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    Meet Aston Martin’s Jessica Hawkins who’s the first woman to test a F1 car in five years and was James Bond stunt driver

    MOTORSPORT ace Jessica Hawkins is no stranger to breaking down social barriers. Hawkins, 28, is a former British karting champion and was a stunt driver in James Bond movie No Time To Die.
    Jessica Hawkins drove Aston Martin’s 2021 F1 car last ThursdayCredit: PA
    Hawkins became the first woman to test an F1 car since 2018Credit: PA
    She used to drive in the W SeriesCredit: Getty
    Hawkins said the drive made all the ‘blood, sweat and tears’ worth itCredit: Instagram / @1jessicahawkins
    She joined Aston Martin in an ambassadorial role in 2021Credit: PA
    But last week she battered down another door by becoming the first woman to test an F1 car in half a decade.
    Aston Martin revealed Hawkins had been given the chance to get behind the wheel of their 2021 F1 car at the Hungaroring, the venue of F1’s Hungarian Grand Prix, last Thursday.
    Hawkins alternated the driving with Felipe Drugovich, the reserve driver of Aston Martin and McLaren and the 2022 F2 champion.
    The Brit raced for 26 laps in the F1 car, and was lost for words after her drive.
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    On the opportunity, Hawkins said: “I want to say a big thank you to everyone at AMF1 Team for having the trust in me, believing in me, and for giving me this opportunity.
    “It’s taken me every bit of blood, sweat and tears to get here. When I first heard it might be a possibility, I could hardly believe it.
    “I’ve had to keep it secret for months now – which was pretty hard!
    “It’s been absolutely worth it and it’s given me really valuable insight.
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    Hawkins, pictured here alongside Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, is a regular sight around the F1 paddockCredit: Hugo Boss via Instagram / @1jessicahawkins
    Hawkins is a British karting championCredit: Instagram / @1jessicahawkins
    Hawkins said ‘nothing will compare’ to her experience driving an F1 carCredit: Instagram / @1jessicahawkins
    Hawkins dazzled at an awards ceremonyCredit: Alamy
    “Nothing will compare to the acceleration and braking of a Formula 1 car and, having looked at the data, I’m really proud of my performance.
    “Getting to drive the AMR21 has been a dream come true for me and one I’ve been ready to fulfil for a long time.
    “I’ll keep pushing for more and, in the process, I want to inspire other women and let them know they should follow their dream no matter what it is.”
    Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack was also pleased with how Hawkins had done.
    He said: “We were really impressed by Jessica’s preparation for the test – she worked incredibly hard with our simulator team and that made it an easy decision to put her in the AMR21.
    “Jessica approached the opportunity with great maturity; she was up to speed quickly and found a nice rhythm.”
    Lack of Woman in F1
    The last woman to be handed the opportunity to drive an F1 car was Colombian Tatiana Calderon with Sauber – now Alfa Romeo – back in October 2018 at the Hermanos Rodriguez track in Mexico City.
    Susie Wolff – the wife of Mercedes team principal Toto – was the last woman to compete in an F1 practice session, doing so in 2015.
    However, the last time a female driver started an F1 race was back in 1976, when Italian Lella Lombardi drove for RAM Racing.
    Barriers are being broken down, however, albeit slowly.
    German driver Sophia Floersch currently competes in F3 and became the first woman to score points in the series at the Belgian feature race.
    Before her opportunity in the AMR21, Hawkins had been practising in the simulator at their base in Silverstone.
    She joined the Aston F1 team in an ambassadorial role in 2021 and has often been seen around the paddock over the course of race weekends.
    James Bond stunt driver
    But it has not been all fun and games, and one of the most extreme opportunities for her arose from a Facebook post she was tagged in.
    Hawkins had fallen victim to the most common killer of motorsport careers, a lack of funds.
    However, when she was notified about a role as a stunt driver it allowed her to raise funds before becoming a W Series driver, and it even landed her a part in James Bond movie No Time To Die.
    On her stunt driver career, she told the Mirror: “I stopped racing a good few years before W Series purely because I’d run out of budget to continue on my motorsport journey.
    “A friend then tagged me on a Facebook post which said they were looking for a female driver with good car control.
    “At the time, it didn’t say what it was for, but I just thought ‘I’ll send them my CV and see what happens’.
    “It turns out that it was for a show called Fast and Furious Live. All of the stunts that were in the movie, we performed live.”
    She continued: “Bond was actually my first movie.
    “There was quite a lot of pressure, but I was confident in my ability and I had an incredible team around me.
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    “I’m super proud of what I’ve done.”
    Hawkins was seen in behind-the-scenes footage driving a Range Rover for the film, describing it as “so fun”.
    Hawkins was also a stunt driver for James Bond film No Time To DieCredit: PA
    The 28-year-old did 26 laps at the test in HungaryCredit: Instagram / @1jessicahawkins
    Hawkins has 138,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram / @1jessicahawkins More

