Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen creates controversy at this past weekend's Spanish Grand Prix

I witnessed this controversy go down. I was watching the race with my family and we all watched it go down. The team radios were lit up like Christmas trees with commentary from the drivers. Quite a great deal of profanity coming from George Russell and Max Verstappen. It made me angry to see this; George Russell is one of my favorite drivers. Sebastian Vettel is my other favorite driver, but he no longer races

According to MSN.com page YardBarker, Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has one more controversy to his name. The previous weekend had the F1 racers in Monaco, home territory for Ferrari driver Charles LeClerc (pronounced "sharl le claire). Verstappen ripped into the FIA for a rule change. This rule change involved the stating of only two pit stops minimum. This caused havoc and mayhem for those intending to box (F1 terminology for making a pit stop)

This past weekend was the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, home territory for Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz Jr. Verstappen committed another infraction. The infraction committed by the Dutch driver was that in the 66 lap race, Verstappen was in fourth and Mercedes AMG Petronas driver George Russell was in fifth. Red Bull engineers and team told Verstappen to move aside and let Russell pass after tapping Russell's car on a safety car restart on Lap 62. The Safety Car was initiated after Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Kimi Antonelli suffered mechanical failure, causing his car to break down and run into the gravel pit

At first, it looked as though Verstappen was complying with the order, but instead he collided hard with Russell's car while trying to keep Russell from passing, causing a flurry of swearing to emerge from Russell. Suffice to say, the still running Mercedes driver was on fire. This earned Verstappen a 10 second penalty from the stewards, knocking him down to 10th place

When asked about it afterwards, George Russell stated via a Sky Sports interview "I was as surprised as you guys were. I've seen those sort of maneuvers before on simulator games and go karting, but never in F1. Ultimately, we came home in P4, and he came home in P10. I don't really know what was going through his mind. It felt deliberate in the moment, so it felt surprising."

Nico Rosberg, a former Formula 1 driver himself, but now Sky Sports analyst, agrees wholeheartedly with Russell. According to Nate Saunders of ESPN, Verstappen should have been red flagged and disqualified for the collision. Of course, Verstappen didn't apologize. Following the race, Verstappen said "I'll bring some tissues next time."

In races to follow, Verstappen should be far more careful. Race stewards issued him three penalty points for him. He currently has 11 penalty points on his super license. He will be suspended for one race if he is issued another in the races to come, in Canada and Austria. Missing one race for Verstappen would be deadly because he is losing ground in the race for the drivers' championship. In terms of ranking, he has 137 points, making him third behind McLaren driver Lando Norris, who has 176 and Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri, who has 186 points

Verstappen's aggressive driving style and arrogant attitude could make enemies of other teams and drivers. It seems, however, he does not care whether he is liked or disliked, as long as he's winning or getting into first place. This type of mindset is making him one of the grid's more polarizing racers

10 Cultural Taboos to Avoid When Visiting Australia

Known as "Down Under" by a lot of people, Australia is one of the more popular places for people to travel. But, unfortunately, there are good, respectful tourists and then there are bad, disrespectful tourists. You can usually tell which group tourists fall into depending on what they say or do. According to MSN.com page Crazy Nomad, here are 10 cultural taboos to avoid when visiting Australia

Also, when in doubt, ask the locals. They are a treasure trove of useful information. By asking them what to do and what not to do, while explaining to them that you want to ensure you do things accurately and respectfully, you're showing respect for the cultural customs of that country and you're being a responsible, respectable tourist

This is on my travel bucket list. There are so many things I want to do and see if I get the chance to go to Australia

1. NEVER mock / make jokes about Aboriginal culture

-It's important to remember this: Remember whose country you're in. Making fun of / mocking the local Aboriginal culture is not just wrong, it's plain offensive. Aboriginal culture is a massive part of Australian culture and history, and as such, it would be bad to mock this. They have endured social injustices over the years, including "The stolen generations." This refers to Aboriginal children who were taken from their families. These children were put into households with non-indigenous people and denied access to their culture, language and more. When visiting Australia, ask questions about the culture, show a genuine interest in the history. For example, when visiting Ayers Rock, also known as Uluru, don't touch the rock or climb on it. When you take time to ask curious questions, this shows you are taking an interest in the culture and showing an appreciation for the locals

2. Don't assume that everyone drinks alcohol or likes to casually party

-Australia does have a vibrant party scene, depending on where you're at. It's not safe to assume that everyone will be drinking at all hours of the day or partying. This can create stereotypes and make for some awkward situations. Many people in Australia refrain from drinking due to religious, cultural and personal reasons. Simply respect these choices that those individuals. Just because you're on vacation and want to drink does not mean you need to pressure someone into drinking. If you're unsure, ask that person. When you show that you are sensitive and understanding of various lifestyles, this will work out to your favor. It will put you in a good light with the locals and ensure that all interactions are open, inclusive and respectful

