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      F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Lewis Hamilton looks to bounce back from disaster debut as Verstappen and Co feature

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      FORMULA ONE makes the trip up north to Asia after the new season debuted in Australia last week. Last time out, Lando Norris took home the chequered flag in a McLaren’s MCL39 that looks to be the envy of the entire grid. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell made up the rest of the podium. Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut failed to live up to expectations as he finished 10th at Albert Park.But the seven-time world champion has started the weekend brightly in China, claiming his first win for the Italian team in Saturday’s sprint race.Hamilton starts 5th on the grid on Sunday, while McClaren’s Oscar Piastri is on Pole.Race time: 7am GMTTV channel: Sky Sports F1Starting grid: 1. Oscar Piastri, 2. George Russell, 3. Lando Norris, 4. Max Verstappen, 5. Lewis Hamilton, 6. Charles Leclerc, 7. Isack Hadjar, 8. Kimi Antonelli, 9. Yuki Tsunoda, 10. Alex Albon, 11. Esteban Ocon, 12. Nico Hulkenberg, 13. Fernando Alonso, 14. Lance Stroll, 15. Carlos Sainz, 16. Pierre Gasly, 17. Ollie Bearman, 18. Jack Doohan, 19. Gabriel Bortoleto, 20. Liam LawsonBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSFollow our live blog for updates…How much do the drivers win?F1 is one of the most lucrative sports in the world – and they get a pretty penny for winning a race as well.Copy linkCopiedHamilton’s tacticsHamilton used all of his experience to win the Sprint earlier in the weekend.He shared the front row with Max Verstappen, and nobody can forget the huge fight they had for the title in 2021. But, Hamilton made sure he stayed just ahead of Verstappen, so he was forced to drive through dirty air.Copy linkCopiedRemembering Eddie JordanThis weekend marks the first weekend of racing since the passing of the legendary Eddie Jordan.Drivers such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna raced for Jordan, who had a huge impact on the sport.Copy linkCopiedFull starting gridOscar PiastriGeorge RussellLando NorrisMax VerstappenLewis HamiltonCharles LeclercIsack HadjarKimi Antonelli Yuki TsunodaAlex AlbonEsteban OconNico HulkenbergFernando AlonsoLance StrollCarlos SainzPierre GaslyOliver BearmanJack DoohanGabriel BortoletoLiam LawsonCopy linkCopiedWelcome to SunSport’s coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix!The 2025 F1 season has already seen a lot of twists, with the Chinese GP seeing a third different pole sitter in three races.McLaren’s pace at the front has given them a second pole in two GP’s, as Aussie Oscar Piastri will start at the front, after Lando Norris was there last week.Between them was Lewis Hamilton in yesterday’s sprint, as he converted a pole to a win, and Piastri came home second.Defending four-time world champion Max Verstappen is still waiting for his first win of the season.Just to add to the drama, Mercedes driver George Russell has split the McLaren’s, and starts second in the GP. Remember: in the UK, the race starts at 7am, so get your alarms set!Copy linkCopied More

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      Ferrari chief hints at secret tactic employed by Lewis Hamilton to disrupt major F1 rival Max Verstappen

