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      F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix LIVE: Verstappen STARTS in 15th while Hamilton looks to win from 7th – latest updates

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      FORMULA ONE returns TODAY with the Saudi Grand Prix – but 2022 winner Max Verstappen has his work cut out.The F1 icon will start down in 15th on the grid due to a faulty car in the qualifier.
      While British superstar Lewis Hamilton is hoping to secure his first triumph of the season from 7th spot.

      Start time: 5pm GMT
      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports F1

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      ‘I don’t feel connected to this car’ – Lewis Hamilton speaks out on Mercedes woes with Wolff understanding if he quits

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is committed to staying with Mercedes — despite another miserable performance.The Brit could only qualify in eighth for today’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but will be promoted to seventh on the grid due to Charles Leclerc’s ten-place engine penalty.
      Lewis Hamilton has reiterated his commitment to MercedesCredit: AFP
      Hamilton, 38, has struggled to get to grips with his new carCredit: AP
      Merc boss Toto Wolff said he would understand if Hamilton wanted to go if they could not give him a car that can win.
      But Hamilton said: “I’m not focused on that — I love this team and I’m so grateful for everyone that’s been on this journey with me.
      “I don’t envisage being anywhere else, I don’t see myself quitting.
      “I wouldn’t say it’s giving me a lot. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. But I am trying to be patient and work with the team to get us to a good place. I couldn’t get any more out of the car today but I must keep trying.”
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      His team-mate George Russell has been promoted to third on the grid for the start.
      Hamilton said: “George did great and is up there on the second row.
      “But I don’t feel connected to this car and no matter what I do, no matter what I change, I can’t get confidence in it.”
      Hamilton has also played down rumours of a rift with his former performance coach Angela Cullen.
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      Sir Lewis has split with performance coach Angela CullenCredit: PA
      The Kiwi was in Bahrain for the season opener with paddock sources claiming they had a fallout but Hamilton insists they are still pals.
      He said: “She’s moved on to a different phase in her life. We’re still super close, she’s texting everyday.
      “She’s massively supportive and I’m massively supportive of her.
      “I’m so grateful to have had her on this journey. She’s one of my closest friends and continues to be.”
      Meanwhile, there were signs world champion Max Verstappen will not get it all his own way this season.
      After his comfortable Bahrain win, Russell predicted the Dutchman could win all 23 races.
      Verstappen had looked untroubled all weekend and was comfortably ahead of the rest of the field in all three practice sessions.
      His best times were almost a second up on the rest of the grid apart from his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, who was still behind him but has now secured pole.
      But he slowed in Q2 and complained he did not have much power.
      As his team tried to resolve the driveshaft issue remotely he was eventually told to pit and they set about frantically working on his car.
      But there was not enough time to fix it and Verstappen was dumped out of qualifying and will start 15th.
      He said: “The car has been really quick all weekend and every time I went out, the car worked really well.
      “I felt comfortable and I’m sure we can move forward.
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      “I do think that trying to win the race is a bit of a stretch because of the management that needs to happen on the tyres.
      “Everyone just seems to drive to a certain pace but we’ll try to recover as much as we can.”
      Max Verstappen was dumped out of qualifying in Q2Credit: Rex More

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      Lewis Hamilton looks relaxed wearing very baggy trousers ahead of Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

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      SIR Lewis Hamilton peaces together what he hopes could be a winning combo ahead of today’s Saudi Arabia F1 GP.The seven-time world champ, 38, sported an all-black outfit of short sleeve-fitted top with loose-fitting cargo pants and big rounded boots.
      Lewis Hamilton was in good spirits as he arrived for qualifying in Saudi ArabiaCredit: Splash
      Hamilton qualified in seventh place for the second Grand Prix of the seasonCredit: AFP
      He rounded off the look with a peace sign as he arrived for qualifying at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit yesterday.
      Sir Lewis was pictured smiling, but wasn’t quite as joyful after only managing seventh place on the grid for today’s race.
      It was at least better than rival Max Verstappen, who could only qualify in 15th.
      Days earlier, the race ace spoke of his unease at human rights violations in the Middle East.
      READ MORE LEWIS HAMILTON
      And this week he split from long-time performance coach Angela Cullen after seven years working together.
      Amid speculation over his Mercedes future, former teammate Heikki Kovalainen has backed him to stay and even win an eighth world title.
      Team supremo Toto Wolff has admitted Mercedes need to provide Hamilton with a car capable of winning.
      Hamilton this week ended his working relationship with his long-time performance coachCredit: Rex More

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      Max Verstappen to start 15th in Saudi Arabia GP after Red Bull breaks down with Hamilton only seventh and Perez on pole