3. Don't mock / criticize Australia's love of sports

-In Australia, there are various sports that are widely loved by the population. Aussie Rules Football, known as AFL (Australian Football League) is one of the most popular sports. In addition to Aussie Rules Football, there's also cricket and rugby. Together, these sports hold a special importance to most Australians. Mocking them and/or criticizing them is wrong. Instead, engage in a conversation about said sports, ask questions. This shows that you are genuinely curious about the inner workings of that sport and shows respect for that sport. Even if sports are not your thing, asking curious questions to learn more about that sport shows you are respecting something that someone is passionate about. It helps you connect better with the locals and understand their traditions better

4. Avoid tipping excessively - it's not usual

-Australia is one country where tipping is optional. Workers earn good wages, so gratuities are not usually expected, like they are in the US. You can leave a small tip, which is appreciated. If you tip excessively, this will show that you are unfamiliar with local customs. Make sure to understand these local customs and respect these practices. By respecting these unique practices, your dining experience will become better. And, if in doubt, ask a local. The local residents provide a wealth of useful information that will result in success!!

5. NEVER confuse Australian and British cultures

-Their accents may sound similar, but they are not the same. Never, for one second, assume that Australian culture and British culture are the same. Yes, they do share historical ties, but that's where the similarity ends. Australia has a wonderfully unique cultural identity that the residents take high pride in. Simply assuming that the cultures of both Britain and Australia are the same shows you are dismissive and unaware. Australia has its own slang, traditions and a unique laid back way of life. Knowing the difference between British culture and Australian culture will help you build a rapport with the locals and, thus, earn their respect while also avoiding insulting their national pride

6. NEVER makes jokes about deadly wildlife - it's a hot button issue

-People do make frequent jokes about the deadly wildlife that exists in Australia. "Everything that can kill you lives in Australia." Australia does have wonderfully diverse and, yes, deadly wildlife that is native to this large country. But, deadly wildlife can live anywhere, not just Australia. Making jokes about it will come off as insensitive, offensive and just plain wrong. Those who live in areas where these deadly creatures live might be offended by the jokes; they have to contend with these creatures on a daily basis and know what risks they pose. Instead, ask curious and respectful questions about these forms of dangerous wildlife. Adopting this mindset will not only keep you from making a major cultural faux pas, it will also help give you an education into the unique biodiversity of the land known as "Down Under." And if you're still curious about the unique wildlife, visit any one of the fantastic zoos in Australia. The staff will provide a wealth of information about the interesting insects and animals that call Australia home

7. Do not discuss hot button issues like immigration or politics

-Politics, religion and immigration are hot button issues to avoid at all costs, no matter where you go. It's especially wise to avoid discussing these issues in Australia. If these topics do arise in conversation, keep an open mind. Be open to different points of view. Don't make assumptions or pass judgement. By keeping an open mind, you are showing respect to that other person and making them feel their opinion is also valued. It also helps show that other person that you understand the diverse social and political landscape of Australia

8. NEVER litter / disrespect the environment

-Australia is known for its rugged landscape and beautiful environments, which provide homes, food and more to the wonderfully diverse animal and insect life. Those in Australia take deep pride in their gorgeous landscape. By littering, you are disrespecting the environment. It's not only frowned upon to litter, but illegal. Dispose of your litter in proper ways, such as waste baskets or bins. Take part in eco-friendly ways of disposing of litter, such as recycling and avoiding single-use plastics. This shows you are being a responsible tourist, helping to keep the environment clean and also helps you show respect for the local values. Not only that, you will make a positive impact

9. Avoid being overly informal in professional settings

-While it's known that a laid-back lifestyle is common in Australia, there's a time and place to be laid-back and there's a time and place to not to be laid-back. It can come off as disrespectful if you're being overly casual in what seems like a professional setting. Until you are told / invited to use first names, it's better to address someone by their title or surname. Ensure you dress appropriately and maintain a polite, professional form of communication in the workplace. This will show that you respect / understand their professional requirements. This will help you build relationships and show awareness of the unique culture of Australia, especially in formal settings. And, if you're unsure, ask. Ask how someone would like to be addressed. Let them know that the reason you ask is to ensure you do things the right way. Asking always works and shows you want to ensure you do things respectfully

10. Avoid mocking / overusing Australian slang

-Australia is known for its unique slang. Mocking it or overusing it can be seen as disrespectful. Listen to how the locals speak and adopt the slang occasionally. This gentle hand approach shows you respect the locals culture without looking as though you're trying to fit in too hard

30 Things Considered Normal to Americans But Unusual to Others

America is certainly an interesting region of the world. We may not have buildings as old as those found in many European countries, but we have quirky customs and traditions that may seem strange to those from other countries. According to the Microsoft channel Metro, here are 30 things considered normal for Americans.

1. Toilet bowls full of water

-It's certainly interesting that when you go to other countries, you see that toilets are not so full. The water level is low. And in other parts of the world, it's even said that the water going down goes counter clockwise instead of clockwise. It's said that the fuller the bowl of water, the more powerful the flush. In many parts of the world, the toilet bowl is only half filled with water

2. Driving long distances

-The US is big. There is a lot of space in this country. Places can be very far from each other. Those not native to the US are often confused by the amount of distance from one place to another. So, for example, if someone from a big US state, like California or Texas, might think nothing of a four hour road trip, this would confuse or even horrify someone from say, Europe or Asia

3. Having garbage disposal units under the sink

-In the US, it's common to scrape dinner and meal leftovers into the sink, run water and run it into an under the sink garbage disposal unit. This frightens people outside the US because their first thought is "What if you get your hand stuck in there?"

