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      Aston Martin deny sensational claims they are targeting Max Verstappen in stunning £1billion deal from Red Bull

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      ASTON MARTIN have denied they are targeting MAX VERSTAPPEN in a colossal £1BILLION deal.The four-time world champion’s future at Red Bull was the subject of strong speculation throughout 2024 due to the team’s internal power struggles, which even saw Verstappen threaten to quit.Max Verstappen is being targeted in a £1bilion deal by Aston Martin, reports suggestCredit: AlamyAston Martin have ambitious plans to win the world championship but have denied the claimsCredit: Aston MartinThey are backed by billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who has already poached Adrian Newey to his teamCredit: PAMercedes were one of the main teams linked to the Dutchman following their own bombshell news that Lewis Hamilton was quitting the team for Ferrari for 2025.But according to Mail Sport, Aston Martin have told potential sponsors that Verstappen will join them as part of their ambitious bid to win the F1 world championship.The reported deal would be worth up to £1bn, making it one of the most lucrative in F1 history.Sources suggest Jefferson Slack, a close confidant of billionaire team owner, Lawrence Stroll, has made pitches to would-be investors claiming the 27-year-old will join them.READ MORE IN F1It is reported a figure as high as £200m a year may be needed to prise Verstappen away from Red Bull.And given his success at Red Bull and the £50million a year deal currently pinning him there until 2028, the claim seems more of a desire than a fact.An Aston Martin spokesperson categorically denied the story.The team also have Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll contracted through to 2026.Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWhy snapping up Adrian Newey is such a coup for Aston MartinSpeaking about his future, Verstappen said: “Did I have doubts about my future at Red Bull at that stage? Well, the feeling wasn’t quite 100 per cent. There was a lot going on. “But, on the other hand, I don’t think that if something goes wrong, you can just say: I’m leaving. That’s not how I am.”Verstappen’s future last season was clouded thanks to an internal Red Bull civil war between his father, Jos, and team advisor Helmut Marko in one camp and team principal Christian Horner in the other.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: 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 Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban OconAston Martin has already poached legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey – who left during the power struggle – from Red Bull in a £20m a year deal.It is the final season before a major regulation change in 2026 that will feature smaller cars, 100 per cent sustainable fuel and a redesigned power unit.Verstappen will partner Liam Lawson when the new season gets underway at the Australian Grand Prix in March.He claimed his fourth driver’s title last year but saw his team finish third in the constructors’ championship following a string of poor races by Sergio Perez.Meanwhile, Aston Martin were the best of the rest as the top four teams; McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes hoovering up the top spots across the season.Alonso finished ninth in the driver’s championship with 70 points, while Stoll ended in 13th with 24. More

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      Max Verstappen beaten to 2025 F1 title as supercomputer predicts Lewis Hamilton to enjoy major resurgence with Ferrari

