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    Red Bull accused of ‘cheating’ as McLaren boss slams ‘cooperation from B team’ amid Singapore GP controversy

    RED BULL’S relationship with junior team RB “needs to be addressed”, says McLaren team principal Andrea Stella.It comes after RB driver Daniel Ricciardo denied Lando Norris an extra point for the fastest lap of the race at the Singapore Grand Prix.Daniel Ricciard pitted to change to soft tyres and go for the fastest lap time at the Singapore Grand PrixRicciardo drives for Red Bull B team Visa Cash App RBAfter recording the fastest lap he took a point away from Lando Norris who had it going into the final stages of the raceF1 championships can be lost and won with a single point.Norris reduced Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to 52 points by winning in Singapore.But the margin looked set to be one less when the Brit set the fastest time in lap 48 going into the final stages of the race.Before Ricciardo, who was sitting at the back of the field and drives for Red Bull’s junior RB team, pitted to go for the fastest lap time on soft tyres.READ MORE IN SPORTThe former McLaren driver went almost half a second quicker than old team-mate Norris’ best effort on his final lap.As he was sitting outside the top 10, Ricciardo’s team knew he wouldn’t get any points for the fastest lap.But it would take one away championship contender Norris and subsequently help a Red Bull stablemate.Stella said he didn’t have the “elements” to prove Ricciardo’s effort was motivated by a desire to aid senior driver Verstappen’s title bid.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “As soon as you invoke the sportsmanship, I think you need to approach this with a sense of responsibility that I want to have.”I don’t know the facts, I just saw that Racing Bulls went for the fastest lap and they achieved it. I just find it a little peculiar.F1 legend chokes up and breaks down in tears after Singapore Grand Prix and could be replaced before next race”But for me, talk about sportsmanship and so on, I think it would be out of place. “And potentially as part of a longer-term conversation, we need to put the sport in a position where, whether it’s trackside or factory side, teams behave in a totally autonomous manner. “Because this is a Constructors’ Championship, a Drivers’ Championship, it’s not a coalition championship. “Therefore, this needs to be definitely addressed.”Ricciardo lost his place on the grid and re-signed with Red Bull as a reserveRed Bull boss Christian Horner downplayed the allegationsRed Bull boss Christian Horner didn’t want to hear anything about a tactical collaboration.Horner said: “Ricciardo obviously wanted to end the race on a high note.”Before later admitting: “But it was valuable for us because it takes a point away from Lando.”Ricciardo revealed that the idea to go for the fastest lap came from his race engineer Pierre Hamelin.He told Sky Sports: “I don’t mean this against Lando, but part of me is hoping Max wins by one point because I think I guaranteed myself a nice Christmas present, if so.”I think, obviously, it’s with a little bit of Red Bull in mind, but maybe just to have one last crack at doing a fast one, if it is to be it.”The incident occurred in what many expect to be Ricciardo’s final F1 race.The Australian is expected to lose his seat to Liam Lawson before next month’s Austin Grand Prix.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn RB’s press release following the race, team principal Laurent Mekies said: “Given this may have been Daniel’s last race, we wanted to give him the chance to savour it and go out with the fastest lap.”Racing Bulls or ‘RB’ is one of two F1 constructors owned by Austrian conglomerate Red Bull GmbH, the other being Red Bull Racing. More

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    Max Verstappen threatens to QUIT F1 after being forced to do ‘community service’ in bizarre punishment for swearing

