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      Williams pay touching tribute to F1 legend Murray Walker with inscription on new car at Bahrain GP after his death at 97

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      WILLIAMS have paid tribute to broadcasting legend Murray Walker on their cars at the Bahrain Grand Prix.Walker, who headed up F1’s commentary on BBC and ITV between 1976 and 2001, passed away on March 13 at the age of 97.
      Both Williams cars sported the tribute to Murray Walker on Friday
      The much-loved commentator passed away earlier this monthCredit: The Sun
      Walker was famed for his Murrayisms and excitement behind the mic, as well as his emotion.
      And Williams paid their respects by carrying his famous quote from when Damon Hill won the F1 title in 1996 while driving for the team.
      The message on the car’s halo says, “And I have got to stop, because I’ve got a lump in my throat”.
      The inscription is designed to be clearly visible from the television camera perched atop each F1 car.
      Fans reacted warmly when the message was first shown in Friday practice, one online deeming it ‘lovely’ and another wrote of how they were ‘thinking of marvellous Murray today’.
      Meanwhile, Williams have confirmed that Formula 2 racer Dan Ticktum will continue as a development driver for this season.
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      The Brit joined the team in the same role last season, one year after being dropped from the Red Bull junior programme.
      Ticktum, 21, said: “I am very happy to be continuing my partnership with Williams as development driver.
      “It will be fun to get more time trackside this year as last year was quite difficult, so it will be nice to get more involved with the team at the track.”

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

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      Sebastian Vettel gives new Aston Martin F1 car nickname ‘Honey Ryder’ after iconic James Bond girl Ursula Andress

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL is looking to reignite his Formula One career in a car dubbed the ‘Honey Ryder’.As the German hops over to Aston Martin for the new season, he has continued his tradition of naming his cars.
      Sebastian Vettel has given his Aston Martin F1 car a James Bond-inspired nicknameCredit: Splash
      Dr. No actress Ursula Andress played Honey Ryder in the 1962 filmCredit: Alamy
      Aston unveiled their British Racing Green design for 2021 with a James Bond themed launch, featuring Daniel Craig and Gemma Arterton.
      Vettel’s favourite Bond film is Dr. No and he decided to honour Swiss actress Ursula Andress, who played the first ‘Bond girl’ in the 1962 film.
      Speaking ahead of the new season, the 33-year-old explained his love affair with the iconic series.
      He said: “My favourite Bond film? Probably the first one that kicked it off. Obviously because of Honey Ryder in it!
      “My favourite Bond actor is Sean Connery and to be fair, Pierce Brosnan, because that is my youth, be he had some good style.
      “And the car? The DB5 is an iconic car, pretty cool and it is nice that it came back a few years ago.”
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      The ex-Ferrari star is a huge fan of the UK and lists his favourite TV shows as Little Britain and Monty Python while he’s also previously said The Beatles were his favourite band.
      And when asked where he’d like to spend a month-long road trip, should the opportunity arise, he picked the UK.
      He added: “If I had a month, I would tackle the UK. I have not seen that much yet.
      “Obviously, with Silverstone I am an expert but other than that and the Midlands, I would like to explore the north of England and then Scotland.”
      Ex-F1 driver and Sky Sports pundit, Johnny Herbert, says seeing the British car brand back in F1 is great news.
      He said: “To have the addition of another manufacturer like Aston Martin to come back into F1 is brilliant.
      Vettel took the Aston for its first Grand Prix weekend spin on FridayCredit: AFP

      “It’s great we have that lovely British brand back racing. If it all works out, we have the Aston Martin brand winning races and maybe a world championship, it would be great for the British car industry.
      “I also hope we see the best of Vettel again. I don’t think the enjoyment factor and the motivation was there, especially at the end at Ferrari.
      “I remember seeing him last year in Russia, and he was looking forward to going back to a British team.
      “That goes back to his happy days at Red Bull, so that’s very important. If Aston Martin can give him the tools, I think we will see a resurgence of Vettel.”

      Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel looks forward to Formula 1 return More

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      Fernando Alonso insists he does not feel old boy of F1 despite returning at Renault aged 39 after three-year absence

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      FERNANDO ALONSO says he does not feel like the old man of Formula One as he prepares for his second debut at 39.The Spaniard is back after a two-year break since he walked out of McLaren in 2018.
      Fernando Alonso says he does not feel like the old man of Formula One as he prepares for his second debut at 39Credit: EPA
      He is the second-oldest driver on the grid, behind Kimi Raikkonen, 41, and a full 19-years older than AlpaTauri’s rookie driver, Yuki Tsunoda.
      But the two-time world champion says he’s not feeling old, and pointed to how Lewis Hamilton is the reigning champion at 36.
      He said: “I am trying to make it as fun and enjoyable as possible and working as possible to get the results you dream about in your head.
      “So it is no different to me, trying to make this comeback to me and be as competitive without a time limit set on it.
      “I know the repeated questions are about my age and I am a little bit surprised by that because I am not so old.
      “The world champion and the guy dominating the sport is 36, so I am not 20 years old or something.”
      Alonso was confirmed last July but says he agreed to return much earlier than that.
      And he says he has been impressed since rejoining the former Renault team, now called Alpine.
      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
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      He added: “The decision was made around March, so it was before the championship had started.
      “It was a time for me after finishing the Dakar Rally to think about my next challenge and Formula One was the most attractive option.
      “There is a big difference to 2009, which I see as a positive signal. If it was still the same after ten years, it wouldn’t have been so good news.
      “There are more people working there now too. The level of technology we have reached now has also changed enormously compared to fifteen years ago.
      “I am very happy with the things I have seen. We have a talented staff. Some of the mechanics I know from my time here, so that’s also a retrospective.”

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

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      F1 Bahrain Grand Prix practice LIVE: Second Practice . Verstappen quickest in FP1, Hamilton FOURTH – updates

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is back as he looks to become the first man in history to win eight F1 world championships.The Brit stormed to title number seven last year, matching Michael Schumacher, and Mercedes will be hoping for more of the same after signing a bumper new deal with the Brit.

      Get Lewis Hamilton to make PODIUM at F1 Bahrain GP at 20/1!

      SUNRISE, SUNSET
      Join us later this afternoon for another hour-long session.
      Expect plenty of race runs in FP2 following that remarkably clean shakedown first practice.
      The floodlights will be on when the session gets underway at 3pm.
      Credit: Getty
      FP1 TOP 10
      1 – Verstappen2 – Bottas3 – Norris4 – Hamilton5 – Leclerc6 – Perez7 – Gasly8 – Sainz9 – Ricciardo10 – Giovinazzi