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    Lewis Hamilton SLAMS Mercedes for tactical blunder which ‘made no sense’ during F1’s Japanese GP

    LEWIS HAMILTON has slammed Mercedes for a strategy call at the Japanese Grand Prix which almost derailed his race.Hamilton managed a P5 finish while team-mate George Russell finished P7 at the Suzuka circuit.
    Lewis Hamilton slammed a Mercedes strategy decisionCredit: AP
    Mercedes asked Hamilton to help George Russell defend from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by slowing down to give him a speed boost with DRSCredit: Rex
    Hamilton finished P5 in the raceCredit: AP
    But it was a call in the later stages of the race involving Russell which Hamilton was less than pleased about.
    Having pitted onto a set of new hard compound tyres, Hamilton was trying to chase down Charles Leclerc, while Russell had opted to gamble on a safety car and stay on his older set of hards.
    However, upon coming up the back of Russell with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz breathing down his neck, Russell wanted to use Hamilton as protection from Sainz by giving him DRS (drag reduction system).
    Russell did eventually invert positions with Hamilton, but asked Hamilton to help by slowing down and giving DRS, with the Mercedes pitwall asking Hamilton to help his team-mate out.
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    Regardless, Sainz overtook Russell on the next lap, leaving Hamilton precariously close to the Spaniard in the dying laps of the race.
    After the Grand Prix, won by Max Verstappen, Hamilton was confused by the strategy and was critical of the decision.
    He said: “When they suggested it to me, I knew that they obviously thought of it from the last race but it made no sense.
    “I needed to get as far clear as possible. I was on my way, around two seconds ahead and they asked me to give George DRS and I had to come off the gas down the straight.
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    “Then he got overtaken by Sainz. He then got past George and he was right on my tail which was not ideal.”
    The seven-time world champion did manage to hold off the Singapore Grand Prix winner but in less comfortable circumstances than he would have liked.
    Hamilton remains in the hunt for a first race win since 2021.
    Meanwhile, Verstappen can clinch his third driver’s title in a row in the Qatar sprint shootout on October 7.
    Complete F1 2023 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix this year More

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    Grossly offensive Michael Schumacher ‘joke’ made on live TV leaves F1 fans fuming as pundit forced to apologise

