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      Max Verstappen’s MUM ‘could have been one of the best F1 drivers of all time’ but gave up dream at 21

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN could have been following a Formula One legacy crafted by his mum.The Dutchman was crowned a four-time World Champion during the Las Vegas Grand Prix.Max Verstappen’s mum Sophie Kumpen was a champion in kartingCredit: Instagram @sophiekumpenChristian Horner believes she was among the best ten drivers in the worldShe gave up her dream of racing in F1 to raise Max and sister VictoriaCredit: Instagram @sophiekumpenAfter marrying Jos Verstappen in 1996, Kumpen gave birth to Max in 1997His father, Jos was an F1 driver, but Verstappen’s mum, Sophie Kumpen was also a champion in karting and could have been a motorsport great in her own right.That is the view of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who made a stunning claim that she was even among the “top ten drivers in the world”.As quoted by Marca, Horner said: “I competed against her in 1989, in the Junior Karting World Championship. “In that race, there were very talented drivers, such as Jan Magnussen, Jarno Trulli, Giancarlo Fisichella or Dario Franchitti. READ MORE IN F1″And she was among the top ten drivers in the world, without a doubt.”Eddie Jordan is also a huge advocate of her talents and insists she should not be forgotten in the conversation when people speak about Verstappen’s racing tutelage.Speaking to the On the Formula for Success podcast, Jordan said: “Don’t forget that it’s not all about his [Verstappen] dad [Jos], who drove for me as well, but his mother actually is just the best at karting. “She was absolutely an institution. She was amazing.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd it isn’t just F1 team bosses who Kumpen, 50, commands the respect of, with 2009 world champion Jenson Button also heaping praise on her. He said: “Sophie, Max’s mother, was a fantastic driver. Max Verstappen chokes back tears as he thanks Red Bull on team radio after winning fourth F1 world title”When I was racing karting in 1995, she was my partner. I saw how she drove, I know she was very good.”Belgian-born Kumpen started her career in racing at the age of 11 and was the national champion of karting at the age of 16 competing against men.She also finished ninth in the world championships of the Formula A category. But it is her 1995 victory in the Andrea Margutti Trophy, where she beat F1 cult hero Trulli, that stands as the highlight of her career.However, Kumpen quit racing at the age of 21 after getting married to Jos in 1996 before having two children together, Max in 1997 and Victoria in 1999, and deciding to prioritise raising them over her motorsport career.Speaking to Marca, she reflected on how the difficulties of being a wife and mother and the logistics of travelling so much meant she had to give up on her dream.Women in F1Only five female drivers have officially competed in Formula One.The first of these was Maria Teresa de Filippis in the 1958 and 1959 seasons for Maserati and Porsche.Only one has managed to score points in F1, with Lella Lombardi scoring 0.5 points during her career from 1974–1976.Her three seasons in the motorsport also mark her as the most experienced with 17 races (12 starts) to her name with March, RAM and Williams.Olympian skier Divina Galica MBE is the only British female driver to grace the sport but failed to qualify to start a race in three attempts.South Africa’s Desiré Wilson and Italy’s Giovanna Amati in 1980 and 1992 also attempted to qualify to start an F1 race but were unsuccessful.Female drivers have competed in testing events, with Jessica Hawkins being the latest woman to test an F1 car in 2023.However, Susie Wolff was the last driver to take part in an active F1 session in 2015.Wolff is now the director of the F1 Academy scheme for female drivers.She said: “I wanted to get to Formula 1. I had already tried some cars, but I married Max’s father and I had to make a decision. “He was an F1 driver and we travelled a lot. “So I gave up on my dream, but now I’m having a lot of fun seeing that my son is doing what I wanted to do.”Verstappen himself has even spoken about his mother’s racing career when in conversation with Horner.After Horner said “she was very good,” Verstappen cut him off to say: “But then she got married to my dad.”Kumpen and Jos stayed married for 12 years before they got a divorce.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile Kumpen never made it to F1, she did return to the track in 2013 once more in 2013 during the Formido Swift Cup.However, her return ended in a crash resulting in a broken vertebra.Kumpen gave up her racing career to raise Max and sister VictoriaShe said she is having fun seeing Verstappen do so wellCredit: Instagram @sophiekumpenKumpen beat F1 cult hero Jarno Trulli in her karting careerKumpen returned to the track in 2013 but crashed out and broke a vertebraCredit: RexF1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio PerezFerrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis HamiltonMercedes: George Russell and Kimi AntonelliMcLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar PiastriAston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance StrollWilliams: Alex Albon and Carlos SainzSauber: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel BortoletoAlpine: Pierre Gasly and Jack DoohanRB: Yuki Tsunoda and TBCHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      Max Verstappen wins fourth F1 world title at Las Vegas Grand Prix as Russell & Hamilton complete British one-two

