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      Lewis Hamilton WINS Brazil GP from tenth in one of the great F1 performances to cut rival Verstappen’s world title lead

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      LEWIS HAMILTON turned in this Senna-sational win in Sao Paulo to finally end the debate on the greatest F1 driver of all time.It was fitting that in this Brazilian GP, set in the home of his boy-hood hero Ayrton Senna, that he would deliver such a performance to cement his place at the top.
      Lewis Hamilton proudly waved the Brazil flag after his victoryCredit: AFP
      Hamilton says the win is among the best of his careerCredit: Getty
      And if anyone thought Hamilton would not fight tooth and nail to defend his title then think again.
      This was brilliant back-to-the-wall stuff as the brilliant Brit defied penalties, sanctions, a rash move from rival Max Verstappen, even a post-race investigation into him removing his seatbelt on his slowdown lap.
      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.

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      “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.”
      Former F1 driver Mark Webber once said that Hamilton created some self-invented heat in order to get the best out of himself.
      This time there was no need for any self invention stuff.
      He had the pent up anger from seeing the previous day’s disqualification for having a rear wing that failed a gap-test by 0.2mm.
      Then there was the incoming five-place grid drop for taking a new engine, a self-inflicted penalty but one Mercedes had to make meaning he started this race in 10th place.
      The Brit started way back in TENTH on the gridCredit: Getty
      Add into the mix the frustration within his own camp at having their rear wing assembly confiscated by the FIA.
      Boss Toto Wolff was understandably furious before a wheel had even turned, telling the FIA – F1’s governing body “they can keep it and cut it into pieces if they want”.
      Wolff’s anger was directed at the FIA, particularly as rivals Red Bull had been granted permission to change their rear wing set-up for the third time in as many races.
      Wolff’s opposite number at Red Bull, Christian Horner replied his team were “perfectly permitted to change it from a reliability point of view”.
      His comment afterwards would have stung Wolff as he quipped: “You have to apply for permission to change it. It is a very different thing to not passing a test.”
      Needle aside, this had an explosive start as Valtteri Bottas delivered what is becoming an increasingly disappointing end to his Mercedes career by losing P1 by turn one.
      Having taken pole, he was quickly leapfrogged by Verstappen and then Red Bull’s Sergio Perez.
      At that point, it looked comfortable for Red Bull as they ran in first and second but the question remained, could Hamilton catch them, even from 10th?
      The answer became clear on the Red Bull pitwall very early. On the first lap, Hamilton was up to sixth and a handful of laps later, Merc were already sacrificing Bottas, as he was told to allow Hamilton to pass and into third.
      A flurry of pitstops shuffled the order until the real drama unfolded on lap 48. Hamilton made his move on Verstappen, who ran the Mercedes wide, so wide they both ended up off track, somehow they avoided making contact.
      Hamilton blasted the move as “crazy” yet a few laps later on being told Verstappen would not be penalised, cynically Hamilton replied “Of course man, of course.”
      Former F1 driver Martin Brundle said he felt “Max was a lucky boy to not get a penalty for that”.
      Wolff however, did not bite his tongue afterwards, questioning how the decisions had all gone against his team over the duration of the weekend.
      He 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.
      “Lewis just managed it even more brilliantly by avoiding 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.”
      With the bite firmly between his teeth, Hamilton finally made his move stick, despite Verstappen’s erratic weaving.
      On lap 59, Hamilton swooped into the lead, having sized-up the move through turns one, two and three before completing the pass on four.
      He then set about keeping ahead of the Dutchman and coasting home for his sixth win of the season.
      Hamilton said: “The team did an amazing job. I was pushing. I was pushing as hard as I could. But from last on the grid and then another five-place penalty was I think the hardest weekend I’ve had.
      “But my dad reminded me of 2004, when I was in Formula 3 in Bahrain, and I started last and I finished 10th, and I finished first. So this one is for my dad.”
      Hamilton overtook championship rival Max VerstappenCredit: Splash
      Verstappen was nonetheless gracious in defeat and had Perez thank for setting the fastest lap to take the bonus point from Hamilton.
      He added: “In the end we just missed a little bit of pace but we gave it all and it was a lot of fun.
      “We still have a good points lead you know, so today was a bit of damage limitation on a weekend where it was a bit difficult for us.
      “But I’m confident that in the coming races we will bounce back.”
      Hamilton celebrated, draped in a Brazilian flag he stopped to receive from a marshal, removing his seat belt, as the fans chanted Senna’s surname.
      And perhaps it was also fitting that in true Senna style there would be yet even more controversy involving the stewards.
      They summoned the race-winner for a hearing into why he removed his safety belt on the slow down lap so he could retrieve the flag.
      Hamilton was slapped with a £4,266 fine for doing so. It seems that rather like Senna, Hamilton doesn’t have much time for the stewards or their decisions.
      Sebastian Vettel jokes he will ‘touch Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing’ after Brit disqualified from Sao Paulo GP qualifying More

