F1: introducing McLaren’s new driver... #BaldoNorris

McLaren Formula 1 driver and avid gamer Lando Norris has a new hair do after making good on a promise to shave his head for charity.

The 20-year-old last week took part in Twitch’s “Stream Aid” event where he played F1 2019, Rocket League and iRacing to raise money for the Covid-19 Solidarity Respond Fund.

Briton Norris promised to cut his locks if he could raise more than $10,000 (£8,147) - and thanks to generous donations from fans he beat the total by $2,000 (£1,629).

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Last night Norris live streamed the hair cut on his Twitch channel and F1.com welcomed the look by introducing the sport’s newest star - “#BaldoNorris”.

Norris said the new do “feels so weird” and Williams rival George Russell also had his say on his fellow Brit’s charity promise.

“Firstly - incredible,” Russell told Sky Sports F1. “But to be honest if I had hair as bad as that I’d probably shave it off as well. Fair play to him.”

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Nico: short season may help Max

Ex-Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg believes that a shorter season could help Max Verstappen’s chances of winning the title.

The 2020 calendar has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with the opening eight races either cancelled or postponed.

F1 CEO Chase Carey said last week that the revised calendar could see “between 15 and 18 races” take place once the sport gets the go-ahead.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, former Mercedes driver Rosberg said this could hand Red Bull and Verstappen a boost.

“It increases the chances of there being a surprise champion if there’s fewer races because then of course luck plays a bigger role,” said Rosberg.

“I always thought that Red Bull and Max Verstappen were really going to be in the hunt this year and really be able to annoy Mercedes in a big way and give them a run for their money.

“If there was a shorter season maybe his chances would be even bigger.”

As things stand the first race of the 2020 season will be the Canadian Grand Prix on 14 June in Montreal.

Which races have been called off?

• 15 March: Australian Grand Prix - cancelled
• 22 March: Bahrain Grand Prix - postponed
• 5 April: Vietnam Grand Prix - postponed
• 19 April: Chinese Grand Prix - postponed
• 3 May: Dutch Grand Prix - postponed
• 10 May: Spanish Grand Prix - postponed
• 14 May: Monaco Grand Prix - cancelled
• 7 June: Azerbaijan Grand Prix - postponed

Hamilton and Verstappen are the sport’s ‘only two stars’

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