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has won his fourth consecutive Formula One world title by finishing ahead of Lando Norris at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.It was also a great day for Mercedes as George Russell won and team-mate Lewis Hamilton came in second.Max Verstappen has won his fourth world titleCredit: GettyRed Bull had t-shirts printed in advanceCredit: RexGeorge Russell led throughout to come home in firstCredit: GettyRussell admitted he had no idea why his car was so quick through the Vegas street circuitCredit: AFPFifth was good enough for Verstappen today as Norris finished in sixth.The 27-year-old won eight times this season and has been clinging onto top spot after failing to see the chequered flag for ten races in a row until victory in Sao Paulo, Brazil last time out.Verstappen joins Michael Schumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio, Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton in becoming a four-time champ.Red Bull were in a business-like mood in Vegas and the Dutchman was solely focused on finishing above Norris rather than catching the Mercedes duo.READ MORE IN F1Their main man was encouraged to stay ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in the latter stages of the contest, but he was overtaken by both yet calmly held off Norris.On the team radio, Verstappen was overcome with emotion, saying: “Oh my God what a season, four times, thank you guys. “It’s a little more difficult than last year, but we pulled through. Thank you so much guys.”Verstappen joked his fans were “spoilt” given his dominance last year and he expects a “proper battle between a lot of cars” in 2025.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRed Bull team principal Christian Horner added: “It’s incredible, he’s done an amazing job, he’s been outstanding all year and we are just very proud of him, he’s driven brilliantly.”He’s won eight Grand Prixs, he’s won the world championship with two races to go, you can’t ask for more than that.The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from Instagram”He just gets in the car and he delivers, he’s a great human. “It puts him amongst the greats, statistics now put him there as well.”He’s only just turned 27 and he’s in the form of his life so as long as we can keep giving him a decent car then he will keep delivering.”Norris put fresh tyres on in the closing stages to land the bonus fastest lap point, which boosted McLaren’s chances at constructors glory.Gordon Ramsay and Steve Aoki at the Vegas Grand PrixCredit: GettyThe chef was seen alongside his daughter Holly Anna and Olympian swimmer Adam PeatyCredit: GettyActor Terry Crews celebrated with Red BullCredit: GettySylvester Stallone waved the chequered flagCredit: GettyRussell, who started the race from the front after a brilliant qualifying session, cruised to victory in a relatively quiet race as Sylvester Stallone waved the chequered flag.The Norfolk-born driver then revealed he was cancelling his flight home to celebrate with a night out on the Vegas Strip.The Mercedes pairing were too quick for anyone else on the street circuit.But both Russell and Hamilton admitted they had no idea why their cars were so fast this weekend. The latter climbed his way through the pack after starting tenth in the grid.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt was a superb drive from Hamilton and he now has a podium at 36 different tracks.He delayed his first stop to close his gap to the top and then took his second early in lap 27 to emerge second after the Ferraris pitted.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Sergio Perez opens up on overwhelming SMELL at Las Vegas Grand Prix that ‘all the F1 drivers will talk about’

