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

    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
    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 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 in chaos before season starts after two Aston Martin staff test positive for Covid-19 on eve of Bahrain GP

    TWO members of the Aston Martin team have tested positive for COVID-19 on the eve of the new F1 season.Last year, the season-opening Australian GP was scrapped and the season placed on hold following a positive test within the McLaren team.
    Covid test results of team staff travelling to Bahrain have come back positiveCredit: Getty
    However, it will not disrupt this weekend’s opening race of the season in Bahrain, which is going ahead as planned.
    An Aston Martin spokesman said: “We can confirm that two of our staff have tested positive for Covid-19. We are taking all the necessary precautions.”
    F1 has adopted strict protocols again this season where everyboby is tested before being allowed entry to the paddock.
    The Bahraini authorities also have a vigorous testing process for all arrivals to the Gulf Kingdom.
    All incoming passengers are subjected to a test upon landing before being told to isolate in their hotel room while they wait for their results.
    It is believed that this is when the positive results were discovered and those tested, along with their bubble, were placed into quarantine as a precaution pending a second test.
    SunSport has now learnt that two of those retests have returned positive and those affected will be complying with the local health authorities.
    BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

    Last year, despite the pandemic, F1 was able to hold 17 races safely after conducting 78,000 tests of which there were just 78 positives. A rate of 0.1 percent.
    Practice for the inaugural race of the 2021 season is due to get underway at 11am on Friday.
    Lights out on the Grand Prix is scheduled for 4pm on Sunday as Lewis Hamilton begins his quest for a record-breaking eighth world title.
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    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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    George Russell reckons Williams 2021 F1 car can score points and move team back up the grid again

    GEORGE RUSSELL says this year’s Williams has more potential to score points than any other car he’s driven for the team.Williams hit a new low last year after ending the season without a point for the first time in their history.
    George Russell is confident that Williams can fight for points this seasonCredit: Reuters
    But the team’s future is looking brighter under the new ownership, as Russell looks to secure his first point for Williams.
    He said: “I believe this year’s car definitely has more potential than the last two cars that I’ve driven.
    “We came close a number of times last year and I’d like to think we will be able to scrape into the points at some point this season.
    “You know 23 races, a lot can happen, difficult conditions and our competitiveness will be a little up and down this year, as it is for a lot of teams out there.
    “So we need to make sure the times we are competitive, we capitalise on that.
    “I don’t necessarily think it will be this weekend, I think it will be a very tricky weekend for us, with the conditions that are on the forecast.
    “But I do believe at some point this year, in more normal conditions, we will see the true pace of the car and that will be more positive.”
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    Williams didn’t manage a single point last season for the first time in their historyCredit: Rex

    During the off-season Russell became a new director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, following the departure of Romain Grosjean.
    The 23-year-old will work alongside Sebastian Vettel who is a fellow director, as the two will represent the drivers’ interest in the paddock.
    Russell said: “I wanted to take on this role because what the GPDA has done over so many years has been great for the sport.
    “Whenever we have had our briefings, between all of the drivers which in 2019 was common once after every two grand prix.
    “We would stay after the drivers’ briefing and we would all talk about certain issues, or ways we can improve the sport.
    “I was always quite vocal, I always quite enjoyed putting my opinion forward.

    “I guess having a voice for the drivers is something I am quite proud of, so I am looking forward to that.
    “I think I have got a very good relationship with a lot of the younger drivers.
    “So I guess Sebastian [Vettel] is almost representing the older half of the grid and I’m potentially representing the younger half of the grid.”
    Take a virtual lap of the Bahrain race track ahead of Grand Prix Formula 1 start More

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    F1 in chaos before season starts with staff put into quarantine after positive Covid-19 test caught by new strict rules

    FORMULA ONE staff in Bahrain have been placed into quarantine after a positive test for Covid-19.SunSport understands that members of a British team are currently in isolation awaiting the results of second tests.
    Covid test results of team staff travelling to Bahrain have come back positiveCredit: Getty
    F1 has adopted strict protocols again this season where anyone is tested before being allowed entry to the paddock.
    The Bahraini authorities also have a vigorous testing process for all arrivals to the Gulf Kingdom.
    All incoming passengers are subjected to a test upon landing before being told to isolate in their hotel room while they wait for their results.
    It is believed that this is when a positive result was discovered and that member of staff, plus their bubble, are in quarantine as a precaution pending a second test.
    SunSport understands those affected are not key members of the team and that all protocols have been followed.
    And there is no risk posed to the season-opener in Bahrain, which will go ahead as planned this weekend.
    BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1

