Motorsport

THE F1 roadshow is in Austria this weekend for the Styrian Grand Prix.Champ Lewis Hamilton currently sits 12 points behind Max Verstappen in a thrilling title race.

Practice: FP3 – 11am Saturday
Qualifying: 2pm, Saturday
Race time: 2pm, Sunday
TV/ live stream: Sky Sports F1

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DAN THE MAN
Daniel Ricciardo has reacted to today’s practice…

MERC TO DISCUSS
Lewis Hamilton has started negotiations with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff over a new deal for next season.
The 36-year-old is out of contract at the end of the year after only agreeing a 10-month deal in February, worth around £40million.
The Brit had maintained that he was keeping his options open but has now given a firm indication he wants to continue to fight for championships in 2022.
When quizzed by SunSport as to whether he had started talks with the team, Hamilton said: “We have begun discussions, and, not a lot to say.
“It’s just that we have had discussions and things are positive.”

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Helmut Marko claims Red Bull Racing can go even faster in qualifying for the Styrian Grand Prix than they did in practice.
When asked asked if Mercedes fully opened up its engine in qualifying, he told Motorsport-Magazin.com: “We haven’t turned it up yet either.
He added: “The long runs also looked good.”
DANGEROUS DRIVING
Valtteri Bottas spun his Mercedes in the pit lane during practice for the Styrian Grand Prix this weekend.
He has now been handed a three-place grid drop along with two penalty points on his licence.
The stewards’ verdict said: “When [Bottas] pulled away from his designated pit stop position, he lost control of the car when he turned into the fast lane.
“He oversteered, spun and came to a stop across the fast lane near the McLaren pits.
“During the hearing [Bottas] stated that in the past they have been losing time in the pit departure. So they tried something new, which was to leave in second gear.
“As a result, the wheel spin was much higher and the result unexpected. Therefore he didn’t manage to control the car properly into the fast lane.
“This has to be considered as potentially dangerous driving, especially as personnel were around in the pit lane.”
SPIN OUT
Valtteri Bottas spun his Mercedes in the pit lane during practice for the Styrian Grand Prix this weekend.
Here’s a closer look…

BOTTING HEADS
Valtteri Bottas spun his Mercedes in the pit lane during practice for the Styrian Grand Prix this weekend.
He said: “Yes, I spun.
“We tried something different getting out from the box and it was… yes – there were some variables to what we normally do with the wheelspin and that’s why I spun.
“I would be surprised if there is [a penalty]. It’s a normal mistake, it happens, but yes, I’m sure they’ll understand what happened.”
MORE FROM BEN HUNT
1996 champion Damon Hill says the cracks are beginning to show in Mercedes as they come under pressure from Red Bull.
He told the F1 podcast: “The thing that will become very interesting as we go through this year, is what is going to happen to this harmonious Mercedes team as we get further down the line?
“We know that Christian… there’s no love lost with any of his competitors. He’s quite happy to rib them when it goes wrong.
“I think the Mercedes looked a little bit off balance and a little bit concerned in a way that I’ve never seen them as a team before.”
LEW CAN’T BE SERIOUS
Christian Horner has taken a pop at Lewis Hamilton after the F1 champion raised suspicion over whether Max Verstappen’s Red Bull was legal.
Hamilton repeatedly made reference to Red Bull’s new Honda engine and their superior “straight-line speed” following Verstappen’s win in France.
F1 rules mean that teams must run the same engine specification all season and cannot perform upgrades.
That was confirmed by Merc boss Toto Wolff ahead of the Austrian GP, who also admitted their rivals’ speed was due to better aerodynamics, prompting a reaction from Horner.
The Red Bull boss said: “I think Toto has answered it very well and I think that maybe he should explain it to his driver.
“I listen with interest sometimes to the theories that Lewis has, which are some way from reality.
“We run less drag, less rear wing, and as a result go quicker down the straights sometimes.”
Mercedes and Red Bull have been at loggerheads this season over the legality of wings and tyre pressures as they both look to exploit holes in the rulebook.
And the row continues to rumble on, as Red Bull have lobbied the sport’s governing body, the FIA, to look into Merc’s front wing.
Verstappen told SunSport: “I do think that when you are checking the rear wing, you should also be checking the front wing.
“The front wing has a bigger effect on the car. It’s up to the FIA now to do these checks, because clearly they have done checks on the rear wings.”
TOP TEN FP2
1. VER – 1:05.4122. RIC – Good performance after slow start in McLaren3. OCO4. HAM – Just over three tenths back5. ALO – Second-highest lap count (39)6. VET – Briefly led an Aston Martin one-two as conditions improved7. NOR8. STR9. PER10. GIO
Credit: AP
CHEQUERED FLAG
Well this looked like a session disrupted by downpours as it got underway.
Instead, we saw more pieces of gravel thrown into the air than drops of rain – plus a pit-lane spin from one Valtteri Bottas.
Max Verstappen leads the timesheet having also claimed FP1.
FIVE TO GO
Will anyone come in for a fresh crack at a hot lap?
The conditions have been surprisingly good for the teams to get in some long runs, amid the threat of rain.
STEINER NONPLUSSED
Haas team boss Guenther Steiner tells Sky Sports that Valtteri Bottas’ spin is just ‘one of those things’.
He knows that every driver wants to put rubber down on their pit box to help the grip on their future launches, although spinning off while doing so is not recommended.
MAC ATTACK
McLaren’s pit crew were out as Valtteri Bottas flew past them, sideways.
It was very fortunate that his Mercedes did not collect anybody and race director Michael Masi is told over radio: “That’s absolutely ridiculous, he could have taken our guys out.”
FIFTEEN-POINT TURN
That was Valtteri Bottas getting on the gas as he left the pit lane to get some quick heat into his tyres.
But the wheelspin as he hit the painted tarmac spun his car, which mercifully avoided the walls on both sides.
After a bit of jimmying from his mechanics, the Finn is underway.