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      FORMULA ONE star Sergio Perez has complained of a “very noticeable” SMELL in Las Vegas ahead of the Grand Prix.The Red Bull driver is in Sin City ahead of the Vegas GP on Sunday.Sergio Perez has opened up on the smell that has been wreaking havoc at the Las Vegas GPPerez claimed he was tired of the weed smell around the Vegas circuitPerez revealed that all F1 drivers will talk about the strong scent of WEED in the Nevada desert.Speaking after his second free practice session, Perez said: “What is very noticeable around the circuit is the smell of marijuana throughout the night.”I’m a bit tired of it already — the amount is incredible. It’s something all the drivers will definitely talk about.”Unlike the UK, cannabis is legal for both medical and recreational use in the state of Nevada.READ MORE ON F1Fans attending the race are banned from bringing drugs to the 3.8-mile circuit, but it seems that’s not been enough to clear the air.Fellow driver Franco Colapinto took note of the scent as well.The Williams ace joked: Yes, there was a smell of weed.”If they dope the drivers now, I think we’ll all test positive, I swear – when we all test positive, there will be a mess.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAs expected, cannabis is a prohibited substance for F1 drivers as part of the FIA Anti-Doping Regulations from the sport’s governing body.While fans attending the Grand Prix will be following suit, Jade – a cannabis dispensary – is situated a few miles from the racetrack.Monaco Grand Prix hit by RED FLAG after horrific first-lap crash tears Sergio Perez’s F1 car in halfThe shop even specifically markets itself to F1, with a statement on their website reading: “For the Las Vegas Formula 1 event attendees, the experience can be elevated with cannabis.”Rival chains last year also capitalised on F1’s arrival by offering discounted weed to locals affected by road closures and heavy noise.On track, Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton seemed to be unperturbed by Vegas’ scent as he topped both Friday’s practice sessions.The Vegas GP debuted last year, with Max Verstappen winning the inaugural race.Reigning three-time champ Verstappen can wrap up a fourth successive title with another victory on a track he won last year.The conditions for practice have carried a bad smellVegas is the third last race of the 2024 season🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Christian Horner praises ‘unbelievable & fantastic’ wife Geri Halliwell for weathering ‘perfect storm’ sexting scandal

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      RED Bull boss Christian Horner has spoken out about his “sexting” scandal that rocked the Formula One world to praise his wife Geri Halliwell.The motor-racing chief, 50, credited his former Spice Girls wife for protecting him during the controversy that rocked their marriage.Christian Horner has spoken about the ‘sexting’ scandal that rocked his marriage with Geri HalliwellCredit: GettyHorner praised his wife for supporting him through the investigationsCredit: ReutersThe couple have been married since 2015Credit: AFPHorner was cleared of misconduct towards a female colleague, an allegation he always denied, by an internal probe in February.He was accused by a Red Bull F1 employee of sending suggestive messages, in texts that were leaked.A KC cleared Horner for a second time in August after the unnamed accuser launched an appeal following the internal probe.In his most recent public remarks on the scandal, Horner told the Daily Mail that his wife had supported him throughout.Read more on Christian HornerHe said: “My wife has been unbelievable, fantastic. Your partner is always the one you share your difficulties with.“She has been absolutely outstanding and hugely supportive.”A source told The Sun in August the drama had meant “weeks of hell” for the family and added: “Geri is very relieved.”“It has been a horrible process but she has loyally and staunchly stood by Christian throughout the entire ordeal.”Most read in MotorsportHorner was reportedly under pressure at the time of the scandal by the father of his championship-winning driver Max Verstappen, The Sun previously reported.Jos Verstappen had supposedly started a feud with the team boss when in March he reportedly said Horner was: “playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”Red Bull boss Christian Horner and wife Geri Halliwell can finally put sexting claims behind them after the allegations were thrown out by a second judgeDespite the controversy at the time, Halliwell unexpectedly appeared hand-in-hand with her husband at the F1 opening race in Bahrain in March.In his recent interview, Horner continued to praise his singer wife and explained how she helped him overcome the scandal.He added: “She saw through a lot of things from having an outside perspective and it is good to have that weight and measure. It is hugely important.”The couple, who have been married since 2015, have a child together and two children from previous relationships.The Red Bull boss also claimed his team’s success had opened him up to a scandal like this.He said: “What happened at the start of the year felt like a perfect storm.“In life, it is a great lesson that the more success you have, the more of a target you become.”Horner’s team could win their eighth driver’s championship as the 2024 F1 season has just three races left.READ MORE SUN STORIESMax Verstappen currently leads the driver’s standings with a 62-point gap to McLaren’s Lando Norris.The Red Bull driver could win the Championship this weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix if he beats Norris head-to-head.Horner and Halliwell after the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 26, 2023Credit: GettyHorner and Halliwell kiss before the Bahrain Grand Prix in March 2023, where the couple put on a united front during the scandalCredit: PA2MMFBBW Christian and Geri Horner at the Cocklebarrow Point to Point, to see their horse Quickly Now Please in action, who finished second in the MaidenCredit: Alamy More