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      MAX Verstappen is tipped to miss out on a fifth-straight world championship title, according to a F1 supercomputer.Lando Norris is pipped to beat the Dutchman this time around, with Lewis Hamilton set to enjoy a major resurgence with Ferrari.A supercomputer has predicted Max Verstappen to miss out on the next world championship titleCredit: AFPSeven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is expected to finish in third placeCredit: GettyVerstappen clinched his fourth successive F1 world title in November, taking him level with the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost.But the 27-year-old was challenged all the way by McLaren star Norris, who fell short in the final stages.And now the CardPlayer.com tech whizzes have forecasted a change in fortune for Norris.They believe the Brit will finish eight points ahead of the Red Bull No1 in the 2025 season.READ MORE IN F1Norris is predicted to amass 380 points over the course of the year, which the supercomputer believes will be enough to narrowly beat Verstappen to glory.Meanwhile, Hamilton is predicted is to resurrect from the shadows with a third place finish – but could find himself at least 41 points behind Verstappen.Many high-profile figures in the sport have questioned whether the legendary Brit still has what it takes after finishing seventh in 2024.But the AI calculator clearly believes the seven-time champion can make a success of his Ferrari spell.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe crystal ball technology foresees Hamilton, who celebrated his 40th birthday on January 7, to out-score new team-mate Charles Leclerc by 56 points.The Frenchman is predicted to rank fifth and behind Hamilton’s old Mercedes team-mate George Russell, who finished sixth in 2024. Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decadeOscar Piastri is tipped to finish sixth, one place ahead of youngster Andrea Kimi Antonelli ,who looks set to enjoy a breakthrough debut season with Mercedes. That would make him 17 points and one place better off than Verstappen’s new Red Bull partner Liam Lawson who rounds off the top eight.The Formula 1 supercomputer has also predicted a dramatic final day-showdown at the end of a thrilling 2025 title race.The F1 drivers’ championship was last decided at the last race of the season in 2021, when Verstappen edged out rival Hamilton in highly controversial circumstances. Norris has been tipped to win his first F1 world title in 2025, beating Verstappen to the crownCredit: EPAAnd a similarly tight title race is predicted for this year too, but with a less satisfying result for the Dutchman.CardPlayer stated: “The supercomputer simulates the outcomes of the 2025 Formula 1 season, predicting driver and constructor standings based on probabilities derived from a strength model. “It uses a predefined race calendar and a scoring system to allocate points for race finishes and sprint events.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Drivers’ chances of achieving specific positions are calculated based on cars’ and drivers’ strengths, and results for each race are simulated. “This is done 10,000 times for the matrix, and then the model picks one simulation for its prediction of the 2025 season.”F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: 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 Isack HadjarHaas: Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon More

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      Red Bull announce 22-year-old will be Max Verstappen’s new team-mate hours after Sergio Perez axe

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      LIAM LAWSON has been announced as Max Verstappen’s new Formula One team-mate.The news comes following Red Bull’s axing of Sergio Perez on Wednesday.Liam Lawson has been named as Max Verstappen’s new team-mate at Red BullCredit: RexSergio Perez had a poor season partnering the four-time world championCredit: PALiam Lawson impressed across six races at Red Bull’s sister team Visa CashApp RBCredit: GettyPerez, 34, had a poor season in the second Red Bull seat, finishing eighth in the World Drivers Championship and seeing the constructor finish down in third in the World Constructors Championship.Following months of speculation, Perez’s exit from the Racing Bulls was announced, with 22-year-old Lawson being named as his replacement to pair with Verstappen from 2025.New Zealander Lawson joined the F1 grid in 2024 as a late-season replacement for Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull’s sister team Visa CashApp RB (VCARB), managing to score four points over the final six races of the season.His first stint in F1 had arrived in 2023 when he was subbed in for Ricciardo following injury.READ MORE IN F1A statement from Team Principal Christian Horner said: “Liam’s performances over the course of his two stints with Racing Bulls have demonstrated that he’s not only capable of delivering strong results but that he’s also a real racer, not afraid to mix it with the best and come out on top.”On the move, Lawson said: “To be announced as an Oracle Red Bull Racing driver is a lifelong dream for me.”This is something I’ve wanted and worked towards since I was eight years old. It’s been an incredible journey so far.“I want to say a massive thank you to the whole team at VCARB for their support, the last six races have played a huge part in my preparation for this next step.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I also want to thank, Christian [Horner, Red Bull boss], Helmut [Marko, Red Bull Motorsport Adviser] and the whole Red Bull family for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.“I am super excited to work alongside Max and learn from a World Champion, I have no doubt I will learn from his expertise. I can’t wait to get going!”Geri Horner and Kelly Piquet steal the show as they join Christian Horner and Max Verstappen at plush FIA AwardsSavage sackings in F1THE world of F1 can be savage, with employees discarded like used tea bags.Danish driver Kevin Magnussen was a rising star of the McLaren team when he made his debut in 2014 alongside Jensen Button.But when he finished the season trailing in eleventh place, he was swiftly replaced by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso.Instead of breaking the bad news to him in a face-to-face meeting, boss Ron Dennis got his assistant to send Magnussen a short and impersonal email.Worst still, the curt message landed in Kevin’s inbox on his 23rd birthday.Read more tales of F1’s brutal world including one boss who was labelled an ‘executioner’ and a driver dumped by a brisk TEXT.Red Bull had narrowed their list to partner Verstappen to promoting one of Lawson or Yuki Tsunoda, before ultimately choosing the Kiwi driver despite the Japanese driver’s own impressive full year.Being the partner driver to Verstappen in the main Red Bull team has been a notoriously difficult task for many drivers.However, with just 11 races in F1 under his belt, Lawson is the least experienced of the lot, with Alex Albon having had just 12 races and Pierre Gasly having 26 before their ill-fated stints with Red Bull.Lawson’s now former team, RB, said in a statement: “Liam has truly impressed with his performances, showcasing his resilience, adaptability, and growing confidence as he navigated the challenges of a highly competitive grid. “Although his time with us has been brief, Liam has made a real impact, earning the respect of everyone in the team. “We want to thank Liam for his dedication and all the effort he’s given during his time with the team. “We wish him the best of luck as he takes on this exciting new chapter with Oracle Red Bull Racing, and we look forward to watching his growth in the sport. We’ll see you on the track old sport!”Lawson’s move leaves one seat up for grabs on the 2025 F1 grid.However, it is expected that F2 runner-up Isack Hadjar – another driver from the Red Bull driver academy – will fill the remaining seat.The first race of the 2025 F1 season will be held in Australia on March 16.Lawson, who joined the Red Bull driver academy in 2019, will be one of five full-time debutant drivers on the grid next season.Britain’s own Ollie Bearman landed a full-time seat with Haas for next year after a number of strong substitute appearances for both Haas and Ferrari across the season.READ MORE SUN STORIESThree stars – so far – will be driving F1 cars competitively for the first time when the lights go out in Melbourne next spring.Those are Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes successor, Kimi Antonelli, McLaren junior, Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber and Alpine Academy driver, Jack Doohan, who will drive with the parent team.F1 2025 gridHere are the confirmed driver line ups for the F1 2025 season so far:Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Liam LawsonFerrari: 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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      F1 boss Christian Horner puts year from hell behind him as he collects CBE with wife Geri by his side