    A FORMULA One pundit has been forced to apologise after making a grossly offensive joke about Michael Schumacher on live TV.Schumacher’s name was bought up during a post-race discussion on Spanish TV after the Japanese Grand Prix by pundit Antonio Lobato.
    Michael Schumacher was mentioned on a post-race show having his poor health mocked.Credit: Getty
    Pundit Antonio Lobato made the grossly insensitive comment on a DAZN show and left fans furiousCredit: Getty
    The insensitive comment was quickly spread online and sparked outrage among fans by making light of the F1 legend’s poor health.
    A fellow pundit said: “Let Adrian Newey (Red Bull engineer) be shaking because Antonio Lobato is coming.”
    Lobato responded with: “Let Michael be shaking! Well… not Michael, he cannot shake.”
    The pundit then goes on to laugh with his fellow broadcasters- Noemi de Miguel, Pedro de la Rosa and Toni Cuquerella after the joke.
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    The viral clip can be found here.
    It had many demanding Lobato apologise to Michael’s family and some even suggesting he should be sacked by DAZN.
    “An apology would be the minimum, a sign of decency,” one person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
    “You don’t disrespect ANYONE that way, especially when thousands of people are watching you. Journalism in Spain has a very bright present and future with people like this,” they added.
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    A third commented: “Using someone’s medical condition as the punchline of a joke is unacceptable and abhorrent.
    “Michael is beloved and respected in this sport and (Lobato) doesn’t deserve the platform he is given.”
    Since then Lobato has come out with an apology video on X.
    The five minute long video explained the “accident” as Lobato tried to justify what happened.
    He said: “I made a mistake without any bad intentions.
    ”It was simply a mistake of pure clumsiness, of pure inability to express myself correctly, maybe because of too many hours up, jetlag in Madrid, or whatever – which is not an excuse for those of you who didn’t see it.
    “What happened is that I went too far and made an expression that is not good, it is not accurate, it is not fine.
    “I didn’t mean to make a joke.
    “I didn’t mean to make fun of Michael Schumacher, no.
    “I think that everyone who knows me and knows what I’m like knows perfectly well that I would never make a joke about something like that.
    “Never, but I was clumsy.”
    He went on to say: “For the record, the first one who was f**ked up when I said that sentence was me.
    “I said how can you say that, man, it’s going to be misinterpreted.
    “That’s not what you meant.
    “You meant to say something else and it didn’t come out right.
    “So the only thing I have to do, I think it’s fundamental, is to apologise to all those who felt offended by that phrase yesterday.
    “I really, really mean it.
    “It was not my intention to say it to laugh, nor to make any kind of joke with Michael, whom I knew, whom I admire, and whom I think is a reference and who I think was quite unlucky.”
    Fans were split on the apology with many feeling that the incident has been taken out of context and overblown.
    Many comments felt like Lobato wasn’t laughing at his joke but at something different.
    Schumacher, considered by many to be the greatest driver in Formula One history, hasn’t been seen in public since his life-changing skiing accident nearly a decade ago.
    The seven time Formula One champion suffered a horrific ski accident while with his son Mick, on the slopes above Méribel in the French Alps in 2013.
    He fell and hit his head on a rock while crossing an off-piste area – suffering a serious head injury despite wearing a ski helmet.
    Doctors said he would most likely have died had he not been wearing the safety gear.
    The world champ was airlifted to Grenoble Hospital and went through two major operations.
    He was put into a medically induced coma until June 2014 when he was sent home to rehabilitate in Switzerland.
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    Michael has not been seen in public ever since – with any information about his condition tightly controlled by his privacy-focused family led by wife Corinna.
    His ex-team mate, Johnny Herbert has even said recently that his friends are often left in the dark about his condition and health.
    The Spanish pundit has since apologised on X in a five minute videoCredit: Getty
    Michael and his wife Corinna on a skiing trip before the drivers unfortunate accidentCredit: AFP More

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    Christian Horner turns barman as his Red Bull team sing Wonderwall to celebrate F1 Constructors’ Championship

    RED BULL celebrated winning the Constructors’ Championship by putting Christian Horner behind the bar.Max Verstappen clinched victory at the Japan Grand Prix on Sunday, meaning he can win his third world title in a row in two weeks time.
    Christian Horner switched the paddock for the bar as Red Bull celebrated in styleCredit: Instagram
    A member of the Red Bull team got out a guitar to lead the songCredit: Instagram
    The party began on the track at SuzukaCredit: Splash
    It’s Red Bull’s sixth titleCredit: Splash
    But before turning their attention to the race in Qatar, the Red Bull team celebrated winning back-to-back Constructors’ Championships.
    The crew partied in Tokyo as Horner jumped behind the bar to pour pints.
    All involved then belted out Oasis classic Wonderwall as the booze flowed throughout the night.
    Earlier in the day, Verstappen praised the team over the radio as he passed the chequered flag.
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    He said: “You can all be very proud. Everyone here and back in the factory, what a rocketship we’ve built.”
    Meanwhile, Horner added: “It’s a testimony to the men and women in the team, the partners.
    “It’s a collection of everyone doing their bit to help the team.
    “Max is on another level at the moment, today was an incredible performance.”
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    He also wrote on Instagram: “This kind of season would be impossible without the hard work that goes on behind the scenes from all the different departments both back at Milton Keynes and here at track.
    “From the crazy hours that they work through to the relentless pursuit for better, it is a true team effort and one to be immensely proud of.
    “We’ll celebrate tonight and then turn our focus to Qatar.”
    Red Bull sit top of the standings with 623 points with six races to go.
    Nearest challengers Mercedes have less than half their total on 305.
    It is the team’s sixth Constructors’ Championship title. More

