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    Ralf Schumacher slams ‘whining’ Sebastian Vettel and tells him ‘nobody cares’ about Aston Martin debut flop

    SEBASTIAN VETTEL was told to stop ‘whining’ about his Aston Martin car by Ralf Schumacher.And the ex-F1 driver reckons Vettel has to knuckle down after a miserable season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
    Sebastian Vettel admitted he doesn’t feel at home in his Aston Martin yetCredit: Splash
    Ralf Schumacher thinks Sebastian Vettel needs to stop ‘whining’ about the carCredit: Rex
    Four-time world champion Vettel switched to Aston Martin this year after six seasons with Ferrari.
    But he failed to make it out of Q1 in the Middle East and finished a disappointing 15th place.
    Schumacher, who won six F1 races during his decade-long F1 career and is brother of legend Michael, told Sport1.de: “The whining that he doesn’t feel the car has to stop.
    “I’m sorry for Sebastian. This is a huge problem and it will take time.
    “Nobody cares about that, and after all, we’re in Formula One here and he’s also earning a lot of money.
    “At the end of the day, Sebastian is an experienced racing driver and a multiple world champion. He has to clean up with his team-mate now and the rest will come on its own even if the Aston Martin doesn’t turn into a winning car this year.”
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    Aston Martin had a miserable first race of the season in BahrainCredit: Rex

    “He’s not unreasonable. I understand Sebastian’s frustration.
    “He had anything but a perfect weekend.”
    Vettel’s team-mate Lance Stroll finished in 10th place at last month’s season opener.
    The teams head to Imola for the second race on April 18.

    Speaking after Bahrain, Vettel admitted: “It’s been probably not the best weekend or the weekend we were looking for.
    “But there were a lot of things that we learned that we need to address. We will see how quickly we can fix them.
    “I’m not at home in the car. There’s a lot of things that are fighting me so that I can’t really focus on driving. But we need to address them and try and fix them.”
    Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel looks forward to Formula 1 return More

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    MotoGP star Valentino Rossi’s girlfriend Sofia Novello reveals she was groped as a 19-year-old grid girl

    SOFIA NOVELLO has revealed she was groped as a teenager while working as a MotoGP grid girl.The Italian, 27, is in a relationship with legendary rider Valentino Rossi having stood on the grid while making her way in the modelling industry.
    Sofia Novello, partner of Valentino Rossi, has described her time as a grid girlCredit: Getty
    Sofia is a regular at MotoGP races where her boyfriend is a big starCredit: Getty
    And she has opened up on how her time in the sport was marred by unwanted groping.
    Sofia told Vanity Fair: “In reality it is a job like many others, a stage in my career of which I am proud.
    “At 19 it’s not easy to work with people who look at your butt when you pass by, and touch your butt when you take a picture.
    “Motorsport is a male environment. You have to wake up, you can’t be a smiling goose.
    “I’m for girl power. But it’s part of the game, it does happen.
    “You have to learn to be respected. If you let it go and show yourself to be ‘beautiful and stupid’, you’re done.”
    Sofia has forged a successful career for herself as a model and influencer while Rossi, 42, will aim for his 200th podium in the 2021 MotoGP season, which began last month.
    Asked whether she dislikes being primarily seen as the racer’s girlfriend, she highlighted her own achievements as more important to her identity.
    I would have done the same things in my career. It would have taken longer, but I would have done them.Sofia Novello
    Sofia has spoken on building her own career while being known as Rossi’s girlfriendCredit: Instagram @francescasofianovello
    Novello worked as a grid girl while making her way in modellingCredit: Instagram @francescasofianovello

    She explained: “If you have an important man by your side, it’s almost inevitable.
    “But I am pleased to have continued to work, as much as I can, without using his name.
    “Certainly without Valentino I would not have reached the popularity I have today.
    “But in my career I would have done the same things. It would have taken longer, but I would have done them.”
    Watch MotoGP star Joan Mir pull off spectacularly stylish save after crashing at French GP More

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    One-armed motocross rider Alberto ‘Wey’ Zapata dies aged 23 in horror crash after being run over by two other racers

    A ONE-ARMED motocross rider was killed after falling from his bike and being run over by two competitors.Alberto ‘Wey’ Zapata, 23, went to the ground after losing control of his motorbike during a jump on Sunday.
    Alberto ‘Wey’ Zapata died after being run over following a fall racing in his homeland Argentina
    Zapata had his left arm amputated in November following a car crash but returned to racing just months later

