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      F1 planning radical race start time changes for TV to be flexible in case of severe weather delays

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      FORMULA ONE bosses have opened the door to more flexible race start times to ensure severe weather does not impact future Grands Prix.Last month’s Belgian GP was controversially run for just two laps under the safety car, due to endless downpours over Spa.
      Fans were disappointed by the rain-ruined Belgian Grand PrixCredit: Alamy
      The Formula 3 season decider was then moved back a day at last weekend’s race in Russia, amid predictions of heavy rain.
      Race director Michael Masi has stated that discussions will be held in the coming weeks about making race start times more flexible.
      But he refused to admit that these are a reaction to the Spa debacle, with the F3 move not solely decided by himself.
      On how start times are formulated, Masi said: “I think it’s something that we’re going to be discussing in the coming weeks.
      “We said following Spa that there’s obviously a whole lot of strategic discussions that need to take place between the FIA, F1 and the ten teams, and that’s going to be one of the discussions at the Strategy Group meeting.
      “It’s not just a ‘pluck it out’ scenario, we’re talking about two completely separate governance structures between the three championships.”

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      Teams, fans and F1 drivers have all called for a rethink on how severe weather is dealt with in future races.
      An Alfa Romeo statement after the Belgian GP declared: “The situation would have been dealt with a lot more appropriately by not having at all the ‘race’ we witnessed.
      “This outcome hurts us all, but in particular it hurts fans of the sport, who didn’t get the show they came to see.
      “We hope lessons were learnt yesterday, lessons that will improve the way we operate in the future and that put the supporters of our sport in the position they deserve to be.”
      Former racer and Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle wrote: “The trouble is in Formula One that every rule change always has unintended consequences and opportunities, and so they end up being so convoluted.
      “Every so often they need a reset and that moment is here.”

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      Lewis Hamilton inches from tragedy as Max Verstappen’s car LANDS on him in terrifying Italian GP crash More

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      Lewis Hamilton, 36, reveals retirement thoughts ‘come like a wave’ as he hints at packing in F1 career

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has admitted to ‘often’ considering retirement as he ponders his long-term future in Formula One.After a record-equalling seven world championships, the 36-year-old faces a huge fight to secure the 2021 crown amid his tussle with Max Verstappen.
      Lewis Hamilton has considered waving goodbye to F1
      There have been murmurs around the paddock for years that he will call it quits and focus on other aspects of his life, such as his love of music, when he moves on from motorsport.
      But Hamilton has maintained that he is still fully motivated, while under contract until the end of 2023.
      He told Sky Italia: “That thought often happens to me. It’s like a wave.
      “It comes and goes, there have been many occasions in the last four or five years when I didn’t know if I still wanted to try, to sacrifice myself with training at the expense of my personal life.
      “There are other things I like to do. So many things I would like to try.
      “But on the other hand I tell myself that I am so lucky to be doing this job.

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      “There can still be a lot of time left before retiring. It is a question of finding the balance.
      “I tell myself that if I am still hungry and I train like I’m young, which I am doing, and if I still get great results…
      “If I find myself slowing down, lacking the strength needed to train, and unmotivated, then I’ll know it’s time to stop.”
      Hamilton holds a two-point lead over Verstappen going to the Turkish Grand Prix next month, following a victory at Sochi last time out.

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      Red Bull chiefs expect Lewis Hamilton to be pushed to back of grid More

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      Lewis Hamilton shocked he has never raced for Ferrari during F1 career and admits ‘it’s not really been possible’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has admitted his surprise at never making the move to Ferrari.As the grandest name of Formula One over the decades, the Scuderia have previously employed legends including Michael Schumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio and Fernando Alonso.
      Lewis Hamilton has opened up on his relationship with FerrariCredit: Splash
      But British star Hamilton has never stepped into the famous red overalls, and has not even been close to doing so.
      Links have emerged, most recently amid his domination of the sport with Mercedes when Ferrari was seen as a career swansong for the 36-year-old.
      Yet he is under contract with the German marque until the end of 2023 and has described a switch to the Prancing Horse as ‘never really possible’.
      Speaking to Sky Italia, via GPToday, he noted: “For years, whenever I come to Monza and see the fans, I hear them saying, ‘Come to Ferrari!’.
      “It warms my heart but it’s pretty amazing that I’ve never driven for Ferrari after so many years. Because it’s a dream for everyone, a goal to be achieved.
      “It’s never really been possible and I will never quite know exactly why.