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      FERRARI chief Fred Vasseur appears to have leaked the secret tactic Lewis Hamilton used to win the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint race.Hamilton won his first race for Ferrari after becoming the first driver over the age of 40 to claim pole in a Formula One race since Nigel Mansell in 1994.Lewis Hamilton won his first Ferrari race at the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint raceCredit: GettyHamilton an incredible tactic to help him overcome rival Max VerstappenCredit: GettyFerrari chief Fred Vasseur has revealed what tactic Hamilton used to win the raceCredit: ReutersThe Brit shared the front row with Max Verstappen at the Shanghai circuit and managed to keep his old rival at bay going into Turn 1 before controlling the race from there.Hamilton appeared to struggle to create a significant advantage over the Dutchman, who for some time remained just out of striking distance behind him.As the Sprint race progressed, Hamilton then began to pull away from Verstappen, who was eventually overtaken by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.The seven-time world champion eventually finished more than six seconds ahead of the second-place Aussie with Verstappen in third.READ MORE IN F1Hamilton was praised by engineer Riccardo Adami for a “masterclass in tyre management”.But Scuderia team principal Vasseur has revealed how Hamilton deployed a brilliant tactic to win the Shanghai Sprint race.He explained Hamilton intentionally stayed just a little in front of Verstappen in the early stages to ensure the Red Bull driver was forced to drive through “dirty air” which forced him to burn through his tyres quicker.Vasseur told Canal+: “Hamilton was under control. Starting in front helps. We must not try to draw too many conclusions from this race – because it is too early. Most read in MotorsportBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”I don’t want to say that Lewis had an easy race, but he was in control from the beginning. At a certain point it allowed Verstappen to come back a little, but also causing him to damage his tyres. “He had clean air throughout the race, was able to push towards the end and finished the race with a 7-second lead over Piastri.”Behind the scenes in Australia GP paddock including F1 star Lewis Hamilton’s new Ferrari baseHe added: “If you’re second at the start, it becomes more difficult, because you look dirty, you have to damage your tyres and when you approach someone else, if you can’t overcome it, then you have problems. “Lewis managed the race well: he let Verstappen take it back and damaged the tyres at that stage, while he had a bit of a reserve in his pocket.”Yap yapHamilton hit back at his “yapping critics” following his maiden Ferrari win, before landing P5 in qualifying for Sunday’s feature race.His former engineer, Peter Bonnington, had an awkward gaffe on the team radio to Kimi Antonelli as he accidentally said: “Copy that, Lewis,” before correcting himself to say: “Copy that, Kimi.”Piastri, who was second in the Sprint, claimed pole position for tomorrow’s race and beat Hamilton’s record-breaking lap set during Sprint qualifying with a time of 1:30.641.What is ‘dirty air’ and how does it affect tyres?What is dirty air?In F1, dirty air is a term used to describe the turbulent air left behind by a racing car as it moves forward at high speed and disrupting airflow.Following a car behind on a straight creates a slipstream because there is less air resistance for the car immediately behind, allowing an F1 cars aerodynamic performance to be maximised.However, this phenomenon is reversed going into corners as the car behind has to push through the disrupted air flow left by the car in front, creating less downforce and therefore less grip.Why does this damage tyres?Less downforce for the cars aerodynamic performance means the tyres are being made to work harder to turn the car at the high speeds F1 machines move at.With the tyres working harder, this puts more strain on them and therefore uses up the grip on the tyres far quicker than it would in clean air.This wear on the tyres and disruption of the airflow can make it very difficult for an F1 car to overtake.The 2026 car regulations for F1 have heavily tried to lower the impact dirty air can have on performance to allow for more competitive racing. More

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      F1 2025 prize money: How much do drivers earn for winning a race and are there any bonuses?

