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      ‘Not to throw shade but…’ – F1 star Alex Albon explains the problem of being team-mates with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen

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      EX-RED BULL driver Alex Albon has explained the problem of being team-mates with double Formula One world champion, Max Verstappen. Albon, 26, raced alongside Verstappen, 25, for a season-and-a-half between 2019 and 2021.
      Alex Albon has explained the problem with being Max Verstappen’s team-mateCredit: PA
      The Red Bull car is tailor-made for Max Verstappen, the Thai-British driver saysCredit: EPA
      However, the Thai-British driver struggled in the Red Bull car compared to the flying Dutchman.
      And in 2021, Albon was demoted to the role of test and reserve driver with Red Bull with his seat being taken by Sergio Perez, who still partners Verstappen today.
      Ahead of the 2023 season, Williams driver Albon has explained the challenges of being the team-mate of Verstappen, who is hoping to win a third world crown in a row.
      Albon says the Red Bull car is built to suit Verstappen, which can be challenging for the No2.
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      Writing on the Players’ Tribune, Albon said: “This isn’t to throw shade at anyone at Red Bull Racing or Max or anything, honestly.
      “But the car is set up in a unique way that is built around the lead driver, and that’s Max.
      “And, look, I totally get why. I mean, when all is said and done, he might be the greatest driver of all time.
      “But he has a very distinct style of driving, and he likes the car set up a certain way that’s hard for a lot of drivers to sync up with.
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      “Of course, you can tinker and tweak your own car, but just the Red Bull in general is suited to Max’s style.
      “I like a lot of front end and nose. I’ve been teammates with George and Charles and I’ve always had way more nose than them.
      “Basically think front-end sensitivity. And when I got into the Red Bull … I mean there was so much nose on the thing that if you blew on the wheel the car would turn.
      “If you play Call of Duty, or a game like that, turn your sensitivity up to the highest it will go. That’s what it’s like to drive that car.
      “And like I said, I completely understand why.
      “Max was, at the time, a future world champion. It was clear for all to see.
      “So, of course, you’re going to build your car how he likes.
      “But for a guy like me, who had driven 12 F1 races his entire life, in a completely different car, on a different team, it was a bit of an adjustment.
      “And I felt like I did O.K.!! I only finished worse than sixth once the rest of the year with Red Bull, and I was getting up to speed with everything as best I could.
      “But F1 is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business most of the time. And even though I didn’t feel out of place at Red Bull, the next season wasn’t easy.
      “The pandemic impacted everything, and I felt I really needed that extra time with the car that we lost. It was a massive break between Abu Dhabi and the first race.
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      “But I understood it was difficult on everyone and I had to put my head down and perform.”
      Albon turned in a strong showing in pre-season testing, with the 2023 campaign set to get underway in Bahrain this weekend.

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      F1 2023 season predictions as Verstappen could have SHOCK title challenger but Brit stars set for season of misery

