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LEWIS HAMILTON has been urged to speak about Felipe Massa’s ongoing legal battle with the FIA and Formula One.

Former Ferrari driver Massa, 42, opened legal proceedings against F1 and its governing body earlier this year.

He claims he lost out on the 2008 world title to Hamilton after Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crashed to give team-mate Fernando Alonso an advantage in Singapore.

Massa believes the F1 authorities did not take adequate action, despite being aware of the “crashgate” scandal, before Hamilton was crowned champion for the first time.

Several drivers have declined the chance to wade in on the controversial legal claim.

But Massa believes Hamilton NEEDS to have his say.

Speaking to PlanetF1, the Brazilian said: “No, we haven’t had any communication. Everything that we are doing is not against Lewis.

“I mean, I really respect Lewis as a driver for everything that he’s done, he’s one of the best drivers in the history of Formula One. So many records, with many titles.

“But what I’m doing is against the result of a manipulated race. At the point in the race where the manipulation happened, I was leading, I was first in that race. So it’s nothing against Lewis.

“I really like Lewis as a driver and he’s doing a lot of things for justice, so many different kinds of justice in the world.

“I think, one time, he will need to speak and to talk about the situation. I think it’s pretty clear I’m not doing anything against him.

Lewis Hamilton

“I’m doing it against the justice of the sport. When I am at home, and I see my phone after the Bernie Ecclestone interview, after the Charlie Whiting interview in the Max Mosley documentary that he knew at the last race of the season at Interlagos what happened in the Singapore race.

“After my son knew about it, he asked me, ‘you are not doing anything?’

“So I’m doing that for justice. I really believe what I’m doing is correct because this is not acceptable.

“We’re not talking about a broken engine, or someone pushing me out of the race.

“We’re not talking about the sporting situation, we’re talking about the manipulation that changed the result.”

Mercedes team principle Toto Wolff fears F1 will be plunged into “disarray” if Massa wins his legal battle.

However, he does not think the ex-Ferrari man has a case.

Wolff said: “I don’t think he has a case, to be honest. We are signing up to sporting regulations. They’re very clear, and you commit as a licence holder.

“If everybody were to open up situations then the sport would be in disarray, and especially when you look at the full championships.

“There are so many things that have an influence whether you win or lose that I don’t see the case to be honest.

The Mercedes driver starts from fifth on the grid for Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix behind Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and both Aston Martins after a storm cut short the end of qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton has blamed the sudden change in climactic conditions at the end of São Paulo Grand Prix qualifying as the reason why he failed to challenge for pole position at Interlagos.

The Mercedes driver’s best lap was only good enough for fifth quickest, his effort finishing 0.742s off the pole lap set by Max Verstappen.

Hamilton and his rivals had only one attempt due to the impending storm, which hit the track midway through Q3 and triggered red flags with 4:12 left on the clock as dark clouds, heavy rain, and thunderstorms battered the venue.

The FIA have dismissed claims that Lewis Hamilton has been unfairly targeted by them after opting to hit him with a punishment several days after the Qatar Grand Prix. In a move which has been widely criticised by F1 pundits and drivers as ‘odd’ and ‘completely crazy’, Hamilton was handed a five-figure fine and reprimanded for walking across the track following his crash with Mercedes team-mate George Russell a week after the race at Losail

Hamilton was forced to retire from a race for the first time this season when he collided with Russell at the first turn and was sent spinning off onto the gravel. After the race, the 38-year-old accepted full responsibility for the coming together and apologised to Russell.

Lewis Hamilton

But the seven-time world champion was forced to say sorry once more after the FIA announced it would be revisiting the incident where Hamilton walked across the track “in view of his role model status”. Hamilton apologised to the race stewards afterwards for putting his safety at risk, but it was not enough to avoid a heavy £43,000 fine for the incident.

The FIA have been criticised for choosing to open an investigation into Hamilton a week after the race had taken place, an unprecedented move given the amount of time that had passed since. But the world motorsport governing body denied the Mercedes star had been singled out.

PlanetF1.com report that the FIA responded by clarifiying their reference to him being a ‘role model’ means that ‘any F1 driver has to set an example for younger drivers’, not just Hamilton.