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      FORMULA 1 has always been one of the most lucrative and glamorous sports around.It attracts a worldwide audience throughout its nine-month-long campaign and with that comes huge contracts and high-profile sponsorships for the drivers.The sport travels across the globe from Las Vegas to the Middle EastCredit: ReutersThe sport boasts the biggest names in racing, including Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.The pack are rewarded handsomely for their contributions throughout a season.Like most sportspeople contracted to sports teams, F1 drivers are on deals with there respective teams with an annual salary.Hamilton’s new deal with Ferrari is said to be worth more than £50million annually in 2025 and 2026.MOST READ IN F1But do Hamilton How much do drivers earn for winning a race and are there any bonuses? Drivers don’t directly receive prize money for for winning a race, regardless of standing. Instead, they will earn a significant bonuses on top of their base salary from their team if they win.The amount varies greatly depending on the driver, team, and performance – sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars per victory.Most read in MotorsportWho earns the most? Bonuses excluded, four-time world champion Max Verstappen land Hamilton lead the pack as the highest base earners.The Red Bull superstar driver, 27, reportedly earns £50million a year – a figure similar to seven-time champ Hamilton.Hamilton and Verstappen are two of the biggest names in the sport’s modern historyCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe rest of the top five makes up of McLaren’s Norris, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Leclerc – all earning around £30million annually. More

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      ‘P45s are more their thing’ – F1 star warned he faces the SACK after just one disastrous race

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      FORMULA ONE star Liam Lawson has been warned he faces the sack after just one race at new team Red Bull.Lawson, 23, was one of six drivers who crashed out during last weekend’s chaotic Australian Grand Prix.Liam Lawson has been warned he faces the Red Bull sack if he doesn’t improve quicklyCredit: GettyMartin Brundle warned Red Bull do not do hugs but instead do P45sCredit: GettyLawson crashed on his Red Bull debut during the Australian Grand PrixCredit: RexThe New Zealander was making his debut for Red Bull after being promoted into Sergio Perez’s seat from the sister team, VCARB – now Racing Bulls.However, Lawson – one of six rookies on the grid this season – had a race weekend to forget after being eliminated in Q1 during qualifying and then crashing out of the race on lap 47.And he has now been warned by Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle that he needs to improve his performances fast if he is to retain his position on the grid.Brundle warned: “Liam Lawson of Red Bull, in particular, will be very happy that we head immediately into another race week so that he can hopefully park the misery and errors he endured in Melbourne and put them right.READ MORE IN F1″That team doesn’t do cuddles and reassuring words, and nor should they at this level.”The no cuddles and reassuring words sentiment has already been displayed for Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, who burst into tears after crashing during the formation lap of last weekend’s race.While the 20-year-old – known to be a Lewis Hamilton fan – was consoled by Anthony Hamilton, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko called the act “a bit embarrassing”.Brundle added on Lawson: “P45s (Tax letter given to an employee in the UK from an employer upon leaving a job) are more their thing if you can’t keep Verstappen at least in view from time to time.”Most read in MotorsportJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe seat Lawson currently occupies is arguably one of the most-cursed seats in the sport today, with four previous drivers failing to perform to the standards required.Perez, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly and Daniel Ricciardo were all undone by the pressure the seat comes with. F1 hit by travel chaos with teams left without cars days before Chinese Grand Prix as FIA release statement Albon and Gasly, in particular, can relate to Lawson in that they were also young drivers who had the seat thrust upon them, arguably at too early a stage in their F1 careers before they crumbled.Red Bull are one of the teams to have reportedly been hit by travel chaos ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix with technical issues causing a delay in car parts arriving in Shanghai from Melbourne.The delays have cost the mechanics at least 30 hours in preparation time and have sparked concern that cars may not be ready for FP1 on Friday.The issues have even hit the sports tyre supplier, Pirelli, with the FIA releasing a statement giving teams more time to fit the cars due to the travel chaos.Fortunately for Lawson and Co., the weekend is set for dry conditions throughout.Last weekend Lawson was cheered on by stunning girlfriend and medical student Hannah St. John. More