    Agonising footage showed one of two riders unable to avoid Zapata – who only had one arm following a road accident – as he came off and crashed into the dirt.
    The tragedy took place during a competition in San Agustin, a city in the Argentine province of Cordoba.
    The race was on the same motocross track where Zapata returned to racing following his car accident.
    Sergio Unac, governor of the province of San Juan, home of the brave motocross racer, said: “I am totally heartbroken by the sad news of the death of Wey Zapata.
    “My condolences to his family and friends at this sad moment in time.
    “Rest in peace warrior. In San Juan we will remember you as a great sportsman and an enormous fighter.”
    The disturbing incident happened less than five months after he cheated death by crashing his car on a main road south of the Argentine city of San Juan.
    He broke his collarbone and had to have his left arm amputated after losing control of his Chevrolet Corsa Classic on November 15 last year.
    Wey Zapata’s left arm was amputated last year after a car crashCredit: Instagram @weyzapata124

    The motorbike fanatic received a standing ovation on each lap when he returned to racing, defying health professionals who told him he would have to give up his passion.
    He celebrated his first podium finish after his return in the southern Argentinian city of Chubut on March 4, taking to Instagram to write: “First podium after my amputation.
    “The results of hard work, desire, dreams and a truly unforgettable moment.”
    Zapata recalled recently how his mum had told him the news of his amputation, revealing: “The medics didn’t tell me but they hinted at it.
    “When I was in the hospital I couldn’t feel my arm and wondered if I had still had it until my mum told me, ‘No, you haven’t got your arm, they amputated it straight after the accident.’”
    His life was saved by a passer-by who spotted his crashed car and stopped his arm bleed with a tourniquet.
    He said after his last podium finish a week before his fatal accident: “I sometimes find it hard to believe what’s happening to me with the difficulty I have riding a motorbike with one arm four months after the amputation.
    “It would be enough for me just to be able to enjoy being back on a motorbike again so being able to savour my third podium since my return to racing is wonderful.” More

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    Bernie Ecclestone’s family tree includes baby son Ace’s half-sister Deborah, 66, and seven grandchildren

