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Credits: IMAGO / Marco Canoniero

The last two years have seen Max Verstappen dominate the F1 grid. While he won 15 of the 22 races in 2022, last year he took the top step of the podium in 19 races, among which 10 victories came in a row. This dominance carried onto the 2024 campaign, with Verstappen picking two wins in two races so far. Looking at his superiority over the entire grid, Executive Director of Formula E, Jeff Dodds, warns F1 that it will begin to lose fans.

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As quoted by Marca.com, Dodds said, “ We know that fans love competitiveness and when it starts to fade, fans disappear.”

Subsequently, Dodds likened F1 to the ‘Great Circus’, saying that his field of motorsport is nothing like the F1 because of its competitiveness.

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Over the last few years, competition has been scarce in F1. Seldom bursts in performance from Ferrari and McLaren aside, Red Bull has been untroubled. They won the 2022 and 223 titles with ease, and things look ominous for the other nine teams this year too. This is contrary to what is going on in F1’s sister series.

Speaking about the same, Dodds stated that in the last three Formula E seasons, the title has been decided in the last race of the championship. With his assertion, Dodds pointed towards the last two F1 seasons in which Max Verstappen emerged victorious in the championship with a handful of races remaining.

Last year, Verstappen won 19 out of 22 races. This year, too, most expect him to win as many, if not more (or all). Could this lead a dip in fans’ interest?

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Is Max Verstappen’s dominance flattening fans’ interest in F1?

Although Max Verstappen’s unwavering supremacy has crowned him the world champion three times in a row, fans don’t seem to be fond of his control over the entire F1 grid. This is because a case study conducted by Buzz Radar has revealed a notable decrease in interest in 2023.

Three particular areas on social media showed a massive decline: mentions, growth of key social accounts, and total reach (socially). While the social mentions trajectory grew 74.32% in 2021 it came down significantly to -70.20% in 2023. Moreover, the key accounts dropped to -46.29 in 2023 after growing by 250% in 2021. Finally, there has also been a significant decline in the overall reach. While in 2023 it was -64.10%, the numbers saw a reach of 74.83%, back in 2021.

Moreover, Verstappen’s supernatural domination, for example, contributed to The Miami Grand Prix’s 24% decline in viewership on ABC in 2023 compared to its 2022 debut. Furthermore, ESPN saw a decrease in average viewership from 1.3 million per race to 1.24 million during the first 13 races of the season.

With these statistics, it is evident that several fans are refusing to tune into F1 action, because of the inevitability of the result. The only way viewership is likely to increase is if the competitiveness grows.

Victoria Beckham beamed with pride as she graced the catwalk at her Spring/Summer 2024 Paris Fashion Week show in the French capital on Friday.

The fashion designer, 49, was given a rapturous round of applause and guests took out their phones to snap a picture of the star as she stood centre stage in a chic black outfit.

Former Spice Girl Victoria donned a pair of loose-fitting floor-length trousers and a matching short-sleeved top.

Her ensemble was cinched in at the waist by a black belt which featured a glistening gold buckle, matching the watch she wore on her wrist.

The Beckham clan were out in force to support Victoria, marking the third time she’s shown her collection in France, with husband David, daughter Harper, and sons Cruz and Brooklyn sitting in the front row.

Victoria Beckham blows a kiss to her family after her PFW show

Woman of the moment: Victoria Beckham beamed donned a chic black ensemble and with pride as she graced the catwalk at her Spring/Summer 2024 Paris Fashion Week show in the French capital on Friday

Sitting in the FROW: Victoria was supported by (right-left) sons Brooklyn and Cruz, daughter Harper and husband David, while Vogue’s Anna Wintour was also in attendance, along with Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Corey Gamble

Vogue’s Anna Wintour was also in attendance, sitting alongside sportsman David, along with Kim Kardashian, her mother Kris Jenner and Kris’s partner Corey Gamble.

Journalist Anna turned the heads of those sitting on the front row as she made a swift exit at the end of the show.

She showcased her impeccable sense of style, donning a red coat which she teamed with a blue and white patterned dress.

Anna completed her look by wearing a pair of her signature dark sunglasses for Victoria’s show.

Victoria cut a graceful figure as she walked out into the centre of the room at the end of her show as her guests gave her a round of applause.