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      Motorbike icon Valentino Rossi, 41, retires today after nine MotoGP world titles and 89 Grand Prix wins over 25 years

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      SEVEN-TIME MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has pulled the curtain over his glittering 25-year career after finishing tenth at the Valencia Grand Prix.The 42-year-old made his 432nd Grand Prix start this weekend having amassed a record 115 wins and 235 podium finishes across all classes.
      Rossi finished tenth in his final MotoGP raceCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Rossi is the only rider to win World Championships in four classes: 125, 250, 500 and MotoGPCredit: REUTERS
      Rossi managed 23 successive premier class top-three podiums from the Portuguese GP in 2002 to the South Africa GP in 2004Credit: REUTERS
      The Italian is Yamaha’s most successful rider of all time with 56 race winsCredit: AP
      He has won 115 GP races across the three classesCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Rossi has managed to find himself on the podium an eye-watering 235 timesCredit: AFP
      Reflecting on his career, the Italian said: “I think that the most positive thing in my career is that a lot of people started to follow MotoGP to follow my career from the beginning, and the sport became bigger, more famous in Italy but also all around the world.
      “It’s good to understand that during my career I became something different, something like an icon and this is a great, great pleasure also if for a rider it’s more important what happens on track, the result, everything.”
      Rossi started his career in the 125cc category and won a world title in 1997, followed by the 250cc championship in 1999.
      He moved to the premier class a year later and won seven titles between 2001 and 2009.
      Rossi continued: “I always imagined this presser… this is a strange feeling. I want to keep it normal but that’s not possible. Great emotion right now.”
      The Petronas Yamaha rider said he was disappointed at being unable to add a 10th world title.
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      He added: “I fought a lot for the tenth championship… I was able to race at a good level.
      “My last title in 2009 was a lifetime ago. I would have been happy to win another championship but I cannot complain. I had a great career.”
      Rossi has had a difficult final season, collecting only 38 points and achieving no podium finishes.
      Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo sealed the title ahead of Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last month to become the first Frenchman to win a MotoGP world championship.
      Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton says he will be ‘sad’ to see Rossi retire.
      The Brit described the Italian as a ‘legend’ and hailed his deep ‘passion’ for the sport.
      Speaking to Autosport, Hamilton said: “It’s obviously sad to see Vale stopping but his I think his drive, his approach, just everything he’s everything he’s done has been incredible.
      “The passion that he’s had for so long has shown through. And [he’s] just such a legend – one of the greatest to ever do it, if not the greatest to ever have done it.
      Rossi’s appearance in Valencia will likely be the last time that a rider born in the 1970s will start a Grand PrixCredit: AP
      Rossi managed eight premier class wins on AssenCredit: AP
      The 42-year-old managed ten wins at both Catalunya and AssenCredit: AP
      “So, it’ll just be sad to not be watching the races and seeing him just ride in style as he usually does.
      “But I think it’s a beautiful time for him also – because he’s got a family now he’s growing or starting to build.
      “But I’m grateful I’ve had the privilege to share a really special day with him on track. I’ll always remember that.”
      Rossi won nine world titlesCredit: AFP
      Rossi raced at 38 circuits
      MotoGP’s popularity in Italy grew as he grew into one of the sport’s top starsCredit: EPA
      MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi will retire at end of the season More

