MAX VERSTAPPEN blasted Formula One title rival Lando Norris for getting in his way after failing to land a maiden pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix.
George Russell denied old rival Verstappen the front row seat with a lightning-quick lap of 1:29.158 – a new record at the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
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Max Verstappen blasted Lando Norris for getting in his way during Singapore GP qualifyingCredit: X / SkySportsF1
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Lando Norris bit back at the hot-tempered commentCredit: Getty
Verstappen, 28, is eyeing a first-ever win in Sunday’s race to complete the career set of winning at every F1 track on the 2025 calendar.
The raging Red Bull driver replied: “Yeah, that’s what happens when there’s a car two seconds in front of you cruising in front.
“So that’s noted, will be remembered as well.”
When pressed on the identity of the culprit, Verstappen replied: “Not Oscar [Piastri]. So yeah, that was a bit of a shame. Otherwise, I think it could have been close for a pole.
“It’s very exciting here in qualifying. A little bit disappointed not to be first but for us this weekend the car has been really good.
Briton Russell was delighted with his top spot, a first-ever pole for him in Singapore after a “challenging day” on Friday following a crash in FP2.
He said: “It’s good to come back and get a good result today.
“There’s a long sweaty race tomorrow but I knew there was potential in the car because Kimi [Antonelli] was doing an amazing job all weekend and I gained quite a lot from seeing what he was capable of doing.”
George Russell forced to abandon Singapore GP qualifying after smashing into barriers and mangling Mercedes
On the prospect of keeping four-time world champion Verstappen behind him going into Turn 1, Russell added: “Yeah, I mean Singapore’s not always been the kindest to me in the past.
“That’s been through my own doing the majority of the time. I’m not going to get carried away with this pole position. But it’s the best place to start.
“There’s a good pole side advantage here so I like to think I can hold the lead into Turn 1, but obviously this guy on my left is pretty good at race starts and sending it down the inside.”
Such a claim seemed off-beat considering Verstappen is 69 points behind McLaren championship leader Oscar Piastri, who scored third in Saturday’s qualifying.
Yet wins in Italy and Azerbaijan and a strong result in qualifying is threatening to split the drivers’ title race wide open despite the comparative dominance of McLaren for most of the season.
Piastri said: “I obviously would have wanted more but I don’t think we had four-tenths in it to go and get pole.”
Team-mate Norris, who will start P5 in the race, addressed Verstappen’s claim after the session.
He said: “Red Bull always complains. There was no problem with Max driving behind me. Yes, he was riding behind me. But there was such a huge distance, so no problem.”
There was early hope for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari in qualifying as he topped the first session, but he ultimately ended up in P6 with team-mate Charles Leclerc in P7.
Team boss James Vowles later confirmed the brakes had reached temperatures of over 1000 degrees before Albon was forced to retire.
But Mercedes ace Russell then sparked more chaos in FP2 as his car went straight on into the barriers at Turn 16.
As he attempted the right hander he lost the rear before the snap correction sent him flying into the wall and prompting the first red flag of the session.
It was an incident labelled “weird” by the Briton over the team radio.
Liam Lawson followed suit not long after as he hit the wall in the run off of Turn 17.
That saw his front-left go flying down the track and the plank under his car grind along the floor as his Racing Bulls drive skidded to a halt at the pit lane entrance.
And following the restart, Charles Leclerc bizarrely smashed into McLaren‘s Lando Norris in the pit lane following an unsafe release from the Scuderia mechanics.
CHRISTIAN HORNER has been warned that a Formula One return with Aston Martin would “not work”.
Horner, 51, was handed a whopping £80million payout for leaving Red Bull Racing after he was sacked as team principal in July and replaced by Laurent Mekies.
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Guenther Steiner has warned Christian Horner an F1 return would not workCredit: Getty
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Horner can return to the sport in 2026 and has been linked with a number of teamsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
But the ex-F1 chief, formerly the longest-serving team boss in the paddock with 20 years of service which yielded 14 drivers and constructors titles, is already plotting a way back into the sport after it was revealed he was “missing” it.
Horner’s payout was less than the £110m he could have had for the full duration of his deal which had run to 2030.
But SunSport understands taking the lower offer means he is free to return to F1 as early asspring2026.
