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      F1 race director hints at Max Verstappen punishment after Hamilton clash admitting he has NOT yet seen on-board footage

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN could be subject to retrospective punishment once all the footage from the Brazilian Grand Prix is reviewed, F1 race director Michael Masi has confirmed.The contentious issue occurred during lap 48 when Lewis Hamilton attempted to overtake Verstappen.
      Footage of the incident involving Max Verstappen (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right) is set to be reviewedCredit: Splash
      On board footage will be analysed to determine whether Verstappen forced his rival off the trackCredit: Sky Sports
      Verstappen appeared to cut across but officials did not launch an investigation
      The Brit momentarily got the upper hand on his title rival before Verstappen appeared to force him out wide – leaving Mercedes fuming.
      But it was decided an investigation was not necessary based on the footage provided by broadcast cameras.
      However, Verstappen’s on-board footage will now be looked at for the first time, and could have significant ramifications.
      Asked whether he believed that missing footage could be the ‘smoking gun’, Masi replied: “It could be, absolutely.
      “It is only the cameras that are broadcast that are basically what we have access to throughout. It hasn’t been obtained yet. It has been requested.
      “But we didn’t have access to it. It has been downloaded and once the commercial rights holder supplies it, we will have a look.

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      “Absolutely [I will look at it]. We’ve got the forward-facing, the 360… all of the camera angles that we don’t get live will be downloaded and we will have a look at them.”
      Fortunately for Hamilton and Mercedes, the authorities’ reluctance to intervene did not impact the race.
      Hamilton still managed to overtake the Red Bull driver to win in Brazil, closing the gap at the top to 14 points.
      That moment came as extra delight to Mercedes chief Toto Wolff and footage of his reaction has gone viral online.
      After the race he said: “I mean, really wrong defence from Max, absolutely an inch over the limit, but he needed to do that to defend.
      “Lewis just managed it even more brilliantly by avoiding the contact and end the race that way.
      “But that was just over the line, it should have been a five-second penalty at least.
      “Probably Max knew that. Just brushing it under the carpet, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s just laughable.” More

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      How Hamilton can overturn 14-point gap to Verstappen – but might have to win ALL three remaining races to claim F1 title

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      THE Formula One title race is reaching boiling point – just as the season comes to an end with three races in the Middle East heat. Max Verstappen still leads the way on 332.5 points with rival Lewis Hamilton behind on 318.5.
      Max Verstappen is set to battle to the wire with Lewis Hamilton for the F1 world titleCredit: Reuters
      Verstappen has the advantage with races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi
      The Brit closed the gap to 14 points on Sunday with his spectacular win in Sunday’s Sao Paulo GP, storming from tenth on the grid to win by ten seconds.
      That was despite Verstappen dangerously forcing Hamilton wide when he looked to have overtaken – and getting no punishment.
      And it was the 11th time this season the pair have claimed the top two spots on the podium.
      But the reigning champion still has plenty of work to do to overturn the deficit.
      The F1 season goes to Qatar next weekend before a weekend off and then Saudi Arabia and UAE to finish off what has been a spectacular season – with the drama set to go down to the wire.
      SunSport explains how Hamilton can catch Verstappen and win a record-breaking eighth drivers’ world championship…

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      As stated, Verstappen currently holds a 14-point advantage over Hamilton with three races left.
      That means there are 78 points up for grabs for the drivers – 25 for a race win plus the additional point for the fastest lap.
      If Hamilton wins the next two races, collecting 50 points, and Verstappen comes second, adding 36 to his total, they would be absolutely level on 368.5 points with one race to go.
      That would be before the fastest lap is taken into consideration.
      So should Verstappen take one of those fastest laps in Qatar or Saudi, Hamilton would need to get more points than Verstappen in Abu Dhabi.
      Therefore, three wins from the final three races would guarantee the title for Hamilton.
      Should Verstappen win in Qatar, though, he would be 21 points clear with two races to go and therefore finishing second behind Hamilton in both would be enough.
      It could still finish absolutely level on points.
      And in that case, Verstappen would be crowned world champion.
      He currently leads 9-6 – so the Red Bull racer is guaranteed to come out on top if they tie for points.