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      Sebastian Vettel jokes he will ‘touch Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing’ after Brit disqualified from Sao Paulo GP qualifying

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      FOUR-TIME F1 champions Sebastian Vettel joked he will ‘touch Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing’ after the Brit was disqualified from qualifying in Sao Paulo.The joke comes after title hopeful Max Verstappen was slapped with a hefty £43,000 fine for touching rival Hamilton’s car after finishing behind him in Friday’s session.
      Vettel joked with the idea of touching Hamilton’s car and picking up a hefty fine like Verstappen didCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Hamilton’s car was ultimately deemed to have broken technical regulations concerning DRS, leading to him being forced to start Saturday’s sprint race from the pits.
      But that didn’t stop the seven-time champ as he astonishingly drove his way fifth placed finish in the sprint race.
      He will, however, start Sunday’s Brazilian GP from tenth due to a separate five-place penalty for taking a new engine.
      Vettel joked: “I’m going to touch Hamilton’s rear wing.”
      Members of Aston Martin’s radio team replied: “Don’t you dare. Very Expensive.”
      The German continued: “I’m joking. Maybe I’ll try the front wing, maybe it’s 25 grand.”
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      Although yesterday’s barnstorming drive keeps Hamilton’s hopes of a record eighth title alive, Verstappen has the upper hand.
      The Dutchman starts in P2 behind Valtteri Bottas.
      And with four races to go, the Brit trails Verstappen by 21 points in the driver standings.
      Max Verstappen shows off his new racing helmet ahead of Brazil Grand Prix More

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      Lewis Hamilton defies Brazil DQ with sensational sprint race surge to keep F1 title hopes alive as Wolff turns air blue

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      LEWIS HAMILTON pulled off a dazzling “f*** them all” drive in last night’s Brazilian sprint race to resurrect his hopes of a record-breaking EIGHTH title.Stewards had disqualified him from qualifying after ruling the rear wing of his Mercedes had breached technical regulations and demoted him to the back of the grid.
      Lewis Hamilton surged through the field in Saturday’s sprint race to finish fifthCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lewis Hamilton started from the pit lane in Brazil after being disqualified in qualificationCredit: AFP
      Hamilton’s DRS system was found to breach F1 regulations after Brazil qualifyingCredit: AFP
      But he ripped through the field in the short 24-lap race to finish an astonishing fifth behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
      Delighted team boss Toto Wolff roared: “Amazing job Lewis, f*** them all.” To which, Hamilton replied “Copy, it’s not over yet.”
      Britain’s seven-time world champ will start tenth on the grid for today’s 71-lap Brazilian GP due to a  separate five-place penalty for taking a new engine.
      But his incredible sprint race performance has kept the pressure on bitter title rival Max Verstappen, who will line up on the front row today after finishing second behind Bottas.
      Hamilton had been fastest in Friday’s qualifying, but then was hauled in front of stewards after his rear wing was  adjudged to have exceeded the 85mm limit when open.
       Verstappen, 24, was also quizzed after video footage of him emerged appearing to tamper with both the rear of his own car and Hamilton’s in perc ferme — also in breach of FIA rules.

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      The Red Bull driver was hit with a £42,000 fine  yesterday, but Hamilton, 36, was disqualified in what former F1 driver Martin Brundle described as “a quite brutal” decision.
      However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner declared: “It is the only conclusion the stewards could come to — it is  black and white.
      “People do not design things  to break regulations on purpose because that would be illegal.
      “But it shows Mercedes are on the limit. They are being pushed this year and we are enjoying it.”
      On Verstappen’s fine for touching the cars, he added: “It is ironic because he gets a fine but  then gets a bonus for getting pole.
      “All drivers are inquisitive. We have had drivers pull out clutch panels, while Sebastian Vettel is the king of prodding and poking.
      “We have also seen it with Lewis, poking around their competitors’ cars.”
      Verstappen extended his world championship lead over Hamilton to 21 points.
      In a dig at the stewards’ decision, race engineer Peter Bonnington sarcastically told Hamilton on the radio: “Make sure you don’t touch any of the other cars or check them out in any way.”
      Red Bull star Max Verstappen was caught touching Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes car after qualifying More

