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      F1 Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying: UK start time, TV channel and live stream from Sakhir

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      F1 heads to Bahrain for the start of the new season, with Lewis Hamilton looking to be the first driver ever to win eight world championships.The Brit equalled Michael Schumacher’s record last year by winning a seventh title at a canter.
      Lewis Hamilton will be aiming to become the first ever eight-time world champion this yearCredit: Getty
      Get Lewis Hamilton to make PODIUM at F1 Bahrain GP at 20/1!

      The 23-race F1 calendar could be reduced or expanded this season, but there is no doubting Hamilton, 36, is top dog.
      What time does the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix Practice start?

      The F1 Bahrain Grand Prix race weekend runs from Friday, March 26 to Sunday, March 28.
      Practice One commences at 11.30am UK time on Friday.
      Practice Two then follows at 3pm UK time, with a third practice on Saturday at 12pm before qualifying.

      What TV channel is the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix on and can I live stream it?

      The F1 Bahrain Grand Prix is live on Sky Sports F1.
      To stream the race live, head to your Sky Go app.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass.
      Friday coverage commences at 11am and finishes at 4.30pm.
      Saturday coverage commences at 11.45am and finishes at 4.30pm.
      Sunday coverage commences at 2.30pm and finishes at 6pm.

      F1 Bahrain Grand Prix schedule
      Friday, March 26

      Practice One – 11.30am
      Practice Two – 3pm

      Saturday, March 27

      Practice Three – 12pm
      Qualifying – 3pm

      Sunday, March 28

      Race – 4pm More

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      F1’s 14 father and son duos as Michael Schumacher’s son Mick becomes latest, following Verstappen, Hill and Rosberg