    Last year, despite the pandemic, F1 was able to hold 17 races safely after conducting 78,000 tests of which there were just 78 positives. A rate of 0.1 percent.
    Practice for the inaugural race of the 2021 season is due to get underway at 11.30am on Friday.
    Lights out on the Grand Prix is scheduled for 4pm on Sunday as Lewis Hamilton begins his quest for a record-breaking eighth world title.
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    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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    F1 calendar 2021: Grand Prix times, practice and qualifying schedules plus venues ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix opener

    THE Formula 1 season is upon us once again – and Lewis Hamilton is going for his record EIGHTH world title.The Brit, 36, moved level with Michael Schumacher on seven world titles last year and will become the outright top dog if he collects the most points across this season’s races.

    Lewis Hamilton is aiming to become the outright most successful driver of all timeCredit: Getty
    Hamilton and his fellow drivers begin the 2021 calendar schedule in March, with the season ending 23 races later in December.
    The Australian Grand Prix was due to take place on the weekend of March 21, but was put back to November 21 because of coronavirus restrictions Down Under.
    Turkey and China are still hoping to host races in 2021, meaning the calendar could be expanded and Saudi Arabia is awaiting official approval of its circuit as the season gets under way.
    Here is how the F1 calendar unfolds in 2021 with our race by race schedule.
    BETTING SPECIAL: LEWIS HAMILTON TO FINISH TOP 3 – 20/1
    F1 calendar 2021
    All timings below are UK time.
    🇧🇭 Bahrain Grand Prix

    Venue: Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir
    Friday, March 26: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
    Saturday, March 27: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
    Sunday, March 28: Race (4pm)

    🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola
    Friday, April 16: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, April 17: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, April 18: Race (2pm)

    🇵🇹 Portuguese Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
    Friday, April 30: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
    Saturday, May 1: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
    Sunday, May 2: Race (3pm)

    🇪🇸 Spanish Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
    Friday, May 7: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, May 8: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, May 9: Race (2pm)

    🇲🇨 Monaco Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo
    Thursday, May 20: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, May 22: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, May 23: Race (2pm)

    🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

    Venue: Baku City Circuit
    Friday, June 4: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, June 5: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, June 6: Race (1pm)

    🇨🇦 Canadian Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Montreal
    Friday, June 11: Practice 1 (4.30pm), Practice 2 (8pm)
    Saturday, June 12: Practice 3 (4pm), Qualifying (7pm)
    Sunday, June 13: Race (7pm)

    🇫🇷 French Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet
    Friday, June 25: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, June 26: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, June 27: Race (2pm)

    🇦🇹 Austrian Grand Prix

    Venue: Red Bull Ring, Spielberg
    Friday, July 2: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, July 3: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, July 4: Race (2pm)

    🇬🇧 British Grand Prix

    Venue: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
    Friday, July 16: Practice 1 (11.30am), Practice 2 (3pm)
    Saturday, July 17: Practice 3 (12pm), Qualifying (3pm)
    Sunday, July 18: Race (3pm)

    🇭🇺 Hungarian Grand Prix

    Venue: Hungaroring, Budapest
    Friday, July 30: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, July 31: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, August 1: Race (2pm)

    🇧🇪 Belgian Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
    Friday, August 27: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, August 28: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, August 29: Race (2pm)

    🇳🇱 Dutch Grand Prix

    Venue: Zandvoort
    Friday, September 3: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, September 4: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, September 5: Race (2pm)

    🇮🇹 Italian Grand Prix 2

    Venue: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
    Friday, September 10: Practice 1 (10.30am), Practice 2 (2pm)
    Saturday, September 11: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, September 12: Race (2pm)

    🇷🇺 Russian Grand Prix

    Venue: Sochi Autodrom
    Friday, September 24: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
    Saturday, September 25: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
    Sunday, September 26: Race (1pm)

    🇸🇬 Singapore Grand Prix

    Venue: Marina Bay Street Circuit
    Friday, October 1: Practice 1 (10am), Practice 2 (1.30pm)
    Saturday, October 2: Practice 3 (11am), Qualifying (2pm)
    Sunday, October 3: Race (1pm)