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      Max Verstappen fined £43k for TOUCHING F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton’s rear wing after qualifying for Brazil GP

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN was slapped with a £43,000 fine for touching title rival Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes car after qualifying at the Brazilian Grand Prix.Verstappen was caught examining the rear wing of Hamilton’s Mercedes in a fan video which circulated on social media after finishing second to the Brit in Friday’s session.
      Red Bull star Max Verstappen was caught touching Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes carCredit: Twitter
      Fan footage was released showing Max Verstappen examining Lewis Hamilton’s rear wingCredit: Twitter
      Hamilton’s car was ultimately seemed to have broken technical regulations concerning DRS, leading to him being forced to start Saturday’s sprint race from the pits.
      But that did not spare Verstappen, who copped a hefty fine for breaching Parc Ferme rules.
      Rules state that under Parc Ferme, only the officials assigned may enter the paddock and ‘no operation, checking, tuning or repair is allowed unless authorised by the same officials or by the applicable regulations’.
      Verstappen was called to see stewards on Saturday morning in Sao Paulo and was joined by Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
      The meeting lasted less than half an hour and it was confirmed later that the Dutchman has been fined.
      Verstappen could not take full advantage of Hamilton’s disqualification as he was beaten by Valtteri Bottas in Saturday’s 23-lap sprint race – despite being bumped up to pole.

      But two extra world championship points means the Red Bull whizkid now has a 21 point lead over his closest rival in the title standings, with four races left.
      Hamilton, who was forced to start in the pit lane, recovered with a stunning surge through the field to finish an astonishing fifth, keeping his hopes alive.
      Britain’s seven-time world champ will start tenth on the grid for Sunday’s 71-lap race due to a separate five-place penalty for taking a new engine.
      Max Verstappen saw title rival Lewis Hamilton getting disqualified soon afterCredit: Reuters
      Lewis Hamilton enjoys action packed break as F1 ace gets pelted by bugs in jeep in wild ride More

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      F1 Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying LIVE RESULTS: Lewis Hamilton could face DISQUALIFICATION despite being fastest

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      Lewis Hamilton will start in first place for tomorrow’s sprint race after finishing fastest in qualifying..But the Brit will start Sunday’s race in Brazil no higher than sixth after receiving a five-place grid penalty for replacing his internal combustion engine for the second time this season.
      And things may even get worse for Hamilton, with the seven-time world champ facing a possible disqualification if his DRS flap is adjudged to have opened more than the maximum permitted 85 millimetres.

      TODAY: Practice 1: 3.30pm/ Qualifying: 7pm (GMT)
      SATURDAY: Practice 2: 3pm/ Sprint Race: 7pm
      SUNDAY: Race: 5pm
      TV/ live stream: Sky Sports Formula 1

      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
      LEW WHAT?
      Lewis Hamilton could find himself in a spot of bother after his car was reported to stewards for a ‘technical infringement’.
      The Mercedes star qualified for tomorrow’s sprint with the fastest time in Sao Paulo.
      But a supposed issue was detected in his DRS system.
      The FIA’s technical delegate Jo Bauer wrote: “The uppermost rear wing element adjustable positions were checked on car number 44 for compliance with Article 3.6.3 of the 2021 Formula One Technical Regulations. The requirement for the minimum distance was fulfilled.
      “But the requirement for the maximum of 85mm, when the DRS system is deployed and tested in accordance with TD/011-19, were not fulfilled.”
      Hamilton already has a five-grid penalty for Sunday’s race after taking a new engine.
      A Mercedes rep on site was was called to meet with stewards.
      SPRINT TO THE FINISH
      It’s time for the final sprint of the 2021 season tomorrow, and this is how the field line up on the grid.
      What do you reckon, F1 fans?