She appeared moved by their reaction, at one point covering her mouth as they continued to clap the star, before blowing a kiss to her family.

Leading the glamorous arrivals was Kim Kardashian, 42, who slipped into a lilac satin gown with a scooped neckline.

The reality TV star was joined by Baywatch bombshell Pamela Anderson, 56, wearing florals, she stunned in a gown paired with towering platform heels.

She’s off! Journalist Anna turned the heads of those sitting on the front row as she made a swift exit at the end of the show in Paris

VIP: Victoria looked cut a graceful figure as she walked out into the centre of the room at the end of her show as her guests gave her a round of applause

Snap happy: Onlookers grabbed hold of their phones to take pictures of Victoria as she made her way into the room after her PFW show

Emotional: She appeared moved by their reaction, at one point covering her mouth as they continued to clap the star

Fashion queen: Victoria looked great in her chic black outfit as she confidently walked down the catwalk

Good spirits: David flashed a broad smile as he chatted to friend, Vogue’s Anna Wintour, as they sat alongside one another on the front row

Friends in high places: David and Anna were seen laughing with their famous friends at the high profile fashion event

Fashion set: David was seen sitting alongside his very chic looking daughter Harper, 12, who donned a fashionable white dress

Family affair: Victoria’s son Brooklyn was seen reaching across his wife Nicola Peltz to grab the jacket of his brother Cruz as they sat on the front row

Loved ones: (L-R) Anna, David, Harper, Cruz, Nicola, Brooklyn and (far right) Eva all eagerly awaiting Victoria’s show to start

Farewell: Anna was seen bidding farewell to her famous friends Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner as she left Victoria Beckham’s show

On the move: Anna was seen smiling after the show as she left the show before the rest of the guests in Paris

Catching attention: A number of guests on the front row turned and watched as Anna left the event on Friday

Shady lady: Anna removed her signature sunglasses as she got up and left Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week show

A-list: Leading the glamorous arrivals was Kim Kardashian, 42, who slipped into a lilac satin gown with a scooped neckline

High fashion: The reality star and businesswoman was seen wearing some dazzling statement jewellery to compliment her dress

All stars: Kim was seen sitting alongside her mother Kris Jenner (second left) and Kris’s partner Corey Gamble (left), while Anna (right) also sat on the front row

Excited: Kris appeared in very good spirits as she sat between her daughter Kim and partner Corey on the front row at the event

So chic: Kim and Victoria both looked sensational as they stood alongside each other after the show

Posing it up: The pair stood arm-in-arm and happily posed for pictures after Kim approached Victoria to congratulate her on her successful show

She showed off her fashion credentials as she strutted her stuff at the star-studded event, where a whole host of big names descended on Paris Fashion Week to lend designer Victoria their support.

Longtime friend of the Beckhams, Eva Longoria, 48, also turned out in style as she rocked a red mini dress with voluminous sleeves.

Eva put on a very leggy display in her glamorous ensemble and gave herself a few extra inches in a pair of peep-toe black heels, while she kept her essentials in a black handbag.

Victoria and Eva have longtime been best pals and Eva often shows her support for her friend’s designs by wearing garments from her brand.

Meanwhile, Romeo Beckham’s girlfriend Mia Regan, 20, dazzled in blue as she arrived at the venue in a quirky hemmed mini dress alongside her mother Helen.

She added some extra inches to her frame in a pair of black platform heels and toted her essentials in a small handbag, while she bolstered her features with a very dramatic slick of thick black eyeliner.

Proving she’s inherited her designer mother’s chic sense of style, 12-year-old Harper headed to the show in a fashionable white dress paired with £840 Prada mule heels.

Yet it doesn’t seem like Victoria had much of a say in her husband’s outfit, with the typically stylish David, 48, making a rare fashion faux pas as he strode out of his hotel in socks and sandals. 