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    I used to play Gran Turismo on PlayStation thanks to footballer dad but now I’m pro GT racer with movie about my life

    WHEN Jann Mardenborough picked up his PlayStation controller for the first time, he never dreamed it would end like this.He was just eight years old and had been introduced to the classic racing game Gran Turismo at a friend’s house.
    Jann Mardenborough played Gran Turismo as a kid before becoming a pro GT racerCredit: Getty
    Dad Steve was a pro-footballer and although immensely proud of his old man, kicking a ball about for a living wasn’t for him.
    “My dad always said to me from a very young age to do something in life which you’re passionate about,” Mardenborough told SunSport.
    “When you are eight years-old you don’t really understand what that means but those words were very powerful.”
    His dream was to become a racing driver – and his skills were honed in his bedroom.
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    Little did he know that, fast forward 24 years, and blockbuster film Gran Turismo, starring the likes of A-lister Orlando Bloom, would let the world know about the one of craziest sporting journeys of all-time.
    The racing game Gran Turismo became everything for the youngster – super-competitive race offs with his pals were a daily occurance – and by the time the technology improved and online racing came into the equation, Mardenborough was on fire.
    He had built his own racing set up in his bedroom – steering wheel, pedal and a homemade racing frame –  after getting money from his parents for some good grades.
    So when GT Academy was created, a chance to realise his dreams came zooming into view.
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    Winners of the online tournament were given an unreal chance of joining the real-life Nissan racing team.
    With hours of PlayStation experience in the bag, Mardenborough, then 19 and living in Cardiff after dropping out of university and working part-time in a clothes store, entered the competition and raced to victory.
    Next up? A spot in the Dubai 24-hour race.  
    “I thought I was good, but not the best,” he admitted. “That was the first time-trial I had ever entered.”
    A place on the Nissan team was in the bag but despite all those hours in front of the box, Mardenborough had never stepped foot on a racetrack.
    Did playing on the PlayStation help in any way?
    “The cars act in the same way so subconsciously just logging things and going ‘Okay, that’s the same, that’s the same.’ 
    “I didn’t think about it too deeply, so it felt normal to me.”
    Mardenborough has even had a movie made about his lifeCredit: Getty
    What happened next was anything but normal, however.
    Mardenborough effortlessly moved through the gears, impressing on the track and travelling the world racing.
    He  has enjoyed a remarkable rise from bedroom racer to pro speedster to helping with the Hollywood production of his own story.
    He did many of the stunts himself and played a key role in helping ensure the film was as realistic as possible.
    It’s a remarkable tale – although one of its darkest moments was tough to process.
    In 2015 during a race in Germany, Mardenborough was involved in a smash which killed a spectator.
    The Brit escaped with minor injuries but reliving the nightmare was tough.
    “Anyone who has done something successful has periods of darkness,” he admitted. “It was challenging to go back and open all that back up.”
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    The film – which has former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell playing his mum – has been well-received and now the project is over, Mardenborough, who spent four years racing in Japan between 2016 and 2020, is keen to keep on racing in the United States.
    “This chapter is complete,” he said. “Now it’s on to the future.” More

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    Max Verstappen on verge of F1 title after Japanese GP win as he celebrates with special ‘kiss’ trophy