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN will have to start the Saudi Arabia GP at 15th after mechanical problems forced him out of qualifying. The world champion began to have engine problems in Q2 and was forced off the Jeddah Circuit early as a result.
      Max Verstappen’s issues began coming out of turn 10
      He was strong favourite to start the race in pole position, but his early end to qualifying saw his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez secure the spot.
      Verstappen was going strong after Q1, but was limping around the track back to the pits after he reported his issues over the radio.
      The 25-year-old hasn’t given up on the race despite his position on the grid and made that clear when speaking to Sky Sports after qualifying.
      He said: “Now it’s a little bit more tricky to get to the front,
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      “But it’s all about scoring points, it’s a very long season. Of course, I would have hoped to start a bit further up the road but we cannot change that now.
      “Anything is possible at this track. We’ve seen a lot of crazy things, but we also need to stay a little bit realistic. I mean, it’s going to be tough. But we have good pace so, for sure, we’ll move forward.”
      Red Bull have confirmed since the issue was not with the Dutchman’s engine, but rather with the car’s driveshaft.
      Lewis Hamilton will start in seventh tomorrow after today’s qualification with his Mercedes teammate George Russell starting on the second row.
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      Charles Leclerc was second fastest in qualifying, but will have to start tomorrow’s race in 12th spot after a 10-place grid penalty is applied.
      It means Fernando Alonso will line up on the front-row alongside Perez in his Aston Martin.
      With Russel third, Carlos Sainz is fourth for Ferrari.
      Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon, Hamilton, Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg complete the top 10.
      The race takes place tomorrow in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at 5pm UK time. More

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      Max Verstappen in X-rated radio blast as Lando Norris forced to avoid ‘massive’ crash at Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN raged at his Red Bull race engineer after Lando Norris nearly crashed into the back of him during the final practice session in Saudi Arabia.The reigning world champion, 25, was on an out lap in the Middle East on Saturday afternoon as Briton Norris, 23, flew towards him in an attempt to set a fast time.
      Lando Norris nearly crashed into the back of Max VerstappenCredit: Twitter / Sky Sports F1
      “It’s dangerous what these guys are doing…that could have been a massive crash” 📻Lando Norris is not happy over team radio 😡 pic.twitter.com/is2iwDuRYt— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) March 18, 2023

      Verstappen was not happy with his race engineer following the near-miss with NorrisCredit: AFP
      It is up to the teams race engineers to inform drivers to get out of the way for those on hot laps, particularly at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit where visibility can be tricky.
      However, Verstappen’s engineer Gianpiero Lambiase failed to inform the Dutchman that Norris was coming.
      It meant the McLaren driver was forced to swerve out of the way at the last moment to avoid ploughing into the two-time world champion.
      Norris then came on his radio and said: “It’s dangerous what these guys are doing.
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      “That could have been a massive crash.”
      Verstappen was also quick to get onto his team and slam Lambiase for not telling him Norris was coming.
      The Red Bull man simply shouted: “Mate, f***.”
      Recognising his error, Lambiase replied: “Apologies.”
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      Shortly after the incident, Verstappen drove alongside Norris and waved his hand in apology.
      Norris accepted the gesture by waving back.
      Verstappen topped the standings at the end of all three practice sessions in Saudi Arabia.
      And he is primed to build on his win in the season-opener in Bahrain as he bids to extend his early lead in the drivers’ standings.
      Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez finished second in the final practice session ahead of Aston Martin duo Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
      Lewis Hamilton managed fifth for Mercedes, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Norris.
      Verstappen apologised to Norris after the incidentCredit: AFP More

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      F1 introduce bizarre pre-race ban that leaves drivers fuming as Charles Leclerc warns ‘you won’t see me around anymore’

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      FORMULA ONE have introduced a stunning BAN on riding a bike around track before races. Personnel in attendance at F1 races, including drivers, team members and journalists, usually participate in track walks ahead of the weekend’s action.
      Charles Leclerc has been left angry with the bike banCredit: Alamy
      Despite the name, many prefer to do a lap on bikes or scooters due to the long distance often needing to be covered.
      However, this will no longer be possible after event organisers issued a banning order on anything except for walking on track.
      A letter was issued to the teams during the season opener in Bahrain from Formula One Management.
      It read: “To clarify and to avoid future misunderstanding, the use of any means of transport (bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, e-scooters, etc) is forbidden during the time window stated as ‘Team Track Walks’ on the Event Timetable.
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      “No exceptions will be allowed. This decision has been agreed with the FIA.”
      It means the likes of Lewis Hamilton – often seen zipping around on a scooter – will no longer be able to use them on track walks.
      And the move has left drivers furious, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc declaring he will not be doing track walks anymore.
      He told Autosport: “I didn’t walk around.
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      “And as I think they’ve just issued a new thing where we cannot go around the track with a bicycle you probably won’t see me around the track anymore, and I’ll just watch the videos!”
      The Saudi Arabia Grand Prix’s track walk – a circuit with a distance of 6.174km (3.836 miles) – time was listed as 1pm-4.30pm on Thursday.
      The ban is believed to have been implemented due to the track becoming more hectic, particularly on weekends when F2 and F3 are also in attendance.
      The walk was further compromised by filming from musician Will.I.Am, whose crew shot scenes at various points around the track accompanied by a stationary F1 show car for an upcoming single.
      Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg added: “I wanted to do it now, but they blocked the track, and it’s all gone wrong now! I’ll watch the safety car, and I’ll see it tomorrow.”
      Lewis Hamilton will not be able to zip around on scooters for track walks anymoreCredit: Reuters More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s next move predicted by former team-mate following private chat, with Mercedes ace linked with Ferrari