However, former Haas boss and Drive to Survive fan favourite Guenther Steiner has claimed reuniting the pair at the team’s Silverstone base would not work.
Steiner, 60, told Lottoland: “In the last year the problem between Adrian and Christian was one of the reasons why Adrian left Red Bull.
NOTHING screams luxury like a top-notch yacht, so it’s no wonder Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has been hosting Max Verstappen on his boat in a bid to woo the popular driver away from Red Bull.
The Formula One World Champion, 27, has been spotted sunning himself topless on the vessel just off the coast of Sardinia.
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Toto and his wife Susie regularly use the yachtCredit: Instagram
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Max owns his own yacht that could rival Toto’sCredit: Getty
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Toto’s yacht is 50 meters in length and has a Jacuzzi on the forward deckCredit: Mangusta yachts
In photos that emerged last week, he was seen enjoying the heat as he laughed with Toto, 53, who was dressed all in white.
The luxurious yacht, named Mangusta 165, is believed to have cost the racing boss £20million and spends most of the time moored in Monaco when not in use.
F1 is currently on its summer break, with the next race not until August 31 in Zandvoort.
Max’s break with the Mercedes boss has refuelled rumours that he might move to the team when his contract with Red Bull is up.
The four-time world champion told RacingNews365: “I’m in the middle. Maybe it’ll be good, maybe it’ll be bad – we’ll see.
“I’m very open-minded, honestly. I don’t even think about it too much – I’m just enjoying the moment.
“When I sit in the car next year, we’ll figure it out. I’m not making the rules anyway.”
Toto has owned his yacht, which is 50m in length and has a top speed of 25 knots, since 2023.
It boasts five bedrooms and can host 12 guests, who can also enjoy use of the jet skis and a hot tub.
The Mercedes boss isn’t the only F1 star to own a fancy yacht. Here we look at battle of the boats.
Lando Norris kisses girlfriend Margarida Corceiro after winning
Max Verstappen
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Max is reported to have bought a 33m yacht that he’s named Unleash the LionCredit: https://www.youtube.com/@MangustaYachts
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It boasts a huge living dining area inside the shipCredit: https://www.youtube.com/@MangustaYachts
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And the large master bedroom boasts a king-sized bedCredit: https://www.youtube.com/@MangustaYachts
He might have spent the beginning of his summer break on Toto’s yacht, but the F1 driver has his own boat – which has been described as a ‘Bond villain’s weekend getaway’.
It can hold up to 12 guests alongside five crew, meaning Max and partner Kelly Piquet have ample space for entertaining as well as room for their daughter, Lily, born in May.
It has an open deck to the rear which is fitted with white couches and is thought to have an area to store a speed boat.
He also has a large stateroom inside, but little else is known about the pricey vessel’s interior.
Max moored the yacht in Monaco this year when he was competing in the principality’s Grand Prix but he hasn’t posted photos since its purchase earlier this year.
George Russell
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George and girlfriend Carmen Mundt spend a lot of time on his yachtCredit: instagram/carmenmmundt
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The yacht boasts a lounging deck for sunbathing and enjoying the wavesCredit: pershing yacht
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It has four cabins that can accommodate up to eight guestsCredit: pershing yacht
British F1 ace George, 27, is the latest driver to join the yacht owner’s club with his Pershing 6X.
He splashed out £2.2million on the luxurious vessel following his success on the track.
The boat might be smaller than grid rival Max’s, but it’s not tiny either.
It has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a kitchen and a spacious upper deck living area.
And he’s been showing the yacht off on his social media with girlfriend Carmen Mundt, 26, and a host of friends on board.
They also have a stash of pricey water toys and the racer has posted videos of him and others on a hydrofoil skimming across the sea.
Like rival Max, George is also spending his summer break from the circuit on the boat off the coast of Sardinia.
Fernando Alonso
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Fernando has made sure his yacht is as eco-friendly as possibleCredit: Sunreef Yachts
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The catamaran features 68.6 square metres of solar panelsCredit: Sunreef Yachts
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He claims he loves the peace he gets from being on the oceanCredit: Sunreef Yachts
Spanish driver Fernando, 44, has owned a Sunreef Power Eco 60 since 2023 after signing an order for it back in 2021.