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      “I wish them the best and in the near future I will just have to stop them from winning the world championship instead [laughs].
      “I have a couple of Ferraris at home that I can drive, but not the F1 Ferrari.”
      Hamilton was signed to McLaren from a young age and raced for six years with the British team, winning the 2008 world title.

      McLaren’s decline coincided with old team-mate Fernando Alonso joining Ferrari and a renewal of their fiery relationship was not on the cards.
      In 2013, he replaced Michael Schumacher at Mercedes with the goal of turning the team into serious world title contenders.
      Hamilton achieved that, and then some, swooping to his second crown in his second campaign with the Mercs – leaving Ferrari in his wake to this day.

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      Lewis Hamilton to be pushed to BACK of grid with huge engine penalty this season, Red Bull chiefs expect

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      RED BULL are confident that Lewis Hamilton will be pushed to the back of the grid as his title fight with Max Verstappen reaches its climax.The Dutchman managed to finish second in Sochi on Sunday despite starting from last place.
      Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are hoping for a boost to Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
      Drivers are only allocated three engines for the season, with heavy starting grid penalties handed out for each extra power unit fitted to the car.
      Verstappen crossed the threshold in Russia while Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas started 16th after using his fifth engine.
      And while the Brit is yet to join them, Red Bull boss Helmut Marko has voiced his confidence that it is only a matter of time.
      Marko declared on Sky Sports: “I hope that our information is correct.
      “According to that, Lewis will have to change again. Going from last place on the grid to the podium doesn’t happen that quickly.
      “The upcoming tracks are to our advantage, especially because of the altitude in Brazil or Mexico. We need to win again now, but feel strong enough and attack again.”

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      Despite losing his championship lead, Verstappen’s run to second in the Russian rain was considered a vital recovery by Red Bull – particularly with Bottas failing to hold up the title contender before finishing fifth.
      Team principal Christian Horner believes Bottas’ latest penalty, which led to the Finn cracking a joke at his team’s expense, is a bad sign for Hamilton.
      He said: “We’re not privy to that kind of information.
      “But you’d assume that [with] the amount of Mercedes engines that are being changed in their sister cars and customer teams, you’d expect potentially for there to be a penalty.
      “But obviously we can’t rely on it.”
      Unlike Verstappen and Bottas, Hamilton has not lost an engine to a crash.
      Right now my I’m trying to treat my engines with absolute care when I’m driving.Lewis Hamilton
      One of the Red Bull’s power units suffered a crack in his shunt with the 36-year-old at Silverstone.
      But Hamilton is nonetheless having to nurse his remaining rotation of two power units, having been forced to bin one in Zandvoort.
      He said after qualifying on Saturday: “In terms of engines, I have absolutely no idea.
      “Of course I’ve lost one engine, Valtteri’s had several. And there’s been others that Mercedes have seen up and down the paddock.
      “So right now my I’m trying to treat my engines, the ones that we put in, with absolute care when I’m driving.
      “In terms of how much I’m gassing it, how much I’m revving the thing, revving the nuts off it, just really trying to minimise the laps that I do. But who knows? I can’t control the future.”
      Hamilton carries his two-point lead in the championship to Turkey next month with only seven races to go in the 2021 season.
      Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted that the team is itself uncertain over whether a grid penalty will have to be swallowed.