OOPSIE
Valtteri Bottas has just spun in the pit lane.
Not a good idea.
GIVES YOU WINGS
Max Verstappen certainly enjoying the Red Bull’s speed this session and is top with a 1:05.412, with Sergio Perez back in ninth.
But the race simulations mean lap counters are also pretty key with the entire pack clocking up 20 times around the Red Bull Ring so far, aside from Nicholas Latifi (17) and Pierre Gasly (zero).
POWER UP
Christian Horner has taken a pop at Lewis Hamilton after the F1 champion raised suspicion over whether Max Verstappen’s Red Bull was legal.
Hamilton repeatedly made reference to Red Bull’s new Honda engine and their superior “straight-line speed” following Verstappen’s win in France.
F1 rules mean that teams must run the same engine specification all season and cannot perform upgrades.
That was confirmed by Merc boss Toto Wolff ahead of the Austrian GP, who also admitted their rivals’ speed was due to better aerodynamics, prompting a reaction from Horner.
The Red Bull boss said: “I think Toto has answered it very well and I think that maybe he should explain it to his driver.
“I listen with interest sometimes to the theories that Lewis has, which are some way from reality.
“We run less drag, less rear wing, and as a result go quicker down the straights sometimes.”
Credit: AFP
RACE RUNS
The fuel is loaded up and tyres pushed to the limit with the pack undertaking race simulations.
They will be very happy to see conditions remain dry for the time being.
TOP TEN AT HALFWAY
1. VER2. RIC3. OCO4. HAM5. ALO6. VET7. NOR8. STR9. PER10. SAI
PAIN IN THE GAS
Nothing from Pierre Gasly this session and his chances of a runout look slim.
A power unit issue is denying us the Frenchman for the time being.
Perhaps Nikita Mazepin was wishing he was back in the pits as he skidded across the gravel after Turn 4, knocking off Carlos Sainz’s naming rights for the bumpy patch.
Credit: Splash
LEW KNOW IT
And there it goes.
Lewis Hamilton bumps downs Sebastian Vettel and takes first with a 1:05.796.
Times are tumbling but the clouds are gathering, so this short period could decide the session with Esteban Ocon now jumping Hamilton.
ASTON’S MERRY WITH GOLD
It’s a one-two for Aston Martin!
The rain has momentarily subsided, the Soft tyres are on and Sebastian Vettel is leading FP2, just ahead of Lance Stroll.
BOTTAS ON THE SOFTS
No Hard tyre nonsense for Valtteri Bottas.
Going straight on the Softs, the Mercedes star looks to be setting a qualifying type hot lap and yet is still slower than Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman remains top despite being on a slower tyre…
Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton is in the pits after tickling Carlos Sainz’s gravel at Turn 4.
Credit: Getty
SAINZ OFF
Carlos Sainz skirts across the gravel after going around Turn 4.
The Spaniard luckily doesn’t collect anyone as he reverses back onto the track with a handful of stones brought back to the pits for his troubles.
MOST DRIVERS OUT NOW
Just Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly yet to hit the track.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner is hanging back from his seat on the pit wall to get a feel for the weather, but Sergio Perez radios in to say the rain is not yet heavy enough to worry about.
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THE F1 roadshow heads to Austria this weekend for the Styrian Grand Prix.Champ Lewis Hamilton currently sits 12 points behind Max Verstappen in a thrilling title race.