4. Drinking root beer

-This is an appalling drink to some. It's an acquired taste, like many foods and drinks out there

5. Friendly service staff

-Those who come from other countries are often thrown off by how friendly service staff can be. In Europe, it's said that service staff are less friendly and more quiet and laid back. In the US, service staff are genuinely happy to see customers. It's strongly believed that this friendly nature coincides with the strong tipping culture Americans are known for, especially outside of the US (Americans are often the ones doing the most tipping on trips. It's a way of showing appreciation for good service)

6. Eating sweet things for breakfast

7.The US is a strange nation sometimes. Whereas other countries might have fruit or something for breakfast, the US is a nation where pancakes with syrup, Pop Tarts or sugary cereal are the norm. Most Europeans prefer light, flaky pastries as their breakfast of champions. And in England, items for breakfast can include sausage or bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, baked beans, etc.

7. Talking openly with strangers

-Some people in other countries are not always so open when it comes to talking with strangers. Some people in the US talk with any person they come into contact with. Some cultures consider this overfamiliarity and only talk with family and close friends

8. Wearing shoes in homes

-This is especially a no no in most Asian countries. It's customary to take off your shoes prior to entering one's home, so as to avoid bringing in dirt and other filth from outside. It's considered respectful in Asian culture while in European culture, it's related to politeness and cleanliness

9. Cheerleaders

-People from outside the US don't understand why there has to be people cheering on sporting events. A group of overly cheery girls waving pom poms before a sporting event baffles those from outside the US

10. Entrees prior to the main meal

-Since this is a French word, they get the credit. It's a meal before a meal. It's anyone's guess why it's referred to as this in the US.

11. Pharmacies practically being supermarkets

-In some countries, pharmacies are literally that- selling only medications and medical related items. In the US, some pharmacies sell more than that-they are little supermarkets. Some major chains, like CVS and Walgreens, are practically supermarkets. And if you notice, they're always on corners.

12. Red cups

-This is a covert, discreet way of telling people that you're most likely drinking an alcoholic beverage. These are most often seen at sporting events, concerts and more. These cups are often available in most parts of the world, but they are not used in the way Americans use them. Foreigners would use these as cups to drink things from, not like Americans who secretly drink alcohol from them. They are most often seen being used by those really into country music, most likely because of the song "Red Solo Cup" by country artist Toby Keith

13. Consuming so much coffee

-Coffee is the drink that gives most of us the get up and go to do what we have to do each day. Those who are native to the US are shocked by how many people walk around drinking large cups of coffee. Especially those who come from countries where tea might be consumed more than coffee

14. Too much sugar in bread

-It's something you don't think about, but bread does have sugar in it. The sugar helps preserve the bread. If you're not used to it, it can taste odd. Those who are not from the US might find it odd

15. Obsession with national flags

-One thing that those not native to the US will notice about Americans is the high level of patriotism. There seems to be an almost obsession with the stars and stripes. There's not one thing wrong at all with that. The US is a fiercely proud and patriotic nation and proud to fly the flag

16. Dates starting with month, not day

-The date starting with day, then month is something usually done outside the US. It's especially done in Europe and also done in Mexico. This can throw off people when they have to fill out the immigration papers on the airplane upon entering Mexico because they ask for the date in this format. If you're not from America, it can be an eye opener to see 15 August 2024 instead of 8/15/2024. This is what some would call the "European" format for dates

17. Free soda refills

-The US is one country that offers free refills of drinks. In other parts of the world, you have to pay for refills. In the US, soda is a highly consumed drink. This is an eye opener, especially to Europeans who are used to small size bottles of cola and have to pay for each one

18. So much ice in drinks

-Ice in drinks is something you will not find everywhere. In Europe or other parts of the world, drinks will have 1-2 ice cubes, not half of an iceberg in drinks like you find in the US

19. Money being all the same color

-In many parts of the world, currency comes in various colors, depending on the denomination it is. US currency is all green and has various presidents on it, depending on the denomination

20. Frequent commercial breaks

-In the US, there are frequent commercial breaks. For every half hour of show, there are about 6-8 minutes worth of commercials. Those not native to the US will find it shocking that not only is there is a high frequency of commercials, but they are shown in the middle of the program. Whereas in other countries, commercials are usually shown at the beginning or end of the program

21. Commercials for prescription medications

-This is something you would not see much of in other countries. A lot of people from outside the US find it confusing as to why prescription medications would need to be advertised

22. Big portions of food

-This is a pretty commonly eye opening concept to those from outside the US. In other countries, portions of food are smaller. It seems in the US "more is good", "bigger is better" are two concepts that are followed religiously, including portions of food. This is exactly why America is stereotyped as being a nation of obesity and why Americans are stereotyped as being overweight