      Toto Wolff cannot rule out a penalty for HamiltonCredit: Splash
      Veteran star Hamilton claimed an important win in RussiaCredit: PA
      He accepted: “That’s why we’re having a few balls in the air.
      “Because you need to have the right balance between making sure that you really sort out all the gremlins that you have in the power unit, not only for this year but also for next year’s power unit.
      “Definitely, we are in a phase of assessment on how to continue the season in terms of power units.”

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      Lewis Hamilton inches from tragedy as Max Verstappen’s car LANDS on him in terrifying Italian GP crash More

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      Lewis Hamilton reveals inspiration behind 100th F1 Grand Prix win – pep talk by his dad before Russian race

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has revealed the inspiration behind his 100th victory in Formula One – a pep-talk with his dad the night before the Russian Grand Prix.The seven-time world champion notched the historic landmark in Sochi but was made to work hard for his all-important victory that also restores his advantage in the championship.
      Lewis Hamilton took his 100th career F1 win after a pep talk with his dadCredit: Getty
      But it came after a sloppy qualifying session where he crashed TWICE – once in the pitlane – to leave him starting the race in fourth-place.
      But Hamilton turned in an excellent performance in tricky conditions to reach the top-step of the podium for the first time since July thanks to a chat with dad, Anthony.
      He said: “[The night before], just the same as the first race I had or the first championship I fought in when I was eight, my dad was messaging or calling me.
      “He has always been that one reassuring me and continuing to support me. There were moments where I didn’t even know that if [winning his 100th race] was going to happen.
      “So, I feel incredibly grateful for the amazing support I have had. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
      Hamilton was also quick to thank a number of his inner sanctum, namely Angela Cullen his physio and performance coach, and his assistant, Ellen Kolby, who worked with Hamilton at McLaren and has been with him for every one of his 100 F1 victories.

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      He added: “Obviously you’ve got Angela, you’ve got Ellen, you’ve got Omar my driver in the UK, you’ve got Lloyd who’s here with me, my security.
      “Honestly there are too many to name, but ones that have been with me since 18 years. Just forever grateful to them for their continued support and belief in me.”
      Meanwhile, despite regaining the lead in the championship, Hamilton is bracing himself for a tough end to the campaign in his battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
      The seven remaining races are stacked in the Dutchman’s favour after he took a new engine in Russia while Hamilton could require a new engine soon, triggering a grid penalty.
      I think they’ve got a good set of circuits coming up and I anticipate it will just continue to be really close between us.Lewis Hamilton
      When quizzed about his chance of winning a record eighth world title, Hamilton said: “Undoubtedly it’s going to be tough.
      “For two thirds of the season so far Red Bull have had the edge. However, it’s obviously been difficult, with all sorts of things, curveballs sent to both of us and our teams.
      “There’s still everything to play for in these next races.
      “I think they’ve got a good set of circuits coming up and I anticipate it will just continue to be really close between us. Just got to be hopeful of some good races.”

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      Lando Norris takes shock pole for Russian Grand Prix after Lewis Hamilton crashes into pit wall More

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      Valtteri Bottas pokes fun at Mercedes team and F1 engineers with cheeky Instagram post after Russian GP issues

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      VALTTERI BOTTAS has poked fun at his Mercedes team after posting a cheeky message on social media.The Finn, who will leave the team at the end of the season after Merc failed to offer him a new deal, reposted an image on Instagram that could have upset his bosses.
      Valtteri Bottas poked fun at his engine woe with an Instagram post
      Bottas used a photoshopped image of himself smiling in front of a pile of scrap metal and the line ‘just a picture of Valtteri with all his engines’.
      It comes after the 32-year-old was demoted to the back of the grid for Sunday’s Russian GP for using his FIFTH engine of the year.
      F1 rules only permit three engines per driver per season and, should they take more than their stipulated allocation, are immediately punished with grid penalties.
      Bottas finished the race in fifth place while team-mate Lewis Hamilton took his 100th victory in F1.
      However, SunSport has learned that the team will not be taking the matter up with Bottas, although his performance in Russia was heavily criticised.
      He spent the majority of the race trundling around in 14th until a late rain shower mixed up the order with quick-thinking Merc strategists calling him in for tyres at the right time.