However, that explanation is unlikely to placate any doubts or fears raised about the FIA targeting Hamilton for special treatment, especially when other drivers have committed the same offence and escaped punishment.

 

Thanks to the Lewis Hamilton crash, the Qatar Grand Prix was not a good outing for the Silver Arrows. In a recent statement, Toto Wolff admitted to being in a state of frustration after both his Mercedes drivers were involved in a crash. The missed opportunities and valuable points lost certainly hurt Mercedes’ objectives. Thanks to a very strong McLaren and rivals, Ferrari, their position at the constructors’ championship is under threat. However, amidst all this, Toto has emphasized the team’s resolve to refocus for the upcoming Austin race.

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Toto Wolff had a deja vu of the Lewis-Nico days when Lewis and George crashed in turn 1 of the Qatar Grand Prix. This collision not only stirred frustration in Mercedes’ team principal, Toto Wolff. But also, both drivers’ inadvertent clash left valuable points on the table. However, Wolff’s emotions reflect the intensity of the incident, indicating its significance within the team dynamics.

The ramifications of the Lewis Hamilton crash

The unfortunate clash between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell during the Qatar Grand Prix resulted in the team missing points. This collision has clearly reflected a clear lack of communication and team coordination at Mercedes. Especially for both the drivers as the team can not overtake Red Bull’s dominance, with the two of them playing as individuals. Rather than a team.

Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff shared his thoughts on this matter. He expressed, “The last round in Qatar was a case of what might have been. As a team, you never want to see your cars collide. It was frustrating to leave a lot of points on the table, particularly as the pace of the car was strong.”

Lewis Hamilton

Wolff clearly states the significance of the potential points lost, as the Mercedes was surprisingly quick throughout the track. George Russell would have been on the podium if he had not crashed at turn 1. Considering that he still managed to finish fourth.

However, he also showed some optimism, as he added, “It was encouraging though to see how the drivers and the team reacted. Both Lewis and George know the team comes first and do not ever intend to jeopardize that. I am sure we will all grow from this moment. We’re now focused on Austin and making sure we get the most out of each upcoming weekend.”. Like the fans, Wolff too was happy to see how his drivers reacted, following this incident. It’s clear that Toto Wolff preaches optimism regarding the team’s potential to learn and evolve from this incident, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure and concentration.

This incident serves as a pivotal reminder of the unpredictability and challenges inherent in F1 racing. Wolff’s frustrations and subsequent reflections on the collision underscore the critical need for a cohesive and synchronized approach within the Mercedes team. It’s absolutely essential that the collision between Hamilton and Russell acts as a catalyst for the team to regroup and recalibrate their strategies. If they fail to emphasize the crucial role of teamwork and coordination, history might just repeat itself. Resulting in a potential Lewis Hamilton-Nico Rosberg 2.0 at the Silver Arrows.

Post-collision reflections

After their collision, the entire Mercedes team must focus on defending their championship position. The McLaren MCL 60 is quite easily one of the fastest cars, heading into the United States Grand Prix. Moreover, Ferrari is determined not to give up its spot to Mercedes. This determination makes the last five races of the current F1 season a three-way battle between Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren

Which is why it’s absolutely important for Russell and Hamilton to work as a team. Moreover, finishing ahead of McLaren, especially on the podium would be very beneficial for the Silver Arrows.

Lewis Hamilton is not just an F1 Champion, but he also champions efforts toward a more sustainable future. The Brit is well-known for his efforts through the Hamilton Commission to promote diversity in motorsport. But now, Hamilton has taken on yet another challenge. The seven-time World Champion has long advocated for veganism. He switched to an all-vegan diet in 2017, and has since won 4 world titles! One thing is for sure, Lewis Hamilton knows his food!

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This is why, in 2019, the Brit decided to venture into the world of vegan fast food. He has invested in a mouth-watering chain that promises to leave you questioning your taste buds. Along with Leonardo Di Caprio and others, Hamilton aims to take Neat Burger global. But does he own the chain?

Lewis Hamilton aims to wow tastebuds

The brand was founded by Tomasso Chiabara, Zack Bishti, Stasi Nychas, and The Cream Group. It first set up shop in the United Kingdom, with its main location in Central London. As people began experiencing their mind-bending faux meat, new outlets began to pop up. They further expanded to 10 outlets in the United Kingdom. In April, it opened its first US location in NYC, and has since raised $18 million to ramp up expansion to other major cities!