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      FORMULA 1 boss Christian Horner put his hellish year behind him as he collected a CBE — with Spice Girl wife Geri by his side.The Red Bull chief, 51, picked up the gong from King Charles yesterday for his services to motorsports.F1 boss Christian Horner put his hellish year behind him as he collected a CBE — with Spice Girl wife Geri by his sideHorner picked up the gong from King Charles for his services to motorsportsCredit: PAGeri, 52, looked more Posh than Baby Spice in a netted veil and headband.The award capped a rollercoaster year for the racing boss who was cleared after being accused of sending intimate texts to a colleague.He said about meeting the King at the ceremony in Buckingham Palace: “He was charming.”Horner was accused of sending the intimate late-night texts to the woman, in her 40s, who reported him to HR executives at the racing team.READ MORE ON CHRISTIAN HORNERIt sparked a months-long internal misconduct probe which threatened to force Horner, who has led Red Bull since 2005, to leave in disgrace.And it even put his marriage in jeopardy with the allegations leaving Geri “mortified and angry” at her husband of nine years.An internal probe cleared Horner in February and his accuser’s appeal was thrown out in August, with Horner adding he was “relieved” to be in the clear.Now he and Geri, who share a seven-year-old son, are said to be putting the furore behind them and moving on.Most read in MotorsportLast Friday the couple put on a smitten display during the FIA Awards in Kigali, Rwanda.Horner has also mended the bridge with Max Verstappen’s dad Jos – who was said to be pushing for his sacking during the investigation.Inside Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen’s feud More

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      Geri Horner and Kelly Piquet steal the show as they join Christian Horner and Max Verstappen at plush FIA Awards