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      Every F1 rule change revealed ahead of new season with fastest lap bonus point scrapped and swearing sanctions

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      FORMULA ONE is going to look a little different in 2025 – after a host of new rules.The new F1 season is set to be one of the closest title fights in modern history when it kick starts in Melbourne on Sunday.This season is the latest before a major change in regulationsDefending champion Max Verstappen will begin his F1 title defence this weekendBefore lights out at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, several key technical and regulatory tweaks will come into effect.Most are in response to controversies that occurred last season, before the major overhaul to technical regulations from 2026.Here SunSport runs you through the main ones that are worth knowing about.Goodbye fastest lap bonus pointSince 2019, a driver that finished in the top 10 of a race was eligible for an extra championship point if they set the fastest lap.READ MORE F1 NEWSBut this rule – the only change to the points system- has been removed in arguably the biggest of the changes introduced.While the bonus point had led to drivers pushing in the closing stages of races, there had been controversy over teams making late pit stops or attempts to block rivals.This was notable when drivers outside the top 10 posted the fastest lap, which took the bonus away from title contenders. Last season, Daniel Ricciardo denied Lando Norris an extra point for the fastest lap of the race at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.Most read in MotorsportRicciardo was driving for Red Bull’s junior team Visa Cash App RB.Norris was locked in a tight fight with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the drivers title – which can be lost and won with a single point.Daniel Ricciardo pitted to change to soft tyres and go for the fastest lap time in SingaporeCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHeavier cars and cooling systemsIf you believe the current F1 cars are too big, we have some bad news for you.Car mass is up 2kg from 798kg to 800kg this season, which combines both cars and drivers. The change is due to the minimum driver weight having been increased by 2kg from 80kg to 82kg, which partially accounts for the taller drivers such as George Russell and Esteban Ocon.Driver weight includes their helmet, race suit and shoes. Teams will also be required to fit a mandated driver cooling system in the event of a heat hazard.The hazard would be declared when the temperature is forecast to be 31 degrees or above during a sprint or Grand Prix race.Car weights will be increased by 2kg for practice, qualifying and sprint qualifying when cooling systems are required.Russell was heartbreakingly stripped of his Belgian GP win last season, when his car was found underweight after it was drained of fuel during the usual post-race checks.Car mass is up 2kg from 798kg to 800kg this seasonRed Bull’s Christian Horner gives low down on car before F1 season kicks off with Australian Grand Prix Mini-DRS and flexible wings One of the main technical points that arose during the 2024 campaign was McLaren’s rear-wing design.At high speeds the rear wing of the MCL38 tilted backward under heavy aerodynamic load, creating a gap in the win that was termed a “mini-DRS.”While McLaren was instructed to alter their design in September, the FIA has tightened up the technical regulations regarding both the rear wing and the Drag Reduction System (DRS).The FIA have tightened technical regulations regarding the rear wing and Drag Reduction System.Under the new regulations outlined in Article 3.10 of the Technical Regulations, the minimum gap in the rear wing has decreased from 10-15mm to 9.4-13mm. The FIA will introduce stricter front wing regulations to come into force at the Spanish GP in June – much to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko’s dismay.The FIA tightened technical regulations regarding the rear wing and Drag Reduction SystemF1 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 OconNo swearingDrivers face possible one-month BANS if they repeatedly swear or criticise the governing body.The controversial move is prompted by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s determination to cut out bad language.Verstappen was the first big victim of this clampdown after he used X-rated language during a press conference at the Singapore GP.The four-time world champion was ordered do “community service” and spend time with grassroot competitors in Rwanda.Under the new guidelines, a first offence would result in a £33,750 fine, a second offence £67,4300 and a suspended one-month ban. A third offence would bring a £100,000 fine, a one-month ban and the deduction of championship points.F1 personnel could also be punished for causing moral injury or loss to the