Practice: 10.30am & 2pm Friday / 11am Saturday
Qualifying: 2pm, Saturday
Race time: 2pm, Sunday
TV/ live stream: Sky Sports F1

CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: GET £10 FREE BONUS WITH NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
LEW CAN’T BE SERIOUS
Christian Horner has taken a pop at Lewis Hamilton after the F1 champion raised suspicion over whether Max Verstappen’s Red Bull was legal.
Hamilton repeatedly made reference to Red Bull’s new Honda engine and their superior “straight-line speed” following Verstappen’s win in France.
F1 rules mean that teams must run the same engine specification all season and cannot perform upgrades.
That was confirmed by Merc boss Toto Wolff ahead of the Austrian GP, who also admitted their rivals’ speed was due to better aerodynamics, prompting a reaction from Horner.
The Red Bull boss said: “I think Toto has answered it very well and I think that maybe he should explain it to his driver.
“I listen with interest sometimes to the theories that Lewis has, which are some way from reality.
“We run less drag, less rear wing, and as a result go quicker down the straights sometimes.”
Mercedes and Red Bull have been at loggerheads this season over the legality of wings and tyre pressures as they both look to exploit holes in the rulebook.
And the row continues to rumble on, as Red Bull have lobbied the sport’s governing body, the FIA, to look into Merc’s front wing.
Verstappen told SunSport: “I do think that when you are checking the rear wing, you should also be checking the front wing.
“The front wing has a bigger effect on the car. It’s up to the FIA now to do these checks, because clearly they have done checks on the rear wings.”
TOP TEN FP2
1. VER – 1:05.4122. RIC – Good performance after slow start in McLaren3. OCO4. HAM – Just over three tenths back5. ALO – Second-highest lap count (39)6. VET – Briefly led an Aston Martin one-two as conditions improved7. NOR8. STR9. PER10. GIO
Credit: AP
CHEQUERED FLAG
Well this looked like a session disrupted by downpours as it got underway.
Instead, we saw more pieces of gravel thrown into the air than drops of rain – plus a pit-lane spin from one Valtteri Bottas.
Max Verstappen leads the timesheet having also claimed FP1.
FIVE TO GO
Will anyone come in for a fresh crack at a hot lap?
The conditions have been surprisingly good for the teams to get in some long runs, amid the threat of rain.
STEINER NONPLUSSED
Haas team boss Guenther Steiner tells Sky Sports that Valtteri Bottas’ spin is just ‘one of those things’.
He knows that every driver wants to put rubber down on their pit box to help the grip on their future launches, although spinning off while doing so is not recommended.
MAC ATTACK
McLaren’s pit crew were out as Valtteri Bottas flew past them, sideways.
It was very fortunate that his Mercedes did not collect anybody and race director Michael Masi is told over radio: “That’s absolutely ridiculous, he could have taken our guys out.”
FIFTEEN-POINT TURN
That was Valtteri Bottas getting on the gas as he left the pit lane to get some quick heat into his tyres.
But the wheelspin as he hit the painted tarmac spun his car, which mercifully avoided the walls on both sides.
After a bit of jimmying from his mechanics, the Finn is underway.

