Category: Motor Sports

Motor Sports News

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Lando Norris wins Abu Dhabi F1 GP as McLaren take first title since 1998

  • Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri collide on first lap
  • McLaren now have nine constructors’ championships

The wait has been long and ­torturous for McLaren but by the close of a victory for Lando Norris at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix it was worth it as the team celebrated their first Formula One constructors’ championship for 26 years – opening perhaps a new era for the team, just as another came to an end for Lewis Hamilton.

The emotional import of the moment was writ large at McLaren but no less for a visibly moved ­Hamilton, who brought his career at Mercedes to an end with an exceptional comeback drive from 16th to fourth, bowing out with the same determined panache that has secured him unprecedented success with the team.

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Lando Norris claims Abu Dhabi F1 GP pole but ‘idiotic’ error costs Hamilton

  • Hamilton 18th in qualifying thanks to dislodged bollard
  • Mercedes’ Toto Wolff apologises for ‘idiotic mistake’

Bidding farewell with a flourish was the optimistic hope for Lewis Hamilton as he entered his final meeting with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix but even fortune, it seems, would not favour the British driver for his swansong where he finished 18th in qualifying.

His final hot lap was scuppered by the poorest of luck as he picked up a stray bollard dislodged by Kevin Magnussen, condemning his finale to probably be something of a slog from the lower reaches of the grid.

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Horner defends Verstappen in Russell feud as Formula One rift escalates

  • Mercedes driver said world champion threatened him
  • Red Bull principal also responds to Toto Wolff ‘terrier’ dig

The Red Bull team principal, ­Christian Horner, has defended his driver Max Verstappen in the world champion’s increasingly ill-tempered feud with Mercedes’ George ­Russell and ­dismissed their very public falling-out as part of an end-of-year ­“pantomime season” before this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Verstappen has already been crowned drivers’ champion, a ­success overshadowed at this finale by the spat he is now embroiled in with Russell. Their ­altercation ramped up in Abu Dhabi when the British driver accused Verstappen of threatening to put him “on your fucking head in the wall” and that it was time someone stood up to the Dutchman’s bullying. Verstappen has denied making the threat.

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George Russell claims Max Verstappen threatened to ‘put my head in the wall’

  • Mercedes driver revealed tensions boiled over in Qatar
  • World champion was ‘going to purposefully crash into me’

George Russell has claimed his Formula One rival Max Verstappen threatened him with violence during the escalating tensions between the drivers at the Qatar Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver said the newly crowned world champion told him “he was going to purposefully go out of his way to crash into me and ‘put me on my fucking head in the wall’”.

The accusations come after the Briton and Verstappen were embroiled in a dispute in qualifying for the race last weekend. The Dutchman lost pole position for blocking Russell during qualifying, with both drivers seeking out the stewards to discuss the incident. Verstappen – who vented his ire on Dutch television, stating he had “lost all respect” for the Mercedes driver – went on to win the race but only after a one-place grid penalty saw him start behind Russell.

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Jordan’s NASCAR Suit ‘Baseless,’ CEO France Says in Court Brief

Disparaging the lawsuit brought by Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports as a “misguided attempt to dress up private business frustrations in antitrust garb,” NASCAR this week motioned a federal judge to dismiss the case altogether. NASCAR CEO Jim France, a co-defendant, separately filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that his inclusion is …

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NASCAR recovers from early washouts to produce decent racing in season marred by antitrust lawsuit

NASCAR opened the season with near washouts in the first two races of the year that could have set the tone for a miserable 2024 campaign. There were 18 different winners, including Austin Dillon, who was disqualified from advancing to the playoffs for the aggressive driving that secured his victory. Joey Logano was the controversial Cup Series champion and triggered discussion about the fairness of the playoffs.

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Australia’s Jack Doohan to make Formula One debut at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

  • Son of motorcycle great Mick replaces Esteban Ocon at Alpine
  • Esteban Ocon released early to join Haas for post-season test

Australian Jack Doohan, son of motorcycle great Mick, will make his Formula One debut for Alpine in Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after departing Esteban Ocon was released early.

Ocon has signed for Haas and the switch will allow him to take part in the post-season test at Yas Marina next week, while also preparing Doohan for next season when he graduates from reserve to full race driver.

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Formula One teams demand more from FIA after punishment for Norris in Qatar

  • British driver sanctioned at Sunday’s Grand Prix
  • McLaren chief says rulebook ‘must have dust on cover’

Formula One teams are demanding more from the sport’s governing body after controversy over decisions at the Qatar Grand Prix which have caused criticism within the sport and prompted McLaren to call for a review into the penalty imposed on Lando Norris.

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, described the governance of the FIA as turning into a reality show and the McLaren team principal, Andrea Stella, suggested it was choosing how to apply its regulations on the hoof.

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