Each yacht from the brand is a bespoke creation for the buyer.
The 18.3m long vessel is solar-powered, giving the boat eco-friendly credentials that most yachts don’t have.
“I think [Sunreef] is the only company that takes sustainability to a very serious level,” said Alonso during an interview with BOAT International.
“To have a fully electric catamaran powered by solar panels made perfect sense to me.”
The solar panels cover 68.6m squared across the yacht, including the roof and hull sides.
It’s equipped with two 360kw electric motors and a set of 990kwh batteries which are solar powered – making the yacht essentially silent when moving.
One of the smaller yachts owned by an F1 star, it can accommodate up to six guests and four crew.
But, for Fernando, size doesn’t matter.
Alonso said: “On board, all that matters is peace of mind, fresh air, and good company. Yachting should not be about ego.
“For me, it’s about sharing good moments and being respectful towards the environment.”
Lawrence Stroll
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The Aston Martin F1 boss has traded his huge yacht for a slightly smaller oneCredit: Getty
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Faith isn’t a small vessel at 262ft long and repotedly has a swimming pool on boardCredit: Feadship
Billionaire Lawrence, 65, has splashed some of his enormous fortune on a 262-foot long floating mansion for a cool £184.5million.
The Aston Martin F1 team owner downsized from his original yacht, Faith, to Project 714 in March – and has now also renamed it Faith.
The upper decks, enclosed in glass, contain a swimming pool, a games deck and a helicopter landing pad with a hangar below, according to Luxury Launches.
Inside, there are seven guest cabins which can hold up to 14 people as well as space for 20 crew members.
It’s thought the large vessel, which has a top speed of 17knots, has annual running costs of up to £20million.
Lawrence’s previous boat could host up to 18 people across nine cabins and had a crew of 34.
It also boasted a private cinema, nine-meter swimming pool plus a spa and plunge pool.
He sold it to business tycoon Michael Latifi when he decided to downsize to a slightly smaller vessel.
Lewis Hamilton
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Back in 2017 Lewis entertained model Bella Hadid on a yachtCredit: BackGrid
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Lewis has his own gigantic yacht which featured in a music videoCredit: Instagram @lewishamilton
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He also charters yachts when entertaining family and friends on the waterCredit: Splash
British driver Lewis, 40, is also a member of the F1 yacht club with Sunseeker 90, which he is thought to have bought in 2009 for around £2.9million.
And when he’s not feeling like being on his own boat, he charters other vessels that boast a bigger range of rooms and activities.
Sunseeker 90 is 91.9feet and can sleep up to eight guests. It boasts a top speed of 30 knots meaning it’s a speedy boat.
The yacht is normally moored in Monaco, where Lewis resides during the off season.
It features American walnut carpentry, air-conditioning, a huge kitchen and an entertainment area with a shower where guests can rinse off after a dip in the sea.
He was seen entertaining model Bella Hadid, 28, on a yacht back in 2017, but it’s not clear if he used his own boat or rented one for entertaining.
Lewis has also been spotted entertaining pals over the years, including former teammate Nico Rosberg and his own family.
Charles Leclerc
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Charles owns not one, but two yachts so he can do different things with eachCredit: https://www.instagram.com/charlottesiine/
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His Riva yacht, named Sedici, can reach speeds of up to 37 knotsCredit: Instagram
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His second yacht, named Monza, is named after the circuit where he placed 1st in 2019Credit: Instagram @charles_leclerc
Ferrari driver Charles, 27, appears to be a big fan of spending time on both his yachts – because who would have one when you could have two?
He owns a Riva 66 Ribelle named Sedici, which is Italian for sixteen – his race number – and a Riva Dolceriva open cruiser.
Sedici is a 20m sports yacht that can reach speeds of up to 37 knots and has three cabins inside.
He brought it to the Monaco Grand Prix this year, like many of his fellow drivers.
It seems to be his favourite of the two boats, as he often shares snaps from holidays on it, many with it in the background while he swims.
His second vessel is named Monza after the world-famous racing circuit – and is a speedy boat.
Charles paid approximately £1.5million for it back in 2020 and reportedly bought it to commemorate winning the Grand Prix at Monza the year before.
It’s 48ft long and can accommodate up to four guests across two cabins.