      And going into the Abu Dhabi race with any advantage, Verstappen would know if neither driver made it to the finish line he would be crowned champion.
      The pair have collided already this season – at Monza where they were both retired and also at Silverstone where the Dutchman crashed into the tyre wall before Sunday’s controversy.
      And Mercedes boss Toto Wolff would not be surprised to see further contact in Abu Dhabi if the title is on the line.
      He said: “If it was to come to the scenario of the last race in Abu Dhabi and they were to be racing each other for the title, whoever is in front is absolutely going to try to do the same as in the Senna-Prost years.

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      “If you are racing for the championship and you see it fading away because the other guy is overtaking you, what tool have you got other than the one that makes sure he can’t overtake?
      “We’ve seen it with Schumacher and Villeneuve, we saw it with Senna and Prost twice.
      “I would never give the instruction to crash into anyone else but if they go to that last race and whoever is in front wins the championship, they will be racing each other, hard.”
      Verstappen has the advantage by 14 points but is closely being chased by his rivalCredit: Reuters
      The pair could go into the final race with the title on the line – and there could be chaos if they collide againCredit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton reacts to his Brazilian GP victory More

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      Bitter F1 rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen unite to pay tribute to Valentino Rossi after MotoGP legend retires

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      F1 TITLE rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have set aside their differences to lead tributes to MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi.The Italian icon called time on his glittering career following the MotoGP season finale at the Valencia Grand Prix.
      MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has called time on his careerCredit: Alamy
      Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to the Italian starCredit: Youtube – MotoGP
      Max Verstappen praised his work with young ridersCredit: Youtube – MotoGP
      Stars of world sport have lined up to pay tribute to the nine-time world champion, who made his MotoGP bow back in 2002.
      And feuding F1 rivals Hamilton and Verstappen are two of the A-List faces to have wished him well in retirement.
      Speaking in a special video compiled by MotoGP, championship leader Verstappen said: “It’s of course very impressive to see your passion for the sport.
      “Also what you are doing with the young talent around you and creating all the opportunity in Italy.”
      Seven-time champion Hamilton simply added: “Thank you Vale, we love you.”
      A host of other global superstars from world sport and beyond also sent messages to the 42-year-old.

      Brazil legend Ronaldo sent Rossi his supportCredit: Youtube – MotoGP
      Brazil legend Ronaldo said: “I remember when you came to the Pinetina and we met each other, you were already a great champion.”
      World Cup winner Gianluigi Buffon said: “Thanks for the emotions you’ve given to motorcycle fans, and to all of Italy.”
      Tennis star Rafael Nadal said: “I want to congratulate you on an amazing career. I’m a great admirer and I wish you all the best.”
      And Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves added: “Ciao Valentino Rossi, the Doctor! Thank you for sharing with us, your fans, all of your beautiful medicine. Your grace, your humour, your fighting spirit and your championship ways.”
      Lewis Hamilton reacts to his Brazilian GP victory More

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      Watch Toto Wolff’s viral reaction to Lewis Hamilton overtaking Max Verstappen at Brazil GP to leave fans in stitches

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      TOTO WOLFF couldn’t hide his raw delight as Lewis Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday.The Mercedes boss, 49, had endured a stressful weekend up to that point – with all decisions having gone against him and his team.

      Toto Wolff celebrates Lewis Hamilton’s incredible overtake
      The moment Hamilton got ahead of title rival VerstappenCredit: Splash
      Hamilton, 36, had to start the race tenth on grid after requiring a change of engine – despite the Red Bulls making tweaks on theirs three weeks in a row.
      The Brit had also been disqualified the previous day for having a rear wing that failed a gap-test by 0.2mm.
      Despite the adversity, the seven-time world champion wasn’t about to let his title slip away without a fight.
      And at the moment he managed to reel the reckless Verstappen in, Wolff fist pumped and pointed in almost anguished-looking pleasure.
      Upon seeing the footage, one fan joked: “I think he wanted to flip the birdie and changed his mind hahaha.”
      While another added: “He really said “Suck it Horner” with that reaction.”