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      Huge F1 row erupts on eve of Brazilian GP as Red Bull accuse title rivals McLaren of illegally tampering with tyres

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      A HUGE row has erupted before the Brazilian GP between Red Bull and McLaren.Red Bull have accused their title rivals of injecting water into their tyres to cool them.Red Bull, who have Christian Horner as team principal, have accused McLaren of tampering with their tyresLando Norris in action for McLaren in the Sprint raceThe constructor, who have Christian Horner as team principal, claim McLaren have inserted either water or an unknown substance through a valve in the tyre.They first came to that conclusion in Singapore when a jet of water came flying out of the tyre rims.Red Bull have informed the FIA, who will reportedly keep a close eye on the allegation.McLaren have dismissed Red Bull’s theory. While a spokesperson for Pirelli tyres has confirmed if they felt there was anything tampering with their equipment, they would have told the FIA themselves.Read more F1 newsPirelli regularly collect all the tyres after F1 races and analyse them.The reason for using water, or any other substance, to cool tyres before they are fitted to their cars in a race is to help limit thermal degradation.This, in turn, would help drivers drive faster, especially in the later stages of a Grand Prix.The FIA have already banned this practice before.Most read in MotorsportSeveral teams, including Red Bull, were said to have done it a number of years ago.Lando Norris tells reporter ‘I hate this question so much’ and shakes head as battle with Verstappen takes fresh twistNow Red Bull believe their rivals are doing it and achieving better performances.Red Bull and McLaren are already at loggerheads – with their drivers Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, respectively, fighting to be world champion.McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ was scrutinised by Red Bull recently, which forced them to tweak the design after conversations with the FIA.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCurrently champ Verstappen’s lead at the top was cut to 44 points, after Oscar Piastri let Norris through to win the Sprint.However, in the constructor’s standings it’s a different story.McLaren lead Red Bull by a whopping 63 points, with their nearest rival being Ferrari who trail by only 34 points. More

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      Huge Lando Norris F1 title boost as Max Verstappen slapped with five-place grid penalty for Sao Paulo Grand Prix