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      LIKE father, like son.There have been a total of 14 previous drivers who have managed to follow their fathers into F1 with some more successfully than others.
      Mick Schumacher is not the only man to follow in his famous father’s F1 footstepsCredit: PA
      Michael Schumacher earned legendary status on the race trackCredit: AFP
      Mick Schumacher is now hoping to make his own impactCredit: AFP
      From Damon Hill to Nico Rosberg and Michael Andretti to Max Verstappen, here SunSport looks at all those who have achieved it.
      TIM PARNELL
      Derbyshire-born racer Tim Parnell only took part in four F1 World Championship Grands Prix, making his debut in July 1959.
      He qualified in two of the races but failed to score a point, racing his in dad’s Reg Parnell Racing Cooper.
      His father, Reg, had only hung up his racing gloves just five years earlier.
      Tim Parnell’s best finish was 10th in the 1961 Italian GP at Monza.
      He would later manage the BRM Formula One team from 1970–74 and after his father’s death in 1964, he took on the running of Reg Parnell Racing.
      Red Parnell took part in seven Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, achieving one podium, and scoring a total of nine championship points.
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      TEDDY PILETTE
      Theodore “Teddy” Pilette raced in four Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, the first on 12 May 1974 with Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham team.
      He is the son of fellow racers André Pilette and grandson of Théodore Pilette, he started his career in go-karts but his F1 career was brief.
      He later worked on the movies ‘Grand Prix’, and ‘Le Mans’ starring Steve McQueen and raced in the British Aurora series.
      His dad, André, raced in 14 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix and made his debut in June 1951.
      DAVID BRABHAM
      The youngest son of three-time Formula One world champion Sir Jack Brabham, David made 30 appearances in F1.
      He made his debut in 1990 with the team bearing his own surname but in truth the car was a dog.
      He returned to F1 in 1994 with the Simtek team but following the death of his teammate Roland Ratzenberger, the team disbanded at the end of the season.
      David would later carve out a successful career in sports cars.
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      Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
      MICHAEL ANDRETTI
      While his dad, Mario, was a huge success in F1, winning the title in 1978, Michael could not get to grips with it.
      He was quick and when he joined McLaren from IndyCarin 1993, it was expected he too would be a hit.
      But one podium in 13 races was a poor return and he quickly went back to the States, where he immediately won upon his return to IndyCar.
      CHRISTIAN FITTIPALDI
      Another driver trying to live up to the mantel set by their world-championship winning father.
      Christian did not enjoy the best of cars, unlikely his dad, Emmerson. However, he did put in some gutsy drives nonetheless in his 40 races for Minardi and Footwork.
      He too later switched to sportscars where he enjoyed more success.
      Damon Hill was the first driver to emulate his father’s achievements by winning an F1 titleCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      DAMON HILL
      The first driver to emulate his father’s achievements by winning an F1 title. Damon’s dad, Graham, won the title twice in 1962 and 1968, while his one and only title was in 1996.
      Damon got to F1 late and made his F1 debut in 1992 aged 31. The following year he was promoted from his role at Williams when Riccardo Patrese left for Benetton.
      Hill raced alongside triple world champion Alain Prost and during the early 1990s and was Michael Schumacher’s main rival.
      Graham Hill won 14 F1 GPs and took 36 podiums in 176 starts between 1958-1975.
      Jim Clark and Graham Hill pictured together back in their heydayCredit: PA:Press Association
      NICO ROSBERG
      Rosberg was already a solid competitor when he was at Williams in 2006 before he was offered the chance to join Mercedes and race alongside Schuamcher.
      Rosberg held his own against the seven-time world champion but it was a different case when he was drawn alongside Lewis Hamilton.
      The two had famously been friends during their karting days but that relationship descended into outright war.
      Their explosive rivalry came to a head in 2016 when he beat Hamilton to the title with Rosberg retiring soon after, such was the strain of beating F1’s most successful driver.
      His dad, Keke, also drove for Williams and won the title in 1982 and took five wins, 17 podiums during his 114 F1 races.
      JACQUES VILLENEUVE
      Jacques Villeneuve made a sensational debut with Williams in 1996 and won the title the following season.
      His bold overtaking and cool-as-a-cucumber approach made him a hero, rather like his dad, Gilles Villeneuve.
      Gilles raced for McLaren and Ferrari and was tragically killed at the 1982 Belgian GP.
      Jacques Villeneuve made a sensational debut with Williams in 1996Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Gilles Villeneuve was tragically killed during the 1982 Belgian GPCredit: Getty
      MARKUS WINKELHOCK
      In his solo F1 appearance, Markus Winkelhock stunned the sport to lead for a few laps at the Nurburgring in 2007driving for Spyker until he was forced to retire with mechanical problems.
      It was something his father Manfred failed to do in his 47 grands prix. Between 1980 and 1985, he drove for Arrows, ATS, Brabham and RAM Racing, with a best finish of fifth at the 1982 Brazilian Grand Prix.
      KAZUKI NAKAJIMA
      Kazuki made his F1 debut in the final race of the 2007 season as a stand-in for Alex Wurz.
      The Japanese driver spent two seasons with Williams but was unable to deliver points like Rosberg, his teammate.
      He has since enjoyed considerable success in the World Endurance Championship for Toyota.
      His father, Satoru, raced 74 times in F1 but was the first Japanese F1 driver to score points at the 1987 San Marino Grand Prix, where he finished sixth despite it being only his second F1 race.

      NELSON PIQUET JR
      Piquet Junior is the son of three-time F1 champion, Nelson Piquet, and made his F1 debut in 2008 with Renault where he was Fernando Alonso’s teammate.
      But his racing career was left in tatters following the crashgate saga at the 2008 Singapore GP where he was ruled to have crashed on purpose on the team’s orders to allow Alonso to win the race.
      He had a stint in NASCAR, Rallycross, won the Formula E title in 2015 and now races Brazilian stock cars.
      KEVIN MAGNUSSEN
      Magnussen enjoyed a sensational debut for McLaren in 2014 where he was on the podium. But sadly, that was as best as it got.
      He endured a frustrating time at the Woking team and then had further hard luck at Renault and then at Haas.
      The Dane has since turned his attention to endurance racing, as his combative style will come in handy.
      His dad, Jan, made one appearance for McLaren in F1 and 23 for Ford. He too turned his attention to sportscars after his F1 career was over.