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      The result cut the Dutchman’s lead to just 14 points with three races remaining.
      After the action, Wolff said: “We had a broken part on our rear wing which we couldn’t look at, couldn’t analyse, failed the test, and after disqualified, very harsh.
      “And then you see on the Red Bull repairs, three times in a row on a rear wing whilst being in parc ferme with no consequence.
      “That’s one thing, and obviously that really peaked with the decision in the race, which was, I mean, really wrong defence from Max, absolutely an inch over the limit, but he needed to do that to defend.
      “But that was just over the line, it should have been a five-second penalty at least.Toto Wolff
      “Lewis just managed it even more brilliantly by avoiding the contact and end the race that way.
      “But that was just over the line, it should have been a five-second penalty at least.
      “Probably Max knew that. Just brushing it under the carpet, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s just laughable.”
      He then added, however, that Mercedes would not be contesting any of the stewards’ calls.
      Wolff continued: “Whatever is in the director’s notes, we’re going to accept, I’m also okay if the director’s notes are going to be shredded and we just race hard like we did today, fine.
      “But if the director’s notes say that you cannot push anybody off the track in Mexico, and then obviously that’s valid here too, and then you’re actually being driven off the track, it’s just not very consistent.
      “My discussion with the race director was not broadcasted, but my reaction was. We feel we’ll discuss it behind closed doors.”
      Next up on the calendar is a trip to Qatar this weekend, as the fight for the championship nears its exciting conclusion.
      Lewis Hamilton celebrates with the Merc chiefCredit: Splash

      🏁 F1 2021 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
      Lewis Hamilton reacts to his Brazilian GP victory More

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      Fuming F1 fans claim Verstappen ‘can’t accept being overtaken’ after nail-biting swerve to block Hamilton in Brazil epic

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      F1 FANS have accused Max Verstappen of being a sore loser after his swerve to block Lewis Hamilton’s overtake at the Brazilian Grand Prix.The Red Bull driver was leading on lap 48 when his title rival threatened to pass him on the outside.
      Max Verstappen attempted to hold off Lewis Hamilton on lap 48Credit: Splash
      Rather than let the Mercedes star round him, Verstappen instead forced him off the track in what was deemed a legal move by race stewards.
      But fans were unimpressed with the championship leader and accused him of poor sportsmanship on the famous Interlagos track.
      Fan ‘shepherd015’ wrote on Twitter: “Verstappen is an incredible driver, but sometimes I do question his wheel-to-wheel driving.
      “It’s almost never clean. Look at Ferrari vs McLaren, Lewis vs Checo all thrilling battles but always fair.”
      User ‘The12thdetor’ wrote: There is now absolutely no doubt in my mind that Max Verstappen opened the steering wheel to deliberately force Hamilton off.
      “This guy has the wheel to wheel capabilities of a pufferfish.”

      And ‘Paul23660599’ added: “Verstappen clearly just drives Hamilton off the road. No intention of making the corner.
      “He was hoping for a collision knowing a DNF for both was his best outcome. He’ll never admit it, but he and the rest of us know exactly what was going through his mind. Gloves off!”
      Hamilton eventually passed the Dutchman on lap 59 and went on to take the chequered flag with the Red Bull man in second.
      Victory took seven-time champion Hamilton to just 14 points behind leader Verstappen in the drivers’ standings with three races to go.

      Lewis Hamilton reacts to his Brazilian GP victory More

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      F1 Brazilian Grand Prix LIVE REACTION: Lewis Hamilton jumps NINE places to WIN Sao Paulo race against all odds – updates