      QUALIFYING REPORT
      Words here from SunSport’s George Boulton…
      LEWIS HAMILTON stunned Red Bull with his monstrous speed as he will start ahead of Max Verstappen in sprint qualifying on Saturday.
      Hamilton’s fresh Mercedes engine saw him beat Verstappen by a commanding 0.4 seconds.
      The Brit will be out to score a maximum of three points in today’s sprint qualifying as he looks to claw back the 19-point deficit in the championship.
      Hamilton’s five-place engine penalty will not affect sprint qualifying meaning he will fight his title rival on the front row in the sprint before dropping back down the grid for Sunday’s grand prix.
      Hamilton said: “I’m so happy to be back here in Brazil. That’s the first pole in a long time.
      “A big, big thank you to all the team because they’ve been working flat out. It’s been so hard coming from the last race for everyone.
      “Today was a really good qualifying session. I’m really happy with it. We’ve got the penalty tomorrow but we will give it everything we’ve got.”
      Verstappen crucially managed to split the Mercedes’ as Valterri Bottas will start third, which gives Red Bull a fighting chance for Saturday’s sprint.
      The F1 title leader said: “Naturally when they take a new engine they have more power for the weekend.
      “For me it’s not a big shock, I am just happy to be second, that’s a good position to start from.
      “Of course you want to be closer but sometimes you just have to be realistic and there was not much more in it.”
      Lewis Hamilton crushed Friday qualifying to get pole for the sprint in BrazilCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen was not too disappointed to come in second ahead of the weekendCredit: Getty
      ‘NOWHERE NEAR’
      On the 0.4-second advantage over Verstappen, he added: “I’m not sure it will translate to the race.
      “I have been going from P3 trying to make the right changes, the anxiety is crazy. Most of the time I get it wrong, today I got it right and we had purple, purple, purple.
      “I don’t know how they can go 0.5 ahead to 0.4 behind.”
      Asked if Mercedes have got Red Bull rattled, Hamilton said: “No, I’m nowhere near him.”
      MORE FROM LEWIS
      Here’s what Hamilton had to say to Sky Sports: “I loved today for sure. We’re working so hard to get this car right.
      “It’s been real tough to finally get it feeling as it s today, it is testament to the work done in the garage and back home.
      “The last two poles I’ve had I’ve had a penalty. I found out yesterday, I trust the team’s judgement.”
      HORNER HAPPY
      Christian Horner is clearly not too disappointed with today’s performance from his team.
      He keeps his cards close to his chest but second behind Hamilton in the Sprint is enough for pole come Sunday.
      Horner said: “We saw from this morning that Lewis was very, very strong. That fresh engine is obviously pumping out some horsepower for them.
      “I think second was the best we could hope for. To be up there on the front row, we’re okay with that.”
      ‘REALLY HAPPY’
      Here’s what the seven-time champ had to say: “I’m so happy to be back here in Brazil.
      “That’s the first pole in a long time.
      “A big, big thank you to all the team because they’ve been working flat out. It’s been so hard coming from the last race for everyone.
      “Today was a really good qualifying session. I’m really happy with it.
      “We’ve got the penalty tomorrow but we give it everything we’ve got.”
      BITTERSWEET
      Hamilton secures his first qualifying win since Hungary way back in August.
      The irony is that it doesn’t secure a race pole… but a Sprint pole.
      And even if he wins the Sprint, the Brit is getting a five-place grid penalty on Sunday.
      ‘NOT A BIG SHOCK’
      Here’s what Verstappen had to say on Friday’s qualifying then…
      Max said: “When Mercedes take a new engine, naturally they have a bit more power for the weekend.
      “For me it’s not a big shock. I’m just happy to be second.
      “It’s a good position to start from, of course you always want to be closer but sometimes you have to be realistic and there was not much more in it.”
      FINAL STANDINGS
      To confirm, then, this is how the top ten will line up for the Sprint:
      1) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