FIA; incitement to violence or hatred; political, religious or personal statements that do not align with FIA neutrality.Failure to comply with FIA instructions at official ceremonies is also punishable.Max Verstappen was not impressed after being told off for swearing at a press conferenceMohammed Ben Sulayem wants to cut out bad languageTwo-stop race in MonacoF1 has made Monaco a two-stop minimum Grand Prix in bid to improve racing.It’s mainly in response to drivers – namely Hamilton’s- complaints last year after an early red flag allowed a free tyre change.This meant they adhered to the regulated stop before completing the circuit without further changes.A lack of overtaking at the iconic street circuit has been criticised for affecting the spectacle of the event.Tweaks to qualifying based on championship positionThis is to cover the situation in Brazil last year when qualifying was touch and go due to bad weather.The forecast of more heavy rain from mid-afternoon in Sao Paulo led to the decision to bring the race time forward.That saw qualifying moved to an early start time because there must be a minimum of four hours between the end of qualifying and the start of the race.So, the grid for the race will be defined by the drivers championship position, IF qualifying cannot take place.This is to cover off the situation in Brazil last year if qualifying could not have gone ahead due to bad weatherCredit: RexMore practice for rookies and test timeThe mandatory FP1 running for rookie drivers has been expanded for 2025.Each team will be required to run four young drivers free practice sessions.This is an increase over the previous requirement of two.Teams will choose which weekends their rookies will participate in, with the finale in Abu Dhabi often being a favourite.During the season, teams have a limited allowance of testing of previous cars – which are aged between two and four years old. READ MORE SUN STORIESThey will not be allowed to exceed 1,000km of running in total.Teams can only have one of these cars available to run during a test at any time. 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      Meet F1 2025 rookies including star gifted first go-kart by Michael Schumacher and Brit teen who’s already a millionaire

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      FOR the first time since 2010, SIX rookies will grace the Formula One grid this season.The 2025 F1 season is sure to have it’s fair share of dramatic narratives.The F1 2025 grid has six rookies this year, the most since 2010Credit: GettyThese will range from Lewis Hamilton’s first year at Ferrari, McLaren’s bid to win a drivers title for Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri and how Red Bull will recover from their poor season last time out.However, six rookies coming to the grid is one of the most interesting storylines in itself with each of them having bags of talent shown throughout their careers in the junior categories of motor racing.However, they are also as diverse as they come, with some stepping into huge shoes at top teams and others already having F1 racing experience behind them.Below we take a look at each of F1’s 2025 rookies.READ MORE IN F1Kimi Antonelli – Italian born 2006 – MercedesKimi Antonelli is named after F1 royalty and has the nigh-on impossible task of replacing Lewis Hamilton at MercedesCredit: RexKimi Antonelli is the son of former racing driver Marco and was named after former world champion Kimi Raikkonen. He joined the Mercedes junior programme at the age of 11.The teen – who will run the number 12 and says his spirit animal is a lion – only passed his driving test in January of this year, but has impressed in the junior categories. This included a stunning wet Silverstone F3 test which saw him run four seconds quicker than any of his rivals. But his first test in an F1 car during last season’s Italian Grand Prix saw him crash into the barriers.Mercedes have handed Antonelli more than 5,500 miles of private testing to boost his preparation for a move into F1 after being asked to fill the boots of Hamilton at the team.Most read in MotorsportCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsOllie Bearman – Brit born 2005 – HaasOllie Bearman is already a millionaire after three successful sub appearances in F1 in 2024Credit: RexOllie Bearman became the first Brit to race in the Scarlet Red of Ferrari in the 21st century when he finished P7 on his super-sub debut at last season’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.He later made two more substitute appearances for Haas before securing a permanent seat based off of those appearances, although he endured a torrid time in F2 when not showing his pace in an F1 car.Moment Toto Wolff gets set to break Lewis Hamilton promise in behind-the-scenes clip on Netflix’s Drive to SurviveBearman turns 20 in May but is already estimated to have a net worth of more than £1m, as estimated from figures of his firm OBR Management Ltd.He joined the Ferrari academy at the age of 16 and races under the number 87. Bearman also astonishingly failed his driving test the