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      AFTER a winter break, the new F1 season kicks off this weekend in Bahrain.Last year’s champion, Max Verstappen was simply unstoppable as he blitzed his way to glory while Mercedes’ drivers were left dizzy by their bouncing car and Ferrari cocked it up.
      Max Verstappen won the Championship last yearCredit: Reuters
      But the points totals are reset and with Las Vegas also added to the calendar, here’s what The Sun’s F1 Correspondent Ben Hunt believes what’s in store for 2023…
      Championship winner
      It is so difficult to look past Verstappen for a handful of reasons.
      Sure, Mercedes and Ferrari and the others have had the winter to redesign their cars but there have been relatively few rule changes this time.
      That bodes well for Red Bull, whose car was not only reliable last season, but it was quick everywhere.
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      What does that mean? Well, each track has its own unique characteristics; long straights, slow-speed corners, hot weather or even altitude.
      But Red Bull designed a car that was suited to all of them.
      It makes the refining process over an F1 weekend easier when you start with a good base model each week.
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      Verstappen now has two championship wins – with both titles coming in different circumstances and he will benefit from that.
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      He is more experienced and, let’s face it, was the best performer on track last season, with barely any mistakes.
      His only potential weakness comes from within his team.
      His bitter fall-out with Sergio Perez could see tensions rising between the two team-mates.
      Constructors winner
      The Red Bull car looks like the one to beatCredit: Getty
      Red Bull’s win in the constructors’ championship last time scratched an itch, and they are determined to retain that trophy after years of Mercedes dominance.
      Based on pre-season testing, there is a widely-held opinion that their car again looks the one to beat.
      It is hard to disagree but this championship is surely not over before it has even started, and the aforementioned Perez – Verstappen pairing will be interesting.
      Aside from that, the rest of the team is a steady ship with no key departures or arrivals over the winter, like at their rivals.
      Boosted by Honda’s engines and technical partnership with Ford – and despite a reduction in development because of their cost-cap breach – if they get off to a good start, it could be too late for the other to catch up.
      Overperformer
      Fernando Alonso could impress for Aston MartinCredit: Reuters
      It seems slightly ridiculous to suggest that two-time world champion Fernando Alonso would overdeliver for his new team, Aston Martin, but I expect just that.
      Aston have spent millions and millions on recruiting the best in the business and now they have one in their star driver, who joins from Alpine.
      Alonso has a wonderful ability to overperform in whatever he is given and while I don’t wish to speak too much about their second driver, I fully expect Alonso to drag that car as high up the grid as possible.
      I am also incredibly interested to see how Brit James Vowles does in his new role as team principal of the Williams team after leaving Mercedes, where he was their chief strategist.
      Steadying the ship, and closing the huge gap to the rest of the field, is a big task but I think there is half a chance they can manage it.
      Underperformer
      McLaren have not had the most successful pre-seasonCredit: AFP
      The rumblings from McLaren aren’t great news if your name is Lando Norris.
      The Woking team had hoped to be able to build on last year’s improved end to the season.
      However, if you judge by the results from pre-season testing – where they were the team that put in the least amount of laps – then it could be another long hard season.
      There is no doubt that Norris can deliver wins and even titles but he needs to be given the car to do so, I am not too sure that’s going to be this season.
      He could find himself hamstrung and that would test the relationship with McLaren, and his deal that stretches to 2025.
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      Charles Leclerc could be a challenger this year for FerrariCredit: AFP
      Charles Leclerc will welcome the appointment of new Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur, who will make it a priority to eliminate the strategic mistakes which cost the team last season.
      If Vasseur can cut out the errors, then Leclerc could find himself in a title battle with Verstappen.
      Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz could also benefit from Vasseur’s stability. Now that the Spaniard has a race win under his belt, I expect him to be more competitive.
      Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were left with mixed feelings after testing.
      The bouncing looks to have been cured but the problem is, Red Bull, Ferrari and Alpine and Aston Martin all look much quicker.
      Both Russell and Hamilton could have their work cut out but Mercedes’ strength is their work ethic and it will not be long before they are up to speed. There is potential for wins.
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      Perez will struggle to usurp Verstappen but their relationship will be key to Red Bull’s success.
      The focus will be on whether the Mexican is again willing to play a supporting role.

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      F1 Bahrain Grand Prix: Date, UK start time, live stream, TV channel, practice, qualifying for 2023 season opening race

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      THE 2023 Formula One season gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, with Max Verstappen aiming to become a three-time world champion. Red Bull dominated the 2022 season as they won 17 of 22 races with Verstappen taking a whopping 15 victories and team mate Sergio Perez two.
      Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo at the launch of Red Bulls 2023 car.Credit: AFP
      Charles Leclerc on the podium at last season’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.Credit: Rex
      The pressure will be on new Ferrari team principle Fred Vasseur to deliver a title winning car as The Scuderia look for their first drivers title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
      The 2022 car was fast but unreliable with Charles Leclerc taking 3 victories whilst Carlos Sainz took his maiden F1 win at Silverstone.
      Mercedes had a difficult 2022 season with the Brackley outfit only registering a solitary victory courtesy of George Russell at Interlagos.
      Lewis Hamilton failed to win a race for the first time in his Formula One career in 2022 and will be desperate to get back on the top step of the podium in 2023.