While Lewis Hamilton does not exactly ‘own’ the chain. He certainly has a substantial stake in the company and has been an active investor since the very beginning. Meaning he is very much involved in its growth. And the chain’s main goal is to show consumers that a vegan-based diet can indeed taste excellent. They were even serving at the 2022 Abu Dhabi GP!

Their menu is curated according to the region. As for America, customers will find all-time classics but with a vegan twist! They have everything from Patty Melts to Buffalo Chicken Tenders, made with their faux meat. As quoted by VegNews, Co-Founder Zack Bishti shared, “We’re at the heart of the growth in plant-based diets and our proximity to the customer’s voice sets us apart,” he added, “In response to the growing demand for cleaner ingredients, we’ve incorporated healthier options into the New York menu while continuing to serve our growing community food that’s as sustainable as it is delicious.” We’re pretty sure Hamilton can get behind that idealogy!

Lewis Hamilton

Other than Hamilton, the talented actor Leonardo Di Caprio is an active investor. They have recently been joined by other stars like Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and Portuguese model Sara Sampaio, after the last round of funding. With a star-studded investor board, the fast-food chain is looking to open 1000 restaurants. They aim to expand further in the US and open up new outlets in the Middle East and Italy.

Hamilton’s pursuit reaches global heights

The Dubai branch of Neat Burger opened its doors in November last year. With a “No compromise on taste” approach, the chain offered the first 500 customers free meals! Speaking about their target customer, co-founder Stasi Nychas shared, as quoted by TheNationalNews, “Our target is people who want to eat less meat, maybe once or twice a week. And how do we convert meat-eaters? It all comes down to taste,” He added, “We want our customers to have that nostalgic feeling they get when eating from the popular [fast food] brands.”

With a primary focus on satisfying the customer’s tastebuds, the chain has opened its 10th location. It has eight outlets in the UK and 1 in the United States in Nolita, with prospects for further expansion. Lewis Hamilton expressed his support for the expansion, adding “I’m proud of the boundaries we have been able to push in this space and the plans for expansion are really exciting,”

The chain is gaining popularity not just for its lip-smacking vegan options, but because it takes sustainability very seriously. Their packaging is biodegradable and compostable, making them truly planet-friendly, unlike meat alternatives. We wouldn’t expect less from a chain backed by Lewis Hamilton. The Brit’s campaign for sustainability and diversity keeps reaching new milestones. With the chain’s current progress in the UK, US, and Middle East, it’s only a matter of time before the vegan chain reaches widespread success!

Once they make it to the absolute top of the sports world, athletes are highly sought after by sponsors. It is certainly no different for the best drivers in Formula 1. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are seen as the absolute icons in their sport based on their achievements. Both are attractive to sponsors, one slightly more than the other, according to research.

Sports Pro Media annually surveys which top athletes represent the highest marketing value. According to the company, footballer Lionel Messi is this year’s number one in the list, followed by basketball player LeBron James. At the third spot in the list we find the first woman, football star Alex Morgan.

Lewis Hamilton

Unknown names ahead of Verstappen

Lewis Hamilton is the highest ranked Formula 1 driver. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen comes tenth. He is behind football star Megan Rapoe (5), skier Mikaela Schiffrin (6), gymnast Simone Biles (8) and Kylian Mbappe (9). Lando Norris is the next Formula 1 driver at spot 25 and Charles Leclerc has to make do with 28th position.

Incidentally, this US survey may well be questioned. The first seven are all active in the United States, with several having little to no fame outside US borders. Moreover, Sports Pro Media misspelled Biles’ name in its research, which immediately raises questions about how thorough the research was then

Lewis Hamilton has been ranked as the most marketable F1 driver and the seventh most among all athletes worldwide, coming in above the likes of Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. George Russell, meanwhile, was omitted from the top 50.

The ranking, compiled by SportsPro Media, blends “extensive data analysis, advanced social media monitoring, economic valuations, expert and consumer insights,” to calculate which athlete brings the most brand value and marketability.