      2) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
      3) Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
      4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
      5) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
      6) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
      7) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
      8) Lando Norris, McLaren
      9) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
      10) Fernando Alonso, Alpine
      ‘LET’S GO’
      A simple message from a jubilant Lewis Hamilton.
      He is buzzing, shouting: “Let’s go!” down the microphone to his team.
      A friendly fist bump between Max and Lewis.
      LEWIS WINS QUALIFYING
      Verstappen is struggling a bit here through his final lap.
      Hamilton is cruising to winning qualifying – the Brit is flying.
      And he nails a 1:07.934.
      Neither Bottas nor Verstappen can get close, both 0.4 seconds behind.
      But the good news for Red Bull is that Verstappen is second ahead of Bottas – just about keeping within the race limits.
      TWO MINUTES TO GO
      The drivers have popped back into the pits.
      But they are back out again for the final laps.
      Can Verstappen pip Hamilton?
      MAKE IT VER-STOP
      “Front tyres are overheating. Front tyre completely done.”
      That’s the message from Max Verstappen and he does not sound too happy.
      Not great news for the Dutchman…
      HAMILTON QUICKEST
      Hamilton nails a 1:08.107 to go top with Bottas 0.362 seconds behind him in second.
      But Verstappen turns on the pace – and he gets in between the pair.
      That could be crucial in separating the team-mates for the Sprint.
      Hamilton has the quickest of all three sectors so far.
      HAMILTON AWAY
      Here goes Hamilton, then.
      He is putting the pedal to the floor on his quest to finish qualifying on top.
      Sainz and Alonso both go quicker than Leclerc.
      RIVALS RETURN
      Verstappen comes out behind Bottas, who follows Hamilton.
      It’s all very slow and pedestrian at the moment.
      Leclerc is the only one going for it – and he could catch the rest of the pack.
      Q3 UNDERWAY
      The final part of qualifying is underway in Sao Paulo.
      Again, the cars are holding fire for now as they want to maximise performance over the next ten minutes.
      HORNER REFLECTS
      Red Bull boss Christian Horner has had his say on the current state of affairs.
      Here is what he told Sky Sports: “It’s a big margin to Lewis at the moment.
      “He had a good tow on that last lap so that was probably optimum, but that’s going to be very, very tough to beat in Q3.
      “We’re seeing a significant straight-line speed performance and they’re obviously delivering a very good lap time.
      “Over a single lap I think that will be very tough to beat…
      “I think if we can get a car on the front row for the Sprint, right here and now I’d probably take that.”
      Q2 OVER
      Hamilton goes fastest with a 1:08.068 followed by Bottas 0.358 seconds behind and Verstappen third.
      Mercedes, surprising, have the Red Bulls on toast for pace at the moment.
      The five eliminated are Esteban Ocon, Sebastian Vettel, Yuki Tsunoda, Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi.
      ALONSO ON EDGE
      Fernando Alonso is in ninth – and stays ninth.
      But will he be caught with those behind him on their final lap of Q2…?
      THREE MINS LEFT
      Three minutes to go in Q2.
      It is currently Hamilton followed by Verstappen, Bottas, Gasly and Leclerc.
      Vettel among those currently in the bottom five of this 15.
      MORE LIKE IT LEWIS
      And when he does get through the line, it is a 1:08.386 for Hamilton.
      That takes him to the top of the tree for now.
      GAME. ON.
      MAX POWER
      That’s much better from Max Verstappen.
      He flies around to complete a circuit in 1:08.567 and that is easily the fastest time of this qualifying.
      Gasly currently second with Leclerc third and Bottas fourth.
      Hamilton yet to register a time on the board.
      HAM SLAM
      1:08.659 for Hamilton which is the quickest lap…
      But then it gets deleted – he too went over the limit at turn 4.
      He will need to go again to start at the front of the Sprint race.
      Load more entries… More