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has threatened to quit Formula One in the wake of his community service order for swearing.The three-time world champ was sanctioned by the FIA after he let an F-bomb slip while speaking to the press after Friday’s practice before the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday.Max Verstappen has alluded to turning his back on F1After the FIA gave him a bizarre punishment for swearing after the Azerbaijan GPReferring to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix two weeks ago, where Verstappen finished fifth, he said: “The car was f***ed.”The Dutchman was summoned to the stewards for his comment, which was in breach of the sporting code.Stewards in Singapore decided that Verstappen has to “accomplish some work of public interest” for using language they deemed “coarse, rude or may cause offence”.The 26-year-old effectively boycotted the FIA’s mandatory post-qualifying media call on Saturday in response.READ MORE SPORT NEWSHe then kept his answers to a minimum by replying “no comment” to one question after he finished second in the race to title rival Lando Norris on Sunday.Away from the FIA’s official press conference, he was asked during a separate press call with Red Bull if the punishment has left him considering his future.Verstappen said: “These kind of things definitely decide my future, if you can’t be yourself or you have to deal with these silly things.”I’m now at the stage of my career that you don’t want to be dealing with this all the time. It’s really tiring.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Of course it’s great to have success and win races, but once you’ve accomplished all of that, then you want to just have a good time as well.”If you have to deal with all these kinds of silly things, for me that is not a way of continuing in this sport, that’s for sure.”Lando Norris finally breaks opening lap curse to keep slim hopes of pipping Max Verstappen to F1 world title aliveFIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem on Verstappen’s community service punishmentThe FIA President said: “I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music.“We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].“We have to be careful with our conduct. We need to be responsible people. “And now with the technology, everything is going live and everything is going to be recorded. “At the end of the day, we have to study that to see: do we minimise what is being said publicly?“Because imagine you are sitting with your children and watching the race and then someone is saying all of this dirty language. I mean, what would your children or grandchildren say? What would you teach them if that is your sport?”The finer details of the “public interest” punishment have not yet been revealed.The sanction comes after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem warned against the use of foul language in the sport.Verstappen stated at last month’s Dutch Grand Prix that he is already halfway through his career.He said: “I will always be myself. I will not change how I am in my life. “At one point when it’s enough it’s enough. Racing will go on, and F1 will go on without me.”If you can’t really be yourself to the fullest, then it’s better not to speak. But that’s not what anyone wants, because then you become a robot, and that’s not how you should be going about it in this sport.”The Red Bull star, who is under contract until 2028, has previously questioned the demands of the ever-expanding calendar.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe is currently 52 points ahead of Norris in the standings with six races remaining as he bids for a fourth consecutive world title.F1 returns to Austin on 0ctober 10.Lando Norris close the gap on Verstappen with a first place finish in Singapore More

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    Lando Norris finally breaks opening lap curse to keep slim hopes of pipping Max Verstappen to F1 world title alive

    LANDO NORRIS lifted his opening lap curse to toast a superb Singapore Grand Prix win.The statement win, his third of the season, was over 20 seconds ahead of his title-rival Max Verstappen who finished in second ahead of Oscar Piastri in third.Lando Norris won the Singapore Grand PrixCredit: EPAThe Brit was over 20 seconds faster than defending champion Max VerstappenCredit: GETTYNorris’ triumph has kept his faint hopes of winning the F1 title aliveCredit: AFPNorris has now eaten into the Dutchman’s lead by seven points with Verstappen at the top of the table with 331 while the McLaren driver is on 279.Norris survived the start to pull 1.2 seconds clear of second-place Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton held firm in third place.Lenny Kravitz was watching on from the Ferrari garage and must have been sweating in his leather pants.Mercedes were feeling the heat with George Russell telling his team that Hamilton needed to pick up the pace on his soft tyres with the top two peeling away.READ MORE F1 NEWSThere was concern from the McLaren camp over damage on Norris’ front wing halfway through as he locked up and brushed the wall.But McLaren weren’t fazed when he pitted and he emerged 4.6 seconds ahead of his teammate Piastri.The battle between Charles Leclerc and George Russell was hotting up nicely for fourth as the Mercedes man veered off track after failing to overtake the Ferrari.At this point though there still hadn’t been any drama and the fans needed the lizard from Saturday’s practice to liven things up.Most read in MotorsportNorris had another close call as he glanced the wall again into Turn 10 on lap 47 on a corner that KO’d Russell last year.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe McLaren survived it by the skin of its teeth and continued to push hard for yet another fastest lap.An elated Norris said: “[There were] a few too many close calls. Watch Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton’s tense exchange after Hungarian Grand Prix as fans hint at ‘underlying issue’ “The car was mega, we were flying the whole race, still tough but very fun, I’m still sweating. “Nice to have Oscar here too on the podium, he drove well today.”Defending world champion Verstappen said: “It’s always tough around here, very warm.”And I’m looking forward to a nice rest.” More

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    Max Verstappen REFUSES to answer questions after swearing row as Lewis Hamilton urges him not to serve ‘joke’ punishment