The lower deck has an L-shaped sofa with a coffee table in the centre. The master cabin has a huge king-sized bed as well as an ensuite.
LYING on the track in a tangled mess, Tai Woffinden admits the last thing he remembers is people crying at the extent of his injuries.
The five-times world champion blacked out minutes after the horror crash where he sustained over 15 BROKEN BONES following a high-speed pile-up in Krosno, Poland in late March.
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Tai Woffinden spent days in a medically induced coma
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He is ahead of schedule in his rebah
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The Speedway icon broke 15 bones in a horror crashCredit: Taylor Lanning
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His partner Faye rushed to Poland to be by his side in hospital
Great Britain ace Woffy, 34, was given an emergency helicopter airlift to hospital as fears grew over his survival because of chest injuries and a huge loss of blood.
But two months after fighting for his life, Woffinden is now walking and eight weeks ahead in his gruelling recovery plan in rehab.
In his first interview since the incident, he reveals how he heard the femur bone in his leg snap on impact and that the first people on the scene were in tears on seeing his condition because his arms were “pointing in the wrong direction”.
He admitted: “I remember everything. In the race that I crashed I made a pretty decent start, so I blipped the throttle a little bit coming into the corner.
“The junior rider off gate one drove over the kerb, ran into the guy that was off gate two, who then collected me.
“As I got collected, as you normally do, you drop it on the side and slide towards the fence. And then while sliding across the track, my bike hit the APD (airfence) first, which lifted it up probably about a metre.
“And the moment I saw that lift, I just went, ‘oh f***’. And then I hit the fence, I heard my femur snap.
“It’s almost like if you’re underwater and you snap a tree branch.
“I then was laid on the track. I remember looking up and seeing everybody around me. The team manager’s face looked like he had seen a ghost.
Tai Woffinden walks for first time after coma as Speedway star reveals horror list of injuries after terrifying crash
“One person was crying looking at my body. My arms were pointing all in the wrong direction. My left shoulder was dislocated, pointing upwards.
“My right humerus was shattered at the bottom. My elbow was dislocated and my elbow was broken.
“I actually couldn’t see my hands when I was laying on the track because they were both pointing up.
“So I’m sat there saying, ‘give me some meds’. I was saying ‘bol, bol, bol’ which means pain in Polish just to make sure they knew what I was talking about.
“I don’t know if I passed out from the amount of Fentanyl they’d given me or the amount of blood that I’d lost.”
Woffinden, Britain’s greatest-ever rider, had a double compound right femur fracture, broken back, right humerus compound fracture, dislocated and smashed right elbow, 12 broken ribs,punctured lung, left broken shoulder blade and dislocated left shoulder.
He added: “I remember the blades of the helicopter, the noise of it starting to take off. And then the next thing, I’m in a coma.
“There were so many injuries, I probably wouldn’t have been able to be awake and deal with the injuries. One of the operations was 12 hours long and I had multiple blood transfusions.
“I thought a coma would have been a pleasant sleep. It was quite the opposite. It was the worst thing I’d ever experienced. It was quite scary at times. I was on sedatives and painkillers and antibiotics.
“I was hallucinating, I was dreaming and having nightmares. Normally you have a nightmare and you wake up. Well, I couldn’t wake up.
“I dealt with some wild s***. I woke up from the coma, and everything that I’d dreamt, I believed it was real. And my wife Faye was like, ‘mate, that didn’t happen’. I was getting angry with Faye because she wasn’t believing me.”
Woffinden refused to be drawn on what the future holds in speedway, his only focus is on full recovery from the huge toll of injuries.
He added: “There’s so many variables. We need to give it that extra month to heal and then have the CT scan so we can really see what’s going on from all different angles.
“I might need another operation on my humerus in my arm because it was shattered in 27 places. If the metalwork hasn’t helped it knit together, I’ll need another op.
“I’ve done everything I possibly can. I’ve done four to five hours a day in rehab since I left the hospital. My progress is on another level.
“It’s ridiculous. Where I’m at given the injuries is f*****g phenomenal.
“I would like to ride my bike again, whether that’s competitive or not or just practice, who knows?
“But I just make micro personal goals to keep reaching. Only my recovery comes first.”