      Elsewhere on the grid Fernando Alonso replaced the retiring Sebastian Vettel at Aston Martin, Nico Hulkenburg returned to the sport with Haas, Pierre Gasly joined Alpine, Nyck de Vries joined Alpha Tauri, Oscar Piastri replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Mclaren and Logan Sargeant joined Williams.
      When is the Bahrain Grand Prix?

      The Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, March 5.
      Practice gets going from 11.30am on Friday, March 3.
      Qualifying is on from 3pm on March 4.
      The race will begin at 3pm UK time.

      What channel is it and can it be live streamed?

      The Bahrain Grand Prix will be live on Sky Sports F1 with highlights on Channel 4.
      You can live stream the race on the Sky Go app which you can download on your tablet or mobile device.

      What are the teams and drivers?

      Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
      Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
      Mercedes: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell
      Alpine: Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly
      Mclaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
      Alpha Tauri: Yuki Tsunoda and Nyck de Vries
      Alfa Romeo: Valterri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou
      Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
      Haas: Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg
      Williams: Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant

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      Lewis Hamilton confident Mercedes WILL be able to challenge Red Bull for title as 2023 season draws closer

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S Mercedes team are confident they have fixed their challenger for this season after a mixed spell on track during testing.The new F1 season kicks off this week in Bahrain where Hamilton and his team-mate George Russell hope to be able to take the fight to world champion Max Verstappen.
      Lewis Hamilton admitted there is still a way to go for Mercedes to get to the level he wantsCredit: Getty
      Hamilton was second-quickest on the final day of testing behind Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez.
      And while he says the team are “not quite where we want to be” he has reasons to be optimistic going into the new season.
      He said: “There has been a lot of discovery and the whole team has approached it with the same mentality, working hard, not being complacent and staying focused.
      “We’re not quite where we want to be but it’s a good platform to start from. We don’t know where we will be next week, but we will stay positive and continue to push to the maximum.”
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      After a tricky day on track last Friday, Merc’s engineering chief Andrew Shovlin says that after a late night spent working on the problem they came up with a suitable fix.
      He added: “A fair bit of work took place overnight to find some refinements to the car specification and recover our direction on the set-up.
      “We do seem to have made progress; both drivers felt the car was in a much better place across the range of conditions [on Saturday] and the balance is closer to what they require on a single lap and long run.
      “It’s clear that we still have work to do on car pace but it has given us a much more coherent picture of where we need to focus our efforts.
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      “We’ll be using the time ahead of next weekend to go through the data we’ve collected and aim to extract a bit more lap time.”
      Meanwhile, Aston Martin will NOT turn to Sebastian Vettel if Lance Stroll is not fit enough to drive this week.
      Stroll suffered wrist injuries when he crashed his bicycle in Spain and was forced to miss all of pre-season testing.
      Aston say they will allow Stroll extra time to recover however if he does not pass a fitness test it will be reserve driver Felipe Drugovich who will compete in the race.
      Vettel retired at the end of last year, but there was growing speculation he could be lured back for a one-off race while Stroll recovers.
      Drugovich has already completed the pre-season alongside Aston’s new recruit, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. More

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      Max Verstappen sends ominous warning to Lewis Hamilton as Red Bull ace fastest in first session of F1 pre-season testing