    MAX VERSTAPPEN took a vow of silence after being hit with Formula One’s ‘community service’ punishment for swearing in a press conference.The Dutchman all but refused to answer questions in yesterday’s press conference after securing second-place in qualifying behind Lando Norris.Max Verstappen remained silent about his swearing row in a press conference🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁He answered one question with “no comment” and told reporters “I would prefer if you ask these questions outside of the room”.Third-place Lewis Hamilton and Norris have rallied around the Red Bull driver with the seven-time world champion slamming the “joke” punishment.Hamilton said: “I honestly think it’s a joke. This is the pinnacle of the sport, mistakes are made.“I certainly wouldn’t do that (serve the punishment) and I hope Max doesn’t either.”Read more F1 newsFollowing the press conference, Verstappen was true to his word and met with the media outside of the press conference room to answer questions.On Friday the Dutchman was sent to stewards after he said his car was “f***ed” in the press conference.Yesterday the fuming Belgian-born driver said: “It’s ridiculous to get a penalty for that.“When you insult someone that’s clear. I didn’t even aim it at a person, it was a slip of the tongue moment.Most read in Motorsport Inside ‘magic’ F1 McClaren innovation that has flung team ahead of Red Bull but fans are calling it ‘illegal'”I actually had a chat with the stewards, they’re understanding. It’s in the rules so they have to apply something but for me it’s not the right way to go forward in our sport.”Norris joked: “He deserved it , foul language! No, it’s pretty unfair. I don’t agree with any of it.”Norris and Verstappen will battle it out at the front of the grid tomorrow with the McLaren driver trailing his title-rival by 59 points in the championship.Q3 all came down to one lap due to a crash from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at the final corner, with only two drivers having set a time on the board.Norris produced a blistering lap in the final showdown after McLaren chose to leave the pit lane first to avoid the risk of a yellow or red flag.Hamilton had struggled throughout practice but pipped team-mate George Russell to third.Oscar Piastri will start from fifth, with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso behind him.Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was initially seventh but had his lap deleted due to a track limits excursion, and will start in ninth alongside Sainz in 10th.Norris said: “It was tough, especially through qualifying. I was finding it a little difficult to progress much and gain a lot of lap time,”All of the guys around seemed to get quicker and quicker, so it put me under a bit more pressure, especially with just one lap at the end.”It was good enough for pole and I’m happy with that, especially here in Singapore.Lewis Hamilton spoke in support of Max Verstappen and his punishment“A good feeling. I’ve felt good all weekend, I’ve felt confident, maybe not so much in qualy but we got the job done.”Hamilton’s third place is his best qualifying since he was second on the grid at the British Grand Prix.He said: “Qualifying has been a disaster for me all year long and I have just been working and working and working trying to get myself back up there and all of a sudden the car came to me for the first time in a long time in qualifying.”We have been moving up and down on balance. We have changed everything and the mechanics have been faultless and I hope we are in a good position to fight for the front tomorrow.”Best new sign-up offersSunSport exclusivesEarlier in the day third practice was hit with chaos as a LIZARD wandered onto the track and forced a red flag.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt forced Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso to give it a wide berth on the street circuit.Meanwhile, Mercedes driver Russell said the lizard “looked like a dragon” on the team radio.Savage 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. More

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    Max Verstappen becomes first F1 star to be hit with never-before-seen punishment

    MAX VERSTAPPEN has been punished for SWEARING as the FIA look to steer away from bad language.The Red Bull star was summoned to the stewards after his pre-race press conference on Thursday.Max Verstappen has been punished by the FIACredit: GettyThat’s because he breached rules regarding swearing after letting an F-bomb slip as he spoke to press.Referring to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix two weeks ago, where Verstappen finished fifth, he said: “The car was f***ed.”The Dutchman was summoned to the stewards for his comment, which was in breach of the sporting code.Stewards at the Singapore Grand Prix decided that Verstappen has to “accomplish some work of public interest” for using language they deemed “coarse, rude or may cause offence”.READ MORE ON F1The details of the work Verstappen must do have to be agreed between him and the FIA.A statement read: “The driver explained that the word used is ordinary in speech as he learned it, English not being his native language.“While the stewards accept that this may be true, it is important for role models to learn to be mindful when speaking in public forums, in particular when not under any particular pressure.“Verstappen apologised for his behaviour.”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe sanction comes after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem warned against the use of foul language in the sport.He said: “I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music.Four F1 stars including Max Verstappen handed warnings for overtaking after race had FINISHED as fans left baffled“We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].“We have to be careful with our conduct. We need to be responsible people. And now with the technology, everything is going live and everything is going to be recorded. At the end of the day, we have to study that to see: do we minimise what is being said publicly?“Because imagine you are sitting with your children and watching the race and then someone is saying all of this dirty language. I mean, what would your children or grandchildren say? What would you teach them if that is your sport?” More