    LAST summer, Bernie Ecclestone became a father for the fourth time at the grand old age of 89.The ex-Formula 1 boss and his third wife Fabiana, 45, welcomed baby Ace into their extravagant world in July 2020.
    Bernie Ecclestone became a father in 2020 at the age of 89Credit: Getty – Contributor
    The new arrival makes for a remarkable family tree – starting with Bernie at the top, his children and then his grandchildren.
    SunSport breaks it down for you, in full.
    BERNIE ECCLESTONE, 90
    The patriarch of the family, Bernie was born in Suffolk in 1930.
    Worth £2.5billion, Ecclestone had been associated with F1 since the 1950s – during the 1958 season he entered two Grand Prix races, but failed to qualify for either.
    In 1972 he became a team-owner, acquiring Brabham, which he ran for 15 years.
    Two years later, Ecclestone formed the Formula One Constructors Association, emerging as chief executive in 1978.
    In 2017, Bernie was removed from his position after the Formula One Group was taken over by Liberty Media.
    Not bad for the son of a fisherman, who left Dartford West Central Secondary School at 16 and first worked as an assistant in a chemical laboratory testing gas purity.
    Ecclestone shares a thought with Lewis HamiltonCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Niki Lauda, right, drove for Ecclestone’s Brabham racing teamCredit: Getty – Contributor
    IVY BAMFORD, FIRST WIVE
    Not much is known about Bernie’s early years, when he ran motorcycle shops and car dealerships.
    His first wife, a local girl called Ivy, was believed to be two years older than the businessman when they married in 1952.
    They welcomed daughter Deborah three years later, but the marriage fell to pieces and they drifted apart.
    It’s unknown if Ivy, who would be 91 today, is alive.
    SLAVICA RADIC, WIFE NO2
    Bernie married the 6ft 2in former Armani model Slavica in 1985, three years after they met at a promotional event at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
    Despite the height difference (Slavica stands a foot taller than Bernie), a language barrier, and an age gap of 28 years they remained married for 23 years.
    In 2009, she topped the Sunday Times’ Rich List in the “richest divorcees” category – getting a reported £740million settlement.
    They have two daughters, Tamara and Petra.
    Wife No2 Slavica Radic stands 6ft 2in tallCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Radic, the mother of Petra and Tamara Ecclestone, was a former Armani modelCredit: Getty Images
    In a divorce settlement Radic received a reported £740million payoutCredit: GC Images – Getty
    FABIANA FLOSI, WIFE NO3
    Not much is known about the 45-year-old Brazilian.
    But Bernie met Fabiana in 2009 at the World Motor Sport Council, marrying three years later in a private ceremony at their £23million Swiss chalet in Gstaad.
    She helps run his coffee plantation in Brazil, where their brand Celebrity Coffee is produced.
    In 2016, her mum Aparecida Schunk was kidnapped and a ransom of £28million was demanded.
    Nine days later, she was found safe.
    Last week, they welcomed their first son together, baby Ace.
    Bernie Ecclestone met Fabiana in 2009Credit: Getty Images – Getty
    45-year-old Fabiana hails from BrazilCredit: fabianaecclestone/Instagram
    Fabiana helps Bernie run his coffee plantation in South AmericaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    DEBORAH, ELDEST DAUGHTER, 66
    Deborah has preferred to stay out of the limelight, despite her famous family connection.
    The only child from Bernie’s first marriage, she is said to have followed her dad into business.
    It is believed she has two children of her own.
    However, their names and ages are unknown.
    TAMARA, 37
    Bernie’s first child with Slavica, Tamara has dabbled with modelling, presenting and reality TV.
    For the 2009 F1 season, she presented motorsport coverage for Sky Sports Italia.
    In 2011 she starred in Tamara Ecclestone: Billion $$$ Girl on Channel 5 and then in ITVBe’s Tamara’s World in 2017.
    In-between, the brunette beauty appeared nude in Playboy magazine.
    Brunette beauty Tamara once appeared in Playboy magazineCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Bernie and Tamara share a tight bond
    Tamara Ecclestone lives with her family in a £70m West London homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    She has one daughter, Sophia, 6, from her seven year marriage to Jay Rutland.
    They live in a lavish £70million mansion, a stones throwaway from Kensington Palace.PETRA, 32
    Arguably the more famous of Bernie’s socialite daughters with Slavica, Petra is now based in Los Angeles.
    At 19, she launched menswear label FORM, which was sold in Harrods.

    Her personal life was splashed across the front pages after an acrimonious £5.5 billion divorce row with ex-husband James Stunt, who she split with in 2017.
    She was granted sole custody of their three children, Lavinia, 7, and twins James and Andrew, both 5.
    And last May, Petra gave birth to a baby girl with fiancé Sam Palmer, but has remained tight-lipped on her name, which gives Bernie seven grandchildren ALL younger than his latest child.
    Petra Ecclestone is now based in Los AngelesCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Petra had an acrimonious divorce from James Stunt in 2017Credit: twitter/Petra Stunt
    Petra has four children, giving Bernie seven grandchildren in totalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    I want to be a dad again at 90 and I don’t need Viagra, says ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone More

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    Formula E announce Mini as new safety car and add two double headers to the calendar

    FORMULA E have made this season’s Rome and Valencia E-Prix both double headers in a recent update to their calendar.And as the season ramps up, FE have also announced an electric Mini as their new safety car.
    The electric Mini Pacesetter becomes Formula E’s new safety car
    The car will be seen at the next race in Rome
    The little dazzling battery-powered car will be flying around streets circuits.
    The Mini will share duties with the BMW i8 Roadster which was revealed by Brooklyn Beckham in Mexico last year.
    The new safety car will appear at the next two races in Rome.
    The FE calendar has always been subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. 
    But to beef up the schedule both the Rome E-Prix and the Valencia E-Prix will be changed to double header events next month.
    This is how the season opener in Saudi Arabia kickstarted the current campaign, with two races in the space of two days. 
    Brit Sam Bird won the last race in Suadi Arabia driving for Jaguar

    The streets of Rome will host the third and fourth race of the season on the 10th-11th April. 
    The first of the two races will be televised on BBC Two at 2.45pm.
    While Valencia will host their first ever FE race on 24th April.
     A spokesperson for Formula E said: “We will continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and we are in constant communication with the community of teams, manufacturers, partners, broadcasters and host cities.”
    British driver Sam Bird is ready for a new Formula E racing season More