23. Healthcare is high on price

-Healthcare in the US is ridiculous in price. Some think that maybe that is an incentive to get healthier. Who knows. Every country has healthcare set up differently. Visitors to the US are shocked to find how there is free healthcare for those on limited budgets

24. Having barely any public transport

-Japan, Australia and many places in Europe have amazing forms of transport. The US is quite limited in its infrastructure, despite its size. Some cities don't have a wide array of bus stops or train lines. And unless you have a car, you're going to have to walk or bicycle yourself to places

25. Lack of politeness

-This is something that is shocking to those from outside the US. Americans get to the point and do away with niceties, streamlining their conversations, as if they are on a schedule and pleasantries would not fit into their schedules. This is regarded as rudeness, especially to the English

26. Tax not factored in to price tags

-In most places, you go into a shop and see a price tag for an item and see the price. Taxes have already been applied to that item. Not so much in the US. You get tax added on top. And, sometimes, there's state tax. Which is why it's cheaper to go outside of the state you live in to buy items 

27. Sports

-Americans are a type of people who seem to be obsessed with sports. Almost every city in the US has multiple sports teams, whether it be an MLB (Major League Baseball) team, NFL (National Football League) team, NHL (National Hockey League) team or MLS (Major League Soccer) team. Some cities have all of these, including smaller league teams like ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) or "minor league hockey" teams. Not everyone from outside the US gets into sports. Japan is a nation that reveres baseball. In fact, a lot of Japanese league players end up on American teams. But in other countries, football is not that popular. In England, American football is popular. But when locals say "football", they are talking about what Americans call "soccer"

28. Using the imperial system

-The metric system was adopted to use for weights and measures. Some countries took a little longer to pick up that system. Some countries, like the US, flat out refuse to use the metric system

29. Tipping culture

-It might seem strange to other countries, but in the US, people tip to show their appreciation. That's often why Americans get served ahead of everyone else at all-inclusive resorts. Americans are often served first at bars because they tip. In some countries, the workers are already making good money so that tips are not necessary while in other countries, tipping is considered offensive

30. Having a low vacation allowance at work

-Most employers in the US provide two weeks vacation time after a so-called "probationary" period, usually lasting three months. Some employers provide two weeks vacation right at the beginning while in the UK, it's more than double that number

20 You May or May Not Know About Carlos Sainz Jr.

Carlos Sainz Jr. is a Formula 1 driver on the Ferrari team, opposite Monaco-born driver Charles LeClerc. Like all people, there are things you may or may not know about him. According to Facts.net, here are 20 facts you may or may not know about Carlos Sainz Jr.

1. His father is a legendary racecar driver

-His father is Carlos Sainz Sr. Whenever the camera at Formula 1 races shows the pit area for Ferrari, who Carlos Sainz Jr. drives for, his father, Carlos Sainz Sr. is always seen there, supporting his son. Carlos Sainz Sr. is a world famous World Rally Champion

2. 2015 is the year he made his debut in Formula 1

-Carlos Sainz Jr. entered the fast paced world of Formula 1 in 2015. He was just 20 years old. The team he started out on was Scuderia Toro Rosso. His good skills and determination won him the respect of fans and experts in F1

3. Not surprisingly, he's raced for several teams

-It's not surprising to hear he's raced for several teams. Most Formula 1 drivers have been on several teams. Carlos Sainz Jr. is no exception. He's raced for Scuderia Toro Rosso, Renault and McLaren, before finally settling on Ferrari

4. His first podium finish came in 2019

-While driving for McLaren, Carlos Sainz Jr. got his first podium finish in 2019, four years after he first started. He secured third place at the Brazilian Grand Prix

5. Overtaking is his specialty

-He's known for his impressive overtaking skills. He outmaneuvers his fellow drivers and overtakes them in ways that might be considered risky, but fans love watching the excitement of his overtaking skills

6. The fans love him

-Because of his humble, down to earth personality, his ability to engage in conversation and exciting racing skills, the fans love watching him race. He's one of the more popular Formula 1 drivers

7. He can say that he raced in the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans

-This legendary 24 hour race is not for the faint of heart. This is a world famous race that does last 24 hours. Besides Formula 1 racing, he has undertaken endurance racing, including the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans

8. He is close with his father

-Their bond goes beyond father and son. They both support each other with valuable guidance and share a love of motorsport racing

9. He is multi-lingual

-He can speak multiple languages. In addition to being an excellent racecar driver, Sainz is fluent in Spanish, English and Italian

10. He is competitive in esports competitions

-Carlos Sainz Jr. has competed in esports competitions. His passion for racing is strong both on and off the track

11. He does charity work

-Carlos Sainz Jr. also supports charities. He firmly uses his position as a Formula 1 driver to help make an impact on global society

12. He's highly visible on social media

-He's able to support and communicate with fans through various social media platforms, like Instagram and Twitter. He usually gives updates about his racing career and what's going on with him outside of racing

13. His work ethic is beyond belief

-He has a strong work ethic. He's continuously dedicated to training, improvement and pushing his limits farther and farther

14. While under pressure, he's known for remaining calm and composed

-Unlike some people who would explode from high pressure, Carlos Sainz Jr. is known for being cool, calm and collected during times of high stress