Strike a pose: Kris looked chic in an all-black outfit as she and Kim arrived as the Paris Fashion Week show

Happy couple: Kris and Corey looked content as they stood arm-in-arm at the show

Sheer beauty: Kim looked stunning in her lilac dress as she made her way inside the venue after arriving by chauffeur driven car

Help on hand: Kim was seen with her minder as she made her way to Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week show

Glamour puss: Kim looked sensational in her outfit as she mingled at the event

Best pal: Victoria’s good friend Eva Longoria was also in attendance, sitting on the front row in a stylish red dress

Showing her support: Eva was quick to find Victoria and congratulate her after the show, while Victoria held a well-earned drink in her hand

Hugging it out: Eva flung her arms around her friend Victoria and gave her a heartfelt hug as the former pop star wound down after her fashion show

Fame game: Kim was also seen posing alongside Eva as the pair caught up at the fashion show

Catching up: Eva appeared delighted to have stopped for a chat with Kris at the show

Friends: Longtime friend of the Beckhams, Eva Longoria, 48, also turned out in style as she rocked a red mini dress with voluminous sleeves

Hold on tight: Eva grasped onto a Victoria Beckham clutch bag as she headed inside

Lady in red: Longtime friend of the Beckhams,  Eva Longoria, 48, also turned out in style as she rocked a red mini dress with voluminous sleeves

TV royalty: Pamela Anderson looked stylish in her print dress while she opted for a pair of towering platform shoes

Social butterflies: Eva and Pamela stopped for a chat at the venue after jetting in for the event from the US

Blooming lovely! Baywatch bombshell Pamela Anderson opted for florals, stunning in a gown paired with towering platform heels

Blue-tiful: Romeo’s girlfriend Mia Regan, 20, dazzled in blue as she arrived at the venue in a quirky hemmed mini dress paired with fishnet tights

Stepping out: Mia was seen arriving outside the venue with her mother Helen, with the pair standing arm-in-arm outside

Adding to the look, the former footballer donned a fitted navy suit layered over a plain white T-shirt and a pair of orange tinted shades, whilst he toted a Goyard man bag.

Also spotted leaving the family’s hotel was the Beckhams’ youngest son Cruz, 18, who paid homage to the Nineties in double denim, pairing a jacket and jeans with green Converse shoes.

Although attended he show, Victoria and David’s son Brooklyn, 24, was not seen leaving the hotel, while Romeo, 21, was not in attendance.

Romeo’s girlfriend Mia Regan, 20, dazzled in blue as she arrived at the venue in a quirky hemmed mini dress alongside her mother Helen.

Before heading to the show, David shared a video in which he kissed Harper on the lips as the pair prepared for Victoria’s fashion show.

Three’s company: The Beckham clan were out in force as Cruz, Harper and David left their hotel and headed to support matriarch Victoria Beckham at her Paris Fashion Week show on Friday afternoon

Soccers and sandals! While Harper, 12, proved she’d inherited her mother’s chic style in £840 Prada mule heels it doesn’t seem Victoria had much of a say in her husband’s outfit, with David, 48, making a rare fashion faux pas in socks and sandals

For many years the Beckhams have sparked widespread discussion over their affections, with David dividing fans by sharing images showing him kissing his daughter – yet he has always remained defiant.

In 2017, David was forced to defend his decision, insisting that he and his wife Victoria are ‘always very affectionate’ towards their brood of four.

The sports star hit back at his critics at the time while taking part in a Facebook Live on his own official page during a trip to Bangkok, and insisted he kisses all of his children on the lips – aside from his eldest son Brooklyn.

While many had branded previous images of their kissing ‘beautiful’ and a depiction of the ‘close bond’ he has with Harper, David has also been hit with a barrage of negative comments as others claimed the post had been ‘disgusting’.

Sweet moment: Before heading to the venue David shared a video in which he kissed Harper on the lips while she applied his make-up for the fashion show

Baffled by the strong reaction it received, David addressed his photo with Harper and said: ‘I kiss all my kids on the lips. Brooklyn maybe not…

‘Brooklyn [was then] 18, so he might find that a little strange, but I’m very affectionate with the kids. It’s how I was brought up – and Victoria – and it’s how we are with our children.’

Quite the contrast: While Harper donned a pair of heels, David opted for socks and sandals

The former England captain continued: ‘We want to show our kids love and we protect them, look after them and support them.’

Gushing about his role as a father, David added: ‘Having children is the most special thing in the world.’

Like David, Victoria has previously shared photos of herself kissing Harper while the duo were taking a dip in the pool together during a holiday in 2017.