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      LEWIS HAMILTON sensationally won the Brazilian Grand Prix after fighting up from 10th on the grid.The Mercedes star overtook championship rival Max Verstappen of Red Bull to keep his title hopes alive.
      Hamilton had been forced to start Saturday’s qualifying sprint race from the pits after his car had been found to breach technical regulations concerning DRS.
      But after putting his car on the fifth row for Sunday’s main event, the Brit drove a sensational race to beat his Dutch rival to the chequered flag.
      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
      HAMILTON: I PASSED GREAT CHALLENGE
      Lewis Hamilton hailed his 101st win as one of his best as he refused to give up the fight for title No.8, writes Ben Hunt.
      Having been disqualified from qualifying for an illegal rear wing, and slapped with a five-place grid penalty for taking a new engine, the brilliant Brit battled back from 10th on the grid to win in Sao Paulo.
      It came on a weekend he was dogged by controversy as tempers between his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and his opposite number at Red Bull, Christian Horner, boiled over.
      On track, there was a simmering battle with Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen, who saw his advantage slashed to 14 points with three races to go.
      Hamilton said: “I feel this has been one of the most, if not the most challenging with the things we have faced this weekend, but in terms of driving, this has maybe been my best.
      “It is easy to get down when you are facing things that can get you down like engine penalties, but everyone just focused on their jobs and stayed positive.
      “It was just down to me to let go of things as quickly as possible and move forward, but did I think we could come from last to first?
      “I did not know what was possible and this is probably one of my best weekends of my career.
      HAMILTON COY OVER NEAR COLLISION
      Race winner Lewis Hamilton and runner-up Max Verstappen nearly touched on Lap 48, which saw the Dutchman evade any penalty despite forcing the Mercedes man off the track.
      It looked a carbon copy of their incident at Silverstone, but fortunately no driver was taken out of the race.
      Hamilton was coy on the flashpoint afterwards, although it would have been a different story had he not passed the Red Bull on lap 59 and gone on to victory in Sao Paulo.
      He added: “I was ahead initially and he held his ground and then we ran out of road.
      “It is hard battling and I would not expect anything less. We didn’t touch wheels, which was good.”
      LEWIS: PERHAPS MY FINEST DRIVE EVER
      Lewis Hamilton hailed his 101st win as one of his best as he refused to give up the fight for title No.8, writes Ben Hunt.
      Having been disqualified from qualifying for an illegal rear wing, and slapped with a five-place grid penalty for taking a new engine, the brilliant Brit battled back from 10th on the grid to win in Sao Paulo.
      It came on a weekend he was dogged by controversy as tempers between his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and his opposite number at Red Bull, Christian Horner, boiled over.
      On track, there was a simmering battle with Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen, who saw his advantage slashed to 14 points with three races to go.
      Hamilton said: “I feel this has been one of the most, if not the most challenging with the things we have faced this weekend, but in terms of driving, this has maybe been my best.
      “It is easy to get down when you are facing things that can get you down like engine penalties, but everyone just focused on their jobs and stayed positive.
      “It was just down to me to let go of things as quickly as possible and move forward, but did I think we could come from last to first?
      “I did not know what was possible and this is probably one of my best weekends of my career.
      “Coming into this weekend I never, ever thought that we would be able to close the gap like we have, and these things that just kept going against us, but I just think it really shows to everyone just never give up,
      “Whatever you’re facing, you’ve just got to keep pushing, keep fighting and never, never stop fighting.”Coming here 19 points behind and only one point ahead in the team’s championship, we really needed a solid result but then we had all these penalties, which just made it…
      “Mentally you could have thought it was over, but nothing is over if you put your mind to it, and we went in fighting, guns blazing.”
      HAMILTON’S SIX OF THE BEST
      LEWIS HAMILTON produced one of the greatest drives in F1 history to claim victory at the Brazil Grand Prix.
      The seven-time champion fought up from 10th on the grid to pass title rival Max Verstappen and keep his championship hopes alive.

      The Brit was forced to come from behind after starting Saturday’s qualifying sprint race from the pits as punishment for a breach of DRS technical regulations.
      But he delivered the win for his Mercedes team with a sensational performance at the storied Interlagos track in Sao Paulo.
      Here SunSport’s Ben Hunt takes a look at how his latest victory – number 101 – stacks up against five of his top drives to date.
      BRITAIN 2008, MCLAREN, WIN 7CHINA 2011, MCLAREN, WIN 15HUNGARY 2013, MERCEDES, WIN 22GERMANY 2018, MERCEDES, WIN 66TURKEY 2020, MERCEDES, WIN 94BRAZIL 2021, MERCEDES, WIN 101
      HERE’S THE FULL LOWDOWN ON THOSE SIX VICTORIES
      BOTTAS UPSET WITH START
      Valtteri Bottas bounced back for third place after being unhappy with his start.
      And he was delighted at Mercedes outscoring Red Bull, thanks to team-mate Lewis Hamilton’s win.
      He said: “The start was quick but I was disappointed with the start, but afterwards the pace was OK.
      “I thought we could have done one stop quite easily, but I am glad we got more points than Red Bull and Lewis did amazingly today.
      “The virtual safety car was in a good place for me for once and we managed to get solid points.”
      MERC REVEL IN HAMILTON WIN
      Mercedes stirred up mixed feelings online with this tweet – seemingly boasting about Lewis Hamilton being penalised and still winning