    🇯🇵 Japanese Grand Prix

    Venue: Suzuka International Racing Course, Ino, Sazuka City
    Friday, October 8: Practice 1 (3.30am), Practice 2 (7am)
    Saturday, October 9: Practice 3 (4am), Qualifying (7am)
    Sunday, October 10: Race (6am)

    🇺🇸 United States Grand Prix

    Venue: Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas
    Friday, October 22: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
    Saturday, October 23: Practice 3 (7pm), Qualifying (10pm)
    Sunday, October 24: Race (8pm)

    🇲🇽 Mexico City Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City
    Friday, October 29: Practice 1 (5.30pm), Practice 2 (9pm)
    Saturday, October 30: Practice 3 (5pm), Qualifying (8pm)
    Sunday, October 31: Race (7pm)

    🇧🇷 Brazil Grand Prix

    Venue: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, Interlagos
    Friday, November 5: Practice 1 (2.30pm), Practice 2 (6pm)
    Saturday, November 6: Practice 3 (3pm), Qualifying (6pm)
    Sunday, November 7: Race (5pm)

    🇦🇺 Australian Grand Prix

    Venue: Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit
    Friday, November 19: Practice 1 (1.30am), Practice 2 (5am)
    Saturday, November 20: Practice 3 (3am), Qualifying (6am)
    Sunday, November 21: Race (6am)

    🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

    Venue: Jeddah Street Circuit
    Friday, December 3: Practice 1 (12.30pm), Practice 2 (4pm)
    Saturday, December 4: Practice 3 (1pm), Qualifying (4pm)
    Sunday, December 5: Race (4pm)

    🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

    Venue: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island
    Friday, December 10: Practice 1 (9.30am), Practice 2 (1pm)
    Saturday, December 11: Practice 3 (10am), Qualifying (1pm)
    Sunday, December 12: Race (1pm) More

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    Watch shocking moment drag-racing car crashes into fans in North Carolina leaving woman with serious injuries

    THIS is the shocking moment a drag-racing car crashes into fans in North Carolina.One woman was left with ‘serious injuries’ after the horrific incident which occurred at Wilkesboro Dragway last weekend.
    One woman was injured after a drag-racing car crashed into a guard rail
    Amber Garner suffered four breaks to her arm and needs multiple surgeriesCredit: GoFundMe
    Stunned spectators watched as a Ford Mustang lost control before crashing into a railing in front of them.
    It then ripped apart against the metal pole of a scoreboard, cleaving the vehicle in two, with one person heard exclaiming: “No way.”
    Incredibly, the driver of the vehicle suffered no injuries as he crawled from the wreckage, and he even declined treatment from paramedics.
    But one woman in the crowd, later identified as 22-year-old Amber Garner, suffered a broken arm in four places as well as an open wound.
    She was immediately rushed to hospital and, as of last Saturday, was set to undergo at least two surgeries.
    A GoFundMe page has been created to cover Amber’s medical costs, which has so far raised $8,700 of a $100,000 goal.
    A note from her sister Ashley read: “My family needs help raising money to help my sister. 
    “We were at a drag race at Wilkesboro and a car lost control and struck her. She will need multiple surgeries and physical therapy.
    [embedded content]
    The driver lost control at the race in North Carolina last weekend
    The car hit the guard rail before splitting against the metal post of a scoreboard

    “Her arm is broken in four places and broke her knuckle. We would really appreciate any donations since she does not have insurance.
    “She is such a fun-loving amazing person and didn’t deserve this. Anything helps!”
    A picture on the GoFundMe page showed Amber in a neck brace waiting to be transferred to hospital.
    And she has since described the traumatic scene in an interview from her hospital bed.
    Amber told Fox 8: “There were two cars that were racing and I guess one of them lost control.
    “It hit the guardrail where I was at and went over it and hit me on the side of my arm.
    Just saw the wreck from the dragstrip in Wilkesboro yesterday. Hope everyone is okay..— Save The Speedway (@savethespeedway) March 21, 2021

