F1 LIVE: Abu Dhabi GP chiefs respond to terrorist attack fears as Hamilton to miss session

F1 chiefs have moved to calm fears raised over whether the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix should go ahead after the UK Government released guidance warning of potential terrorist attacks.

Guidance on the official government website states there is "a high threat of terrorist attack" in the United Arab Emirates, adding that British nationals should be "vigiliant" in trying to identify possible attacks.

However, Express Sport understands F1 are not concerned about the change in their advice, nor have they received information that the change will have any impact on the situation.

F1 races have taken place in other countries such as Bahrain, where threats to safety have been previously made. Nevertheless, strong security measures will be in place for the final race of the season.

Max Verstappen has the answer to solve the problem of travelling to 24 different race venues next year.

The Red Bull is one of two F1 drivers to own their own private jet, along with Fernando Alonso, as the difficulities in travelling between venues takes its toll on the drivers.

But the three-time world champion may have the perfect solution after splashing out on the £12million Falcon-900EX model, buying the model from Richard Branson in 2020.

Haas boss Guenther Steiner will be involved in a project for a TV series based on him after rising to stardom through the hit documentary series Drive to Survive.

As reported by Deadline, Steiner is involved in plans put forward by American TV giant CBS, who are planning to create a “a single-camera workplace comedy” with a lead character based on the Haas team principal.

The project is said to be in the very early stages of planning, with no writer or studio confirmed just yet. But Steiner will have a role in helping them make the series as a non-writing executive producer.

Former AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost has revealed people called him 'crazy' for hiring Max Verstappen when he was 16.

The Dutchman joined Red Bull's feeder team in 2015 alongside Carlos Sainz despite not having a licence. And Tost admits he had to convince some people that he was worth gambling on.

“Then of course Max [Verstappen]. Max because of his unbelievable speed,” he said.

“When we brought him to Formula 1, I remember back some of your colleagues came to me and said you’re totally crazy, how can you take someone who doesn’t even have a driver’s licence?

“And I said, I don’t want to discuss this with you now, come in five years and then we can discuss it because then I got tired of defending our decision."

Toto Wolff has suggested that even finishing in P2 in the Constructors’ Championship won’t boost his mood given the gap to champions Red Bull.

"We are going there pretty much on equal points - with a proper race director, so that should be fine - and let's race,” he said after the Las Vegas GP.

"It's all down to the last weekend. They are very quick, they have done a good job. I think we could have been on par [in the Las Vegas race] but the result shows something different. So let's race.

"To be honest, it's good to have P2 as a positive to finish the season, but P2, P3 for me, that it doesn't make it better for me."

Daniel Ricciardo has revealed that AlphaTauri are bringing updates to the Abu Dhabi this weekend as they look to hunt down Williams in the season finale.

"We have updates this weekend, and even if I haven’t been with the team all year, I know that one of the main areas that have been worked on is to make the car more efficient and less drag-sensitive,” Ricciardo said ahead of the trip to Abu Dhabi.

“Some of these updates have targeted these areas, and I know it’s something we want to improve for next year. I think having them at the end of the season means it should be a little less of a compromise for us than if this was at the beginning.

"Overall, looking back at the year, it’s been fun even though it’s been a short season for me with some hurdles, but I’ve really enjoyed it. I think that, in terms of feeling comfortable in the car and settling in with the team in this short amount of time, it has gone better than I thought it would, so that makes me happy, and gives me a lot of enthusiasm for next year.”

Johnny Herbert has called out Mercedes for failing to deliver on their promise of a race-winning car for Lewis Hamilton.

In an exclusive interview with Express Sport, in association with Genting Casino, the multiple-time Grand Prix winner was unconvinced by the Silver Arrows’ ability to live up to their bold claims.

Mercedes head into the final race of the season with a slender four-point lead over rivals Ferrari in the battle for P2 in the Constructors’ Championship.

Read the full conversation here…

Fred Vasseur has insisted that the momentum is with Ferrari in their battle with Mercedes over P2 in the Constructors’ Championship.

The two constructors are separated by just four points heading into the season finale after Charles Leclerc pulled off an impressive P2 finish in Las Vegas.

Discussing the battle ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP, Vasseur said: “If you consider that we were 60 points behind them a couple of races ago, we are on a good path. But Abu Dhabi will be another story, four points… it's nothing or a lot.

“And again we were able to perform in Monza, in Singapore, in Mexico during this weekend on different tracks with different weather conditions, different compounds, and we can be more than motivated before Abu Dhabi. The momentum is for us, and let's see what happens."

Andrea Stella has backed up some of the questions asked about the spectacle element of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

“I think the timetable is very challenging,” the McLaren boss explained. “It's very challenging for the staff, and it's very challenging for everyone, so ideally this is also a matter that can be reviewed.

“And, what I could say is that it was a stretch, it was taken to the limit, in terms of the spectacle, in terms of the entertainment and the show.

“I think it's good to some extent because I'm sure it was enjoyed. But we just have to ask ourselves whether that's just going a little too far.”

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has suggested that Max Verstappen needs to ‘take good care’ of Adrian Newey if he is to continue dominating the sport.

Discussing whether or not he can eclipse the likes of Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton in his career, Ralf told Sky Germany: “In terms of age and talent, definitely.

“One question is, does he want to continue driving for so long? And the other: does he always have such a good car?

“Next year, I think that will be the case. He has to take good care of Adrian Newey so that it continues like this."

Mick Schumacher has been confirmed as a World Endurance Championship driver for Alpine for the 2024 season.

The German driver is one of six to have been selected for the Alpine project as the French team takes its first steps into the Hypercar class.

Discussing the opportunity, Schumacher said: "A new chapter is beginning for me with Alpine in the FIA WEC Hypercar category. The car is impressive, and I can't wait to get started.

“I've grown up with single-seaters, so driving a car with a closed cockpit and covered wheels is a great opportunity to hone my driving skills. I sorely missed racing this year; it's what I've loved to do since I was a kid, and it was sometimes difficult to watch the other drivers take to the track. Endurance racing is a new challenge for me, and I'm sure we will share great moments together next year with Alpine."

Read more about the story here…

Christian Horner has defended Max Verstappen after the reigning world champion was heavily criticised for his comments in Las Vegas.

“It was a great grand prix, and Max would have thoroughly enjoyed that race because that’s what he loves, that’s what he’s here for,” Horner explained.

“The fact he won it in an Elvis Presley suit. was singing ‘Viva Las Vegas’ on the in-lap… you have to respect the fact that some of the razzmatazz that goes around Formula One, doesn’t sit comfortably with him.

“It’s quite refreshing that he’s actually prepared to speak out and give an honest opinion. He also reflects that it’s an important event for Formula 1, and the race and the way it delivered, you could certainly see was something he enjoyed.”

Nico Rosberg has tipped for Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton to bounce back and compete for the Drivers’ Championship title in 2024.

Asked by the Daily Mail whether or not he believes Mercedes and Hamilton can fight Red Bull next season, he replied: "I believe in Mercedes' ability because I was there. I know how strong they are. It's always still the same people.

"So certainly there is a chance that Hamilton could once again fight for the championship next year."

Then asked whether or not he’d be happy to see Hamilton win his eighth title, Rosberg said: “I would be happy if Mercedes won because that's kind of my racing family from the past. But then Lewis, I'm neutral there.

"I just would like a great fight for the championship, and may the best driver win. But I'm not biased in that sense, obviously."

Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's rolling F1 live coverage.

With the season finale in Abu Dhabi fast approaching, we are on hand to keep you up to date with all of the latest build-up, as well as the final reactions from an eye-catching weekend in Las Vegas.