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      Lewis Hamilton closes door on Ferrari switch because Mercedes F1 star does not believe ‘values’ are aligned

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      LEWIS HAMILTON will NOT drive for Ferrari in Formula One due to a clash of ‘values’.
      A record-equalling seven world titles have been won by the Brit, 35, in a career with motor racing giants McLaren and Mercedes.

      Lewis Hamilton has insisted he does not want a move to FerrariCredit: Reuters

      Many fans of the Prancing Horse would love to see Hamilton wear red before he retires from F1.
      But he is not invigorated about a potential move – despite being a ‘Ferrari fan’.
      Hamilton told GQ: “That’s not going to happen. The Ferrari thing is not going to happen… I think.
      “I’ve always been positive about Ferrari. I watched Michael [Schumacher] win there. I’ve always been a Ferrari fan.

      “I remember one of the first cars I ever bought was a Ferrari. And I think it’s a hugely iconic team and brand, particularly.
      “I think the team has, in my period of time… There have been things I’ve seen that I don’t necessarily feel mirror my values and my approach.

      “However, it is a team that every driver, I think, has dreamed of what it would be like to sit in the red cockpit.
      “No disrespect to them, but when I stop I want to work with Mercedes in helping them be even better in the outside world.

      “You know, they’ll always have beautiful cars, but how can we be a more diverse industry?”
      Hamilton, still yet to agree a new Mercedes contract for next year, has become an even greater advocate for racial diversity in motor racing in 2020.
      Regularly donning the Black Lives Matter logo around the paddock, he successfully persuaded Mercedes to adopt a black livery for the current campaign.
      After capturing his seventh world crown, he sent a heartfelt message to any youngsters watching who hoped to match his inexorable rise.
      He declared: “That’s for all the kids out there that dream the impossible. You can do it too, man. I believe in you.”
      There have been calls for Hamilton to receive a knighthood in honour of his stunning career – a prospect the champ is remaining modest about.

      Hamilton has increased his demands for racial diversity in motor racingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Mercedes man has gone toe-to-toe with Ferrari for his entire career on the trackCredit: Getty – Pool
      He added: “My granddad served in the Second World War – I’ve got all his medals – and I was so proud to see Captain Sir Tom get his knighthood this year.
      “I think the unsung heroes are the ones that deserve these things.
      “If I’m one day honoured, I don’t think it’s something I’d say no to, but it’s not an issue for me right now.”

      Lewis Hamilton reveals sickening racist abuse after British F1 legend was told ‘go back to your own country’ More

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      Lewis Hamilton demands F1 start dealing with ‘massive problem’ with human rights in countries hosting races

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      LEWIS HAMILTON has told F1 chiefs to start addressing the ‘massive problem’ of human rights in some of the countries the sport visits.
      The world champ arrived in Bahrain ahead of this weekend’s GP and was presented with letters from three Bahraini citizens, who claim to be victims of human rights abuses.

      Lewis Hamilton described the human rights records in some of the countries hosting F1 races as a ‘massive problem’Credit: AP:Associated Press

      It comes as earlier this week Amnesty International UK described Bahrain’s record on human rights as ‘shocking’.
      Sixteen human rights groups have also penned a letter to F1 chairman Chase Carey quizzing F1’s role in ‘sportswashing the Bahraini Government’s human rights abuses’.
      And, with races planned in China, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next season, Hamilton says that the sport’s bosses need to do more and back up their promises with actions.
      He said: “When I arrived here around midday on Thursday, I received some letters and I have not had a lot of time to digest them and that’s something I need to take some time to do.

      “The human rights issue in so many of the places that we go to is a massive problem.
      “It is very important, that has shown this year how important it is, not only for us as a sport but all the sports around the world to utilise the platforms they have and to push for change.
      “We are the only ones that go to so many different countries and I do think that as a sport, we need to do more. We have taken a step in that direction but we can do more.
      “There are some steps in place for the places we are going to, but it is important to make sure they are implemented in the right way and it is not just saying we are going to do something. We need to see some action being taken.”

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      Meanwhile Hamilton says he would jump at the chance to become Sir Lewis.
      As The Sun first revealed, the F1 champion is set to be knighted in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.
      The 35-year-old was asked ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain GP what the title would mean to him and whether he would accept it.
      Hamilton added: “I would never ever turn down the Royal family. I grew up in the UK and am a massive fan of them.
      “It is very surreal, when you grew up watching the news like everyone else, hearing your name in the House of Lords or the House of Commons or in Parliament.
      “It is very very surreal to hear that with all the things going on in the world that they have a moment and acknowledge the work that I have done.
      “As far as I am aware, there is a lot of talk and I have not really thought a lot about it, but it would be an incredible honour.
      “There is no greater honour that your country recognising you and honouring you with such an award.”