      MAX VERSTAPPEN
      When Max Verstappen made his F1 debut in 2015, he was just 17. In doing so, he followed his father Jos, into the sport.
      Now with 10 wins in 119 races, it is difficult to think of him as a veteran at only 23-years old.
      Tipped to be a future F1 world champion, he is super-fast and is now cutting out the mistakes that cost him earlier in his career.
      He is fantastic in the wet, ruthless in the dry. And brilliant to watch. His achievements have already surpassed that of his old man, who drove for Benetton, Simtek, Footwork, Tyrrell, Stewart, Arrows and Minardi, achieving two podiums in 106 starts.
      JOLYON PALMER
      Likeable Palmer has not only followed his dad, Jonathan into F1, but he’s also now followed him into the commentary booth working for the BBC.
      He was promoted to F1 in 2016 after winning the GP2 series but over two years at Renault he was unable to match Magnussen or Nico Hulkenberg and quit racing in 2017.
      His dad raced in Formula One between 1983 and 1989 and drove for Tyrrell, Williams, RAM, and Zakspeed. He won 14 championship points from 83 starts.
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      Nine biggest rule changes revealed ahead of new F1 season with radical revamps, faster cars and quicker races

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      IF you listen to most people inside the paddock, there are only small changes to the rulebook for this season.This was supposed to be the radical season that F1’s owners, Liberty Media, had hoped would transform the series.
      A number of rule changes are set to hit F1 this seasonCredit: AFP
      A complete new set of rules that would allow the cars to race closer together and make the sport more competitive again.
      But the Covid-19 pandemic and decrease in revenues across the board saw them correctly delay those plans for 2022.
      As a result, it means this year, the sport will see some carry over aerodynamic parts and car designs, but there are still plenty of new rules to get up to speed with.
      FLOOR IT!
      The biggest change to the aerodynamics is to do with the car’s floor.
      Essentially these have been reduced in size so there is less surface area to generate downforce.
      Last year’s floor were complicated structures that created vortices to suck the car towards the ground.
      In 2021, these floors have to be solid, and cut back at the sides, to reduce their width. The rear diffuser and the brake ducts have also been tweaked.
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      TIGHTER SPENDING
      The introduction of a cost-cap, set at $145million or £106million is an F1 first. That covers the cost of running the F1 team for a season, but it excludes drivers salaries, the three highest-paid members of staff and marketing costs.
      The idea being that it stops the big teams – who normally spend three-times that amount – from gaining an advantage.
      The benefits are that the sport becomes more competitive, it reduces cost to make it more sustainable and finally, has a new business model that would appeal to new investors looking to join the series.  
      Teams are also allowed to run up costs of $45 million or £33million for purchasing new equipment for their factories between now and the end of 2024.
      WEIGHT IS OVER
      The minimum weight of the cars and their power units has increased.
      A car without fuel must weigh a minimum of 752kg this season, up from 746kg the previous year.
      The minimum weight for the engine has also gone up. From 145kg in 2020 to 150kg.