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    Lewis Hamilton admits he was wrong to ’embarrass people’ after calling out sports biggest names in fight against racism

    LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed he intends to tackle racism within Formula 1 in a different way, rather than ’embarrassing people’ for their actions.The seven-time world champion has been the driving force behind an F1 campaign against racism by calling on the FIA to do more to tackle inequality.
    Hamilton has previously called out fellow drivers for not taking the kneeCredit: Getty
    He has now admitted he has changed the way he is trying to tackle racism in the sportCredit: Mamadi Doumbouya/wired
    He then went on to cite specific individuals for failing to do more to bring F1 drivers together to take the knee, most notably ex-director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association Romain Grosjean.
    But now the Brit believes there is a better approach to making change happen.
    While he remains dedicated to the cause, his tireless work might not be so obvious this year.
    He told WIRED UK: “At the beginning of the year [2020] I was very outspoken and calling out the sport.
    “At the time that was the right thing for me, but I discovered that there’s times where you have to be very diplomatic, where there’s more you can do by discussions in the background, rather than embarrassing people.
    “I’m having conversations, trying to hold people in the sport more accountable.
    “I’m constantly sending emails, I’m constantly on Zoom calls with Formula One and challenging them like they wouldn’t want to be challenged.”
    At the first race of the 2021 season, Hamilton wore a shirt which read ‘actions speak louder than words’.
    He has also declared that he will continue to take the knee before races despite some F1 drivers sticking by their decision to remain standing.
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    🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    Hamilton made the best possible start in his bid for a record-breaking eighth world title at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday.
    The 35-year-old outfoxed Max Verstappen in a sensational battle which came down to the final lap to take the opening race of the season.
    The next race comes at the Imola circuit in Italy on April 18.
    See the full feature in the May/June issue of WIRED UK available on newsstands and via digital download now.
    Hamilton’s remarks were part of an exclusive interview with WIREDCredit: Mamadi Doumbouya/wired
    The seven-time champion made the perfect start to his 2021 season last weekendCredit: Mamadi Doumbouya/wired
    Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to epic Bahrain opener More

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    Confusion as Max Verstappen punished during F1 opener when Lewis Hamilton exceeded track limit 30 TIMES at Bahrain GP

    AS LEWIS HAMILTON won an epic battle with Max Verstappen in Bahrain, fans were left confused by Formula One track limit rules.The sport has long been split over how strictly guidelines on circuit boundaries need to be enforced.
    Confusion reigned following the tussle for the lead on SundayCredit: Getty
    Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were both called up for running wide at Turn 4Credit: Splash
    Certain tracks, chiefly those with large run-off areas, provide drivers with opportunities to nab an extra tenth of a second by keeping their foot to the floor and briefly going outside the line.
    Bahrain’s Turn 4 was one particular area of concern on the weekend.
    As found by Reddit user RiggyBiggy, via the Telegraph, Hamilton left the track limits almost 30 times during the race.
    Drivers had initially been told that they would not be punished for doing so ahead of the season opener, but that changed after first practice.
    Race stewards’ guidelines stated that ‘cutting behind the red and white kerb’ would lead to punishment, and Hamilton duly remained inside the line for the qualifying lap that put him second on the grid.
    During the race, he faced no punishment for continuing to run off-line before being reined in by his Mercedes bosses.
    He replied over team radio: “I thought there were no track limits. I have been doing the same thing all race.”
    Moments earlier, Red Bull had told Verstappen to follow Hamilton in taking the faster, wider line at Turn 4.
    Neither driver exceeded the Turn 4 limit in qualifying, with clear instruction it would lead to their lap time being deletedCredit: YouTube / F1
    Verstappen was well wide of Hamilton as he took the lead
    But the Red Bull was clearly off the track in the overtake
    The Dutchman hunted Hamilton down for their incredible late duel for the lead.
    Finally catching up on lap 53, Verstappen grabbed the lead at Turn 4 but clearly ran wide of the track limits in doing so, despite being given room by the Merc.
    Overtaking while off the track is not allowed in F1, regardless of discussions over track limits, and Red Bull boss Christian Horner told the new race leader to hand back the position.
    Verstappen complied but initially questioned the call, as fans debated how Hamilton was allowed an advantage but his rival was not.
    Had he not returned the position, a time penalty of five or ten seconds would have been dished out by the stewards.
    At first, Verstappen felt he could have opened up such a gap but it would have taken a monumental effort – with the race chiefs also capable of handing down whatever punishment was necessary to ensure he did not win to fully deter future breaches.
    The other question is whether the Red Bull ace would have won had Hamilton not gained the slight advantage every time he ran wide.
    Ironically, the Brit later claimed to have benefited from the instruction to keep it on the track, as it helped save his aging tyres amid Verstappen’s pursuit.