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      GERI HORNER and Kelly Piquet attended last night’s FIA Awards alongside their partners at a glitzy bash in Kigali, Rwanda.The pair joined Christian Horner and Max Verstappen as they celebrated the latter’s latest Formula 1 world title.Geri Horner and Kelly Piquet pose on the blue carpet with Max Verstappen and Christian HornerCredit: InstagramKelly posted a selfie with partner MaxCredit: InstagramThe Horners took a snap from the back of their rideCredit: InstagramLast night’s bash saw stars of the sport don their tuxedos for an evening of celebrations.Piquet, who announced that she is pregnant earlier this month, wore a stunning black gown for the event.Geri, meanwhile, went for an elegant white dress.Verstappen also posed for pictures with colleagues Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, who came second and third in this season’s championship respectively.READ MORE IN F1Norris’ McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri was also present in Kigali as his team celebrated winning the constructor’s championship.After collecting his world drivers’ trophy, Verstappen reflected on 2024 before looking forward to the year ahead.The 27-year-old said: “This season as you could see was quite up and down.”We had a great start to the year, everything was looking great. I think especially from the outside, of course, as a team you always understand your limitations and what you want to work on.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSVerstappen was joined at the ceremony by pregnant partner KellyCredit: GettyThe Horners posed for snaps togetherCredit: Rex”The competition did a great job, they improved their cars a lot and made it a lot more difficult for us – especially in the constructors’.”We had a bit of a tough run in the middle of the season but even when we were under pressure, and having tough times, I think the team really stuck together.Max Verstappen’s girlfriend Kelly Piquet turns heads in bold black outfit”We didn’t panic, which could easily be done I think in those kinds of situations.”At the end of the day I’m just very proud of everyone in the team as well. Of course we’re not standing here as constructors’ champions but, in a way, I do think we deserved a little bit more in that championship.”I tried my very best and we also know a lot what we have to work on for next year. I’m very excited about that as well because it does look like it’s going to be a proper fight between a lot of teams.”Not present was Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, who scored just 49 points between Week 7 and Week 24.Asked about the Mexican’s potential replacement Liam Lawson, Horner said: “I think Liam, in challenging circumstances, has done a very good job. If you analyse what he’s done in the time that he’s had and the race pace he’s had, I think he’s done a good job.”I think Yuki’s (Tsunoda) done a good job, so in the event that anything were decided with Checo (Perez) they would be the candidates we would look towards.”Verstappen was joined by Lando Norris and Charles LeclercCredit: GettyKelly and Max are expecting a child togetherCredit: Rex More

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      Ultimate Formula 1 drivers rich list as Max Verstappen pulls clear of Lewis Hamilton with record-breaking salary