Lionel Messi was announced as the most marketable athlete in the world for 2023, but Hamilton was leading the way in the world of F1. Despite failing to win a race since the backend of the 2021 season, the 38-year-old remains the figurehead of the sport and ranked seventh overall.

While Hamilton is still leading the way in terms of marketability, Verstappen followed closely behind in the rankings. The Dutchman polled tenth on the list, boosted by winning his third successive Drivers’ World Championship at the Qatar Grand Prix last time out.

The Red Bull star is the future of the sport with Hamilton’s glittering career entering its twilight stages with Verstappen’s crazed fanbase – known colloquially as ‘the orange army’ – only matched in their passion by Ferrari’s Tifosi.

Lewis Hamilton

Third on the list of the most marketable F1 drivers and 25th overall in the standings was Lando Norris. The 23-year-old is still hunting for his maiden Grand Prix victory, but his 11 podium finishes prove that he is here to stay at the top table in F1

Norris may not have one of the three F1 giants of Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari behind him, but the Bristol-born driver’s unique relationship with his fans and presence on streaming and social media platforms have helped him carve out a valuable brand and passionate supporter base.

Leclerc also made the cut for SportsPro’s 2023 list, ranking at 28th place on the list, narrowly behind Norris. The Monegasque driver boasts a massive social media following and is the poster boy for Ferrari’s long-term F1 title hopes.

There was, however, no place for Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate in the top 50. Despite having a Grand Prix victory to his name and regularly challenging at the front end of the grid, Russell seemingly has some way to go to cement his personal brand among the biggest F1 stars

Red Bull’s advisor has been on Checo Perez’s back lately, however, he also has a few words for Lewis Hamilton

Helmut Marko has been very outspoken about his own and his rivals’ concerns. The Red Bull advisor has thrown a couple of jabs at the two unquestionable Mercedes drivers. Marko recently lashed out at Lewis Hamilton and then took turn with Toto Wolff as well.

Lewis Hamilton’s Mistake in Qatar

At the start of the race held in Qatar, Hamilton hit his teammate, George Russell. The Stevenage driver ruined the race of both Mercedes competitors. Afterward, the ’44’ took full blame for the incident at the Losail track. “I have seen the replay of the mishap and I take full responsibility. I apologize to the team and George,” he said humbly.

Well, that came in handy for Marko to criticize the seven-time world champion. “He has finally started to admit the mistakes he makes,” said the veteran manager, speaking to OE24, when it was mentioned that Lewis had acknowledged his failure at the start of the Qatar GP.

Lewis Hamilton

Helmut Marko also had some words on Wolff

Now that Max Verstappen is blowing away the competition Marko has been on a high-horse as he was proclaimed a three-time champion in Qatar. While Red Bull is on top of the world, Marko did not hesitate to point out that the Mercedes boss underestimated the Dutchman when he began to emerge as a possible future figure in F1

By the way, Mr. Wolff said he did not see the talent in Max and then preferred to sign Ocon,” referring to the fact that the head of the Brackley team chose to be the representative of the now-Alpine driver. A glaring mistake

Formula 1’s governing body is reassessing a penalty Lewis Hamilton received at the Qatar Grand Prix for crossing the track without permission.

Hamilton was fined 50,000 euros (£34,700), with half of it suspended, and given a formal reprimand.

A spokesperson said: “In view of his role-model status, the FIA is concerned about the impression his actions may have created on younger drivers.”

The statement “noted” Hamilton had been “apologetic” in the initial hearing.

“The FIA is revisiting the incident in which Lewis Hamilton crossed a live track during the Qatar Grand Prix,” said a FIA spokesperson.

It added that at the time Hamilton “acknowledged that the crossing was a serious safety breach”.

The incident happened after Hamilton had crashed out of the Qatar Grand Prix on the first lap in a collision with his Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

The stewards’ report into the incident on 8 October stated: “The driver of car 44 (Hamilton) abandoned his car in the gravel and ran back to the pits.

“He thereby crossed the track that was live at this time and reached the inside edge of the track just seconds before car 63 (Russell) arrived at high speed after exiting the pits.

“He then continued to walk alongside the track until finally exiting the track.”

Lewis Hamilton

The stewards’ added that Hamilton had been “very apologetic and realised that the situation could have been very dangerous for him as well as the drivers approaching.