    Hamilton described the situation as ‘confusing’ and said: “Halfway through the race they basically changed their minds and all of a sudden you’re not allowed to go outside that white line.
    “Which is fine for me, it’s actually I think faster in the end for me, and helped me look after my tyres, actually. So I’m grateful for the call.”
    And Verstappen added: “In qualifying, of course, it was not allowed, your lap time got deleted.
    “And so I don’t know how it got to the point where people were doing it without getting warnings.
    “But at the end of the day when I was fighting Lewis, I went outside of the track limits. I think quite quickly the race director was onto us to tell me to give the position back, so that’s exactly what I did.”
    FIA race director Michael Masi later insisted that rules did not change halfway through and that few drivers broke the limits.
    But Horner said: “It was frustrating. We could see as soon as Mercedes started to push they just used that part of the track.
    “We questioned with Race Control that if that’s the case, can we do it? In a nip and tuck battle, there’s a two-tenths advantage using that part of the circuit.
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    You can’t say it’s okay to use it in the race, but you can’t overtake out there; it should be black or white, it shouldn’t be shaded grey.Christian Horner

    “Obviously Max ran wide on the pass there, which had been made clear before the race that if someone got an advantage by going out there, they’d have to give it back. He did that immediately, the team instructed him to do it following Race Control instructing us.
    “With these track limit things, they’re always going to be contentious. But we do need to just have a consistent situation.
    “You can’t say it’s okay to use it in the race, but you can’t overtake out there; it should be black or white, it shouldn’t be shaded grey.”
    Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen react to epic Bahrain opener More

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    How Fernando Alonso’s emotional F1 return was cut short by a stray sandwich bag at Bahrain GP

    FERNANDO ALONSO’S ’emotional’ Formula One return was cut short by a stray sandwich bag.The Spaniard, 39, made his comeback to the sport at Sunday’s season-opening Bahrain GP.
    Fernando Alonso had his F1 return scuppered by a stray sandwich bag in BahrainCredit: Splash
    But after two years away from the F1 track, he failed to complete his first race back.
    Veteran Alonso is racing for Renault-backed Alpine in 2021 and the team realised his brake temperatures had rocketed, forcing him to retire on lap 32 of 56.
    And Alpine executive director Marcin Budlowski revealed the wedged sarnie packaging was the bizarre reason which forced the two-time world champ back into the pits.
    Budlowski said: “After the first [pit] stop we had a small issue that forced us to reduce the performance of the car.
    “Then, after the second stop, a sandwich wrap paper got stuck inside the rear brake duct of Fernando’s car, which led to high temperatures and caused some damage to the brake system, so we retired him for safety reasons.
    “It was an unlucky first race for Fernando considering how strong he looked.”
    Alonso started at Sakhir ninth on the grid but got as high as seventh earlier in the race before the freak incident scuppered his emotional day as Lewis Hamilton edged out Max Verstappen to claim the win and the early lead in the championship standings.
    But despite the bitter – or, err, butter – disappointment, the 2005 and 2006 king remained upbeat about being back in the cockpit.
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    He said: “It was a shame that we could not see the chequered flag today, because I really enjoyed the whole thing.
    “It was nice to be back at the racing, it was nice to feel again the adrenaline on the starting grid, the national anthem. All these procedures felt very emotional today for me.
    “The race itself was fun at the beginning with the start, a couple of good battles on track in the first stint.
    “And then unfortunately we had to retire the car with a brake issue – apparently there is some debris on the rear brake duct.
    “Nothing we can do now more than thinking now into Imola, and hopefully get some points there.”
    Next up in the F1 calendar is the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, Italy on April 18.
    The Spaniard’s Alpine car’s brakes overheated during the second half of the raceCredit: Rex

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