Victoria’s show comes one year after her PFW debut, when she unveiled her spring/summer 2023 collection at the prestigious event before appearing again to show her collection in March this year.

At the time, she said: ‘If I get the opportunity to do another show. I am going to enjoy every moment. I’m having a bit of a pinch me moment To be an independent brand and living my dream right now, having my first show in Paris, I intend to fully enjoy it’.

Dapper: The former footballer added to the look with a navy suit layered over a plain white T-shirt and a pair of orange tinted shades

Looking good: Also making his way to the show was Cruz, 18, who paid homage to the Nineties in double denim, pairing a jacket and jeans with green Converse shoes

Posh and oh heck! David is known for playing around with fashion, famously donning a sarong on a dinner date with Victoria in France in 1998

Chic and cheerful: Sabrina Elba wowed in a black dress with a sexy cut out on the chest

Working it: Sabrina beamed for the cameras as a crowd of onlookers rushed over to see

Making a style statement: Gugu Mbatha-Raw dazzled in a lilac dress, Shanina Shaik looked leggy in a blazer dress and fishnet tights and Olivia Palermo dazzled in an emerald green frock

Delightful duo: Lisa Rinna turned heads in a cream skirt and jacket layered over a plunging black blouse and platform heels while Lady Mary Charteris looked ethereal in a mint green gown that skimmed over her incredible figure

Glamorous girls: Camila Coelho wowed in lemon yellow, Lena Situations paired a grey jumper with a denim fishtail maxi skirt and Callie Wilson layered a white tunic over jeans as they attended the show

Breathtaking: Wallis Day turned heads in a blazer with a billowing yellow train that she layered over a bodysuit and tights

Earlier this week, she spoke to The Telegraph about travelling to Paris for her show: ‘It’s a nightmare – I travel with so much luggage, but I like to have options.’

Of the preparation for the show, she said: ‘We do a lot of preparations beforehand. Paris is the crème de la crème. It definitely raised my game, but weirdly I feel less nervous showing there than I did in London or New York.’

Just days before the show, she delightedly confirmed that after years of financial strife, the brand is in profit – something making her ‘very proud’: ‘I have an amazing CEO in Marie Leblanc (previously of Printemps. Isabel Marant and Celine).

‘She really ironed out all the kinks and restructured us. That’s huge – during the pandemic every day felt like we were putting out fires. Now sales in the store are up 80 per cent on the previous year. Right now. I’m just feeling very proud.’

Her show comes in the wake of the announcement of a fragrance collection being added to her Victoria Beckham Beauty range.

Victoria sent fans wild when she shared the promotional images for the line – featuring her looking incredible in a slew of sizzling ensembles.

Family fun: David shared a snap of the family posing inside the their hotel ahead of the show

United front: The Beckham clan were out in full force back  in March for Victoria’s Winter Paris Fashion Week show (L-R David, Victoria, Cruz, Harper, Nicola Peltz, Brooklyn)

JOE JOYCE’S big comeback ended with a knockout as he avoided a massive disappointment.

After punishing back-to-back losses to Zhilei Zhang, the 38-year-old Putney man returned to the ring at a career heaviest of 20st 6lbs.

 

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Joe Joyce secured a last ditch knockout victory over Kash Ali in BirminghamCredit: Getty

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The Juggernaut’s comeback bout almost ended in disappointmentCredit: Getty
And the 10 rounds he almost completed – before landing a last-gasp knockout of Kash Ali – were a heavy burden on boxing fans.

Ali threw a few wild haymakers in the opener, launched from his boxing boots in Birmingham and landing over in Solihull.

Joyce was far more measured and tried to break his 34-year-old opponent down by switching between his shaved head and body.

Joyce’s chin did get a tickle in the second, when he backed Ali into a corner and he lashed out and clipped him.

Thankfully that counterpunch and a follow-up blow bounced right off the 2016 Olympic silver winner.

Ali was negative and complaining about rabbit punches, making it hard for Joyce to find his rhythm in the first few rounds.

Joyce’s range was still miles off by the third round, the 20st Juggernaut slashed at thin air too many times and made Kash Ali look like Muhammad.

And round four was another worrying sign that Joyce might be in the decline after he was clipped by a right and a left from the unfancied opponent.