      VERSTAPPEN TAKES FP1
      A solid start from Max Verstappen in what is admittedly a rather unrepresentative session, given the day-night switch in Bahrain.
      Valtteri Bottas takes second before Lando Norris sits third to separate to two Mercedes cars.
      FINAL TIMES COMING IN
      No quicker from Bottas but he does appear set to finish above his team-mate in this session.
      BIG MARGIN?
      A healthy three-tenth lead for Verstappen and that came on new Softs.
      Replays also showed a fairly big tow from the car in front down the straight as he began the lap, which would have shaved off a bit of time.
      MAX POWER
      And there is the fastest time of the session from Verstappen, clocking 1:31.394.
      FINAL FIVE MINUTES
      Verstappen darts around the Mercs on his out lap while they cool down.
      Currently seventh, expect that to change as he begins another quick attempt.
      HAMILTON THIRD
      Hamilton misses the apex at the final turn and ends up 0.024 off Norris.
      No such problems for Bottas as he goes top with a 1:31.692, two tenths clear.
      What can the Red Bulls do in reply?
      TOP 10 WITH 10 TO GO
      1 – Norris2 – Leclerc3 – Gasly4 – Hamilton5 – Sainz6 – Ricciardo7 – Verstappen8 – Bottas9 – Perez 10 – Giovinazzi
      YU GO YUKI
      “C’mon I’ve got f****** traffic!”
      Yuki Tsunoda delivering our first furious radio message of the season after going a touch wide at the final turn in dirty air.
      How we’ve missed this.
      BACK RUNNERS
      We don’t know the run plans, making these assessments rather limited.
      But a look at the bottom of the timesheet suggests who may be struggling for points in 2021.
      Both Williams and Haas cars are in the bottom five.
      Esteban Ocon’s Alpine sits 20th with Fernando Alonso not far higher, in 14th.
      FINAL 15 COMING UP
      This session has flown by with tonnes of on-track action to keep an eye on.
      A few minor slips here and there but drivers are doing very well to keep it on the road so far, with there also no big technical issues to speak of.
      That second point may well be a product of the rule continuity from last year, with these cars certainly evolutions rather than revolutions.
      Credit: Splash
      RICCIARDO GOING FOR IT
      The McLarens begin to show off their stuff with Ricciardo chasing Norris’ fastest time.
      Just over half a second off his team-mate, he goes third overall.
      VETTEL DOES BETTER
      Sebastian Vettel locked up on his last run but re-emerges to clock in the seventh-best time.
      FUEL OF IT
      A reminder that we do not know the fuel loads each team runs during practice.
      If any team knows they have a veritable jet-powered car this year and doesn’t want to show it yet, that is well within their right.
      LANDO HOPE AND GLORY
      Hamilton runs wide at Turn 4 and doesn’t enjoy Turn 14 as he puts in a time over a second off his best.
      Meanwhile, Lando Norris arrives in 2021 with a 1:31.897 to go first, some three tenths clear of the previous top time.
      HAMILTON OUT AGAIN
      The Merc is back out with the same set of Soft tyres.
      The teams have eight sets to play with but, given the unrepresentative nature of these times just mentioned, Hamilton is on an interesting run plan.

      TOP TEN AT HALFWAY
      1 – Hamilton2 – Verstappen3 – Bottas4 – Perez 5 – Leclerc6 – Gasly7 – Norris8 – Tsunoda9 – Sainz10 – Vettel
      HOW MUCH DOES THIS SESSION MATTER?
      Typically this is a rather unrepresentative session for the race itself, which takes place at night time with the circuit currently bathed in 30-degree heat during the mid-afternoon.
      But the 2020 first practice session did see Lewis Hamilton lead Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – a top three which could well have held in the race bar the latter two’s issues on the Sunday.
      Credit: Getty
      FIRST SIGN OF THE HAAS
      Mick Schumacher is putting in his first run on an F1 GP weekend.
      Everywhere you look right now there are iconic firsts, comebacks, and epic narratives taking place!
      LEWIS GOES FASTEST
      How many times will we be writing that sentence this season?
      With a 1:32.214, Lewis Hamilton is back top, with the front-four going: Merc, Red Bull, Merc, Red Bull.
      Best of the rest right now is Charles Leclerc, just under seven tenths off Lewis.
      WILLIAMS TRIBUTE
      A heartfelt message on the Williams halo this weekend with a famous quote from Murray Walker.
      The British commentator, much loved by fans worldwide, died at the age of 97 earlier this month.
      Murray’s comments after Damon Hill’s world title win for Williams is one of many iconic moments from his long career in the sport.
      “I’ve got to stop because I’ve got a lump in my throat.”

      VERSTAPPEN GOES TOP
      Max Verstappen nudges ahead in a very tight top four already at this stage.
      The Dutchman’s 1:32.591 holds a one-tenth advantage over Valtteri Bottas, who has put himself between Verstappen and a new time from Perez.
      That Hamilton time is still only two tenths off the top, though.
      LAYING DOWN A MARKER
      Lewis Hamilton already beaming around Sakhir on the Softs, and puts in the fastest time so far.
      His 1:32.844 is almost four tenths clear of Sergio Perez in the Red Bull.
      WELCOME BACK FERNANDO
      It is great to see Fernando Alonso back in F1, especially after coming trough his bike crash scare earlier in the year.
      Credit: Getty
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      Lewis Hamilton excited ahead of battle for eighth F1 world title but admits Mercedes are NOT fastest car on track