15. He's an ambassador for several companies

-He is known both on and off the track for his partnership with several companies because of his popularity and good marketing skills

16. He's earned the respect of his peers

-Fellow drivers and competitors hold the highest respect for him. They recognize his talent, professional demeanor and sportsmanship in the highly competitive world of Formula 1

17. He has a strong support system

-From his father to the dedicated team members at Ferrari, he is able to reap the rewards of a strong support system who provide support and also belief in his success

18. He loves other sports as well

-Besides being in Formula 1, Carlos Sainz Jr. loves other sports as well. He plays tennis and golf, showing his talent for other sports and a love of other sports

19. His future looks bright

-With him being not only a popular driver, but a successful driver with a humble, engaging personality, the sky is the limit for him

20. He's determined to make an impact in Formula 1

-Carlos Sainz Jr. is determined to have his name put into the history of Formula 1, to be up there with such luminaries as Jackie Stewart, Nikki Lauda, Ayrton Senna and more

Getting to Know Sebastian Vettel Better

Here are some things you may or may not know about former Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel.

In an interview with F1 correspondent and presenter Lawrence Barretto, he learns more than ever about the media shy driver.

By the way, if you see that words like "sceptical" or "organising" are misspelled, he spelled them that way. It's most likely the European spelling of those words instead of American English spelling

He loves to take notes

"When you write with a pen, it's like you write it into your head"

Mario Thiessen, the man in charge of BMW at the time when Vettel was racing for Formula BMW, noted that Vettel would take notes about everything. He would scribble notes about every session and bring them to the following race. He was and still is a note taker. "In general, I love to take notes. I take digital notes with an iPad a bit now, but I prefer just pen and paper. When you write with a pen, it's like you write it into your head, you remember it. Also, these days, the hardware in the iPad or computer changes so often and while I'm very organised in life, with that stuff, I'm not so organised. So I don't have folders to keep for the next generation of computer/platform, and so a lot of the stuff gets lost. But if I write it down, I'm not going to chuck the notebooks away. I still have the notebooks from 2007 and so on. They're useless now, but they are still there. They are still stacked up in a bookshelf."

He has a love / hate relationship with technology

"It's designed to give you more time, but it actually does the opposite"

"I'm quite a fan of the written word. I get the whole point of emails but I think the actual letter is very nice and very personal." Vettel has a clear opinion on emails and technology. While he does acknowledge technology does makes things faster and better, he does say technological advances "are great, it has helped us to be so much faster and more efficient". He thinks it's a "fine line". To explain further, he means there is some negative impact. "A lot of the stuff is designed to actually steal your time to get you hooked. It annoys me, so I'm not a fan of that. Ultimately there is no solution, there is only yourself, and your behavior with the tools you have and the funny thing is that a lot of the stuff is designed to make life simpler and give you more time, but it actually does the opposite, it makes life complicated. I use the stuff, and I think some of the stuff is great, but sometimes I wish it didn't exist so there wouldn't be the temptation. So I think it's a fine line. It allows us to do a lot of stuff, so generally it's progressive and happy to go forward - I don't think we should go back to only pen and paper but I just think as a side effect, it speeds up life in areas where it shouldn't and that's not good for us, for the bigger picture, for our stress and our health."

His take on mobile phones

"If it's an emergency, you get a hold of people, but nowadays we treat everything as if it's an emergency"

Kimi Raikkonen, Vettel's former teammate but good friend is not a fan of phones either. It's particularly text messages that Raikkonen doesn't like. So if you plan on texting either one of these guys, don't expect a quick reply, you simply won't get it. Raikkonen is of the mindset that if someone has something dire that needs to be said, they will call. Vettel thinks the same way.

"How many times does your phone ring in a day? Almost never. And it's supposed to be a phone and now it's doing everything else. What I mean is, if it's an emergency, you get a hold of people, but nowadays we treat everything as if it's an emergency, but we actually don't act the same way about it. People send an email and they want a reply straight away, but it's not important. Not all the emails are important."

Considering the latest technology, such as the Apple iPhone? Does he have it? "I do. To be honest, the main motivator for that is the camera. I tried to go back to digital camera because I hated the fact you could do everything with your phone. I would say the coolest thing about phone is maps. I really love directions and stuff like this. And then the pictures, which allows you to capture a moment, especially with kids and so on. I think that's great. It's also very small. I went back to a digital camera, but it's quite clumsy to have in your pocket."

Why he avoids social media

"I have never tried it, so I'm not missing it"

Vettel is the only driver in Formula 1 not to have some sort of presence on social media. That even extends to the point of having apps to follow other people. The various forms of social media hold no interest for him. "I'm not big on apps, so I don't have lots of apps on phones. I don't do social media and also don't do the social media apps, so I'm not following other people."

"I never tried it and I think it's a good thing because a lot of people tell me they can't get away from it. I have never tried it so I'm not missing it. I've seen how it works with other people roughly and as far as I can tell, it's done in a way that obviously you're addicted. So yeah. Not for me."