      TESTING TESTING…
      Testing is still limited to young driver tests while there will be a new sliding scale on aerodynamic testing for 2022, based on where a team finishes the 2021 season.
      Those finishing bottom of the constructors’ championship will be given more time in the wind tunnel or using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.
      The idea is they will get a boost in data for their 2022 model allowing them to catch up with the rest of the field.
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      NO COPYING
      After last year’s pink Mercedes, the rules have been adjusted to stop teams from blatantly copying another design.
      The FIA state that copy-cat designs can only be achieved through conventional images.
      As a result, the use of 3D cameras to photograph a rival’s car is banned, along with agreements to share car designs.
      It would not be a new season without a new set of tyre rulesCredit: AFP
      TYRE TALK
      It would not be a new F1 season without a new set of tyre rules. Thankfully, for 2021, the changes are pretty simple.
      Pirelli will bring longer-lasting tyres in 2021 following the three blowouts at the British GP where Lewis Hamilton crossed the line on three wheels.
      Another change is that Pirelli will now supply all drivers with the same allocation, rather than the team’s picking their selection.
      So each driver will get a standard requirement of two sets of hard tyres, three sets of mediums and eight sets of softs per race weekend.
      DAS GET THE BOOT
      Mercedes’ clever DAS system has been outlawed. Remember it was the perascore design that allowed their drivers to pull the steering wheel forward to change the tyres’ pitch.
      The Dual Axis Steering system was hailed as a genius design, as it allowed the Merc drivers to heat and cool their tyres accordingly to preserve their life span and performance.
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      EXHAUSTING
      Exhaust systems join the list of components that incur penalties when changed, Each driver is allowed eight per year; a ninth would trigger a grid penalty. It follows on from the penalties issued whenever a driver is forced to take more than his allocated components of engines (ICE) (three per season), motor generator units-heat (MGU-H) (three), motor generator units-kinetic (MGU-K) (three), turbochargers (TC) (three), energy stores (ES) (two) and control electronics (CE) (two).
      TIME REDUCED
      Another move to cut costs, all practice sessions are set at 60 minutes, rather than 90.
      The hour reduction will force teams to use the track time they have, making it more exciting for the spectators and harder for them to dial their cars into the sweetspots. The maximum race time, including suspensions, has also been cut from four hours to three.
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      Bernie Ecclestone’s family tree, from baby son Ace’s half-sister Deborah, 66, to former F1 boss’ seven grandchildren