“The stewards reinforced the fact that crossing a live track can cause extremely dangerous situations and the drivers have to be very cautious about it.”

The F1 rule dealing with this topic emphasises that while drivers are permitted to cross the track, they must only do so “having first received permission to do so from a marshal”.

It is the second incident reviewed by the FIA following events in Qatar.

On Friday, the FIA said it had received an apology from Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll for his behaviour after a poor performance in qualifying.

A few weeks ago, Victoria Beckham—a.k.a. Posh Spice from the Spice Girls—had a candid conversation with E! News. During the conversation, she talked about the beginnings of her relationship with the legendary soccer player David Beckham. Victoria said, “We were very working class…” and David popped his head into the room and demanded the truth. “Be honest,” he said. He finally got her to admit she wasn’t working class. Yes, her parents worked hard, but her dad also drove her to school in a Rolls-Royce. She isn’t Posh Spice for nothing. While David and Victoria may not have “working class” families in common, he does share his humble beginnings with Lewis Hamilton.

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On October 4, Netflix released ‘BECKHAM,’ a four-part documentary series about the life of David Beckham. That weekend, the former England captain headed to Doha to watch Formula 1 in action at the Qatar GP. Apart from catching up with the spouse of another Spice Girl, he caught up with Lewis Hamilton too. And, well, their meeting was filled with nostalgia for the seven-time champion.

Lewis Hamilton bonded with David Beckham at the Qatar GP

The UK is a country where sports thrive. Sport is like a religion there, and the players are like the common folks’ gods and goddesses. Hamilton and Beckham

are two extremely loved personalities, not just because of their mind-boggling talent and achievements, but also because of their personalities and characters. It takes hard work to achieve the kind of success they have. But as important as hard work and discipline are, so is having that support from the ones closest to you. That’s precisely what the two stalwarts bonded over.

When Hamilton was just two, his parents—Anthony Hamilton and Carmen Larbalestier—split. The family had just enough money to get by. So when Anthony saw Lewis fall in love with motorsport at 6, he knew he had to change something to help him fulfill that dream. He quit his job as an IT manager and became a contractor to support Lewis’ career more easily. He often worked multiple jobs, too. Ultimately, though, he helped Lewis achieve the success he now has. It’s a story that’s strikingly similar to Beckham’s.

Lewis Hamilton

In his documentary, Beckham’s mother, Sandra, said, “We didn’t have much then.” Beckham added, “I saw my mom and dad working hard every day until 11:00 at night, 12:00 at night. I knew the only way to be a professional footballer was to work hard.” Work hard he did, so much so that soccer became an obsession. An obsession that led to him becoming one of the best footballers in the world. When Hamilton and Beckham met up at the Qatar GP, the seven-time champion revealed he was watching BECKHAM. Hamilton said, It’s a beautiful story. I’ve just started watching it, and it’s really, really cool seeing your dad and your mum talking. That’s like the real stuff. It was cool, though, for me. I’m starting to see some of these clips… when I was growing up and watching you, and you were first coming in. So it’s really cool.

As Hamilton and Beckham engaged in emotional, nostalgic talk, Hamilton’s teammate joined the two and pulled Beckham’s leg.

George Russell may have brought back bad memories for Beckham

Beckham and Hamilton’s conversation hit everyone right in the feels, but George Russell entered the chat and took it in a different direction. While Hamilton’s conversation might’ve left Beckham teary-eyed, George Russell may have left Beckham crying sand and angry tears. After joining the two, Russell said, “I was up until 3 a.m. watching your documentary last night. I love it. It’s really, really good. I really like how it’s produced and directed.” But what he said next was what Beckham wouldn’t have wanted rehashed.

Russell said, “Never a red card as well!” If there’s one moment Beckham could erase from history, it would be getting that red card at the 1998 FIFA World Cup. During England’s Round of 16 game against Argentina, Argentina captain Diego Simeone fouled Beckham. The then-23-year-old kicked Simeone and got shown a direct red card. England eventually lost the game, and most pinned the blame on Beckham. What followed was the most difficult time in his life. In his documentary, Beckham said, “I wish there was a pill you could take to erase memories. I made a stupid mistake. Changed my life.”