      HAMILTON: WIN WAS FOR MY DAD
      Lewis Hamilton says his stunning victory in Brazil was for his dad.
      Brit Hamilton, chasing a record-equalling eighth world title, is now just 14 points behind Championship leader Max Verstappen.
      The Mercedes ace said: “I have not had this much support since Silverstone, so to hear the fans it has been humbling.
      “What a race! The team did an amazing job and Valtteri did a great job to get as many points as possible.
      “I just pushed as fast as I could but this is my hardest weekend I have had [this season].
      “My dad reminded me of when I was in F3 in Bahrain, when I started last and finished first – so this is for my dad.
      “I never thought we would close the gap like we did today – just never give up and never stop fighting.”
      MAX: DEFEAT WAS ‘GOOD FUN’
      Red Bull’s Max Verstappen promised to bounce back after describing Lewis Hamilton’s comeback win as a ‘good battle’ and ‘good fun’
      Championship leader and Sau Paulo runner-up Verstappen said: “We tried everything we could today.
      “It was a good battle but at the end we missed a little pace. But it was good fun.
      “We still have a decent lead so today was a bit of damage limitation.
      “I’m confident, in the coming races we will come back stronger.”
      ONE OF HIS BEST EVER WINS?
      It was certainly epic – and perhaps essential to keeping his title chances genuine rather than academic.
      But some are rating Lewis Hamilton’s victory as one of his greatest ever…
      You agree?

      FROM TENTH STARTER TO TENSE WINNER
      Lewis Hamilton’s amazing win from tenth on the grid in Sao Paulo opens up the title race with Max Verstappen as wide as his arms.

      LEW’S CRUISE MAKES WAVES IN CHAMPIONSHIP
      Here’s how Lewis Hamilton celebrated victory in Brazil – and how he saw off Max Verstappen.
      Credit: AFP

      CLOSING THE GAP ON STAPP
      Britain’s world champ and Sao Paulo GP winner Lewis Hamilton is now just 14 points behind title leader Max Verstappen.
      It’s Hamilton’s first win since Russia in September.

      LEW TITLE BOOST
      Lewis Hamilton’s win has certainly reinvigorated the title race.
      But big Red Bull rival Max Verstappen was second, with Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas third.

      HAMILTON WINS THE SAO PAULO GP
      Epic stuff from the Mercedes man.
      Verstappen is second.
      Bottas is third
      Perez fourth and with a point for fastest lap.
      FINAL LAP
      HAMILTON IS BRINGING IT HOME
      THIS HAS BEEN A STONKING RACE
      So much to take in. Merc’s performance here will be a very real concern for Red Bull.
      LAP 69
      Hamilton leads Verstappen by 8.4 seconds.
      Bottas in P3, Perez in P4.
      LAP 62 BOTTAS GETS THE HURRY UP
      The Finn has been told to catch Verstappen.

      TOTO WOLFF THUMPS THE AIR
      The Merc boss takes a lot of satisfaction from seeing Hamilton pass his title rival.
      LAP 59 HAMILTON GETS VERSTAPPEN HE IS IN THE LEAD
      A beautiful move from the world champion, who passes the Dutchman.
      Verstappen was weaving on the straight, earning him a warning from the stewards, but that did not stop Hamilton from taking the lead.

      LAP 54 HAMILTON CLOSING UP TO VERSTAPPEN AGAIN
      This fight is not over. The Merc man is thumping his way towards the Red Bull.
      When he was told Verstappen would not be pushing for “running you off the road”, Hamilton replies: “Of course man, of course.”
      He feels hard-done-by. It is getting spicy.
      NO INVESTIGATION FROM THE FIA
      That is another huge call that favours Verstappen.
      RICCIARDO RETIRES FROM THE RACE
      Stroll is also out of the Sao Paulo GP.
      BOTTAS COULD BE IN THR BOX SEAT
      He is told over the radio: “Things are heating up at the front, there could be penalties incoming.”
      LAP 48 WOW – VERSTAPPEN FORCES HAMILTON WIDE
      The Dutchman pushes Hamilton so wide, they both have to go off track. Merc will claim he ran him off track.
      The stewards might look into that. Crikey, that was just like Silverstone….

      Load more entries… More

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      Lewis Hamilton fined £22,000 for taking off SEAT BELT during sensational Brazilian Grand Prix win

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S has been slapped with a £22,000 fine for taking off his SEAT BELT during his raucous Brazilian Grand Prix celebrations.The seven-time champion fought up from 10th on the grid to take victory at the storied Interlagos circuit after a tumultuous weekend for his Mercedes team.
      Lewis Hamilton has been fined after taking off his seat belt during celebrations in BrazilCredit: AFP
      Hamilton was forced to start Saturday’s sprint qualifying race from the pits as punishment for a technical DRS infringement.
      He managed to finish an astonishing fifth but was then relegated to 10th for Sunday’s main event due to an engine penalty.
      The Brit then produced one of the great F1 drives to overtake his championship rival Max Verstappen and give his title hopes an almighty boost.
      But in his jubilation at taking the chequered flag, Hamilton removed his seat belt for the in-lap as he waved a Brazilian flag above his car.
      And race stewards were unimpressed with the 36-year-old veteran as they called on drivers to set a good example on road safety.
      An F1 statement read: “The driver of car 44, Lewis Hamilton, undid his seat belts on the in-lap at the end of the race.