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      LAST summer, Bernie Ecclestone became a father for the fourth time at the grand old age of 89.The ex-Formula 1 boss and his third wife Fabiana, 45, welcomed baby Ace into their extravagant world in July 2020.
      Bernie Ecclestone became a father in 2020 at the age of 89Credit: Getty – Contributor
      The new arrival makes for a remarkable family tree – starting with Bernie at the top, his children and then his grandchildren.
      SunSport breaks it down for you, in full.
      BERNIE ECCLESTONE, 90
      The patriarch of the family, Bernie was born in Suffolk in 1930.
      Worth £2.5billion, Ecclestone had been associated with F1 since the 1950s – during the 1958 season he entered two Grand Prix races, but failed to qualify for either.
      In 1972 he became a team-owner, acquiring Brabham, which he ran for 15 years.
      Two years later, Ecclestone formed the Formula One Constructors Association, emerging as chief executive in 1978.
      In 2017, Bernie was removed from his position after the Formula One Group was taken over by Liberty Media.
      Not bad for the son of a fisherman, who left Dartford West Central Secondary School at 16 and first worked as an assistant in a chemical laboratory testing gas purity.
      Ecclestone shares a thought with Lewis HamiltonCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Niki Lauda, right, drove for Ecclestone’s Brabham racing teamCredit: Getty – Contributor
      IVY BAMFORD, FIRST WIVE
      Not much is known about Bernie’s early years, when he ran motorcycle shops and car dealerships.
      His first wife, a local girl called Ivy, was believed to be two years older than the businessman when they married in 1952.
      They welcomed daughter Deborah three years later, but the marriage fell to pieces and they drifted apart.
      It’s unknown if Ivy, who would be 91 today, is alive.
      SLAVICA RADIC, WIFE NO2
      Bernie married the 6ft 2in former Armani model Slavica in 1985, three years after they met at a promotional event at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
      Despite the height difference (Slavica stands a foot taller than Bernie), a language barrier, and an age gap of 28 years they remained married for 23 years.
      In 2009, she topped the Sunday Times’ Rich List in the “richest divorcees” category – getting a reported £740million settlement.
      They have two daughters, Tamara and Petra.
      Wife No2 Slavica Radic stands 6ft 2in tallCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Radic, the mother of Petra and Tamara Ecclestone, was a former Armani modelCredit: Getty Images
      In a divorce settlement Radic received a reported £740million payoutCredit: GC Images – Getty
      FABIANA FLOSI, WIFE NO3
      Not much is known about the 45-year-old Brazilian.
      But Bernie met Fabiana in 2009 at the World Motor Sport Council, marrying three years later in a private ceremony at their £23million Swiss chalet in Gstaad.
      She helps run his coffee plantation in Brazil, where their brand Celebrity Coffee is produced.
      In 2016, her mum Aparecida Schunk was kidnapped and a ransom of £28million was demanded.
      Nine days later, she was found safe.
      Last week, they welcomed their first son together, baby Ace.
      Bernie Ecclestone met Fabiana in 2009Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      45-year-old Fabiana hails from BrazilCredit: fabianaecclestone/Instagram
      Fabiana helps Bernie run his coffee plantation in South AmericaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      DEBORAH, ELDEST DAUGHTER, 66
      Deborah has preferred to stay out of the limelight, despite her famous family connection.
      The only child from Bernie’s first marriage, she is said to have followed her dad into business.
      It is believed she has two children of her own.
      However, their names and ages are unknown.
      TAMARA, 37
      Bernie’s first child with Slavica, Tamara has dabbled with modelling, presenting and reality TV.
      For the 2009 F1 season, she presented motorsport coverage for Sky Sports Italia.
      In 2011 she starred in Tamara Ecclestone: Billion $$$ Girl on Channel 5 and then in ITVBe’s Tamara’s World in 2017.
      In-between, the brunette beauty appeared nude in Playboy magazine.
      Brunette beauty Tamara once appeared in Playboy magazineCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Bernie and Tamara share a tight bond
      Tamara Ecclestone lives with her family in a £70m West London homeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      She has one daughter, Sophia, 6, from her seven year marriage to Jay Rutland.
      They live in a lavish £70million mansion, a stones throwaway from Kensington Palace.PETRA, 32
      Arguably the more famous of Bernie’s socialite daughters with Slavica, Petra is now based in Los Angeles.
      At 19, she launched menswear label FORM, which was sold in Harrods.

      Her personal life was splashed across the front pages after an acrimonious £5.5 billion divorce row with ex-husband James Stunt, who she split with in 2017.
      She was granted sole custody of their three children, Lavinia, 7, and twins James and Andrew, both 5.
      And last May, Petra gave birth to a baby girl with fiancé Sam Palmer, but has remained tight-lipped on her name, which gives Bernie seven grandchildren ALL younger than his latest child.
      Petra Ecclestone is now based in Los AngelesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Petra had an acrimonious divorce from James Stunt in 2017Credit: twitter/Petra Stunt
      Petra has four children, giving Bernie seven grandchildren in totalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      I want to be a dad again at 90 and I don’t need Viagra, says ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone More

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      Inside Jenson Button’s amazing £8m LA home he shares with model fiancee that boasts a home cinema and is listed for sale