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      But his failure to put up any sort of a fight to prevent Hamilton’s title rival, Max Verstappen, from going from dead last to second place drew plenty of criticism.
      The Dutchman breezed past Bottas unopposed, raising plenty of eyebrows by not trying to stop him.
      Damon Hill said: “You can’t get away from the fact that the guy who came second started the race behind him and his team-mate won the race.
      “Valtteri, in the race, we were expecting him to put up a little bit of a defence to fight the Mercedes corner against the Red Bull team and Verstappen, but he seemed to just wave him through.
      Valtteri Bottas failed to put up a fight against Max Verstappen on SundayCredit: Rex
      “Maybe he just didn’t want any trouble. It doesn’t look like he is racing. It was almost like a gift to Max.”
      Bottas will be replaced by George Russell next season but Merc will not be rushed in to replacing him early.
      Despite the likes of Stoffel Vandoorne and Formula E champion Nyck de Vries being available to them, Merc say they will not change their driver line-up midseason.

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      Watch F1 star Sebastian Vettel run to get fire extinguisher after smoke rises from his Aston Martin on Belgian GP track More

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      F1 Russian Grand Prix build-up LIVE: Norris leads Hamilton in dramatic end to race as track slippery with rain

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has won a thrilling Russian Grand Prix in a crazy, rain-soaked finale.The track had been dry for the best part of 48 laps but rain drenched the track in the last five laps.
      Stubborn leader Lando Norris insisted on staying on the track, but his tyres could not handle the slippery tarmac.
      Hamilton, who pitted for new tyres, took advantage and reeled his fellow Brit in in no time, as Norris slid off the track for an easy overtake for the champ.
      And it resulted in 100 GRAND PRIX WINS for Hamilton, a stunning achievement in his trophy-laden career.
      Max Verstappen did an outstanding job as well, coming from the back of the field to surge into second on the last lap, thanks in part to Norris’ blunder.
      Follow ALL the latest with our live blog below…
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      HAMILTON: ‘TEAM MADE THE RIGHT CALL’
      “What a race the weather provided. It’s taken a long time to get to 100 and I wasn’t sure it would come.
      “Lando did such an amazing job, he had incredible pace and is doing such a great job for McLaren. It was bittersweet to see my old team ahead and they’re doing fantastically.
      “The team made a great call right at the end. I didn’t want to let Lando go and I didn’t know what the weather was doing. I’m incredibly grateful to all these men and women here and back at the factory.
      “Going to bed last night I was not the happiest with the job I did yesterday. I watched the replay and they were subtle mistakes but not ideal. I was so determined when I woke up this morning and I was determined to just do the best job I could. I lost a lot of ground at the start trying to stay out of trouble.
      “Max must’ve done a really great job to come up to second from last. We’ve got our work cut out.
      “It would’ve been tough to get past Lando unless we came up to some traffic or he made a mistake, which he hasn’t been doing, so then the rain came and it was very opportunistic.”
      BIG DAY FOR MAX VERSTAPPEN
      After aiming for damage limitation, Verstappen stormed from last palce to second.
      He said: “We will definitely take that one.
      “Wow, OK that was in the end a good call. We didn’t lose too many points today so that is really really good.”
      HAMILTON ON HIS MILESTONE VICTORY
      Hamilton: “Great effort guys. That was hard work, it’s taken a long time to get that 100 but so grateful to all of you.
      “Fantastic call on the rain tyres.”
      TEARS AT MCLAREN
      There is absolute heartbreak at McLaren, on what has been a cruel afternoon for Norris.
      Norris could also pick up a penalty after sliding and cutting across the pit lane entry on his way to the pits.

      LEWIS HAMILTON WINS HIS 100TH F1 RACE!!!!