    MAX VERSTAPPEN celebrated his win at the Japanese Grand Prix with a special “kiss” trophy as he put one hand on his THIRD world title.The victory also gave Red Bull back-to-back Constructors’ Championships.
    Max Verstappen celebrated his win at the Japanese Grand Prix with a ‘kiss’ trophyCredit: Reuters
    The trophy lit up with the colours of the Dutch national flag after he kissed itCredit: Getty
    It was Verstappen’s 13th race win of the seasonCredit: AP
    Verstappen can clinch the drivers title as early as the sprint shootout in Qatar on October 7, the day before the Sunday’s full Grand Prix.
    The F1 star’s triumph in Japan marked a return to winning ways having finished fifth last time out at the Singapore GP as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz picked up his first win of the year.
    When standing on the podium the Dutchman was presented with a unique “kiss me” trophy designed by race title sponsor Lenovo.
    After being handed with the award, Verstappen planted a kiss on it which saw it light up with the colours of the Dutch national flag.
    Verstappen, 25, had a tough start to the race as he fought off both McLarens in his Red Bull car and claimed his 13th win this season.
    The rival team also had a successful race, finishing in the remaining podium places.
    Brit Lando Norris claimed the second spot while team-mate Oscar Piastri finished in third.
    It was a less successful race for the Mercedes’ British drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
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    Verstappen can win his third title in the Qatar sprint shootoutCredit: Getty
    The win handed Red Bull and Christian Horner the Constructor’s championshipCredit: Getty
    The pair finished back in fifth and seventh, although they did advance a couple of spots from their starting grid places.
    Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took fourth.
    Verstappen could be heard praising the Red Bull team for building a “rocketship” on the team radio as he passed the chequered flag.
    He said: “You can all be very proud. Everyone here and back in the factory, what a rocketship we’ve built”
    After finishing, Verstappen was thrilled and claimed that the race was “straightforward”.
    He said: “It’s been an unbelievable weekend. To win here was great here, the car was working well on every compound.
    “Also to win the constructors is great, I’m proud of everyone, we’re having an incredible year, very proud of everyone.
    Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Verstappen’s title claim.
    He said: “It’s been the most amazing race and year for us.
    “It’s a testimony to the men and women in the team, the partners. It’s a collection of everyone doing their bit to help the team.
    “Max is on another level at the moment, today was an incredible performance.”
    Second-placed Norris did suggest that McLaren are closing the gap to Red Bull.
    After finishing, he said on the team radio: “We’re coming for Red Bull!”
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    There were five drivers that failed to finish the race in Japan, such as Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, Logan Sargeant and Alex Albon.
    In a stunning twist of events, Perez ended up retiring his Red Bull from the race TWICE after he went back on track to serve a five-second penalty to avoid carrying it over to the next race.
    Red Bull won the title with six races to spareCredit: Getty
    Verstappen’s victory marked a return to winning ways after SingaporeCredit: Reuters
    Verstappen did have to fend off two McLarensCredit: AFP More

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    F1 tragedy as Las Vegas Grand Prix construction worker killed while setting up for inaugural Nevada race

    A CONSTRUCTION worker has died working on the Formula 1 track in Las Vegas.The man was working at the Bellagio fountains on the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday.
    A Las Vegas Grand Prix construction worker has been killed while setting up for the inaugural Nevada raceCredit: Splash News
    The worked reportedly suffered a “major laceration to the neck” and was pronounced dead at a local hospitalCredit: Splash
    Metro Police say they were called to the scene at 11.30am after a worker had suffered a “major laceration to the neck,” as per the local CBS affiliate.
    After being transported to a local hospital, the man was pronounced dead.
    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will reportedly be in charge of the ensuing investigation.
    Further details surrounding the incident have yet to be made public.

    The US Sun has contacted Metro Police and Formula 1 for a comment.
    The Vegas Grand Prix circuit is set to wind its way through downtown, passing all the major landmarks.
    These will include the likes of Caesars Palace, the Bellagio, the Venetian, and The Sphere, as per F1.
    The 3.8mile track will feature fourteen corners and is set to cost around $560million to construct, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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    A multi-story paddock building is being constructed off of the Strip, at a cost of $480million.
    Three football fields in length, the building will include team garages, suites, and on the roof, a 28,000-square-foot screen.
    The race is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 19.
    It will be only the third time the city has hosted a Grand Prix, with downtown also having played host to F1 in 1981 and 1982.
    The circuit will be 3.8 miles long and wind through downtownCredit: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) More

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    F1 Japanese Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Latest updates as Verstappen starts on pole while Hamilton begins seventh on grid

    MAX VERSTAPPEN claimed pole position in qualifying on Saturday morning as he looks to get back to winning ways.Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz ended the Dutchman’s 10-race winning streak last weekend after a thrilling race in Singapore.
    Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton claimed a podium finish and will be looking to do the same in Japan despite starting seventh on the grid.