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      SIR LEWIS HAMILTON rode into the 2021 season and says he’s excited to fight for a record eighth world title.The Mercedes ace, who picked up a knighthood in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list, has the chance to become F1’s undisputed champion.
      Sir Lewis prepares for Bahrain practice todayCredit: Alamy
      The champ is more excited than he has been ‘for a long time’ about a new seasonCredit: Alamy
      The Brit already has the most wins (95), poles (98) and podiums (165) but can move clear of the joint-record of titles he holds with Michael Schumacher.
      But he faces a fight from rampant Red Bull, who look revived after the winter, and Hamilton says this season is not going to be a walkover.
      He said: “I love what I’m doing and I arrive more excited for the season than I have for a long time.
      “I’m excited to get going. We are going to have a really great battle one way or another. That’s what I’ve always loved.
      “We are not currently the fastest…I can’t tell you, I’m so excited to have that challenge.
      “Seeing some of the other teams close again is going to be great for fans and I love that collaboration with the men and women in my team and trying to get to our common goal.”
      Hamilton juggled last season with fighting for a number of good causes and says he will continue to kneel before races to extend his commitment to ending racism.
      He added: “I plan to continue to take the knee because what’s really important is when young children are watching, they see what we’re doing.
      “When they see us taking the knee, they’ll ask their parents or teachers, ‘Why are they doing that? What are they taking the knee for?’
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      “It sparks an uncomfortable conversation. It means parents have to educate themselves and the kids.
      “It’s a fight that’s not won, it’s a fight that will continue on for a long time I’m sure, but I definitely think we’re in a good time where conversation is healthy.”
      Meanwhile, Sky have launched the new F1 season with an epic video charting Hamilton’s rise for karting whizz to seven-times world champ.

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      Sir Jackie Stewart claimed it’s ‘hard to justify’ calling Lewis Hamilton F1’s best-ever and blasts Mercedes dominance

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      FORMULA 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart called it ‘difficult to justify’ saying Lewis Hamilton is the greatest ever driver.The Brit will attempt to beat Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles in 2021.
      Sir Jackie Stewart called it difficult to compare Lewis Hamilton’s achievements to those of the pastCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Lewis Hamilton is big favourite to win his EIGHTH F1 world championshipCredit: Splash News
      He has already overtaken the German’s record of 91 race wins.
      But Stewart, who won the driver’s championship three times, described it as near-impossible to compare Hamilton’s achievements to speedsters of yesteryear.
      The 81-year-old said last year that the modern-day racing calendar being busier, as well as Hamilton having a ‘so superior’ car and engine to other competitors, makes comparison tricky.
      Speaking on the In The Fast Lane podcast in October, Stewart said: “I don’t think that you can account [for] that sort of level of success.
      “Just because today there are 20, 22 races, whereas in the old days when for example Juan Manuel Fangio, raced maybe sometimes six, eight or nine races a year in Formula 1.
      ‘To say that Lewis is the greatest driver of all time, would be difficult for me to justify, in the sheer power of what the other drivers were doing.
      “Lewis drives extremely well, make no mistake, I’m not in any way diminishing his skills, but it isn’t the same.
      “Lewis made a very good decision when he left McLaren at that time and went to Mercedes-Benz. And I take my hat off to him for making that decision.

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “But frankly, the car and the engine are now so superior that it’s almost unfair on the rest of the field.”
      Due to difficulties comparing the modern-day car and calendar with that of the past, Stewart doesn’t even have Hamilton in his top three racing drivers of all time.
      He added: “Juan Manuel Fangio in my mind is the greatest driver that’s ever lived.
      “With Jim Clark as the second-greatest, even ahead of [Ayrton] Senna.”
      Fangio won five world titles in the 1950s. Scottish racer Clark won two world titles in 1963 and 1965.
      At the time of his death, at the age of 32, Clark had won more F1 races and achieved more podiums than any other driver.
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      Senna won three world titles in 1988, 1990 and 1991 before tragically losing his life when crashing at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.
      SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt disagrees with Sir Jackie however, putting Hamilton at No1.
      Senna bags second spot with Schumacher, winner of seven world titles, in third.
      Clark is fourth with Fangio in fifth.
      Inside the new-look Mercedes car Lewis Hamilton is bidding to win record eight F1 title in ahead of new season More