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S next move has been predicted by former team-mate Heikki Kovalainen.Kovalainen raced alongside Hamilton at McLaren for two years, but struggled to match the Brit’s pace.
      Lewis Hamilton’s next move has been predicted by a former team-mateCredit: Getty
      Heikki Kovalainen raced with Hamilton for two yearsCredit: AFP
      With seven world titles now under his belt, Hamilton is determined to win an eighth.
      However, things are not going to plan at Mercedes after a torrid season last year and a less-than-desirable start to proceedings this time around.
      Indeed, it has even led to team chief Toto Wolff declaring Hamilton can LEAVE if they cannot produce a title-winning car for him.
      This has led to the 38-year-old being linked with a seat at Ferrari, with Hamilton himself admitting he is a fan of the Scuderia.
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      But Kovalainen doesn’t see things turning out this way, revealing a chat the pair had last year.
      He told the Mirror: “Personally, I don’t see that coming – to me, he’s committed to Mercedes.
      “I met him in Hungary last year and we had a good chat there.
      “Without going into detail of what was said in a private conversation, the body language and the feel I got from him, I just felt that this is something that he wants to turn around.”
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      “He wants to turn things around for Mercedes and that’s going to tick another box on his resume – to show that it’s not that he’s only been driving good cars and making the most of the good cars, but that he can actually turn a struggling team around and lead that team.
      “That’s the reason why I’m thinking he’s not going to change.
      “I feel he wants to turn this thing around with Mercedes and then he can show the world that he can turn a struggling team into a winning team again.
      “It’s going to be exciting to watch and I one hundred per cent believe he has the skill and the will.
      “If anyone, he can probably do it.”
      In a radical move, Hamilton has parted ways with long-term performance coach Angela Cullen, who had been by his side for the last seven years.
      Paying tribute, Hamilton wrote: “For the last seven years Angela Cullen has been by my side, pushing me to be the best version of myself.
      “I am a stronger athlete and a better person because of her. So today I hope you’ll join me in wishing her the very best as she takes her next steps to pursue her dreams.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Thank you for everything Ang, I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.”
      Hamilton is back in action this weekend at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

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      Toto Wolff sensationally tells Lewis Hamilton he can QUIT Mercedes and find new team if they can’t provide winning car

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      MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff says he will have “no grouch” if Lewis Hamilton quits Mercedes – IF they can’t deliver him a car capable of winning world titles.Hamilton and Wolff are in negotiations over a new deal, with the Brit racer’s contract set to expire in December.
      Lewis Hamilton has been told he can quit Mercedes if they don’t make a title-winning carCredit: Reuters

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      While no terms have yet been agreed, both are adamant they are committed to extending their partnership.
      However, for the first time, Wolff has admitted that the seven-time world champion could be forced to look elsewhere if he wants a record eighth title.
      He said: “I don’t think that Lewis will leave Mercedes.
      “He’s at the stage of a career where we trust each other, we have formed a great bond among each other and we have no reason to doubt each other, even though this is a difficult spell.
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      “But so nice it will be when we come out of this valley of tears, and come back to solid performances.
      “As a driver, nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship, he needs to make sure that he has the car.
      “And if we cannot demonstrate that we’re able to give him a car in the next couple of years, then he needs to look everywhere.
      “I don’t think he’s doing it at that stage, but I will have no grouch if that happens in a year or two.”
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      Amid Mercedes’ struggles, Hamilton has been linked with a move to a rival constructor, including Ferrari and Red Bull.
      Indeed, the 38-year-old has in the past admitted driving for Ferrari was something he wished to achieve.
      He told Sky Sports Italia: “For many years, when I came to Monza, walking next to the fans… I could hear them saying ‘Come to Ferrari!’
      “This warmed my heart, but it’s pretty amazing that I’ve never driven for Ferrari in so many years. Because it is a dream for anyone, a goal to be achieved.”
      Charles Leclerc has been linked with a sensational swap with HamiltonCredit: AP
      He later added: “It has never really been possible [to drive for Ferrari] and I will never quite know exactly why.
      “I wish them the best and in my near future I will continue to prevent them from winning the world championship.
      “I’ve seen photos of their drivers and red is always red. I have a couple of Ferraris at home. I can drive those, but not the Ferrari F1.”
      Rumours persist that Hamilton could be part of a sensational swap with Ferrari poster boy Charles Leclerc.
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      The 25-year-old Monegasque driver requested an emergency meeting with Ferrari president John Elkann following the Scuderia’s poor Bahrain race.
      Friday practice ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix saw Hamilton’s and Leclerc’s best finishes down at P6 and P9 respectively. More