, coupled with Verstappen slipping to tenth, saw the the reigning champ climb six points above the 23-year-old in the Driver Standings.
      And when second-placed Sebastian Vettel was later disqualified for a fuel violation Hamilton was bumped up a spot, leaving the Brit with an extra two-point cushion in the title race.
      After the race, Verstappen fumed: “Again, taken out by a Mercedes!
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      “That is not what you want. I was missing the whole side of my car and the floor was damaged, too, so it was impossible to drive.
      “I tried my best. It is something but not what you want. It is just disappointing. We go again after the break and I will try my best and I hope my car is competitive.
      “We have had a lot of freak moments which have cost us a lot of points. We will never give up, focus on ourselves and keep pushing.”
      Hamilton celebrates his podium finishCredit: Getty
      Verstappen was left fuming after being a victim of the race’s chaotic crashCredit: Alamy
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