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      F1 Brazilian Grand Prix sprint qualifying: UK start time, live stream, TV channel, schedule as the Sprint race returns

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      INTERLAGOS is the next track to host one of the most thrilling F1 championships in history as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen go head to head once again.The Dutchman, 24, opened up a 19-point lead over Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ Championship after winning the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend.
      Follow all the action from the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos
      Max Verstappen leads by 19 points at the top
      And reigning champion Hamilton has admitted time is running out to catch up with Verstappen.
      Hamilton, 36, said: “There are still four races to go.
      “But 19 points is a lot of points. And he’s had a lot of wins. If they were to carry that on to the next ones, we will be in trouble.”
      When is the F1 Brazilian Grand Prix?
      The F1 Brazilian Grand Prix takes place from Friday November 12 to Sunday November 14.
      And this time round we get also get the final Sprint Race of the season on Saturday too, which will additional points up for grabs on a bumper weekend.
      That means qualifying takes place on the Friday evening rather than the usual Saturday slot.
      Then it’s lights out on Sunday November 14 at 5pm GMT.
      What TV channel and live stream is F1 Brazilian Grand Prix?
      The F1 Brazilian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 in the UK.
      Sky Sports F1 will be showing the full weekend schedule.
      What is the race schedule?
      Times in GMT
      Friday November 12
      Practice 1: 3.30pm
      Qualifying: 7pm
      Saturday November 13
      Practice 2: 3pm
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      Lewis Hamilton title woe as Brit faces DISQUALIFICATION after trouncing Max Verstappen for Brazilian GP sprint pole

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      LEWIS HAMILTON’S hopes of a record-breaking eighth F1 world title could be up in smoke after a potential breach of the regulations during qualifying in Brazil.The Brit trounced championship rival Max Verstappen in Sao Paolo to earn pole position for Saturday’s sprint race – and a chance to claw back two points.
      Lewis Hamilton crushed Friday qualifying to get pole for the sprint in Brazil but could now start lastCredit: Getty
      Max Verstappen was not too disappointed to come in second ahead of the weekendCredit: Getty
      But Hamilton’s joy was short-lived after news his Mercedes is pending an FIA investigation after it opened more than it should when DRS was activated, giving him an extra burst of speed.
      If Hamilton’s Silver Arrow has breached the technical regulations he could be disqualified.
      This would see him start at the back of the grid for sprint qualifying, which will determine the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
      Hamilton already trails Verstappen by 19 points and the Dutchman could open up a bigger gap on the defending champion if Hamilton is to start the Brazilian Grand Prix from the back of the field.
      The FIA have summoned a representative of Mercedes to the stewards to discuss the incident.
      To add salt to the wounds, Hamilton will also be met with a five-place grid penalty on Sunday after taking on a new engine.

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      Meaning any ground he makes up in the 100km sprint qualifying race will all be undone for the Grand Prix.
      It has overshadowed what appeared to be a turning point for Mercedes in the championship, after Hamilton showed incredible pace to beat Verstappen by 0.4 seconds.
      Before the rear wing was reported to the FIA, Hamilton was amazed to see how much Mercedes had improved since the Mexico GP.
      He said: “We’ve been working so hard to get this car right, it’s been tough.
      “So to finally get the car feeling like it did today, it feels great and it’s just a testament to all the hard work in the garage and at home to try and pull out everything we have in the car.
      “The last two poles I’ve had, I’ve had a penalty. So it’s a bit unfortunate to have the penalty but it is what it is.
      “I don’t know if the pace will translate to the race, but I’ve been going from P3 and I sit there for the whole hour trying to make the right set up changes in practice and the anxiety you get is crazy.
      “A lot of times I get it wrong and today I got it right and the car was really nice to drive.
      “It was everything I wanted and then that enabled me to keep pushing and you could just see purple, purple, purple and I was just gaining each time.
      “I don’t know how we can go from one track where they are half a second ahead to then being behind, but anyway they will be very strong in the race tomorrow and I hope Valtteri [Bottas] gets a good start.”
      Although Verstappen wasn’t shocked to see his rival thriving with his fresh Mercedes-powered engine.
      Verstappen said: “Naturally when they take a new engine they have more power for the weekend.
      “For me it’s not a big shock, I am just happy to be second, that’s a good position to start from.
      “Of course you want to be closer but sometimes you just have to be realistic and there wasn’t much more in it.”
      Hamilton’s ex-team-mate Rosberg reveals why he couldn’t drive two laps in F1 car More