MICHAEL Schumacher’s former boss has given rare insight into the F1 legend’s condition – 12 years after the skiing accident that changed his life.
While the German seven-time world champion, now 56, hasn’t been seen in public since 2013, his Benetton manager says he speaks often with Schumacher’s family.
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Flavio Briatore (right) has revealed insight into the health of F1 icon Michael Schumacher (left)Credit: Press Association
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Schumacher pictured on the shoulders of Briatore and race director Tom Walkinshaw after his 1994 World Championship victory has not been seen since 2013Credit: Alamy
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His wife Corinna gave an update on his health in a rare 2021 documentaryCredit: Alamy
Flavio Briatore, 75, led the Benetton F1 team during Schumacher’s breakthrough years, playing a key role in his first two world championships.
Briatore appeared to confirm to an Italian newspaper that Schumacher is bed-bound, amid scarce details of his condition due to the family’s commitment to privacy.
“If I close my eyes,” he told Corriere della Sera, “I see him smiling after a victory.
“I prefer to remember him like that rather than him just lying on a bed. Corinna and I talk often, though.”
“Only three people can visit him and I know who they are.”
Claims that Schumacher can no longer speak were echoed by his son Mick in a 2021 Netflixdocumentary about his father’s life.
The 26-year-old driver said: “I think dad and me, we would understand each other now in a different way now.”
In the 2021 documentary, Corinna gave a rare update, revealing Schumacher is still undergoing rehabilitation and is “different, but here” following his life-changing injuries.
What do we know about Schumacher since his accident?
MICHAEL Schumacher’s life changed forever on December 29, 2013, when a skiing accident left the seven-time F1 champion with a severe brain injury.
Since then, his family has protected his privacy, with only a select few remaining in contact with the racing legend.
December 29, 2013 – The skiing accident: Schumacher suffers a life-threatening head injury while skiing off-piste in Méribel, France. He falls and hits his head on a rock, causing severe brain trauma despite wearing a helmet. He is airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble, where he undergoes two emergency surgeries. Doctors place him in a medically induced coma to reduce swelling in his brain.
January 2014 – Schumacher fights for his life: Schumacher remains in a coma. Doctors describe his condition as “critical but stable”. His family, led by wife Corinna, remains at his bedside. The world’s F1 community rallies behind him, with fans holding vigils outside the hospital.
June 2014 – Schumacher brought out of his coma: After nearly six months, Schumacher is brought out of his coma. His family confirms he is no longer in a coma but gives no further health details. He is transferred from Grenoble to a rehabilitation facility in Lausanne, Switzerland.
September 2014 – Back home: Schumacher is moved to his family home near Lake Geneva. Corinna announces he will continue his recovery at home, with a dedicated medical team.
2015–2018 – Mystery surrounding his health: Reports suggest Schumacher is receiving round-the-clock medical care at home, costing £50,000 per week. Jean Todt reveals he still visits Schumacher and that they watch F1 races together.
May 2017– German magazine sued by Schumacher’s family: The magazine Bunte has to pay Michael Schumacher €50,000 (£42,000) in damages after claiming in 2015 that Schumacher would walk again. The Hamburg regional court determined that the statement was false and infringed upon Schumacher’s right to privacy.
September 2019 – Schumacher secretly transferred to Paris: French media reports that Schumacher is taken to Paris for stem cell therapy at the Georges-Pompidou Hospital. The procedure is led by renowned surgeon Dr. Philippe Menasché. Details of the treatment remain undisclosed.
December 2019 – Manager issues rare statement: Schumacher’s longtime manager Sabine Kehm says his condition will remain private. She dismisses speculation and false reports about his health.
September 2021 – Netflix documentary “Schumacher” released: A new Netflix documentary, Schumacher, provides rare insights into his life. Corinna speaks publicly about his condition for the first time, saying: “Michael is here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength.”
December 2023 – 10 years since the accident: Schumacher turns 55. The anniversary of his accident is marked by tributes from the F1 world. Jean Todt confirms he still sees Schumacher regularly and describes his visits as “full of affection”.
September 2024 – Daughter Gina’s wedding: Gina Schumacher, 27, marries longtime boyfriend Iain Bethke at the family’s £27million Majorca villa. Reports claim Schumacher attends the wedding, but close friend Johnny Herbert later calls it “A1 fake news”. Guests are reportedly required to hand over their phones to prevent leaks.