    Race start time: 6am BST
    TV channel: Sky Sports F1
    Live stream: NOW
    Grid: 1. Verstappen 2. Piastri 3. Norris 4. Leclerc 5. Perez 6. Sainz 7. Hamilton 8. Russell 9. Tsunoda 10. Alonso 11. Lawson 12. Gasly 13. Albon 14. Ocon 15. Magnussen 16. Bottas 17. Stroll 18. Hulkenberg 19. Guanyu 20. Sargeant

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    Follow our live blog below…
    How can I watch the Japanese GP?

    The Japanese Grand Prix will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports F1.
    Subscription members of Sky Sports can stream the entire action on the Sky Go app or Sky Sports website.
    The race will also be available to NOW TV users via all mobile devices and tablets.
    Alternatively, SunSport will have lap-by-lap coverage of the whole race including podium reaction.

    Current driver standings

    Max Verstappen / Red Bull Racing / 374
    Sergio Perez / Red Bull Racing / 223
    Lewis Hamilton / Mercedes / 180
    Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin / 170
    Carlos Sainz / Ferrari / 142
    Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 123
    George Russell / Mercedes / 109
    Lando Norris / McLaren / 97
    Lance Stroll / Aston Martin / 47
    Pierre Gasly / Alpine / 45
    Oscar Piastri / McLaren / 42
    Esteban Ocon / Alpine / 36
    Alexander Albon / Williams / 21
    Nico Hulkenberg / Haas / 9
    Valtteri Bottas / Alfa Romeo / 6
    Zhou Guanyu / Alfa Romeo / 4
    Yuki Tsounda / Alphatauri / 3
    Kevin Magnussen / Haas / 3
    Liam Lawson / Alphatauri / 2
    Logan Sargeant / Williams / 0
    Daniel Ricciardo / Alphatauri / 0
    Nyck De Vries / Alphatauri / 0 OUT

    Credit: Rex
    Red Bull boss Horner on Verstappen’s performance in qualifying
    Max Verstappen was back to his best after blitzing pole in Suzuka.
    The Dutchman was over half a second clear of McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in what was one of the stand-out laps all time.
    Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: “What we have witnessed is something very special.
    “That last lap, the first sector was absolutely mighty. Gianpiero Lambiase [Verstappen’s race engineer] started winding him up before his last run ‘let’s see a 28 [a lap of 1m.28s.] in there’ and I said to GP ‘I would like to see four wheels on the car at the end of it’.
    “That first run looked good enough to get the job done but then he went quicker again.
    “All his laps have been stunning today. An absolutely mind-blowing performance.”
    Credit: Reuters
    Qualifying in full
    1. Max Verstappen
    2. Oscar Piastri
    3. Lando Norris
    4. Charles Leclerc
    5. Sergio Perez
    6. Carlos Sainz
    7. Lewis Hamilton
    8. George Russell
    9. Yuki Tsunoda
    10. Fernando Alonso
    11. Liam Lawson
    12. Pierre Gasly
    13. Alex Albon
    14. Esteban Ocon
    15. Kevin Magnussen
    16. Valtteri Bottas
    17. Lance Stroll
    18. Nico Hulkenberg
    19. Zhou Guanyu
    20. Logan Sargeant
    Hello and welcome to SunSport’s live blog of the Japanese Grand Prix!
    Max Verstappen will start on pole after a stunning qualifying session on Saturday morning.
    The Dutchman made no mistake after last week’s shock Q2 exit in Singapore.
    The McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will line up behind Verstappen in second and third respectively. 
    Lewis Hamilton will start seventh on the grid, with Mercedes teammate George Russell beginning just behind in eighth.
    Max Verstappen will be hoping he can get back to winning ways after Carlos Sainz ended his 10-race winning streak last time out in Singapore.
    Today’s race is set to get underway at 6am BST, stay with SunSport’s live blog to keep up to date with all the antics from Japan.
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