The middle rounds dragged on and sucked the atmosphere out of the Birmingham arena.

Thankfully Joyce livened up for the seventh and chased Ali around the ring trying to scythe at him.
Watch Joe Joyce in training for comeback fight after refusing retirement
In the break before the ninth, Ali’s trainer – 44-year-old former pro Richard Towers – said “I could f***ing beat him now but you are p***ing around.”

And it was a very fair assessment.

Ali was hurt in round nine and it looked like it would be stopped as he had run out of ideas, energy and interest.

After another mouthful from Towers in the final break, Ali did hurl a few right hands and a left hook that landed.

But then he was knocked down and out with a few seconds remaining.

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A sluggish Joyce put in a laboured display against fellow Brit AliCredit: Getty

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The former WBO interim champion found the knockout punch with seconds remaining

MIKE TYSON has showed off his stunning physique and teased: “Still got it.”

Boxing’s youngest heavyweight champion – who won the belt aged 20 – has kept in fantastic shape since his 2020 comeback fight.

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Mike Tyson pictured weighing in back in 2000Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd

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Tyson showed off his stunning shape aged 57Credit: Instagram
He drew over eight exhibition rounds with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr having got himself fighting fit the for the spectacle showdown.

And it appears Tyson is still keeping disciplined at 57 as he posed topless while flexing his muscles.

He captioned the post on X, formerly Twitter: “Still got it.”

And it is clear fans agree as one replied: “You definitely do!”

Another said: “Still has it.”

One added: “Age is just a number.”

There was talk of Tyson returning for another exhibition with old rivals Evander Holyfield, 61, and Lennox Lewis, 58, linked.

But negotiations broke down and Iron Mike has been happy in retirement ever since.

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Although he has been helping out Francis Ngannou, 37, ahead of the ex-UFC champ’s boxing debut against Tyson Fury, 35, on Saturday.

Tyson has been coaching Ngannou ahead of the Saudi Arabia bout.

And Ngannou said on the MMA Hour: “He’s very intense. It’s about volume. It’s about pressure. It’s pressing, pressing.

“I remember the first time we trained together, and then the next day, he was like, ‘Are you sore?’ I’m like, ‘No.’ [He said], ‘That’s a mistake.’

“And then, I wake up the next day…I was sore from the second training.”

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Mike Tyson has been coaching Francis Ngannou

Credits: IMAGO / Motorsport Images

Felipe Massa has been making a strong case for the 2008 title to be awarded to him, despite Lewis Hamilton winning it on track. However, while comparing his loss to Hamilton’s heartbreaking 2021 Abu Dhabi fiasco, Massa insisted that the two situations are completely different.

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Massa feels that for Hamilton to get his 2021 title back, he needs to prove that it was a mistake. In the Track Limits podcast, Massa said, “For sure they need to prove it was a mistake. And if it was a mistake, for sure they have the complete possibility to fight.”

Massa went on to describe why he has a stronger claim to the 2008 title than Hamilton does to 2021. According to him, the entire Crashgate scandal was planned, wrong, and proven to the world. The results of the race where the infamous scandal took place, should have been null and void. With that, Massa would be the rightful world champion of 2008.

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Unfortunately for Massa, getting the title would be difficult. After the prize-giving ceremony, it isn’t possible to review the results of the races that led to it. Consequently, the former Ferrari driver is now reported to be happy with a hefty financial compensation. For Hamilton too, getting the 2021 title is near impossible, even though he never formally asked the FIA to give it to him.

Massa, however, labeled a way Mercedes and Hamilton could make a strong claim.

How Lewis Hamilton can challenge the Abu Dhabi 2021 result

The 2021 Abu Dhabi GP’s ending was marred by then-Race Director Michael Masi’s questionable decisions, which effectively allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Hamilton on the final lap. Massa brought out a controversial hypothesis, that could help Mercedes’s cause.

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In the podcast, Massa talks about the possibility of Red Bull paying Masi. If there is a way this can be proved, then Hamilton has every right to go for the title he lost. But since that is not the case, he feels his situation is completely different.

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Hamilton lost out on his eighth title that evening in Abu Dhabi. And life in F1 hasn’t been the same for him or Mercedes since. Heading into 2025, the seven-time world champion will be looking to make amends with his new team, Ferrari.