December 2024 – Schumacher to become a grandfather: Gina announces she is pregnant, three months after her wedding. She shares the news on Instagram, writing: “Impatiently awaiting the arrival of our little girl.”
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Schumacher’s initials ‘M.S’ can be seen signed on the bottom part of the helmet belonging to fellow F1 icon Sir Jackie StewartCredit: Matt Wardle and Bell Racing
Emotional moment Michael Schumacher’s son and Sebastian Vettel pay tribute to stricken F1 legend
Johnny Herbert, Schumacher’s teammate at Benetton between 1994 to 1995, described the signature as an “emotional” moment.
He told FastSlots: “It’s wonderful news that Michael Schumacher signed Jackie Stewart‘s helmet. It was a wonderful moment.
“We haven’t seen something emotional like this in years, and hopefully, it’s a sign.
“Hopefully, Michael is on the mend. It’s been a long, horrible journey for the family, and maybe we’ll hopefully see him in the F1 paddock soon.”
Schumacher is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, winning world titles in 1994, 1995 and five consecutive years from 2000 to 2004.
He also racked up 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums during his racing career.
When asked who the greatest driver of all time is, Briatore told Corriere de Sera: “I don’t know who the greatest is, because we’ve had Schumacher, Senna, Alonso.
“Now, the number one is definitely (Max) Verstappen. I have two cars at Alpine, so I would like to have two Verstappens.”
MAX VERSTAPPEN is on the verge of a Formula One race ban after race stewards made a decision over his collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty for “undoubtedly” causing his collision with George Russell
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Verstappen appeared to deliberately drive into the Brit at Turn 5 of the Spanish GPCredit: Sky Sports
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The FIA later hit the Dutchman with three penalty points, leaving him one off of a race banCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
That punishment dropped him from P5 when he crossed the line to P10, which opened a massive 49-point gap between himself and championship leader Oscar Piastri.
A further investigation from the FIA after the race saw the 27-year-old avoid disqualification, despite calls from Nico Rosberg on Sky Sports commentary.
However, F1‘s governing body decided that Verstappen‘s actions also warranted three points on his Super Licence, declaring the collision was “undoubtedly caused” by him.
And this has placed him on the verge of a ban for an F1 race later this season.
With the three points added from his exploits in Barcelona, Verstappen is now just one penalty point away from a race ban.
F1’s penalty points system works on a 12-month rolling basis, and Verstappen currently sits on 11 penalty points out of the maximum of 12 before a ban.
But the next time the four-time world champion will see any of his penalty points expire will be on June 30.
That means Verstappen will need to be on his best behaviour at both the Canada Grand Prix on June 15 and then Red Bull’s home race at the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29.
Picking up another penalty point in Montreal would mean a ban for Verstappen at the Red Bull Ring, while a point in the second race would mean he is banned from the British Grand Prix on July 6.
Verstappen will become the first-ever reigning world champion to be hit by a ban if he picks up another point in either of those races.
One of F1’s most recognisable voices reveals Leclerc and Hamilton moments that will live with him forever
However, if he stays clean across the next two race weekends then Verstappen will see two points expire from his licence and move down to nine.
After that he will need to avoid further incident going all the way to October 27th.
The chaos in Spain began after a safety car restart caused by Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli veering into the gravel.
Verstappen nearly spun and Charles Leclerc overtook him before Russell, 27, nearly went into the back of him, with the Dutchman going off track onto the escape road.
He was then told by his team to give the place back to the Brit, believing he had gained an unfair advantage by leaving the track.
Fuming Verstappen swore down the radio at the decision before slowing up.
What are Verstappen’s penalty points and when do they expire?
Two points: Expire 30th June 2025.
These were awarded for causing a collision with Lando Norris at the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix.
Two points: Expire 27th October 2025.
These were awarded for forcing Lando Norris off track during the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.
One point: Expires 1st November 2025.
This point was awarded for being under the minimum VSC delta time during the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix Sprint.
One point: Expires 1st December 2025.
This point was awarded for driving unnecessarily slowly on a cooldown lap during qualifying for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.
Two points: Expire 8th December 2025.