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      JENSON BUTTON and his model fiancée have put their stunning £8million Los Angeles mansion back on the market just a year after buying the place.The Formula One legend, 41, and Brittny Ward, 30, splashed out £6.6m on the incomplete luxury pad in the Bel Air region of the city.
      Jenson Button and Brittny Ward have put their luxury mansion back on the marketCredit: BackGrid
      The stunning house has plenty of awesome rooms including this home cinemaCredit: BackGrid
      The couple only bought the incomplete place a year ago before getting it finished up but are now hoping to move onCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But now all finished, it is up for sale again with a guide price of £8m.
      And whoever does stump up the cash for the gorgeous home is in for a real treat.
      Measuring 8,000sq ft, the house – described as a mix of vintage and contemporary design – has no fewer than six bedrooms, including one gigantic master suite.
      And there will be no waiting for the bathroom to be free because there are six ‘full’ ones to choose from, plus an additional two ‘half’ bathrooms.
      But as well as the kitchen with not one but two islands and spacious family and breakfast rooms, the real excitement comes elsewhere: the bar and home cinema.
      That’s right, 2009 world champion Button spared no expenses by getting the builders to put in a fully-fitted home bar complete with climate-controlled wine storage as well as a brilliant entertainment room.
      The massive TV screen and comfy, tiered sofa seating is the perfect setting for a movie night – or to watch Lewis Hamilton and Co racing around the track in the F1 season.
      Button may not be under the same pressure to keep in such pristine physical condition these days – but he and Ward are taking no chances by installing a home gym complete with a treadmill, cross trainer, bike and weights.
      The kitchen features not one but two islands – any cook’s dream Credit: BackGrid
      The kitchen is completed with chic charcoal cupboards and matching islandCredit: BackGrid
      There is plenty of room in this bathroom, one of eight in the house, to get all fresh and readyCredit: BackGrid
      The house features a classy blend of vintage and contemporary designsCredit: BackGrid
      The interior is classy throughout – even the utility room and pair of double garages bookending the property – but the garden is just as impressive.
      A perfect lawn any golf course green keeper would be proud of takes a back seat to allow for the swimming pool to be the main focal point.
      With the sun beating down on the garden during the day and the hills to the back providing security and privacy, it really is the perfect spot to relax on a hot Californian afternoon.
      Come the evening, there is plenty of outdoor seating to accommodate a large group of guests, regardless of the occasion.
      Any person owning this place would undoubtedly be desperate to have people over and make full use of the barbecue area.
      But although Button and Ward got the house into fine shape, they have clearly decided they want to move on.
      One of the standout highlights is the professional fully-fitted home barCredit: BackGrid
      Button and Ward will be keeping in shape with the home gym which looks out on to the gardenCredit: BackGrid
      The garden’s focal point is the gorgeous swimming pool with sun loungers. to soak up the Californian raysCredit: BackGrid
      It is the perfect garden to host a dinner party with plenty of outdoor seatingCredit: BackGrid

      The couple, who started dating in 2016, got engaged in June 2018.
      But they have twice had to postpone their wedding day – firstly after unexpectedly falling pregnant with their first child, son Hendrix who was born in 2019, and then due to the coronavirus crisis.
      Back in December, the two welcomed a daughter called Lenny. They plan to finally wed in Italy this year.
      Button and Ward welcomes their first son Hendrix into the world in the summer of 2019Credit: Instagram @brittnyward
      Their rearranged wedding day was once again postponed, this time due to coronavirus, and will now tie the knot in 2021Credit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      Button and Ward started dating in 2016 and got engaged two years later
      The garden basks in the sun during the afternoon and is protected by the hillsCredit: BackGrid
      The outdoor sofa and comfy seats give another more relaxed optionCredit: BackGrid
      There are a total of six bedrooms in the mansionCredit: BackGrid
      The house is situated in the Bel Air region of Los AngelesCredit: BackGrid
      They bought it for £6.66m last year but the guide price is now £8mCredit: BackGrid
      A climate-controlled storage is the perfect extra gimmick for any wine lovers Credit: BackGrid
      Button and Ward no doubt made the most of the barbecue and speakers for a brilliant evening in Credit: BackGrid
      The house measures approximately 8,000sq ft, giving plenty of space for any familyCredit: BackGrid
      The big glass doors and windows allow for plenty of light to flood in during the dayCredit: BackGrid
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      Lewis Hamilton warned Mercedes will NOT wait around to pick F1 driver team for 2022 and will be axed if deal runs out