Credits: IMAGO / HochZwei

Lewis Hamilton dropped a bombshell on the F1 community when he decided to leave the Silver Arrows and join Ferrari. Although the news came out in early February, the loud noises it created can still be heard. Since then, people have kept analyzing this dramatic step by Hamilton. However, F1 experts of The Race have justified the Briton’s choice of the latest episode of  The Race F1 podcast.

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During their conversation, Ben Anderson, Edd Straw, and Glenn Freeman made it clear that Hamilton has ‘vindicated’ himself for quitting Mercedes following the latter’s persistent failure.

In response to Straw’s question on whether Mercedes’s troubles at least somewhat justified Hamilton’s decision to depart early, Freeman immediately says, ” Yes, it justifies his decision.”

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Later, Glenn Freeman said that Hamilton might feel immensely ‘vindicated’ about his decision to join Ferrari. This is because since last year Mercedes hasn’t developed to the extent they promise. This is evident with their new struggles coming up in the form of engine heating.

While Ferrari, on the other hand, seemed to have delivered on what they said they were gonna do. The Prancing Horse seems to be in much better control of their tire management. As a result of this, Vasseur claimed that they could catch the formidable Red Bull soon.

However, earlier, when Hamilton decided to leave Mercedes, it broke many fans’ hearts as they expected loyalty from the Briton, given his long connection with the team. However, the German team has given some tough times to Hamilton in the last two years.

Earlier in 2022, they struggled massively with porpoising issues. Later in 2023, the Silver Arrows went to an incorrect development route which refrained them from fighting at the front. Furthermore, the team didn’t value Hamilton’s input when he brought up the issues with the car.

Because of this, the Brackley-based team hasn’t been able to assist Hamilton in winning a single race during the last two years. Thus, a combination of these factors may have influenced his decision to join Ferrari.

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What happened following Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari announcement?

The driver’s market has come up for discussion since Lewis Hamilton announced his intention to join Ferrari. Hamilton’s teammate George Russell even discussed the scenario unraveling behind the scenes, as per a Twitter (now X) video.

The 25-year-old disclosed, “Seeing the drivers’ names pop up on the phone has been quite funny. And even on my phone, I’ve had a few phone calls and text messages.”

Interestingly, with Hamilton leaving, the team would want to fill the vacancy with an appropriate driver. While there have been whispers that Fernando Alonso spoke with Toto Wolff, there isn’t any hard proof to back up those claims. Regarding the other drivers, many experts tout Carlos Sainz, Mick Schumacher, and Kimi Antonelli to be in contention for the vacant Mercedes position.

However, amidst this, Max Verstappen was the driver who generated the most hype for Hamilton’s vacant seat. With just two years until the new engine regulations take effect, Toto Wolff would undoubtedly prefer a driver like him sitting in a Mercedes. In fact, Wolff has commented how he would love to have Max Verstappen on his team.

Before this, Max Verstappen was associated with Mercedes after Jos Verstappen publicly criticized Christian Horner amid his ongoing scandal. At that point, Sr. Verstappen stated that the Red Bull squad would be torn apart if Horner continued to lead them. Moreover, Jos Verstappen was also seen in a chat with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Ever since then, there has been speculation that Verstappen might join the vacant Mercedes spot.

Credits: IMAGO / PanoramiC

A career in Formula 1 racing or single-seater racing is not without its hardships. While lack of determination may sometimes be the reason for a potential driver’s failure to reach the highest levels of racing, other times, it may be financial constraints. However, amid these major worries, we often overlook the simplest yet the most noticeable difficulty of being a single-seater driver. And that is the need to relieve oneself while competing in a race. Three-time world champion Max Verstappen recently disclosed one such occasion in which he narrowly escaped being in an uncomfortable scenario during his early racing days.

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While doing a live sim racing stream on his Twitch channel, as per a Reddit post, Verstappen discussed how watching a DTM race before one of his F3 races at Norisring has almost forced him to urinate in his car. Upon being questioned if Verstappen had ever urinated in his seat, the Red Bull driver responded while sharing a funny scenario.

He said, “Luckily not! One time [in F3] I was very close. I was watching DTM, I almost forgot to get ready for my race. I ran back to get into my suit & helmet while all the cars were already lining up to the grid and I jumped in the car while having to go to the toilet.”