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN shot an ominous warning signal to Lewis Hamilton as he set the fastest time during the first session of pre-season.The drivers and teams are out in Bahrain for three days of testing before the opening race of the season next month at the same venue.
      Max Verstappen has won the last two driver’s championshipsCredit: Rex
      Testing gives engineers and drivers a chance to explore their cars and make tweaks to its framework before racing begins.
      The three-day event can occasionally signal a changing of the guard with some cars finding lap time and others dropping off.
      But Verstappen has alerted his rivals that he and his Red Bull are still top of the pile by clocking the fastest time over eight hours of running.
      The reigning world champion set his fastest lap at 1.32.837 having gone round the circuit 157 times, far more than any of the other drivers.
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      Fernando Alonso came second, only 0.029 behind the Red Bull, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third-fastest.
      Hamilton did 83 laps and set the sixth-fastest time through the session, while teammate George Russell sharing the Mercedes was ninth.
      It was a good day for struggling Williams who saw Alex Albon and rookie Logan Sargeant set the seventh and tenth quickest times respectively.
      While Felipe Drugovoich, standing in for the injured Lance Stroll, saw his Aston Martin break down early in the session and require work in the garage.
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      Major shakeups to the grid order are not expected with the regulations largely unchanged from last year, although car floors have been raised 15mm off the ground.
      This is in response to the issue of porpoising last season which appeared to particularly affect Mercedes – but they have reported better results this time round. More

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      Lewis Hamilton takes sneaky peek at Red Bull rival Max Verstappen’s car in F1 pre-season training

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      LEWIS HAMILTON took a cheeky peek at Max Verstappen’s new Red Bull car as Formula One’s pre-season testing got underway this morning.The seven-time world champion is looking to wrestle his title back from Verstappen this year to capture a record eighth.
      Lewis Hamilton takes a look at Max Verstappen’s Red BullCredit: Rex
      Hamilton, 38, peers in for a closer lookCredit: Splash
      Red Bull enter the season as the team to beat, having dominated the last campaign on the way to a constructors’ and drivers’ championship double.
      With all 10 teams’ new motors on track together for the first time for the Bahrain session, it’s customary for drivers to have a peek at the opposition.
      And Lewis, 38, couldn’t help but have a little look at what Verstappen has under the bonnet.
      Joined by ex-team-mate Valtteri Bottas, now of Alfa Romeo, and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen – Hamilton checked out the competition.
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      While he wanted to get a closer look at Red Bull’s latest effort during testing, Hamilton seems to be happy with Mercedes’ new W14.
      Upon its launch, he said: “I have been a part of this team for over a decade and the efforts of everyone never cease to amaze me.
      “I find it inspiring how diligently and passionately each person approaches their work.”
      Hamilton also denied that his team would ever try and copy Red Bull… despite what others may be doing.
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      Hamilton checks out the rest of the gridCredit: Splash
      Verstappen later got behind the wheel of his new car for the testing sessionCredit: Getty
      He said: “Of course you can see that some of the cars are approaching what a Red Bull might look like, perhaps with the exception of Ferrari.
      “I don’t think we’ve ever been a team that copied other people.
      “We’ve always had our own mind and have always been a team that’s incredibly creative and innovative and likes to do it our way. And I think that’s worked in the past.”
      Hamilton’s boss Toto Wolff said: “Last year was difficult but it came with lots of learnings.
      “I hope 2023 will be proof that we have understood how to unravel the problems and improve the package of the car.”
      He then continued: “W13 certainly had performance which we never were able to unlock and put all its downforce on the ground.
      “Our car performed very well at the end of the season.
      “However, we still had the famous bouncing at some circuits and the car never gave the drivers good feedback, which limited them in being able to really push.
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      “We have tried to keep all the goodness of the W13 and address its weaknesses.”
      Mercedes fans rejoiced during testing this morning, with the W14 not porpoising at all like its predecessor did.
      Hamilton is ready for another crack at winning an eighth world championshipCredit: AFP More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes have back-up plan car and willing to SCRAP 2023 car if they fall behind Red Bull again