first time he took it. His spirit animal is suitably a bear.Gabriel Bortoleto – Brazilian born 2004 – SauberGabriel Bortoleto is one of only four drivers to win back-to-back F3 and F2 championshipsCredit: RexGabriel Bortoleto arguably has the biggest racing credentials out of any of the 2025 rookies as he is one of only four drivers – with Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Piastri – to win back-to-back F3 and F2 titles.Bortoleto admits his racing career was saved by Fernando Alonso when the two-time world champion sponsored him in 2022 before he was snapped up by the McLaren development programme a year later.They allowed Bortoleto, who says his favourite movie is Interstellar and his favourite TV show is Peaky Blinders, to then join Sauber for this season, with McLaren chief Zak Brown calling him a “great racing driver”.Bortoleto – whose spirit animal is a lion – will race with the number 5 in F1 this season. His father, Lincoln, is the co-founder of one of the biggest Internet providers in world, Americanet following a merger with Vero in 2023.Jack Doohan – Australian born 2003 – AlpineJack Doohan was gifted his first ever go-kart by legend Michael SchumacherCredit: GettyJack Doohan has been placed under an incredible amount of pressure early in his F1 career with reports suggesting a poor start could see him removed from the seat, which has seen team boss Oliver Oakes praise Doohan for his “punchy” response to the speculation.Doohan is the son of five-time MotoGP world champion Mick, who admits he tried to keep him away from motorsport for a year when he was 11 before he was forced to give in.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 OconHe was gifted his first-ever kart by none other than seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and eventually joined the Alpine Academy in 2022.Doohan, who will race with the number 7 in 2025 and who says his spirit animal is either a kangaroo or koala, replaced Esteban Ocon in last season’s season finale at Abu Dhabi to make his debut.Isack Hadjar – Frenchman born 2004 – Racing BullsIsack Hadjar has already been praised for his ‘god-like’ reflexes in F2Credit: RexIsack Hadjar is different from many of his peers in that his parents do not have any sort of background in motorsport.Born into an Algerian family of physicians and physicists, he only gained an interest in cars because his dad was a kart mechanic and after watching the Pixar animation Cars.Hadjar was praised for his “god-like” reflexes in F2 last year when he managed to avoid a collision in the Monaco tunnel when a car ahead of him was around a blind corner.Hadjar – who says his spirit animal is a gorilla – won more races than any other driver in F2 last season but was pipped to the title by Bortoleto. He will race with the number 6 for this season in F1.Liam Lawson – New Zealander born 2003 – Red BullLiam Lawson’s parents had to sell his house to fund his racing careerCredit: GettyLiam Lawson is a weird case when it comes to being rookie since he already has 11 races in F1 under his belt, yet the Kiwi has never started a season so can be considered a rookie for all intents and purposes.Lawson’s parents had to sell their house to fund his racing career while he never officially finished high school as he went to pursue his dream instead.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe only became a motorsport fanatic after watching his dad race in karts at the age of six, although Lawson actually cried after the first time he fired up a go-kart when the engine started. Like Hadjar, Lawson is huge Cars fan, and will race with the number 30 this season as he attempts to tame the role of being Max Verstappen’s team-mate. More

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      Why Geri wasn’t ‘blindly standing by’ Christian Horner as pal reveals how she REALLY dealt with his F1 text scandal

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      DRIVING along happily through the idyllic Oxfordshire countryside in their 4×4 Geri Horner turns to hubby Christian and says: “You never know what life’s going to bring.”The former Spice Girl couldn’t have been more prophetic.Geri and Christian Horner went through a year from hell in 2024Credit: GettyThe couple are pictured before the bombshell news on Drive to SurviveCredit: NETFLIXChristian is captured the moment a slew of alleged private texts messages is anonymously leakedCredit: NETFLIXThe ironic moment – caught on camera for Netflix’s Drive to Survive show last year – reveals how the couple were blissfully unaware that the coming Formula 1 season would threaten to turn their whole lives upside down.Soon after the clip was filmed, Horner, 51, was accused of alleged “coercive behaviour” towards an anonymous employee, sparking two independent investigations over the following year, which ultimately cleared him.But just a day after the allegations were first chucked out, a tranche of text messages and photographs were sent from an anonymous email to dozens of journalists and key F1 figures.Some of the messages were allegedly of a sexual nature – including requests for selfies – and the bombshell leak, which had been timed to coincide with the first race of the season last March, soon became the talk of the circuit.”It was a shock to both of them when the allegations blew up – they never saw it coming,” one friend told The Sun.Red Bull star driver Max Verstappen’s dad Jos called for Horner’s head saying the team would “explode” if he stayed on as the allegations threatened to derail both his job and his marriage.