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      IT’S the most expensive sport in the world, so it’s no surprise top Formula 1 drivers boast eye-watering salaries.The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris certainly enjoy a life in the fast line – with supercar collections, huge mansions and beautiful women.Max Verstappen was crowned a four-time world champ in Las Vegas last monthGeorge Russell with stunning girlfriend Carmen Montero MundtSunday saw the end of the 2024 season and Hamilton’s final race with Mercedes as he heads to childhood heroes Ferrari in the New Year.But all the drama has come away from the track, with Verstappen and Russell at war over an incident at the penultimate race of the campaign in Qatar on December 1.The Red Bull driver accused Russell of being “two-faced” with the stewards, while the Brit threw out “bullying” accusations back.Ahead of the off-season, we reveal the drivers at the top of the rich list – as the top 10 earners collected an estimated £248m combined.READ MORE F1 NEWS10) PIERRE GASLY £9MPierre comes from a family heavily involved in motorsportsPierre, 28, who made his debut in 2017, drives for Alpine and comes from a family heavily involved in motorsports.His salary was bumped up to £8m this season, with £1m in bonuses as he signed a contract extension in June to keep him with team until 2026. Pierre’s brand partnerships include headphone brand Blomm and Berger, The Grid, Destination Grand Prix, and Crypto Gaming.He is said to be dating Italian Caterina Masetti Zannini, who shares many of her lavish trips with Pierre on Instagram.Most read in Motorsport9) CARLOS SAINZ £15MSainz has been replaced by Hamilton after a great final season with FerrariF1 Bianca BustamanteThe Spanish ace was paid a reported £8m a year by Ferrari, who he joined in 2021 after successful stints with Renault and McLaren.And he is promised £9m in performance related bonuses, which he surely wrapped up with 27 podium finishes in 2024.But the 30-year-old has joined Williams after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton.Endorsements include Playstation, lager brand Estrella and German helmet manufacturer Schuberth.Away from the track he still feels the need for speed and his luxury car collection includes a McLaren 720S worth £800k and a £750K Ferrari 812.Time is of the essence too – with a high end watch collection worth millions, including a Roger Dubuis timepiece worth USD £205,000 and a Franck Muller watch worth £200,000.8) SERGIO PEREZ £15.3MSergio’s future at Red Bull is under threatSergio, 34, may not be the highest-paid driver on the grid, but he’s been amassing an impressive fortune since his debut in 2011.His estimated £62.4million net worth, which includes an £9.4million salary from Red Bull, makes him one of the richest athletes in the world.The Mexican signed a two-year contract extension in June, but he was nowhere near competitive for the rest of the season, slipping to eighth in the standings just a year after he finished as the runner-up to team-mate Verstappen. This has left his Red Bull future under threat.Checo reportedly owns a multi-million dollar 15,000-square-foot mansion in Mexico and supercars including a Bugatti Chiron, which cost around £2million.F1 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 Ocon7) OSCAR PIASTRI £17MOscar Piastri has backed up his rookie season this yearThe 23-year-old is one the babies on the track, having come through the Renault Sports Academy and started his F1 career in 2021.As such, he actually earns LESS than the aforementioned drivers in salary (£5m) – but his staggering £13m in bonuses sees him climb the list.After a strong rookie season in 2023, Piastri was even better this year, claiming the first two Grand Prix victories of his career in Hungary and Azerbaijan and finishing fourth in the driver standings. He is set to race at least two more years for McLaren after signing a contract extension in September 2023, just days before he secured his first podium finish.The future is bright to the Aussie as he helped McLaren clinch their first Constructors’ Championship in 26 years.6) GEORGE RUSSELL £18MGeorge Russel’s has shot up through the ranks in recent yearsRussell is now the No1 driver at Mercedes after Hamilton’s exit – but he’s internal dominance this year had proved that anyway – as he signed an extension in August 2023.He now bags £11.7million a year from Mercedes, with a reported £7million in bonuses.Teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli, 18, will step into Hamilton’s iconic shoes.Russell finished sixth in the standings and won two races, missing a third victory only because of a disqualification at Spa.5) CHARLES LECLERC £21MThe Frenchman earns £11.7m in salary at Ferrari as he welcomes HamiltonCredit: GettyLeclerc, who finished third in the driver standings this year, will welcome Hamilton to Ferrari next season.The Frenchman earns £11.7m in salary and his bonuses almost match that at £10m.He was part of another memorable tandem at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The 27-year-old took part in Friday’s practice session alongside his 24-year-old brother, Arthur—a Ferrari development driver—making them the first siblings ever to drive in F1 as teammates.4) FERNANDO ALONSO £21.5MThe 42-year-old owns homes in Oxford and SwitzerlandTwo-time world champion Fernando Alonso, 42, signed a new deal with Aston Martin in 2023 after finishing fourth in the standings.The Spanish star earns £18million in salary, while performance add-ons amount to around £3million. Unsurprisingly, Alonso likes his cars – he owns over 300 and some have even been put on display in the Fernando Alonso Sports Complex in Spain.The racer owns homes in Oxford and Switzerland, as well as an apartment in a 52-storey building in Dubai.3) LANDO NORRIS £27MAfter claiming P1 in the final race at Abu Dhabi, Norris declared: ‘Next year is my year’Norris wasn’t quite able to overtake Verstappen for the drivers’ title, but achieved 13 podium finishes this year.He did, however, take home a reported £9.4million in wages, and surely earned his whopping £18m in bonuses, as McLaren landed an unexpected constructors’ championship.Lando was born into wealth through dad Adam – who amassed a £205million fortune – and mum Cisca, from Belgium.After claiming P1 in the final race at Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Norris declared: “Next year is my year”.2) LEWIS HAMILTON £45MLewis Hamilton used to earn the most on the gridAfter years of dominance at Mercedes, Hamilton was the highest-paid driver in F1 – his contract with netted him £43million each year, and he’s estimated to be worth £270.9million.That figure is set to soar far higher, too, after it was revealed he will join the Scuderia in 2025 in a shock deal worth £100million.But the wage gulf between Hamilton and Verstappen has expanded after the changing of the guard moment in 2021.The seven-time world champion has numerous endorsement deals with the likes of Puma, Sony, Police, and Tommy Hilfiger.Hertfordshire-born Lewis, 39, is said to be raking in an additional £16.6million from these sponsorship deals.He also owns a £49.1million penthouse in New York, according to GQ, and a £19.1million six-bedroom home in London.1) MAX VERSTAPPEN £59MVerstappen is F1’s highest-paid driver on the trackUnderstandably, for the third straight year, Verstappen is F1’s highest-paid driver on the track.With estimated 2024 earnings of £59million, including a series-record £47million in salary to go with £12million in performance bonuses.The Dutchman had to wait until the season’s third-to-last Grand Prix, in Las Vegas, to lock up the championship, four races later than when he clinched in 2023.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs he’s only 27, industry experts predict his estimated £165million fortune will increase in the coming years.Last week, the Red Bull No.1 announced he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet, daughter of three-time F1 champ Nelson Piquet.The F1 driver announced the happy news with this picture on social media More