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      MERCEDES are willing to scrap their 2023 car and introduce a back-up design if they fall behind Red Bull. That is according to Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz who believes the German-based team are putting in place measures to avoid last season’s slow start.
      If Mercedes get the car right, Hamilton could have a shot at a record-breaking eighth driver’s crownCredit: PA
      Mercedes engineers will have been hard at work during the winter trying to cut the gap to champions Red BullCredit: PA
      Mercedes installed a unique “zero sidepod” design to their car last year as F1 saw sweeping rule changes that triggered major adjustments across the grid.
      But the eight-times consecutive constructor’s champions quickly found themselves on the back foot with their bouncing car.
      Red Bull and Ferrari led the field with Mercedes trying to cling on amid some embarrassing results.
      Kravitz reports that Lewis Hamilton’s team are keeping faith with the car’s philosophy – but have other ideas on hand just in case.
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      He told Sky Sports: “They’re giving their big idea, which was a failure last year, one more go. But I believe they have a ‘Plan B’ in production.
      “If they need to, they can go to a Plan B – which is the Red Bull or Ferrari-style of doing things – in the middle of the season.”
      Mercedes are looking to be competitive again after a year out in the wilderness.
      They will get to put their car concept to test in pre-season over the next few days.
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      Testing last year gave the first sign that Mercedes had fallen from their perch with both Hamilton and teammate George Russell expressing frustration with the car’s flaws.
      Kravitz thinks the once dominant team will soon return to the forefront following their mini-revival towards the end of the season.
      He added: “These rules are what they are for a few years yet, so they’ve got to get it right at some point.
      “But at the moment they’re saying ‘Look we think we’ve got a proper handle on what went wrong last year, we still think our way – which is unique in the pit lane – having very slim sidepods is the way to go aerodynamically.
      “Most of the downforce is generated by the floor, which you can’t see, but they’re saying ‘Don’t expect anything too soon.'” More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s salary dwarfed by Max Verstappen’s but Mercedes ace still second-top earner as F1 stars’ wages revealed

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN topped F1’s pay league last year with a staggering £45million.The two-time world champion maximised his contract with Red Bull in the 2022 season.
      Max Verstappen earns £16million more than Lewis Hamilton per year
      Max Verstappen earns more than any other driver in F1Credit: Getty
      Lewis Hamiltonis reportedly on £29m per yearCredit: AP
      His deal included bonuses for winning races, taking podiums and winning both the drivers’ and teams’ championship titles.
      Verstappen’s earnings dwarfed that of Lewis Hamilton, who is in the process of negotiating a new deal with his Mercedes team.
      Hamilton, who went winless for the first time in his F1 career last season, is understood to have earned around £29million, claim RacingNews365.
      He has now had first talks with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over a new deal with the contract is expected to be a formality.
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      Hamilton, 38, is likely to be offered similar terms to his last contract.
      However, in the long-term he is seeking an ambassador position with Mercedes for when he eventually does call time on his racing career. 
      Both Hamilton and Verstappen have private endorsements too with the Dutchman having just signed a deal with Heineken.
      Meanwhile, Jenson Button expects Hamilton to come out of the blocks flying when the season starts next week in Bahrain. 
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      However, Button, who was Hamilton’s teammate at McLaren between 2010 and 2012, said when he struggled with an uncompetitive car, it led to him contemplating retirement.
      Button said: “It’s something we all go through in our careers. It’s a reason why a lot of people retire, they are not in a winning car anymore. That’s why I left.
      “You can deal with the pressure you put yourself under and the calendar, if you are in a winning car. When you are not, you are like ‘I’ve had enough, I want to get out’.
      “Mercedes have given him a winning car for so many years. Last year obviously they didn’t but the car did win a race last year [with George Russell], so you would say at the end of the year they were strong.
      “I think he’ll start this year flat-out. He’s going to be on it from the word go, so I look forward to seeing that.
      “It’s going to put a lot of pressure on George; it’s a good pairing. But Lewis will be on it from the word go and I look forward to that fight.” More