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    ‘Are we five?’ fumes Max Verstappen as F1 star snaps after being told off in Singapore press conference

    MAX Verstappen has hit back at the FIA after being told to cut back on his swearing. The reigning F1 World Champion turned the air blue as he addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s Singapore GP.Max Verstappen was not impressed after being told off for swearing at a press conferenceCredit: The Mega AgencyThe Dutchman has not topped a podium since winning at the Spanish GP in JuneCredit: GettyVerstappen finished fifth in Baku last weekend and claimed his Red Bull car was “f**cked” from Q1 onwards. Asked on Thursday why teammate Sergio Perez appeared to have the upper hand in Azerbaijan, Max replied: “I don’t know, man, different setup.””So, as soon as I went into qualifying, I knew the car was f**ked.”Tom Clarkson, hosting the press conference, immediately intervened to apologize for the profanity. READ MORE ON F1 He told Verstappen to “watch his language going forward.” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently requested teams to tone down swearing during public events and on track mics. He told Motorsport.com: “I mean, we have to differentiate between our sport – motorsport – and rap music.”We’re not rappers, you know. They say the F-word how many times per minute? We are not on that. That’s them and we are [us].”Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut a frustrated Verstappen let rip when a reporter asked for his thoughts on the request. The three-time F1 champ shrugged: “Everyone swears.F1 Driver Salaries in 2024: How Much Do They Make? “Some people a bit more than others. It also depends a bit on what language you speak.”Referencing his previous comment about his car, Verstappen continued: “I mean, it’s not even that bad, right? I mean, the car was not working. “The car is ‘effed’, yeah, and then ‘excuse me for the language’, but come on, what are we? Five-year-olds, six-year-olds? “Even if a five-year-old or six-year-old is watching, I mean, they will eventually swear anyway, even if the parents will not allow it.”When they grow up, they will walk around with their friends and they will be swearing. So, you know, this is not changing anything.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁Verstappen won 19 out of 23 races in 2023 on his way to the title.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut 2024 has proved a tougher year, despite the Dutchman currently leading the drivers standings with 313 points. Verstappen has not won since topping a podium way back in June at the Spanish Grand Prix. More

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    Inside ‘magic’ F1 McLaren innovation that has flung team ahead of Red Bull but fans are calling it ‘illegal’