      Hamilton received his MBE from the Queen in March 2003 and is now in store for a knighthoodCredit: PA:Press Association

      Sixteen human rights groups wrote to F1 chairman Chase Carey over his industry’s ‘sportswashing’ abuses by the Bahraini Government Credit: PA:Press Association

      Lewis Hamilton to be awarded knighthood in New Year’s Honours after 7th F1 world championship win More

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

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      LEWIS HAMILTON heads to Bahrain after matching Michael Schumacher’s unprecedented seven F1 world championships.
      The Brit clinched the title with one of his greatest wins on a drenched track in Turkey last weekend and will be looking for another victory in presumably drier conditions in the desert.

      F1 returns to Bahrain this weekendCredit: AP:Associated Press
      What time does F1 Bahrain Grand Prix practice start?
      The F1 Bahrain Grand Prix race weekend takes place from Friday, November 27 to Saturday, November 29.
      Practice one starts on Friday at 11am UK time while practice two starts at 3pm UK time.

      What TV channel is the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix on and can I live stream it?
      The entire F1 Bahrain Grand Prix race weekend is live on Sky Sports F1.
      To stream the race live, head to your Sky Go account.
      Non-Sky Sports subscribers can still watch all the action with a Now TV Day Pass from £9.99.
      Race schedule

      Friday, November 27
      Practice One – 11am
      Practice Two – 3pm
      Saturday, November 28
      Practice Three – 11am
      Qualifying – 2pm
      Sunday, November 29
      Race – 2.10pm More

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      Lewis Hamilton admits he would jump at the ‘surreal’ chance to be knighted, saying there would be ‘no greater honour’

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      LEWIS HAMILTON says he would jump at the chance to become Sir Lewis.
      As The Sun first revealed, the F1 champion is set to be knighted in the Queen’s New Year’s honours list.

      Lewis Hamilton admits the prospect of being knighted feels surreal

      The 35-year-old was asked ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain GP what the title would mean to him and whether he would accept it.
      He said: “I would never ever turn down the Royal family. I grew up in the UK and am a massive fan of them.
      “It is very surreal, when you grew up watching the news like everyone else, hearing your name in the House of Lords or the House of Commons or in Parliament.
      “It is very very surreal to hear that with all the things going on in the world that they have a moment and acknowledge the work that I have done.

      “As far as I am aware, there is a lot of talk and I have not really thought a lot about it, but it would be an incredible honour.
      “There is no greater honour that your country recognising you and honouring you with such an award.”
      Hamilton is preparing for this weekend’s race in Bahrain, which is the first in three races in the Middle East.
      He is understood to have received a letter from three Bahraini citizens who claim to have been victims of human rights abuses.

      And while the F1 champ says he has not yet had time study the letters, he admits that F1 does go to countries where human rights “is a massive problem”.
      And he says the sport’s bosses need to do more and back up their promises with actions.
      He added: “When I arrived here around midday on Thursday, I received some letters and I have not had a lot of time to digest them and that’s something I need to take some time to do.
      “The human rights issue in so many of the places that we go to is a massive problem.
      “It is very important, that has shown this year how important it is, not only for us as a sport but all the sports around the world to utilise the platforms they have and to push for change.

      “We are the only ones that go to so many different countries and I do think that as a sport, we need to do more. We have taken a step in that direction but we can do more.
      “There are some steps in place for the places we are going to, but it is important to make sure they are implemented in the right way and it is not just saying we are going to do something.
      “We need to see some action being taken.”

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      Lewis Hamilton to be awarded knighthood in New Year’s Honours after 7th F1 world championship win More

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      Saudi GP bosses deny ‘sportswashing’ nation’s human rights record with 2021 F1 race after Amnesty International backlash

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      SAUDI GP bosses deny they want to ‘sportswash’ the country’s human-rights record by paying to host a race next season.
      Amnesty International criticised Formula One for adding the Grand Prix to form a 23-race calendar in 2021.

      Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal denies Saudi Arabia are ‘sportswashing’ the nation’s human rights issuesCredit: AFP or licensors

      Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal, president of the Saudi Arabian motorsport federation, hopes he can change people’s minds.
      He said: “I don’t blame them, when you don’t know a country, and when you have a certain image of a country.
      “I remember myself when my parents used to tell me we’re going to go to the US, especially to New York, I was frightened.
      “I would think that I’m going to walk in the street and somebody will come and shoot me, because I’d never been there.