He's a massive bookworm

"I have to finish it, because otherwise I feel guilty"

Vettel says he enjoys watching Netflix, but not often, like some people do. If has has the time, his preference is reading - which means reading actual newspapers or physical books rather than the electronic newspapers or books. "I'm a big fan of Sunday newspapers. I don't read news online, more newspaper. A lot of the news nowadays are just headlines, there's actually no content. Nothing against the journalists behind it, but it's mostly the headline, then it's repeating the headline, but actually no new information in the article. That's why Sunday newspapers or certain magazines are good - you know they have to do proper research. I read about all sorts. I don't like one particular subject. It's more about the people I find interesting. If this guy looks funny, I read the article. Of course the headline grabs you as well and then you read. But once I've started, I have to finish it. I have to finish the article, even if it bores me and it's stupid. I always hope it gets better, so I have to finish it, because otherwise I'd feel guilty. I shouldn't - that I haven't read the whole thing. I can't judge until I've read everything."

His attitude towards food

"When I was young, I just accepted it as fuel"

He's simple in his tastes for food. When he's at home, he prefers to cook his own food. One of his weaknesses is pancakes the way his mother used to make them. As he's grown up, his take on food had changed. "When I was young, I just accepted it as fuel. Being a sportsman, you get the fact it literally becomes fuel, you fuel your body to perform blah blah blah, so you try to get the best mix to enhance your performance and have a positive impact on your health. But going even further, I think there is more dynamics around this, as to where does the food come from? To become aware of what you're eating, not just which ingredients, how many calories and what it does to my body, but where does it come from? How was it grown? How was the animal grown/treated? That I find is not yet presented enough in our society, and should be. Now it's completely left to the consumer in a way. But I think there should be some way of organising where you take responsibility a bit away from the consumer, and equally the consumer should be educated more, awareness should be improved so you can make better decisions in a big picture."

Travelling often makes it hard to eat local. "Travelling is the b---- really, as you don't always have the time to look behind the scenes." When he's at home in Switzerland, he makes an effort to eat local and meet the local farmers. "I go to meet them, and see what they do. I want to first-hand convince myself, not that I'm super sceptical with everything, but you're more at peace with yourself. If you have seen it, if you see how it works, and you've spoken to the guy, and you think generally it stacks up, you can make a judgement."

He's unique

He possesses an eagle eye for details and that is what helps Vettel on the F1 grid and seen him take home 53 Grand Prix victories, 120 podiums and four World Championships. It's why he's usually the last driver to leave a circuit; he wants to talk to the team engineers, the team principals and so on. He's busy asking questions about the ins and outs of his car or the strategies the team principals or engineers have. Michael Schumacher, his hero, was successful. Vettel wants to be like him in that sense

Valtteri Bottas Believes That Formula 1 Caused Him to Develop an Eating Disorder

Valtteri Bottas, a Formula 1 driver on the Alfa Romeo team, believes Formula 1 caused him to develop an eating disorder

Three points related to this include: he went to extremes to keep his body weight low early in his career, he is of the firm belief he developed an eating disorder that has gone undiagnosed and the limits on drivers' weights have been strict, but have relaxed in years past

Valtteri Bottas is a happier, and also healthier driver in Formula 1. In his home country of Finland, Bottas did a recent interview where he stated that, early in his career, he pushed himself to extreme limits to keep his weight down. Because of this, he developed an undiagnosed eating disorder. "I trained myself to pain, physically and mentally. It got out of hand, and became an addiction. No eating disorder was officially diagnosed, but it was definitely there." Between long workouts, he would only eat steamed broccoli and other diet choices from the team he was on. "It wasn't very healthy. I wanted to be the best, and I thought I had to do that. If the team says that I have to weigh 68 kilos (150 pounds) and I naturally weigh 73 kilos (161 pounds), then they will do everything for that."

Size and weight limits in Formula 1 are strict, but have been improved

Any extra weight slows the car down, so teams want their drivers lightweight and streamlined. That means the drivers have to train hard to keep their bodies in top condition, which means being at or below the 161 pound minimum. If they're under that, weights must be added to the cars to reach the required weight.

Bottas does not have the height of other drivers. He's only 5'8'' while Thai-British driver Alexander Albon is listed as 6'2''. Bottas has more bulky muscle behind him, though. Thankfully, F1 has made a change to the rule about weight. The minimum weight is now 80 kgs (171 pounds), including the fireproof gear they wear. The gear the drivers wear is 15 pounds (7 kgs) and this figures in with the drivers' weight

Bottas describes his second year in Formula 1, 2014, as being especially hard. That season had strict requirements on weight, meaning heavier drivers were even more under the gun to lose weight. That year saw Daniel Ricciardo being forced to lose weight to get his weight down by at least 4.5 pounds (2 kilos). Ricciardo was 5'10'' and weighed 143 pounds (65 kilos). The drivers had extreme pressure on them to keep their weight down otherwise their jobs were on the line. Because of his size, 6' and 165 pound (75 kg) driver Nico Hulkenberg was, supposedly, kept from a position on the McLaren team because of his size. Then McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh said in a 2013 Sky Sports interview "Heavier drivers will be less attractive. It has happened by accident. We have raised the minimum weight, but the new powertrains are heavier than people expected, and now have a situation where heavier drivers could be a disadvantage."