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      “While the Stewards are sympathetic to the desire to celebrate, it is fundamentally unsafe to undo the seatbelts while the car is in motion.
      “Slow speeds in these cars are very fast for an unrestrained occupant.
      “Further, Formula 1 drivers set the example for junior categories. It is critical that junior category drivers learn the importance of using all the safety devices of the car at all times.”
      Hamilton was slapped with the fine but the race result is unaffected, meaning the deficit to championship leader Verstappen now stands at just 14 points.
      Sebastian Vettel jokes he will ‘touch Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing’ after Brit disqualified from Sao Paulo GP qualifying More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s top six wins after F1 star stuns rivals to win Brazil Grand Prix after starting in tenth

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      LEWIS HAMILTON produced one of the greatest drives in F1 history to claim victory at the Brazil Grand Prix.The seven-time champion fought up from 10th on the grid to pass title rival Max Verstappen and keep his championship hopes alive.
      Lewis Hamilton produced an expert drive to win in Brazil – but where does it rank in his iconic career?Credit: EPA
      The Brit was forced to come from behind after starting Saturday’s qualifying sprint race from the pits as punishment for a breach of DRS technical regulations.
      But he delivered the win for his Mercedes team with a sensational performance at the storied Interlagos track in Sao Paulo.
      Here SunSport takes a look at how his latest victory – number 101 – stacks up against five of his top drives to date.
      BRITAIN 2008, MCLAREN, WIN 7
      Hamilton had an incredible debut season but he won his first title in 2008 and the race that summed up that season best was at Silverstone. In pouring rain, it is one of the best-ever performances in the wet.
      While others went for wet tyres, Hamilton blasted for intermediate tyres. It was ballsy and brilliant and when the others needed to stop later on, he was well clear. He was more than a minute ahead of Nick Heidfeld in second.
      Hamilton triumphed at a sodden Silverstone in 2008Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

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      CHINA 2011, MCLAREN, WIN 15
      He only wins in the best car? Wrong and this proved it. Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel had the better car on this day.
      Hamilton stuck to a three-stop strategy and when he emerged late on with fresh tyres, he blasted his way through the field. He rated it at the time as one of his best-ever performances.
      HUNGARY 2013, MERCEDES, WIN 22
      Oh how we questioned what he was doing, but at the Hungaroring Hamilton finally proved us all wrong. He won his first GP for Mercedes having ditched McLaren.
      He took an unlikely pole and while he did not expect to convert that into a win, he did exactly that. Working his car while preserving tyre life to give his team flexibility to make their pitstops. Nico Roseberg was 11 seconds behind Hamilton after the Brit had taken the victory.
      The Brit beat team-mate Nico Rosberg to the Hungary win in 2013Credit: EPA
      GERMANY 2018, MERCEDES, WIN 66
      A fantastic recovery drive. The previous day in qualifying, Hamilton’s car had hydraulic failure and he sat haunched next to it at the side of the track. He started 14th, well behind Vettel’s Ferrari that was on pole. But as the rain fell during the race, Vettel made a mistake and crashed out.
      Greater drama followed when the Brit made a last-minute decision to cancel a pitstop while Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Räikkönen both stopped for tyres. It was an unthinkable victory.
      TURKEY 2020, MERCEDES, WIN 94
      Hamilton defied the odds, held his nerve and typically over-delivered as he tiptoed through the rain puddles to go from sixth to first.
      While his team-mate, Valtteri Bottas – in an identical car – spun SIX TIMES – Hamilton nursed his intermediate tyres for a staggering 50 laps to win by over 31 seconds to clinch title No.7.
      Hamilton kept his car on the track for victory in Turkey last yearCredit: Reuters
      BRAZIL 2021, MERCEDES, WIN 101
      A sensational performance from Hamilton when his back was up against the wall.
      He recovered a total of 25 places over the course of the weekend to go from last to first over the three days. He defied the odds to remain in the title race.
      Sebastian Vettel jokes he will ‘touch Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing’ after Brit disqualified from Sao Paulo GP qualifying More