    MCLAREN have raced to the front of the field in Formula One’s Constructors Championship for the first time in a decade.But some F1 fans have blasted the team after spotting a “magic” innovation at the weekend.McLarens Oscar Piastri benefitted from a ‘magic’ innovation to win the Azerbaijan Grand PrixCredit: RexLando Norris also had an impressive drive to get back up to P4 from starting P15Credit: RexMcLaren’s ‘flexi’ rear wing in Baku raised eyebrowsCredit: Sky Sports F1It gave him extra pace to keep in front of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on the back straightCredit: RexThe Woking-based manufacturer have made a remarkable surge up the field since Bahrain 2023, when Lando Norris finished dead last and Oscar Piastri retired due to electrical failure.But on Sunday, at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, McLaren saw their Papaya reign supreme as Piastri won his second race of the season with some stoic defending against Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.Norris took P4 and the fastest lap after an impressive drive through the field having started P15 following some bad luck in qualifying. The Brit’s result saw him marginally cut Max Verstappen’s championship lead.READ MORE IN F1The Baku race confirmed the MCL38’s position as the fastest car in the field, with the British team now the only one with two drivers to have won multiple races this season.However, McLaren’s amazing surge threatens to be overshadowed.Fans of rival teams were left vexed at how they had pulled off such a strong result in Azerbaijan before one “magic” innovation of the McLaren car design was highlighted.Only last week McLaren and Mercedes were cleared of any wrongdoing over the legality of their front wing, but following Baku it was their rear wing which had fans up in arms on social media.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFootage shared on social media by one furious member of the Tifosi showed how the DRS (Drag Reduction System) flap of race leader Piastri tilted up when under aerodynamic load (wind resistance).This flexible wing created a “mini-DRS” effect, allowing for reduced drag and increased top speed down the straight – which can see drivers hit speeds of 217mph.Why snapping up Adrian Newey is such a coup for Aston MartinThe extra speed was key in helping Piastri fend off Leclerc, who had the advantage of a fully open DRS flap due to being one second behind him going into the last stretch of numerous laps.Taking to social media after the race, one fan said: “The entire DRS flap is rotating under load. You can see at the pivot points, the flap is not aligning with the wing tips. “The flap is backing off at high speed, shedding drag. How is this okay?”Another user pointed out gaps at the edge of the flap, and asked: “How is this allowed?”A ‘mini-DRS’ effect was seen on the wing under aerodynamic load to reduce dragCredit: X @justformulacarThe clever wing design has not been deemed illegal by the FIA despite a fan outcryA third said: “MCLAREN HAS DRS WITHOUT HAVING A CAR INFRONT OF THEM MAN THIS S*** IS NOT LEGAL.”Several fans also argued the other way by saying F1 should not punish the new interpretation of the rules, with one saying: “It’s called a loophole and that’s what makes Formula 1 great.”If you don’t like it, don’t watch a series like F1, where a regulation set is interpreted by different teams, in different ways.”Motorsport engineer Blake Hinsey added on social media: “If the technical regulations have specifications for rear wing deflection and this passes the tests, then it’s legal. “Every piece of bodywork moves in complex ways under aerodynamic load.”If McLaren have found a way to reduce the drag on their rear wing in a different way – congratulations – they’ve done a brilliant job engineering this system.”From 2021, rear wings have needed to have 12 target dots in specific locations on the main plane and upper flap to prevent over-rotation of the rear wing assemblies.However, it is not the first race this has been deployed in by McLaren, meaning the FIA are seemingly happy and satisfied the design is within the constraints currently posed by the regulations.Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has hinted that his team could look to follow McLaren’s example in a bid to catch up.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe also admitted Red Bull had made a design error stunting their progress back in Barcelona 2023, but had not taken the warnings raised by Sergio Perez seriously due to Verstappen’s dominance.McLaren will be hoping their good form continues in next Sunday’s Singapore race, with their championship lead over Red Bull now at 20 points and Norris just 59 points behind Verstappen.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More

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    ‘Wow’ – Lewis Hamilton laughs at bizarre claim from F1 rival Max Verstappen as he says ‘I don’t really know what to say’

    LEWIS HAMILTON must have heard almost everything in F1.But even the seven-time world champ couldn’t contain himself when told of Max Verstappen’s verdict on the upcoming final third of the season.Lewis Hamilton appeared surprised by the comments of Max Verstappen, who is well clear of McLaren’s Lando Norris in the title raceCredit: GettyHamilton’s reaction to Verstappen’s verdict was clear to seeCredit: GettyRed Bull ace Verstappen has won the last three titles and leads this year’s Championship by 62 points from McLaren’s Lando Norris.But RB have spluttered in recent races amid performance issues.And McLaren have been closing the gap – leaving them just eight points behind Red Bull in the duel for the Constructors’ crown.However, Mercedes’ British star Hamilton was amused and bemused by Verstappen’s assessment ahead of Sunday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.READ MORE TOP STORIESLast time out, at the Italian GP two weeks ago, Norris was third and his team-mate Oscar Piastri second – behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.In contrast, Verstappen was sixth, with fellow RB driver Sergio Perez a further two spots below him.The Dutchman, 26, responded at the time by claiming Red Bull’s title hopes were now “unrealistic”.And far from now backing down in Baku, he said: “If we perform like Monza, it’s not realistic. Most read in MotorsportFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”So we definitely need to be better than what we have been delivering lately, we know that. “If we can find a better balance with the car, then actually we’ll be more competitive. But if more competitive is enough, I don’t know.”The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from InstagramThose comments were put to Hamilton, who is out of contention in sixth place before he switches to Ferrari for next year.And the 39-year-old was clearly reeling after hearing his old foe’s judgement.At first he said: “He said it’s unrealistic for him to get one of the two titles? Wow.” Hamilton then burst into laughter and added: “I mean, that’s his opinion, that’s obviously what he’s feeling in that moment, but he’s pretty far ahead! “I don’t really know what to say about it.”Verstappen, however, could yet have plenty to say after Sunday’s race – and for positive reasons.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat’s because, despite his downbeat appraisal, he also let slip that Red Bull have discovered why their car has encountered problems.So if the team can fix those issues, their double title challenge could be “Baku on track” this weekend.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 More