OOPSIE
Valtteri Bottas has just spun in the pit lane.
Not a good idea.
GIVES YOU WINGS
Max Verstappen certainly enjoying the Red Bull’s speed this session and is top with a 1:05.412, with Sergio Perez back in ninth.
But the race simulations mean lap counters are also pretty key with the entire pack clocking up 20 times around the Red Bull Ring so far, aside from Nicholas Latifi (17) and Pierre Gasly (zero).
POWER UP
Christian Horner has taken a pop at Lewis Hamilton after the F1 champion raised suspicion over whether Max Verstappen’s Red Bull was legal.
Hamilton repeatedly made reference to Red Bull’s new Honda engine and their superior “straight-line speed” following Verstappen’s win in France.
F1 rules mean that teams must run the same engine specification all season and cannot perform upgrades.
That was confirmed by Merc boss Toto Wolff ahead of the Austrian GP, who also admitted their rivals’ speed was due to better aerodynamics, prompting a reaction from Horner.
The Red Bull boss said: “I think Toto has answered it very well and I think that maybe he should explain it to his driver.
“I listen with interest sometimes to the theories that Lewis has, which are some way from reality.
“We run less drag, less rear wing, and as a result go quicker down the straights sometimes.”
Credit: AFP
RACE RUNS
The fuel is loaded up and tyres pushed to the limit with the pack undertaking race simulations.
They will be very happy to see conditions remain dry for the time being.
TOP TEN AT HALFWAY
1. VER2. RIC3. OCO4. HAM5. ALO6. VET7. NOR8. STR9. PER10. SAI
PAIN IN THE GAS
Nothing from Pierre Gasly this session and his chances of a runout look slim.
A power unit issue is denying us the Frenchman for the time being.
Perhaps Nikita Mazepin was wishing he was back in the pits as he skidded across the gravel after Turn 4, knocking off Carlos Sainz’s naming rights for the bumpy patch.
Credit: Splash
LEW KNOW IT
And there it goes.
Lewis Hamilton bumps downs Sebastian Vettel and takes first with a 1:05.796.
Times are tumbling but the clouds are gathering, so this short period could decide the session with Esteban Ocon now jumping Hamilton.
ASTON’S MERRY WITH GOLD
It’s a one-two for Aston Martin!
The rain has momentarily subsided, the Soft tyres are on and Sebastian Vettel is leading FP2, just ahead of Lance Stroll.
BOTTAS ON THE SOFTS
No Hard tyre nonsense for Valtteri Bottas.
Going straight on the Softs, the Mercedes star looks to be setting a qualifying type hot lap and yet is still slower than Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman remains top despite being on a slower tyre…
Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton is in the pits after tickling Carlos Sainz’s gravel at Turn 4.
Credit: Getty
SAINZ OFF
Carlos Sainz skirts across the gravel after going around Turn 4.
The Spaniard luckily doesn’t collect anyone as he reverses back onto the track with a handful of stones brought back to the pits for his troubles.
MOST DRIVERS OUT NOW
Just Valtteri Bottas and Pierre Gasly yet to hit the track.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner is hanging back from his seat on the pit wall to get a feel for the weather, but Sergio Perez radios in to say the rain is not yet heavy enough to worry about.
RAIN IS COMING
Spots of rain noticeable on Max Verstappen’s camera as he races around on the Hards, putting in a 1:06.722 to go top.
Lewis Hamilton is also on the Hards potentially to get some race simulating done before the damp arrives.
AWAY WE GO
It’s dry for FP2 in the Styrian hills of southern Austria – but rain is predicted at some point this session.
FIVE MINUTE WARNING
FP2 is almost upon us at Red Bull Ring…
Stick with us for our (hopefully) uninterrupted coverage!
HIT THE BUTTON
Lewis Hamilton’s biggest challenge in his glittering F1 career could be beating George Russell – according to Jenson Button.
Button said: “It will be a big shift for Lewis to have a young kiddie come to his team who has already proven himself to be very, very quick in that car.
“That is mentally tough. It is going to be a challenge and if Lewis comes out on top, it will be his biggest achievement.
“It’s funny. George jumped into Lewis’ car in Bahrain and Lewis wished him luck. But Lewis didn’t comment at all on social media about how he went in the race because I think he was shocked by how quick he was.
“There is definitely something there and if they are team-mates it is going to be tricky for Lewis which is what we all want to see.
“But it is probably not what Mercedes want. It is much easier having a driver that is not as quick as Lewis in the team as long as he is bringing in the points. But at the moment, that’s the problem – Valtteri isn’t doing that.”
W SERIES UNDERWAY
The first practice session for the 2021 W Series competition has just finished up at Red Bull Ring.
British racer Alice Powell tops the timesheet ahead of Beitske Visser, Sarah Moore and reigning champ Jamie Chadwick.
The W Series is racing this week and next alongside F1, before trips to Silverstone, Hungary, Spa, Zandvoort, Austin and Mexico.

LEW CONCERN
Lewis Hamilton has admitted his fears at having 400,000 fans come through the gates at Silverstone next month.
The UK Government gave the green light to a full house for the British Grand Prix BEFORE the expected full reopening of the country, as a test event.
But Hamilton said: “I can’t tell you how excited I am to see people and to see the British crowds because it is the best crowd of the whole year.
“[But] I watch the news so I hear about the cases going up massively in the UK. So, on that side, I worry for people.
“Look, I don’t want to turn it into a negative. As I said, I am excited to see so many people.
“But I know that UK rates have increased since people are loosening up a little bit and not everyone is vaccinated.
“So, I do worry about people. It feels a bit premature to me. But it’s not my choice if people go there. I hope we learn something from it, and I hope everyone just stays safe, keeps their mask on.”
LIMITLESS
FP1 saw a number of drivers have their times deleted for infringing on track limits.
The final two corners at Red Bull Ring are the particular danger zones this weekend and at least one wheel must be planted on the red-and-white kerbs for the right-handers.

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