“There is tension here while he remains in position, Verstappen Snr said back in March”The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode.”The 51-year-old known as “Jos the Boss” during his racing days was even forced to deny being the source of the leak after he and Christian reportedly had a blazing row in Horner’s paddock office.Meanwhile there were reports Geri was distraught and in “floods of tears” after reading the messages and that the fairytale couple were heading for divorce.Moment Toto Wolff gets set to break Lewis Hamilton promise in behind-the-scenes clip on Netflix’s Drive to SurviveBut despite the furore, loyal Geri flew to Bahrain to be at her husband’s side and was pictured hand in hand with him at the paddock.Dressed in her signature all-white outfit, she posed at the podium ceremony, all smiles as they celebrated a 1-2 victory for Verstappen and fellow Red Bell driver Sergio Perez.  The couple even shared a kiss in full view of the cameras just before lights out at the track.It was a show of unity and defiance by the pair – although some criticised Horner for parading Geri around the paddock so shortly after the news broke.Geri and Christian appeared hand in hand at the Bahrain Grand Prix after the scandal brokeCredit: GettyThe couple embrace despite the drama unfolding off the trackCredit: PAThe couple share a kiss after Red Bull win the raceCredit: BackGridMax Verstappen’s dad Jos hit out at Horner after the texts were leakedCredit: GettyOne outspoken F1 pundit, former driver Christijan Albers, called the move “a farce and an absolute nonsense”.A body language expert told The Sun at the time Geri appeared “awkward” and as if she was on a “denial mission” as she posed for cameras alongside her hubby.Others wondered how she could back her man so soon after that shock leak.But while some might have thought Geri was burying her head in the sand and standing by her man friends say she is absolutely no pushover and had lots of questions for Christian, who was cleared once again of wrongdoing in August after an appeal to the original findings was dismissed.’Secret to their marriage’“People think Geri was just blindly standing by her man through the whole thing but it’s not like that at all,” a friend said.“She’s been in the spotlight for the majority of her life, so she knows what it’s like to be at the top of your game and the pressures that brings, and it takes a lot to faze her. She is a strong and intelligent woman. “When the allegations first came out, she of course had questions.“They talked through it and since then he has been cleared twice following two independent investigations by two separate KCs (King’s Counsels).“Good communication is one of the secrets to their marriage.”It was a shock to both of them when the allegations blew up – they never saw it coming and a lot of people were spreading hurtful rumours, but it was all untrue, they are in a really good place right now.”When Horner was cleared of wrongdoing back in August, he said he was “relieved” to put the whole saga behind him.Behind the scenes But the new Netflix show captures some of his candid behind-the-scenes reaction to his the texting allegations.The excruciating moment he first faces the world’s media and other team bosses after the texts had been leaked is caught on camera on the new show.McLaren boss Zak Brown addresses a press conference with the cutting remark: “These are not the type of headlines Formula 1 wants or needs.”Cameras cut to defiant Christian walking through the corridors saying “You find out who your friends are” before quipping: “Zak is a p***k.” Christian and Geri showed another united front at the Saudi Arabia Gran Prix last MarchCredit: EPAHorner celebrating the Red Bull Racing Team’s win in JapanCredit: GettyLater, after the second practice session at Bahrain, cameras catch the exact moment the text bombshell drops – with phone alerts pinging and Horner holding his head in his hands in disbelief.It sends the world of Formula 1 into a frenzy. However, despite the controversy off the track, Horner has the last laugh as Red Bull wins the Bahrain Grand Prix in dramatic scenes.”That’s the best way to f*** all of them. Shut the f*** up,” he’s filmed saying to another Red Bull Racing team member.As Red Bull continues to dominate the season Horner says: “In Formula 1 there’s winners and w*****s and you don’t want to be in the “w****r category”.Rivals plot In other parts of the show, he says that the motive behind the leaks was obvious – his rivals wanted him ousted.”The higher you rise, the sharper the knives,” he says.”I’ve reached the top of my