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has been warned Mercedes won’t hang around in picking their driver line up for 2022.The world champion stalled on agreeing new terms for this season to the point he was eventually out of contract.
      Toto Wolff has warned Lewis Hamilton that Mercedes will not wait around to pick their F1 driver team for 2022Credit: PA
      However, with the sport introducing the biggest rule change in its history next season, Merc boss Toto Wolff is eager to nail-down his driver pairing early.
      It comes after McLaren boss Zak Brown predicted that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen could join the team alongside George Russell in an all-new line up.
      That would mean Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both getting the boot and while Wolff would not be drawn on the speculation, he did admit they needed a quick decision.
      He said: “I want to keep out of the discussion about who is going to drive for Mercedes but we don’t want to leave it until January to confirm our two drivers.
      “Valtteri was pretty regular in terms of the summer announcement last year, which is when it should happen to give the driver some peace of mind and be able to concentrate on the job.
      “Next year, there are a lot of balls in the air and we will always try to do the best for the team in the long term while also giving total loyalty to our current driver line up.
      “We do not doubt Valtteri or Lewis but obviously discussions are going to happen but not in January next year.”
      Hamilton, who only agreed a 10-month deal with Merc, said on Thursday that this year did not ‘feel like it is the end’.
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      However, cryptically he added: “Only the next eight months or so will let me know and I’ll find out if I’m ready to stop or not. I don’t think I will, personally. But you never know.”
      But Wolff, who joined Mercedes in 2014 the same year as Hamilton arrived from McLaren, is hopeful the Brit does stay on for another year.
      When asked about Hamilton’s desire to remain with the team, Wolff said: “I hope so.
      “The journey we have had together has been very successful. He has been a Mercedes driver since he was a kid and in his karting years.
      “He has never raced a single weekend in Formula One without a Mercedes power unit so it is the logical continuation of the story.”
      The speculation stemmed from Brown’s comment as Hamilton, Bottas and Russell are all out of contract at the end of the year.
      And Verstappen’s Red Bull deal is understood to contain exit clauses that Merc could exploit.
      Lewis Hamilton is F1’s biggest earner
      Brown said: “Someone asked me what I thought the driver market would look like next year.
      “I believe Geroege is out of contract and has a Mercedes relationship and did a great job in Bahrain last year.
      “And Max, I have never seen his contract but understand there is a possibility for him to drive elsewhere.
      “Mercedes and Toto are able to attract an awesome line up, so if those two were available and floating around, depending on what Toto does with his current line up, you can see that happening.”
      Meanwhile, Verstappen laid down an early marker of intent after topping both practice sessions for the season opener in Bahrain.
      The Dutchman was quickest in FP1 and FP2 ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Hamilton, who was third-quickest.

      What does the 2021 Grand Prix hold for Lewis Hamilton More

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      Max Verstappen fires warning to F1 rival Lewis Hamilton and vows to end dream of breaking Schumacher’s record

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      MAX VERSTAPPEN has fired a warning to Lewis Hamilton as he aims to bring the fight to Mercedes at EVERY race this season.Verstappen believes he is well equipped to consistently battle with Mercedes with his new teammate Sergio Perez alongside him.
      Hamilton and Verstappen’s rivalry is set to explode
      The Dutchman has fallen short in the past two seasons as his former teammates Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon have failed to keep up with him on track.
      Verstappen said: “I have known Perez for many years here in the paddock.
      “Of course now that we are teammates you get a bit more of an insight into how he’s working and everything so far is running very smoothly.
      “And with the feedback we’re heading in the same direction… which I hope is the right direction!
      “It’s all going very smoothly and it’s nice to get a bit more of an insight from his side, from his past experience from other teams.
      “I just hope as a team now, we can really score a good amount of points and really put the pressure on Mercedes every single race weekend.”
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      Verstappen refused to be drawn into criticising his former teammate Albon, who struggled in the Red Bull before being dropped at the end of last season.
      The 23-year-old was asked about the shortcomings of his former teammate, after he out-qualified Albon at every race last season.
      He added: “I cannot comment from the other side of the garage what was happening and why that was.”