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Not only this, Verstappen went on to discuss how he handled the urge to urinate. The 26-year-old initially said that he was sitting in his car holding the urge to urinate after a red flag duration extended from 10 minutes to half an hour.

However, later he revealed that to stop peeing himself in a car, the Dutchman fired up the engine since those vibrations actually helped him to hold the pee.

Do F1 drivers pee in their suits during a race?

F1 drivers naturally find it difficult to ignore nature’s call and set a time for it at their convenience. However, considering this, there comes a question of what happens to drivers who suddenly feel the need to urinate during a race. Even though we can’t talk about every driver, we have some context for what drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Daniel Ricciardo have to say about the subject.

Lewis Hamilton once told on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, as per The Mirror that he hadn’t urinated in his suit as drivers can and many drivers do. However, during his conversation, he did admit that his predecessor at Mercedes, Michael Schumacher used to pee in his suit.

Ellen even asked Daniel Ricciardo about the same, as per Talksport. During his conversation with Ellen, the Australian said that he had never peed during a race. The explanation Ricciardo offered for not urinating during the race was that the stress of driving at speeds above 200 mph makes it impossible to unwind and urinate.

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In addition, some drivers were questioned on whether they had ever urinated in a car as part of a ‘Never Have I Ever’ series for F1’s YouTube channel. While Zhou Guanyu claimed to know drivers who had done so, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris denied having urinated in the car. Nevertheless, Nyck de Vries and Sergio Perez admitted to peeing in the car.

Credits: IMAGO / HochZwei

Ever since Lewis Hamilton made his move to Ferrari in 2025 public, there have been rumors of some leading figures joining him at the Maranello-based outfit. One of them is Adrian Newey, who has never worked with Hamilton before. However, there was a brief crossover between the two back in 2004, when Hamilton drove a car designed by the man billed as F1’s ‘aero-god’.

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In 2004, Hamilton was part of McLaren’s young driver’s academy. It was also Adrian Newey’s penultimate year for the Woking-based squad before he moved to Red Bull. While they never directly worked together, Hamilton did drive the car designed by Newey – in a test.

In December of 2004, he took behind the wheel of the MP4-19, as revealed in a post on Reddit. Newey, the technical director of McLaren was one of the main brains behind the car that Hamilton drove that evening. The MP4-19 was driven by David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen in 2004, as McLaren finished fifth in the constructors’ championship.

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It would take some time before Hamilton would finally make his long-awaited F1 debut. In 2007, three years after driving the Newey-designed challenger, he joined Fernando Alonso at McLaren. By then, Newey had already moved to Red Bull and was in the process of creating history with the Milton-Keynes-based outfit.

Will Adrian Newey move to Ferrari and join Lewis Hamilton?

Adrian Newey, despite being one of F1’s best-ever engineers, has not worked with Hamilton (arguably F1’s best driver of all time) or Ferrari (F1’s most successful team of all time). Now that Hamilton is moving to Ferrari in 2025, Newey has an opportunity to check both things off his list.

As of now, it is not clear whether Newey will join Ferrari or not. However, the latest rumors suggest that he will stay put at Red Bull. This comes even though internal politics at Red Bull are tarnishing the team’s image.

The never-ending Christian Horner saga isn’t doing anyone any favors. Figures like Max Verstappen and Newey are reportedly unhappy with the negative spotlight on the team. If Newey, who has played a huge role in Red Bull’s dominance, decides to leave, it will be a huge loss for them. For Ferrari and Hamilton, however, it will be a huge gain.

Credits: IMAGO / HochZwei

Lewis Hamilton has once again caused a frenzy among the fans. This time around, it’s a cryptic Instagram story that has caused a storm. The 7-time champion recently posted a picture of a standing mic in what looks like a recording studio. That quickly got the fans anticipating the release of an album that Hamilton promised years ago.

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Formula 1 is currently going through a week’s break before action resumes in Melbourne for the Australian GP. Lewis Hamilton made the most of this time fulfilling sponsorship duties. The Briton visited a school in Malaysia, attending an event organized by Mercedes sponsor Petronas. Following that, he seems to have found his way to a studio which has got fans excited.