These were awarded for causing a collision with Oscar Piastri during the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
TheMercedesman thought he was letting him through at Turn 5 but his rival then appeared to intentionally ram into the side of him, which landed Verstappen in hot water.
Speaking after the race, Russell said: “I’m too close to give my opinion on behalf of the drivers. It’s like in Austin last year, some of the best moves ever then you go to Mexico and he lets himself down a bit.
“You go to Imola with one of the best moves of all-time, then this happens. It cost him and his team a lot of points. Charles and I actually dropped off like a stone on those last two laps.
“He probably could have come back to fight for the podium, so I won’t lose any sleep [over it]. We have our own problems and that’s making our car go faster.”
Verstappen himself said: “I don’t need to say anything about it because it doesn’t matter anyway.
“I had a big moment there in the last corner. Unfortunately the hard tyres had very low grip so that was quite painful. Basically, we just ran out of tyres.
“In hindsight, was it better to stay out? Maybe, I don’t know. It’s always easy to say afterwards. Because of those hard tyres, you get into those situations.
“I think [the strategy] was good, I think it worked for us. It was the best way forward. It was racy and I liked it. Unfortunately we didn’t get the benefits at the end.”
LANDO NORRIS has boycotted social media after falling behind McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in the F1 title race.
Despite Norris’ pre-season billing as the Championship favourite, the McLaren star has been outdone by the Aussie’s momentum in the opening six races of the season.
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Lando Norris has faced a torrent of abuse and is ditching social mediaCredit: Alamy
And Norris has been subject to fresh hate and abuse since falling 16 points behind Piastri, who – despite playing second fiddle to the Brit last year – is the new bookie’s favourite.
Speaking to reporters including SunSport in the McLaren motorhome at Imola, Norris opened up about his online detox ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this Sunday.
The 25-year-old admitted: “I’ve not been on social media for a few weeks now.It’s not something I enjoy. I don’t need to be on it. It’s my life and I can do what I like.
“I enjoy not going on my phone as much as I used to. I still text my friends.
“But I see social media as a waste of my time and energy. I don’t need it or want it. I don’t find it interesting.
“I’ve got more time to do things that I want to do, I play golf and train and want to be productive.”
Of course, it’s still too early to write any driver off with 16 more races up for grabs, but the feeling in the Norris camp seems somewhat bleak going into the European triple header.
Despite sitting second in the standings, Norris also revealed he feels “unhappy” with how his MCL39 feels and isn’t bothered about winning the title.
Asked if he was thinking about the title standings, Norris said: “No, is the answer.
“I don’t care about it and won’t think about it. It is easy for things to change.
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris open up on F1 rivalry after controversial clashes
“Oscar has done a good job. But a lot of it is just focusing on myself. “He’s just another competitor. Another guy, he’s just dressed in the same colours.
“It’s been clear that there have been differences from last year in how the car works, how it acts, and how I’m able to get lap time out of it and perform.
“I’m obviously not happy at the moment, but we will see with the upgrades this week.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, 40, unfollowed everyone on Instagram, including all of his Ferrari team, in the days after his played-down radio spat with team strategists in Miami last time out.
On this, Norris added: “Lewis can do what he wants, good for him.”
The Brit’s first season since leaving Mercedes has been a big let down so far, as the Scuderia were meant to be challenging for the title after finishing second in the Constructors race last season.
Instead, Andrea Stella’s team linger a staggering 152 points behind leaders McLaren in the, while Hamilton sits 90 points adrift of Piastri and behind both Silver Arrow drivers in seventh.
GEORGE RUSSELL “won’t be saying thank you” anytime soon after blasting Formula One’s swearing rules as too “ridiculous” in the first place.
The Mercedes star, who sits fourth in the Championship standings, showed no gratitude to F1‘s governing body after labelling the walk-back on rules as “suspect” ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
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George Russell has criticised the FIA’s stance on swearing and criticising officialsCredit: Getty
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FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem dramatically reduced the fines after receiving backlashCredit: AFP
On Wednesday, the FIA climbed down on its previous stance of drivers facing potential bans and point deductions for swearing or criticising officials, and dramatically reduced the possible fines that can be issued.