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN will take a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s race in Brazil in a boost for McLaren title rival Lando Norris.The penalty comes after Red Bull put a new engine in Verstappen’s RB20 with four races remaining. Max Verstappen has been hit with a five-place grid penalty for Sunday’s Sao Paulo Grand PrixLando Norris has been handed a boost as he bids to reduce the gap in the Drivers’ ChampionshipVerstappen will be using his sixth internal combustion engine for the race at Interlagos, his second such breach of the season.The move had been expected after the Dutchman finished sixth at last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko revealed there was a leak in the previous engine’s intake tract on Sunday.Verstappen’s grid penalty will boost Norris’ hopes of reducing the Dutchman’s 47-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship.READ MORE MOTORSPORT NEWSWith the Brazilian GP being a Sprint track, Interlagos will host a shortened race on Saturday.But Verstappen’s penalty only applies to Sunday’s full-length contest.Meanwhile, Norris topped the only practice session in Sao Paulo earlier today, with qualifying due to start at 6:30pm.Verstappen leads Norris with four races of the season remaining.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe three-time champ aborted his only attempt at a flying lap on soft tyres and finished 15th in practice.Verstappen, 27, was given two 10-second time penalties for being overly aggressive in wheel-to-wheel combat with Norris last Sunday.Max Verstappen threatens to quit F1 after being forced to do ‘community service’ in bizarre punishment for swearing He finished 59 seconds down on race-winner Carlos Sainz in Mexico, so even without the penalties, would have been fourth at best.Norris closed the gap after picking up 18 points following his second-place finish.Verstappen, who has not won since June’s Spanish GP, did not want to go into details about the incidents and was more concerned about Red Bull’s lack of pace.Each driver is entitled to use four power units throughout the course of the season and face grid penalties for exceeding the limit.Verstappen incurred a 10-place grid penalty after taking his fifth engine of the season in Belgium in July.Red Bull’s decision to take the penalty in Brazil will have been largely motivated by the many straightforward overtaking opportunities the circuit presents.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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      Popular F1 driver facing axe BEFORE the end of the season as team chief says ‘difficult decisions have to be made’

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      FORMULA ONE star Sergio Perez is at risk of losing his spot on the grid after a disastrous home Grand Prix.The 34-year-old was out to end his six-month podium drought in Mexico but came 17th.Sergio Perez is in danger of losing his spot on the gridCredit: RexThe driver came closer to crashing into his possible replacementCredit: GettyPerez’s Red Bull car struggled with braking problems, with reports suggesting that his poor year could see him axed in the final four races of the season.Asked about Checo’s future, team principal Christian Horner said: “Look, it’s a performance based business. There comes a point in time that difficult decisions have to be made.”His comments come after chief Helmut Marko added: “The hoped for upturn that we all expected has unfortunately not materialised.”Perez may have a contract, but F1 is a meritocracy. If the performance is not right, even contracts are useless.”READ MORE F1 NEWSMax Verstappen could soon have a new team-mate, with Liam Lawson rumoured to be in the running.The New Zealander has impressed for RB in recent weeks, who are the team owned by Red Bull.Lawson came to blows with Perez in Mexico after a controversial overtake saw them go wheel-to-wheel.Perez raged about him post-race, saying: “I think the way he has come to F1, I don’t think he has the right attitude for it. He needs to be a bit more humble.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”When you come to F1, you’re obviously very, very hungry and so on, but you have to be as well respectful off track and on track. “I don’t think he’s showing the right attitude to show a good case for himself.Inside Lewis Hamilton’s £13m collection of supercars including £4m classic and £1.6m ride made entirely for him”I think he’s a great driver and I hope for him that he can step back and learn from it.“In his two first Grands Prix, he has had too many incidents. I think there will be a point where it can cost him too much.” More

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      Lando Norris back in title contention as Sainz wins F1 Mexican Grand Prix after 20-SECOND Max Verstappen penalty