      Perez declared he is out to beat his teammate next season as he looks to better Verstappen, rather than operate as a support act.
      Perez said: “I want to beat Max, and Max wants to beat me.
      “We want to push the team forward and if we are able to create that competition between us, that will be in the benefit of the team.
      “We are both very mature and we’ve been here long enough to cope with that.
      “I just hope that I am able to put the pressure onto Max and we can both grow together and push the team forward.”
      Sports pundits reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s career as he prepares to start a potentially historic F1 season More

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      Red Bull chief Horner fires warning to Hamilton and Mercedes as Max Verstappen tops first practice at Bahrain GP

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      CHRISTIAN HORNER believes Red Bull are primed to finally top Mercedes – with a fresh warning shot fired in Friday practice.Max Verstappen topped the first timesheet of 2021 in Bahrain, leaving world champion Lewis Hamilton fourth.
      Red Bull and Max Verstappen are tipped for a big championship tilt this yearCredit: Splash
      Christian Horner hopes to finally reclaim the Formula One crown from MercedesCredit: Getty
      The Silver Arrows already appeared to hit a bump in the road during pre-season testing and Red Bull are ready to pounce.
      Horner, whose team won four doubles in a row between 2010 and 2013 with Sebastian Vettel, said ahead of practice: “Sport is always cyclical.
      “Teams go through dominant phases and at some point it comes to a close.
      “There will come a time when someone will beat them and we need to make sure it is us.
      “I believe we have great depth in the team. We have had a busy winter and everybody has pulled together and worked incredibly hard in difficult circumstances.
      “But the whole team is fully galvanised and this car will be competitive from the first race.
      “People are very much hoping for there to be a challenge to Mercedes. It has been seven years of dominance.
      “We used to get accused of it but we have achieved nothing like what Mercedes have in recent years.
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      “As probably their closest challenger over the last six years or so – we have won races in every year – and we need to do that on a sustained basis.
      “We went into the winter on a positive note. Winning that last race in Abu Dhabi lifted the organisation through the winter.”
      Red Bull will be pinning their title challenge on Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman heavily linked as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton when he does retire.
      But the 23-year-old is remarkably calm about his prospects with the team and has no reason to leave if they can produce a title-winning car for him.
      Verstappen said: “I am pretty relaxed at the moment. I just want to drive the car.
      “Every year it is a new challenge to beat the rest and that is the aim again this year.
      “I am not a person who is easily distracted by talk about my future. I am fine. I feel good in the team, which is the most important thing.
      “We will see what happens in the future but for the moment I am looking forward to a few race wins.
      Verstappen is yet to put together a serious world title shot in F1Credit: Getty
      Lewis Hamilton is hunting down a record eighth crownCredit: Reuters
      “We had a few races last season where we were close and we won two races, but in general we were not close enough to make it difficult for Mercedes.
      “So I hope we can do that this year, that’s what I am excited for. I don’t play mind games. I am very chilled and relaxed and I know I can do it.
      “It doesn’t matter who you are fighting against, I just focus on myself and do the best I can. There is nothing new that I have to adjust.”
      Meanwhile, Horner is confident of keeping hold of the team’s prized asset.
      He added: “Max has a lot of faith in the team. We just have to deliver a competitive car.
      “We had a good test with him and I hope that we can build on that.

      “Over the last couple of years, he has really stepped up and is now the driver most-likely to challenge Lewis.
      “We are just focusing on ourselves. We cannot control what others are doing.
      “Sometimes the situation is different internally than how it looks externally.
      “I have been around long enough to stop worrying about what others are doing.”

      Sports pundits reflect on Lewis Hamilton’s career as he prepares to start a potentially historic F1 season More