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      Max Verstappen lashes out at ‘stupid idiots’ as F1 rival overheard dropping sarcastic dig on radio at Abu Dhabi GP

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN lashed out at Formula One officials after receiving a 10-second penalty at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.Verstappen, 27, made contact with Oscar Piastri on the first corner of the opening lap on Sunday.Max Verstappen lashed out at Formula One officials after receiving a 10-second penaltyCredit: GettyVerstappen made contact with Oscar Piastri on the first corner of the opening lapPiastri started spinning off the track and ended up facing the other wayBoth Piastri and Verstappen issued some sarcastic messages on the radioCredit: RexPiastri, 23, started spinning off the track and ended up facing the other way, while the Red Bull superstar managed to keep going.However, the reigning Formula One champion was handed a 10-second penalty as a result of the collision.And the Dutchman was clearly not impressed with the stewards’ decision.Verstappen was heard saying on his radio: “Can we ask for 20 seconds? Stupid idiots.”Read More on F1McLaren star Piastri was also heard dropping a sarcastic dig at his rival on his radio after the incident.Piastri was heard saying: “Yep. Move of a world champion that one.”And when informed by his McLaren team that Verstappen had been handed a 10-second penalty, the Aussie star responded: “Good.”The reigning world champion finished the race sixth, while Piastri snatched 10th place.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMcLaren team-mate Lando Norris was the big winner of the race.British legend Sir Lewis Hamilton finished ahead of both Verstappen and Piastri.Ferrari urged to rip up Lewis Hamilton’s contract by F1 legend after star’s ‘worrying’ admission Hamilton, who was racing with Mercedes for the last time ever before moving to Ferrari, was fourth. More

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      War between Russell and Verstappen out of control as Horner follows up dig at rival Wolff but FIA WON’T take action