In his 2007 autobiography, former McLaren and Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard said that what he put himself through as a teen trying to get into Formula 1, including conditions sounding too close to bulimia. "It was an essential part of being an oversized teenager in karting, making weight. I would have my dinner, weigh myself and if I was too heavy, I'd go swimming and exercise and try to control my weight by being sick."

Bottas said that the rule changes in 2019 helped immensely. He stated they helped his immune system because he was not cutting as much weight off. "I think the regulation is good, especially for the taller drivers. It makes life a bit easier. Many drivers had to be below our natural weight, and it is very easy to get ill or sick. This is the first winter for many years that I didn't get any flu or any sickness."

George Russell says 1million euro fines are "ridiculous" and "obscene"

Mercedes AMG F1 driver George Russell says that €1m fines are "ridiculous" and "obscene". He fired back at the FIA for the ridiculous fines they institute for fines

In the International Sporting Code for the FIA, the governing body of Formula 1 has increased the fine issued to a Formula 1 driver from €250,000 to €1m. This update has been left untouched for the last 12 years and, according to the FIA "does not reflect the current needs of motorsport." George Russell believes otherwise. The Mercedes AMG driver feels that quadrupling the fine from its original amount to the current amount was "ridiculous", given that F1 drivers just starting out in grand prix or F1 racing earn nowhere near that kind of income. Ahead of the US Grand Prix weekend in Austin, Russell said in an interview "I think it's pretty ridiculous that a driver could be fined €1m. In my first year of Formula 1, I was on a five-figure salary and actually lost over six figures in that first year from paying for my trainer, paying for flights, paying for an assistant. And that's probably the case for 25% of the grid. We're doing what we love, so we're not complaining about that. But if you take a year one driver probably by the end of the year is losing over €100,000 because of the investments he has to make, you fine them a million. What's going to happen?" Russell continued on, adding that he says the drivers asked the FIA for more transparency on what the money from the fines will go towards

When he was asked about if he thought the issue would arise again, he said "For sure. There's no doubt about it. We just want transparency and understanding. I think already the fines are getting out of control. [Max] Verstappen being fined 50,000 for touching a car. Lewis [Hamilton] being fined 50,000 [for crossing a live track in Qatar]. It feels like these numbers are being plucked out the air. When there's a lot of global issues going on and so much poverty around the world, how a federation can just make up these six, seven figure fines? We've requested before from the FIA ot hear where these fines are going toward, what causes they're going to. It needs to be reinvested into grassroots, but so far we've had no response on where that's going. If they truly believe a €1m fine is worthwhile and it's going to be reinvested into the sport, then maybe one of the drivers who's being paid a lot is happy to pay that fine. But it seems obscene."

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has included some comments on this. "If touching your rear wing is 50k, then I would like to know what one million is. Then maybe we can sponsor also the bottles of wines. I'll get ready..." Russell's Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton also added "When it comes to things like this, we really need to be thinking the message that that sends out to those who are watching. If they are going to be fining a million, let's make sure that 100% of that goes to a cause. There's a lot of money in this whole industry and there's a lot more that we need to do in terms of creating better accessibility, better diversity, more opportunities for people who wouldn't normally have a chance to get into a sport like this. That's the only way they'll get that million from me."

Funny Formula 1 Memes

We all know what a meme is. A picture with a funny or sarcastic quote on it. There are memes for everything! Here are some funny memes for Formula 1. Some of them make me laugh

Sebastian Vettel clears up why drivers Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton can't be compared

Former Aston Martin team driver Sebastian Vettel clears up why current Mercedes AMG driver Lewis Hamilton and current Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen can't be compared.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are fierce rivals; former F1 driver and close friend to Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, says that one cannot compare Max Verstappen to Lewis Hamilton for "best there's ever been" driver. That there's not "one formula".

Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes team ruled the Formula 1 world for seven years. From 2013-2020, the young British driver won six Drivers' Championship titles. He also broke record after record to win an incredible 103 wins and 104 pole positions. Now it seems Verstappen wants some of that success. According to Sebastian Vettel, "There's not one formula, one recipe to success."

At the Italian Grand Prix, the 25 year old Belgian-Dutch driver put his name in sports history by winning a 10th successive race and breaking Vettel's record of nine races won. As such, Red Bull extended their record winning streak to 15 wins for the team. That's just the beginning of records falling to Verstappen and his team. This is leading fans to ask where Verstappen is among the ranking of greatest F1 drivers.

In an interview with Martin Brundle of Sky Sports, Vettel had this to say. "It's impossible to rank drivers. The beauty of it is they're different. You cannot compare Max to Lewis, there's not one formula, one recipe to success. Lewis was rated as the best there's ever been, Max is demonstrating at the minute that he's pulling off something that's never been done before. I think Max is a great driver. He's able to adapt very quickly. He's able to be comfortable in the uncomfortable. He's learned and understood the sport, and he will get better in that regard and happy to go racing - that's what he loves."