      Hamilton
      Verstappen
      Sainz
      Ricciardo
      Bottas
      Alonso
      Raikkonen
      Norris
      Perez
      Russell

      FINAL LAP

      Hamilton
      Verstappen
      Sainz
      Ricciardo
      Bottas
      Norris

      NORRIS FINALLY LIMPS INTO THE PITS
      Norris just about manages to navigate his way round the track in the heavy rain for new tyres.
      VERSTAPPEN WILL MOVE UP TO SECOND
      Verstappen will have gone from last on the grid to second place once Norris has pitted.
      NORRIS SPINS OFF THE TRACK!
      Hamilton swoops in tot ake the lead of the race.
      It’s heartbreak for Norris who spun out, but was able to get back out on the track.

      HAMILTON’S GAP TO NORRIS IS 18 SECONDS
      Norris is tip toeing all over the track… Hamilton is told Norris will be in trouble if he doesn’t switch his tyres.
      Two laps remain.
      HAMILTON PITS – NORRIS STAY OUT!
      Mercedes tell him Hamilton, more rain is coming after the Brit says “there’s no more rain”.
      Norris tells his team to commit to the dry tyres, as his rival for the race win pits.
      ‘SHUT UP!’
      Norris screams to his team telling them to keep out of his ear, after they inform him where the tracvk is getting slippy.
      RICCIARDO, SAINZ AND VERSTAPPEN PIT
      This is chaos!
      STROLL PITS FIRST – HAMILTON IGNORES TEAM
      Norris has gone wide again!
      Hamilton is told to pit but he ignores the team as he says ‘it’s slippery but it’s not raining much’
      ‘RAIN WILL GET WORSE’
      Vettel is told the rain will get worse before it gets worse.
      NORRIS GOES WIDE AS HAMILTON PRESSES ON
      Norris went wide as the track begins to get slippery.
      Norris is able to come back on the track and maintain his lead.
      Hamilton is now all over the back of Norris.
      DO YOU PIT FOR INTERMEDIATES?
      It’s a headache for the whole field….
      Sainz says “”Be ready with inters… or warm softs.”
      RAIN ON TRACK
      George Russell says: “Spots of rain at Turn 10.”
      Before Mercedes tell Hamilton: “Risk of rain increasing.”
      Fans begin to put their umbrellas up as we’re expecting big drama in the remaining laps.
      HAMILTON NOW HAS DRS – LAP 44/53
      The two are split by under one second as we have less than ten laps remaining.
      RAIN IS STILL LOOMING
      Merc say: “Lewis there is still the threat of rain towards the end”
      Before telling Bottas: “Threat of rain in five to 10 minutes”
      NORRIS RESPONDS WITH A FASTEST LAP
      He is trying his best to keep Hamilton at bay.
      Earlier in the race Hamilton struggled against the other McLaren, as he was stuck behind Ricciardo in the first stint.
      1.9 seconds separate the two.
      LIGHT RAIN IN TEN LAPS – LAP 40/53
      Ferrari tell Leclerc “Expecting light drops in 10 laps.”
      ALONSO PASSES VERSTAPPEN
      Things are even tougher for Verstappen as the Alpine stormed down the inside for an easy overtake on fresher tyres.

      HAMILTON IS 0.8 SECONDS QUICKER THAN NORRIS – LAP 38/53
      Both drivers are quizzing their engineers as they ask about one another’s lap times.
      NORRIS TAKES THE LIEAD
      Perez and Alonso both pit, as Norris takes first place again.
      Norris leads Hamilton by just 2.3 seconds.
      Perez had a shocking stop as he was stationary for 8.9 seconds, meaning he comes in behind Sainz and Ricciardo, in fifth, just ahead of Verstappen.
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      Hamilton wins 100TH F1 Grand Prix with amazing late victory in Sochi to reclaim title lead and deny Norris first win