Crucially, the stewards are now able to differentiate between ‘controlled’ and ‘non-controlled’ environments, meaning drivers are highly unlikely to be punished for swearing while competing, but will still face action for using offensive language in press conferences.
But Russell, was unmoved by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem cutting the first time fines from £33,700 down to £4,200.
The 27-year-old said: “I didn’t really have any reaction to the announcement because it was so ridiculous in the first place that we are just basically reverting on that.
“At the end of the day we’re not going to be saying thank you for something that was so crazy in the first place.
“We’ve just gone back to something that is slightly more in the name of common sense
“But we should never have moved away from that in the first place. You know, we shouldn’t even be having this conversation.”
Russell, a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, also revealed that he “wonders if the change was strategic timing” given that Ben Sulayem is up for re-election at the end of the season.
Ben Sulayem said when the rule change was announced that he had “led an extensive and collaborative review with contributions from across the seven FIA World Championships”.
But, Russell has refused that claim, saying: “We’ve still had no correspondence with anyone from the senior level at the FIA. So yeah, it’s all a bit suspect.”
Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-up
The seven-time champion said: “It seems a bit of a mess there at the moment. There are lots of changes that are needed, for sure.”
Red Bull‘s Max Verstappen – who last year was the first driver to be punished for saying his car was “f***ed” with a form of community service – said the change was “a bit better and it’s a start”.
Incredibly, Russell and Verstappen both backed the potential bid of Carlos Sainz Sr, the father of Williams driver Sainz, in this December’s FIA presidential election.
When asked if Sainz would be a better president, the world champion Red Bull star bluntly replied: “You can fill that in yourself.
“He’s very well respected in the world here and in the rally world as a former rally driver.
“Of course people always say it’s conflicting with his son but I think he’s professional enough to keep that separated from each other.
“I think it would be a great addition to run for president.”
Russell also dismissed the idea there could be a conflict of interest because of Sainz’s son, who is also a GPDA director.
The Brit said: “You’re so far removed from a technical standpoint. It’s down to the technical people within the FIA to be the rule makers.
“The president in years gone by has probably been far less involved than what we’ve seen recently and far less visible.”
F1 2025
THE new Formula One season is well underway – and one team appear to be running away with it.
A massive summer of change saw Lewis Hamilton move on from Mercedes and join Ferrari, while the McLaren pair of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a big chance to end Max Verstappen‘s recent dominance.
The Red Bull ace is aiming for a record-equalling FIFTH consecutive world title.
AN ICONIC F1 grand prix track is at risk of being axed from the race calendar.
The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola could be set to host its last F1 race.
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Emilia Romagna Grand Prix could be cut from the F1 calendar
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The track was reintroduced back in 2020
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Stefano Domenicali has said it would be ‘difficult’ to keep the raceCredit: Getty
The famous circuit is the host for this weekend’s race in the 2025 season.
But F1 president Stefano Domenicali has admitted that it could be cut from the calendar.
There are currently two races in Italy, the one in Imola as well as the Italian GP at Monza.
Domenicali has suggested that with the increased interest in the motorsport, it could prove “difficult” for both to be kept.
He told RAI radio: “Italy has always been and will be an important part of Formula 1.
“It will be increasingly difficult to have two races in the same country because interest in F1 is growing and it’s a situation we will have to deal with in the coming months.
“It’s hard for this situation with Imola and Monza to continue together on the calendar for long.”
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari debuted back in 1981.
However, it has previously been cut as it was left off the calendar from 2006 until it was reintroduced in 2020.
This was when the race was rebranded as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton fumes ‘have a tea break while you’re at it’ at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-up
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No other country in Europe has more than one race but Spain will have next year.
This is down to the overlap between the new Madrid track and last year of the Barcelona circuit.
The USA has three races with tracks in Miami, Las Vegas and Austin.
Speaking in 2024, Domenicali admitted that some tracks in Europe could become rotational in the calendar.
He said: “We have some news to share very, very soon with regard to the possibility in the mid-term to have some rotational European Grand Prix and some other new options coming later.
“This is something that, of course, we will clarify in the due course.
“It is true that we have a large demand for new possible venues that want to come in.
“Our choice will always be balanced between the right economic benefits that we can have as a system and also to leverage in the growth of the market.
“That we can see potential that will be beneficial for us to grow our business even further.”