Verstappen's successes this current season, along with the dominating way in which he's won, have led some to believe Formula 1 has become boring. That it's boring when he wins all the time. The Belgian-Dutch driver has made it very clear that he doesn't care. His motivation is winning and winning by the biggest margin available. Vettel does state he deserves more credit for what he's doing with Red Bull. "It's a state of mind more than anything else. I mean, so many incredible things need to come together for the run he had now, which is incredible. People say he's got a dominant car, he might have, you know he has a very good car. But also for the team, the job they're pulling off every weekend, it's incredible. And you see other drivers, they're not as consistent. Everybody should get up and applaud. I know that people don't like to see the same guy winning and so on. With Michael [Schumacher] it was like that. And with Lewis, and with myself for a short time. You cannot appreciate the excellence enough."

Sebastian Vettel warns Lewis Hamilton of racial things being said by other F1 teams

Sebastian Vettel, formerly of Ferrari and Aston Martin, said he warned close friend, Mercedes AMG driver Lewis Hamilton of racial things said by other teams.

Sebastian Vettel supports Lewis Hamilton in F1 racing. The German racer supports his close friend and warns him about things being said about Hamilton because of his unique looks. In an interview, Lewis Hamilton said he was warned by close friend Sebastian Vettel that other teams were saying unkind, racial things about him behind his back. Hamilton is the only black driver in Formula 1 and he has faced plenty of discrimination in both Formula 1 and various parts of society.

Very often, Hamilton had Vettel's support when it came to unfair times on the grid and even believing things needed to change in the F1 paddock. It was said that Hamilton was warned by Vettel that unfair, racial things were being said behind his back. On the DAZN programme, True Driver, Hamilton said in an interview "We have to get people to empathise, we need empathy. Sometimes I wonder, does nobody else care? Sebastian was one of those people who supported me the most. He told me that in some teams they spoke racist things about me. He knelt down with me in 2020, I have not yet seen a driver as brave as him. The laws must be changed so that people live better. We are risking our lives to try to educate others."

Vettel also developed an interest in environmental practices during the later parts of his Formula 1 career and shed light on how to do sustainable practices. Hamilton has also spoken up about other issues during his F1 career, including preserving the environment, animal rights and LGBTQ+ acceptance, which he advertises on his current helmet, which is donned in rainbow colors. He said "I don't know what my next project will be. Animal protection laws have to continue to be reviewed, with the environment. It's hard for people to see the disasters that happen. I have Mission 44, a project that I launched in London and I want to expand it to Africa and the US, with which we want to instill in children that they can have a good future, that they can become engineers or whatever they want."

Formula 1 Teams and Drivers

Teams

Red Bull Racing: Sergio Perez, Max Verstappen

Ferrari: Charles LeClerc, Carlos Sainz

Mercedes: George Russell, Lewis Hamilton

McLaren: Daniel Ricciardo, Lando Norris

Alfa Romeo: Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu

Alpine: Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso

Alpha Tauri: Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda

Haas F1 Team: Kevin Magnusson, Mick Schumacher

Aston Martin: Lance Stroll, Sebastian Vettel

Williams: Nicholas Latifi, Alexander Albon

Drivers

Charles LeClerc: Monaco, Team Ferrari, #16

Max Verstappen: The Netherlands, Red Bull Racing, #1

Sergio Perez: Mexico, Red Bull Racing, #11

George Russell: United Kingdom, Mercedes, #63

Carlos Sainz: Spain, Team Ferrari, #55

Lewis Hamilton: United Kingdom, Mercedes, #44

Lando Norris: United Kingdom, McLaren, #4

Valtteri Bottas: Finland, Alfa Romeo, #77

Esteban Ocon: France, Alpine, #31

Kevin Magnussen: Denmark, Haas F1 Team, #20

Daniel Ricciardo: Australia, McLaren, #3

Yuki Tsunoda: Japan, Alpha Tauri, #22

Pierre Gasly: France, Alpha Tauri, #10

Sebastian Vettel: Germany, Aston Martin, #5

Alexander Albon: Thailand, Williams, #23

Fernando Alonso: Spain, Alpine, #14

Lance Stroll: Canada, Aston Martin, #18

Zhou Guanyu: China, Alfa Romeo, #24

Mick Schumacher: Germany, Haas F1 team, #47

Nico Hulkenberg: Germany, Aston Martin, #27

Nicholas Latifi: Canada, Williams, #6

Nico Rosberg: Germany, Williams, #6

Jenson Button: United Kingdom, Williams, #22 (now does sideline interviews)

Antonio Giovanazzi: Italy, Dragon/Penske Autosport, #99

Romain Grosjean: Geneva, Switzerland, Andretti Autosport (Indy Cars) #8

Nikita Mazepin: Russia, Haas F1 team, #9

Brendon Hartley: New Zealand, Toyota Gazoo Racing (FIA World Endurance Championships), #28

Karun Chandhok: India, Mahindra Racing, #5 (does sideline interviews and works as a commentator during the races)

Daniil Kvyat: Russia, Scuderia Torro Rosso, #26

Robert Kubica: Poland, BMW Sauber, #88

Felipe Massa: Brazil, Williams, #19