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      LEWIS HAMILTON claimed his ‘magical’ 100th Formula One victory on a heartbreaking day for Lando Norris at the Russian Grand Prix.Norris led for the majority of the race after his first career pole but it all went horribly wrong when heavy rain fell in the closing laps of the race.
      Lewis Hamilton has his 100th F1 winCredit: AFP
      He produced a stunning late display to snatch victoryCredit: Getty
      Heavy rain denied Lando Norris his maiden F1 winCredit: EPA
      Mercedes pitted Hamilton against his will in second place for intermediate tyres but Norris’ gamble to stay out didn’t pay off, as he spun in the slippery conditions with two laps remaining.
      Max Verstappen had a remarkable recovery drive as he fought from the back of the grid to finish second, meaning he trails Hamilton by just TWO points in the championship.
      Hamilton was relieved to finally claim his landmark victory after his last win came 70 days ago at the British GP.
      He said: “It’s taken a long time to get to 100 and I wasn’t sure it would come. It’s a magical moment.
      “I could have only ever dreamed of still being here and having this opportunity to be able to win these races and get to drive with such phenomenal talents, this late in my career.
      “Lando did such an amazing job, he had incredible pace and is doing such a great job for McLaren.

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      “It was bittersweet to see my old team ahead and they’re doing fantastically. 
      “The team made a great call right at the end. I didn’t want to let Lando go and I didn’t know what the weather was doing. 
      “I’m incredibly grateful to all these men and women here and back at the factory. 
      “Going to bed last night I was not the happiest with the job I did yesterday. I watched the replay and they were subtle mistakes but not ideal. 
      “I was so determined when I woke up this morning and I was determined to just do the best job I could. 
      “Max must’ve done a really great job to come up to second from last. We’ve got our work cut out. 
      Hamilton congratulated Norris on a superb performanceCredit: Reuters
      “It would’ve been tough to get past Lando unless we came up to some traffic or he made a mistake, which he hasn’t been doing, so then the rain came and it was very opportunistic.”
      Norris was just two laps away from becoming Britain’s youngest ever F1 race winner before the heavens opened.
      The McLaren star was beside himself after he helplessly spun off in slippery conditions while his rivals all pitted for intermediate tyres.
      Norris, 21, said: “I don’t know where to start. I’m unhappy, devastated in a way. We made a call to stay out and we stand by that call.
      “It was the wrong one at the end of the day but I made the decision just as much as the team.
      “It was more that they thought I should box and I decided to stay out. It was my decision, I thought it was the way to go. But it’s just a bit of heartbreak.
      Norris’ wait for a maiden triumph continuesCredit: Getty
      “I felt like I did everything I could, even when it got a bit tricky at the end. I made a couple of mistakes but still kept Lewis behind and managed to pull away a little bit. 
      “A bit of luck like the laps I was out before Lewis boxed was perfectly fine for the tyres I was on and I got told the rain was going to stay the same amount.
      “Had it stayed the same amount we had the right decision, but it obviously got a lot wetter than we as a team expected. 
      “When it’s only two laps to go, when there are 20 to go you’re maybe not as aggressive with decisions. 
      “We did what we thought was right, which I’m happy with. It was wrong at the end of the day but everything until then the guys did an excellent job.
      “I’m happy with everything apart from that one decision which we’ll review and try not to make again.”
      Max Verstappen defied the odds to finish secondCredit: Getty
      Verstappen started at the back of the grid after having a new engine fitted and Red Bull went into the race with a mindset of damage limitation.
      The Dutchman had fought his way up to seventh before the downpour and Red Bull brought him into the pits at the perfect time as he leapfrogged his rivals up into second place.
      Verstappen, 23, said: “With the penalty we had, to only lose one spot is definitely not too bad. 
      “When I woke up this morning I definitely didn’t expect this result.
      “From the back, a lot of things happened on the first lap and first stint. We managed all of that very good and the crucial call to go to the inters worked out.”

      Lando Norris takes shock pole for Russian Grand Prix after Lewis Hamilton crashes into pit wall More