    “As soon as it did hit me, I guess I fell on the ground.
    “I blacked out so I don’t know exactly. I thought that it [my arm] was gone.”
    The owner of Wilkesboro Dragway, Phil Halbedel, has since claimed Amber ‘should not have been’ standing by the scoreboard, The Journal-Patriot reported.
    And he added that the crashed Mustang was a ‘poorly-made car’.
    A statement released by Wilkesboro Dragway on Saturday read: “Unfortunately we have had an accident at the track and will need to call of test and tune for tomorrow.
    “We have some sensor issues and guard rail damage. Please say a prayer for the racer and for the lady that is injured.”
    NASCAR ace Justin Allgaier smashes into wall in horror multi-car crash at Kentucky Speedway More

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    Lewis Hamilton will be allowed to continue anti-racism stance and highlight Black Lives Matter by F1 chiefs

    LEWIS HAMILTON will be allowed to continue his anti-racism campaign ahead of F1 races this season.Last year, the reigning world champion used the moments ahead of the national anthems to highlight causes, such as the Black Lives Matter movement.
    World champ Lewis Hamilton took the knee whereas some rivals did not and sought to raise awareness of the Breonna Taylor deathCredit: Getty
    Brit Lewis Hamilton did more than most global sports figures to raise awareness of important issuesCredit: Getty
    Lewis Hamilton will be free to express himself for the new seasonCredit: Getty
    Hamilton also wore a t-shirt bearing the words “arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor” at the Tuscan Grand Prix to raise awareness of the woman who was shot by police in her own home.
    Hamilton also chose to take a knee before the races but his decision was not universally copied, with six of the 20 drivers choosing to remain standing.
    There was some criticism that it diluted F1’s We Race As One campaign, used to promote anti-racism and equality.
    The issue was raised by F1’s new CEO Stefano Domenicali during testing earlier this month in Bahrain and the sport will make some tweaks to its pre-race procedure.
    The rainbow will be dropped from their message and the sport will use time on the grid to raise awareness to a number of issues, such as sustainability and diversity.
    However, drivers have been told they are free to express themselves during the message.
    That means Hamilton can again take a knee if he wishes to do so.
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    An F1 spokesman said: “The whole of Formula 1 is united in its support for #WeRaceAsOne and the drivers will all show their own support for the initiative ahead of the grand prix.
    “The drivers will be free to show their commitment in their own way before the race and there will be no requirement for them to make a specific gesture.
    “The important thing is all of them being together in full support of our initiatives on sustainability, diversity and inclusion and community.”

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    Valtteri Bottas has hilarious dig at Lewis Hamilton after F1 rival caught singing and says ‘I think he’s better driver’

    VALTTERI BOTTAS hilariously teased his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton by rating his driving skills above his singing.In a clip from the latest series of Netflix’s F1 documentary Drive to Survive, Bottas is talking when Hamilton, 36, can be heard belting out a tune from the room next door.
    Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton are team-mates at MercedesCredit: Getty
    And with Bottas presumably used to the Brit singing when he’s winning, The Finnish driver was quick to suggest his colleague’s F1 talent outweighs his musical passion.
    A smiling Bottas said: “I think he’s a better driver than a singer.”
    The 31-year-old has largely had to play second fiddle to the seven-time world champ.
    Hamilton – who previously dated pop star Nicole Scherzinger – has comfortably outperformed his Merc pal in each of their four seasons together.
    Bottas added: “I’m not just a No2.
    “Finland is a pretty good contrast to F1 world, there’s no pressure.
    “Lewis is a big worldwide star compared to me.
    “Pretty much everyone knows the name Lewis Hamilton, but not so many people know the name Valtteri Bottas.
    “But my strength against him is that I want the title more than him.”
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    The Netflix cameras were following Bottas in Russia and he came up trumps with a race victory after Hamilton’s penalty for an illegal practice start.
    But it was another incident in the same country that almost caused him to QUIT the sport altogether.
    Bottas was leading the Sochi Grand Prix in 2018 when Mercedes gave a controversial team order to allow Hamilton to pass him.
    The Brit was engaged in a fierce battle for the F1 title with then-Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel.
    Bottas complied with the command from the top but revealed he was so angry he was thinking of quitting.
    On the Netflix show, he said: “Sochi 2018, that was a pretty tough race. It was tough to accept. I was pretty angry.
    “Honestly I was thinking ‘Why do I do this?’. I was thinking of quitting [F1], of giving up. Straight after the race, I said I would not do it again.”
    Lewis Hamilton ‘a bit grumpy’ during pre-season Sky filming and ‘seemed unhappy’ at Mercedes negotiations More