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      CHRISTIAN HORNER snapped back at Toto Wolff by saying “I’d rather be a terrier than a Wolff”.The Mercedes boss unleashed his fury at Horner on Thursday by labelling him a “yapping little terrier” amid the furious row between George Russell and Max Verstappen.Christian Horner has shown there’s no puppy love lost with Toto WolffCredit: https://www.instagram.com/christianhorner/Mercedes chief Wolff is caught up in the rowCredit: RexIt came as it emerged Verstappen will escape any punishment from the FIA over Russell’s allegations.Horner lapped it up in Friday’s press conference, revealing he is a huge fan of terriers and once owned four of them, while aiming a cheeky dig at the Mercedes chief’s surname.Two were even named Flavio and Bernie, presumably after former Renault boss Flavio Briatore and ex-F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone.The Red Bull boss, 51, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, said: “I love terriers, I think they are great dogs.READ MORE F1“I had four of them and a couple of Airedales, which is the king of the terriers.“I had a couple of West Highland terriers called Bernie and Flavio. And the good thing about a terrier is they’re tremendously loyal.“Bernie, he was an aggressive little dog, he’d go for anybody. Flavio, he was a bit more chilled and he probably ate a bit too much as well.“But I think to be called a terrier is that such a bad thing? They’re not afraid of having a go at the bigger dogs.Most read in MotorsportGeorge Russell and Max Verstappen are still at loggerheadsCredit: GettyHorner posted a pic of his terrier Bernie on Instagram later on to fan the flamesCredit: https://www.instagram.com/christianhorner/CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“You know, rather be a terrier than a wolf.”Horner only continued to fan the flames by later posting an image of the terrier Bernie on his Instagram.’Full-time menace’ Lando Norris stokes flames in Verstappen vs Russell ‘head in the wall row’ with cheeky Instagram postRussell and Verstappen’s war of words has dominated the build-up to Formula 1’s final race of the year.But Wolff and Horner have been at each other’s throats for years and have provided several viral moments on the hit Netflix show Drive to Survive.The spat is giving F1 fans a reminder of the duo’s fierce conflict in 2021 when Lewis Hamilton missed out on a record eighth world title to Verstappen in the Abu Dhabi desert that year.As for whether he is worried that Verstappen and Russell’s feud could spill over onto the track this weekend, Horner added: “No, not at all.“Max, he’s a very straight shooter. He just tells you exactly how he sees it. He tells the truth exactly, what he feels.“Obviously he had a large amount of frustration last weekend. The way things played out in a scenario that we haven’t seen before and subsequent grid penalty.“He turned it into motivation and made a lightning start, led the race into the first corner, and won the Grand Prix, which is the best possible response.“Now, obviously, a lot’s been made of it Thursday. It is pantomime season, we’re getting ready for Christmas. There’s maybe an element of end of term blues there, but I don’t think it’ll have any effect.”With Hamilton set for his last race with Mercedes this weekend before joining Ferrari for the 2025 season, Horner said Wolff’s focus should be elsewhere.He added: “It needs to be about what you do on the track. I mean, there’s a sort of a love-hate relationship, where I think Toto loves to hate me.“It’s one of those things. I would have assumed he sort of got a bit more on his plate with obviously it’s Lewis’s last race for that team.Horner and wife Geri Horner are animal loversCredit: https://www.instagram.com/gerihalliwellhorner/“I think they should be celebrating that rather than focusing on other aspects.”Wolff, who gatecrashed Russell’s press conference on Thursday to slam Horner, also said that the Red Bull boss had been too “weak” to properly control Verstappen.Horner hit back at this and said: “Regarding Toto’s other comments, I’m not going to rise to the bait of that. Everybody manages themselves and their teams in different ways.“We’ve won 122 races. We’ve won 14 world championships. I think we’re doing alright.”Verstappen is set to escape any further punishment from the stewards despite allegedly saying he would put Russell’s “f***ing head in the wall” in Qatar.The stewards are not set to investigate the serious allegations that Russell dropped on Thursday ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.The British 26-year-old claimed Verstappen threatened to put his “f****** head in the wall” by deliberately crashing into him at the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend.Mercedes star Russell also branded the four-time world champ a “bully” with the Dutchman hitting back by labelling him a “backstabber” and “loser”.Russell and Verstappen’s feud simmers away with the duo sitting on opposite ends of the table at the driver’s dinnerEyebrows have been raised over the FIA’s lack of intervention considering they recently clamped down so hard on swearing punishments.In Singapore, Red Bull’s Verstappen was ordered by FIA stewards to “accomplish some work of public interest” after dropping the F-bomb to describe his car.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was fined for saying f*** in a post-race news conference in Mexico.Russell and Verstappen’s feud continues to simmer away with the duo sitting on opposite ends of the table at the driver’s dinner on Thursday night.Lewis Hamilton invited the drivers ahead of his last race at Mercedes, while his former teammate Valtteri Bottas got the bill.Norris wrote on Instagram: “2024 dinner! and yes, the two your thinking about were sat as far away from each other as possible.He followed the message with a crying laughing emoji and a smiling emoji while Verstappen commented with a steak emoji, alluding to the beef with Russell.READ MORE SUN STORIESVerstappen was all smiles yesterday, blocking out the drama to announce he is expecting a baby with partner Kelly Piquet.He said: “Mini Verstappen-Piquet on the way. We couldn’t be happier with our little miracle.” More