game and I never thought in a million years I’d have a challenge like this in my career.”It was obvious that the end goal was for me to leave Red Bull.”It’s a crucial time of year, in a job that I do, you’re the front face of the organisation.”You can either hide away or you can get out there and face it.”It was a dramatic year from hell for the couple – although it ended on a high with Horner picking up a CBE from Prince Charles for his services to motor sports.Horner also reportedly built bridges with Verstoppen’s dad. Happy families And the couple put on a loved up display at the 2024 FIA awards in December in Kigali, Rwanda.And while the new season of Drive to Survive might contain some uncomfortable memories for the pair, the insider said they are not interested in reliving the past at all and are focused firmly on the future and their blended family which includes Bluebell, 18, Olivia, 11 and Monty, eight.Christian and Geri on their wedding day in 2015Credit: Doug Seeburg – The SunChristian and Geri Horner with their children Bluebell, Monty and OliviaCredit: Getty Images – GettyTheir marriage has weathered the storm – and they and the F1 team are “stronger than ever”. “Geri and Christian just want to put this whole episode behind them,” the pal said. “Their marriage is stronger than ever, they just got back from a trip to the States together and had a great time.  “Their priority is their family and they are fiercely protective over their kids and the time that they have to be a family despite their busy schedules. “The [Red Bull] team are stronger than ever too – everything is good.”They are not fazed at all about the new Netflix show and are just focused on the future.  “Yes it was a difficult time for them but they are both very resilient.”A rep for Red Bull declined to comment. 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      Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari under FIA investigation after Red Bull complain about 2025 car in huge blow ahead of F1 season

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      LEWIS Hamilton’s Ferrari faces a thorough FIA investigation after Red Bull complained about it’s rear wings, according to reports. The new 2025 F1 season is set to be one of the closest title fights in modern history after a promising pre-season test in Bahrain.Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari team are under investigation by the FIACredit: AFPRed Bull technical director Pierre Wache accused Ferrari and McLaren of still using ‘mini-DRS’ design tricksCredit: RexMcLaren had already changed their rear wing designs once last seasonCredit: GettyBut FIA inspectors will head to Maranello to inspect Ferrari’s latest F1 car after Red Bull’s complaints during pre-season testing. Christian Horner’s team argued Ferrari and McLaren were using a flexible rear wing trick to gain a performance advantage.The FIA has promised to clamp down on it and run checks before the season opener in Melbourne on March 16.F1’s governing body will place rear wings under increased scrutiny at the Australian Grand Prix next weekend.READ MORE F1 NEWSRed Bull technical director Pierre Wache raised fresh concerns last week, and told The Race: “It is still going on. “I think Ferrari and McLaren are doing the mini-DRS stuff still.”The extra investigation will include cameras on the rear wings of all 10 teams, allowing the FIA to monitor any flexibility outside of the regulations.The Scuderia reject Red Bull accusations and don’t believe that they’ll face “too many problems”, according to Italian outlet FUnoAnalisiTecnica. Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAs it stands, all cars with wings that have passed the FIA’s static load checks are deemed to be compliant within the rules.McLaren already changed their rear wing designs once last season after complaints from their rivals. Lewis Hamilton and Charles LeClerc arrive on red carpet at F1 02 car launch in styleRed Bull complained about McLaren’s ‘mini DRS’ rear wing trick after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a race won by Oscar Piastri. Although the design was legal, the slot in the wing appeared to open narrowly under load which created an slight advantageous effect.McLaren, who went on to win the constructors’ title, said they had “proactively offered to make some minor adjustments to the wing” after FIA talks. They also made it clear they wanted to governing body to make sure other teams were not using similar tricks.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 OconThe accusations travelled in multiple directions last term.McLaren called attention to Red Bull’s front-bib device at the United States GP. The front bib is a tool that adjusts the height of the front of a car’s floor.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut FIA officials subsequently clarified that there was no way for the drivers to alter ride height from the cockpit, which would have been illegal.Max Verstappen is the defending drivers’ champion but Lando Norris heads into the season as the title favourite with McLaren. More