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      Lewis Hamilton’s epic journey from karting kid to seven-time F1 world champ captured in Sky Sports pre-season video

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      LEWIS HAMILTON is revving up once again this weekend to begin his crack at a record-breaking eighth world title.Fans will be desperate to see how the Brit fares in Bahrain ahead of a potentially mega fight with Max Verstappen.
      Lewis Hamilton’s journey has been chronicled in a Sky Sports promo clip
      The Mercedes driver was a clear star from his karting days
      Hamilton is looking for an eighth F1 world title in 2021
      Ahead of the 36-year-old taking to the track, Sky Sports have released an epic look through his awesome career.
      It looks back at Hamilton’s emergence as a star of karting, with ex-racer and pundit Martin Brundle stating: “It was clear from his junior days that Lewis would be world champion.”
      With McLaren, he took a stunning maiden Formula One crown thanks to a last-turn pass of Timo Glock at Interlagos.
      Former team-mate Jenson Button said in the clip: “It came down to the final corner, he made the move on Glock for a very exciting victory.”
      Images of Hamilton cheering on the podium, embracing his family and colleagues and storming down the track are exactly the sort of scenes his fans will hope to see again in 2021.
      The seven-time champ’s work away from the track is also shown with his dedication to the next generation featured alongside his anti-racism and environmental work that helped bag him a knighthood.

      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      After a long winter break, fans’ appetites have certainly been whetted for a fresh year of F1.
      If Hamilton can secure an eighth title, he will break the record set by Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher.
      Friday practice in Bahrain starts at 11.30am with Sunday’s race set for 4pm.
      With murmurs that this year could be his last in F1, SunSport have revealed that fans are flocking to pick up tickets for the British GP at Silverstone in July.
      Lewis Hamilton embraces his mum at the track
      The Merc star does it all again starting this weekend in Bahrain
      Inside the new-look Mercedes car Lewis Hamilton is bidding to win record eight F1 title in ahead of new season More

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      British Grand Prix close to sell out with 500,000 over four days heading to watch Hamilton in huge post-lockdown party

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      THE British Grand Prix is close to selling out as F1 fans snap up tickets for Hamilton Mania.Ticket sales are through the roof with punters eager to see the Brit as he makes his bid for a record eighth world title.
      Fans may be witnessing Lewis Hamilton’s last Silverstone race in JulyCredit: PA
      Lewis Hamilton has only signed a 10-month deal with his Mercedes team in what could be his final home GP.
      Circuit chiefs are staying optimistic that the race will get the go ahead from the Government as part of their Covid-19 roadmap, on July 18.
      And that could mean around 500,000 people over the four-day event, making it one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
      Stuart Pringle, Managing Director of Silverstone, said: “We are on route to sell out of the general admission tickets by April and many of the grandstands are already 80 percent full.
      “If it is allowed to go ahead, the 2021 British Grand Prix could be one of the biggest crowds ever.
      “If you want to see him and win big at home, it could be the last year to see Lewis race at Silverstone.
      BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

      “We all want something to look forward to. Summer holidays overseas look compromised, so come and have a celebration at Silverstone.
      “We always have a good atmosphere but I just think if we can have it, it could be the party to end all parties!”
      The British GP is subject to the Covid restrictions being lifted like the rest of the UK, but track bosses say they will refund ticket holders or roll them over to 2022, should the race be behind closed doors.
      Pringle added: “The buying behaviour is backed by a Covid guarantee so if they are prevented from coming due to Covid, we will offer them a full refund or will roll the booking over to another year.
      “We are very conscious that the fans have been very supportive of us, from last year to this year, and it has made a huge difference to our business.
      “It would have been very difficult to refund everyone their ticket money so it has kept us alive during a very difficult period for all sporting venues.
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      “They want to come and we want them to come. We hear the Prime Minister’s optimism and we also totally note his caution. That is understood.
      “It is clear that the Government have the intention to try and unlock the country by the time of the GP.
      “It is selling fast, it is going to be massive but we are also cautiously optimistic.”

      Inside the new-look Mercedes car Lewis Hamilton is bidding to win record eight F1 title in ahead of new season More