One particular fan, assuming the Mercedes star was recording a song, urged him to release it.

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Another is waiting to bob to the tunes after Iftar.

One X (formerly Twitter) fan wondered what their favorite driver was up to.

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To say the least, the memories of XNDA are back among fans. For the uninitiated, Lewis Hamilton uses the pseudonym XNDA for his released music work. So far, there is only one released song that features his name. Pop artist Christina Aguilera released the song ‘Pipe’ in 2018 which featured XNDA.

While fans were quick to put two and two together and trace the name back to Hamilton, the F1 sensation refused to confirm his identity. It was only two years later that he confirmed he indeed was XNDA.

Charles Leclerc ready to pursue Lewis Hamilton for a musical collaboration

Charles Leclerc is the latest among the F1 drivers to pursue a music career. The Monegasque released three piano instrumentals last year, named AUS23 (1:1), MIA 23 (1:2), and MON23 (1:3). Most recently, the Ferrari driver collaborated with French pianist Sofiane Pamart for a 4 song EP called DREAMERS.

Leclerc, in a video uploaded on his official YouTube account, admitted his lack of skills let his musical vision down. That was where Pamart came in with his superior skills with the keys.

The Monegasque will partner up with Lewis Hamilton in 2025 on track when the Briton joins Ferrari. Naturally, fans expect a musical collaboration as well between the two. Representing the fan sentiment, Will Buxton asked Leclerc if the partnership was possible.

The 26-year-old, while expressing his doubts, assured that he would put forth the proposal to his future teammate. He said, “I’m not sure, to be honest. I don’t know, I haven’t spoken about music too much with Lewis yet. We discussed about it last year and he was telling me that he loves music. I’ll speak with him from next year onwards about a potential collaboration.”

Credits: IMAGO / Beautiful Sports

Although a few weeks have passed since Red Bull GmbH dismissed the grievance against Christian Horner, the saga has not yet ended. Over the past several days, rival team bosses such as Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and McLaren’s Zak Brown have demanded transparency. As the likes of Wolff and Brown continue to add pressure for more transparency, former F1 driver David Coulthard has claimed that the duo are just “stoking the fire” and are keen to take advantage of the ongoing turmoil at Red Bull Racing.

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While speaking to Channel 4 (as quoted by Crash.net) Coulthard said, “There is a call from those who want to stoke the fire. There will be those who are looking for the good of the fanbase, to ask for more transparency. But it’s a private matter. We all have a right to privacy. If there was a case to answer, then we’d know about it”.

Although Horner hasn’t been declared guilty, such pressure from rival team bosses only creates more uncertainty and increases the turmoil at Red Bull Racing. Moreover, it’s not just rivals who are against Horner.

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As per several reports, there is currently a power struggle that is going on at Red Bull. Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, has already raised concerns about the presence of Horner in the Red Bull team.

The 52-year-old believes that the team should get rid of Horner as the Briton is damaging the image of the side. Moreover, some reports also claim that Helmet Marko had a role to play in damaging the reputation of Christian Horner.

As a result, there is a possibility that the team could suspend the Austrian. While all this uncertainty carries on at Red Bull, Toto Wolff is looking to take advantage of the situation by making some key signings.

Can Toto Wolff and Mercedes sign Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen?

Toto Wolff recently teased that Mercedes have an interest in signing Helmut Marko to replace the late Niki Lauda as the team’s new mentor. Moreover, since Max Verstappen himself has suggested that he is likely to follow Marko wherever he goes, Wolff also teased that his side could perhaps even sign the three-time world champion.

With Lewis Hamilton heading for Ferrari in 2025, Verstappen seems like the best replacement that Mercedes can get at the moment. Moreover, with F1 introducing new regulations in 2026, the possibility is even higher that the Dutchman may himself consider switching to the Silver Arrows, who have ample experience in producing powerful engines.

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As for Christian Horner, his future continues to remain uncertain. The female employee, who first launched the allegations of “inappropriate behavior” against Horner, is now considering legal action after an independent barrister hired by Red Bull dismissed the grievance against the British boss.

A report from independent.co.uk claims that the employee is dissatisfied with the lack of support she has received from Red Bull. As a result, she has claimed that she has no option but to seek the legal route to receive justice.