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN was slapped with a whopping 20-second penalty after a ferocious battle with title rival Lando Norris.The huge punishment from stewards at Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix came on the weekend Norris, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and others urged the FIA to tighten rules on Verstappen’s “unfair” driving style.Carlos Sainz hails his dominant win in MexicoCredit: ReutersLando Norris finished second, four places and ten points clear of Max VerstappenCredit: GettySainz completed another excellent win for FerrariCredit: AFPNorris drove a superb race to finish in second place, sandwiched between the two Ferraris — race-winner Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc in third.It means the McLaren driver collected 18 points to Verstappen’s eight.And Norris said: “I didn’t want to expect such a thing because I respect Max a lot as a driver but I was ready to expect something like this.“It was not clean driving in my opinion but I avoided it and it was a good race. A lot of it was trying to stay in the race and avoid crashes.READ MORE F1 NEWS“Congratulations to Carlos, he drove a great race. I tried my best. We were the quickest team, we’ll focus on ourselves.” This GP could prove crucial in the title race, with 47 points now separating the duo with four races remaining.In total there are 120 points up for grabs — 25 for a win and one for the fastest lap, plus 16 for the two remaining sprint races. It is still a huge stretch for Norris.Dutchman Verstappen had clearly taken no notice of the complaints about his driving and  tussled with Norris for ­second place on lap ten. Most read in MotorsportHOW IT FINISHED IN MEXICOTHIS is how it concluded on Sunday.1. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)2. Lando Norris (McLaren)3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)4. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)5. George Russell (Mercedes)6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 7. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)9. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)11. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)12. Franco Colapinto (Williams)13. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)14. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)15. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)16. Liam Lawson (RB)17. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)Did Not Finish: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Alex Albon (Williams), Yuki Tsunoda (RB)CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNorris went for an overtake around the outside of turn four but Verstappen nudged him wide and the McLaren was forced to cut the corner.And when 24-year-old Norris tried to let him through at turn eight, both him and Verstappen went off track, allowing Leclerc to leave them for dust.Kimi Raikkonen’s son Robin shows his skills on the Karting track Seething Norris slammed Verstappen on the team radio and said: “I was ahead the whole way through the corner — this guy is dangerous.“I just have to avoid a crash, I will end up in the wall in a minute.”Stewards  hit world champion Verstappen with the hefty ten-second penalty for “forcing another driver off the track”.When told about the penalty, Verstappen said: “Ten? That’s quite impressive.”Red Bull engineer Gianpiero Lambiase replied on the radio: “There was a lot of whinging. A lot.”Verstappen was then hit with ANOTHER ten-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage for the incident with his nearest challenger.In Mexico, F1’s governing body decided to revise its racing guidelines following uproar over Norris’ controversial five- second penalty for an overtake on  Verstappen in Texas a week ago.The FIA gave no details as to what would change, but there was a discussion over the tactics Verstappen used to keep his position and whether he should have been punished.Sainz took the flag for an impressive success in MexicoCredit: ReutersIt seems they were keen to get their message across loud and clear during yesterday’s race.  There was chaos from the start as Yuki Tsunoda made contact with Alex Albon and spun into the wall —  a wheel coming off his RB car.Smoke plumed out of the car but luckily the Japanese driver quickly said “I’m OK” on the team radio. Amid the drama, home hero Sergio Perez had risen from 13th to fifth, but stewards were investigating the Red Bull driver for a false start as he looked well beyond his pit box.Verstappen fired into the lead at turn one ahead of Sainz, who veered off track and across the grass but gave the place back to the Dutchman.On lap nine, Sainz and Verstappen ­tussled for the lead as the Spaniard wriggled inside thanks to DRS.The claws were out from there as old foes Verstappen and Norris reignited their on-track battle — which led to the Red Bull driver’s two penalties.The Dutchman sailed into the pit lane on lap 27 and served his 20-second ­penalty before returning in 15th place.Yuki Tsunoda, as well as Alex Albon, crashed out on the first lapCredit: ReutersRed Bull’s Verstappen and Ferrari’s Sainz storm off as Tsunoda crashesCredit: ReutersThe pack shuffled out by lap 38, with Sainz still in the lead followed by Leclerc, Norris, Russell and ­Hamilton.There was a heart-in-mouth moment as Leclerc nearly careered into the barrier on lap 63 but saved himself just in time. Norris snuck through while the Ferrari went wide to leave him eight ­seconds behind leader Sainz.READ MORE SUN STORIESNorris then chipped away at the gap until the very end but Sainz sailed over the line 4.7 seconds ahead.Hamilton finished fourth after a near wheel-to-wheel battle with teammate Russell, who had to settle for fifth.Racing Bull’s Japanese ace Tsunoda was soon out of the raceCredit: Sky Sports F1 More