      “I know why they’re not excited about it, because of a lot of issues with the human rights, and because they’ve never been to Saudi.
      “That’s why, now for us opening up, and hopefully with people coming in Saudi Arabia, seeing the country, and then going back and reporting what they saw, this will maybe make people change their mind.
      “This happened to us with Dakar, we had a lot of people…about 3,000 participants and drivers came.
      “Most of them, they had the same impression, and they were not happy.”

      Prince Khalid added: “Even with Formula E, like BMW and other teams, they said, they didn’t want to go to Saudi Arabia.
      “But after they came to Saudi Arabia, and after they saw us and met us, they changed their perspective about Saudi Arabia.
      “Part of the vision and part of opening up our country, we would like people to come and see who we really are. We don’t have anything to hide.
      “If we wanted to sportswash our image or something, then we will close our country because we will not let you come and see and meet with our people.”
      Amnesty International were critical that F1 had added the GP to form a 23-race calendar in 2021.
      Prince Khalid said the matter had been discussed with F1 bosses but also stressed that the country does have a different culture.
      He added: “We definitely had a conversation on that and I know, maybe this is a thing that a lot of people talk about with Saudi Arabia, but we are not like the other countries.
      “We know that we are different. We have our culture. There are things that people can do in other places that they can’t do here.
      “But we respect our differences, and we are opening our country to anyone.
      “We don’t have any discriminations, so everybody can come. If you’re a man or a woman, there is no segregation.
      “Sport brings people together and unites them. So that’s why we are hosting these events.”

      Formula One announce Saudi Arabia Grand Prix More

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      Mick Schumacher reveals he is taking tips from F1 legend dad Michael who is following son’s career from bed

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      MICK SCHUMACHER says he is using tips from his legendary father Michael for his own racing career.
      The seven-time world champion is said to be following his son’s progress from bed, although the exact details of his health condition remains unclear.

      Mick Schumacher continues to take on board tips from his legendary father Michael about racingCredit: PA:Press Association

      Schumacher Sr was critically injured in a skiing accident in 2013.
      But the expertise he passed on to his child before his accident continues to be helpful.
      Schumacher Jr, 21, is currently competing in Formula 2 with Prema but is tipped to follow in his dad’s footsteps by jumping up to F1 with Haas next year.
      The German told RTL: “Of course I use some of my father’s tips – even from my karting days.

      “At the same time, we are obviously different people and had different experiences in the junior classes.
      “And you have to drive the cars differently today too.
      “We have a Formula 2 car that weighs 780 kilos, the cars back then weighed 500 kilos. But nevertheless, of course there are some similarities.”
      The legendary German driver is thought to be continuing his recovery at a luxury villa in Majorca but his close friend and ex-Ferrari chief Jean Todt suggested the 51-year-old may be conscious.

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      He said: “Of course he is following him.
      “Mick is probably going to race in Formula 1 next year which will be a great challenge.
      “We would be delighted to have a new Schumacher at the highest level of motor racing.”
      The 74-year-old, however, remained coy about Schumacher’s condition.
      Todt added: “This is a question on which I am going to be extremely reserved.
      “I see Michael very often – once or twice a month. My answer is the same all the time – he fights.
      “He is very well cared for and in a place that is very comfortable. We can only wish for him and his family that things get better.”

      The 21-year-old is expected to make the step up to F1 for the 2021 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Michael Schumacher’s son Mick hands Lewis Hamilton one of his dad’s old helmets as Brit equals legend’s GP win record More

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      Sebastian Vettel claims F1 legend Michael Schumacher is GOAT driver ahead of Lewis Hamilton despite seventh world title

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      SEBASTIAN VETTEL has backed compatriot Michael Schumacher in the debate over Formula One’s all-time greatest racer.
      Lewis Hamilton now stands alongside the Ferrari legend in holding seven world titles.

      Michael Schumacher (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right), pictured here in 2010, are now equal on seven world titlesCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Sebastian Vettel has long felt a special connection with his German heroCredit: EPA

      A conversation within the sport has been struck up over exactly who is the better driver.
      But, for Vettel, his childhood idol Schumacher will always be number one.
      He told Zeit Magazin: “I still say that Michael is the best of all time, for me.
      “When it came down to it, he unlocked a kind of extra level.

      “I have never felt this fascination, this talent, in anyone else.”
      Vettel, 33, has faced off with both drivers during his prestigious career, which at one point looked like matching that of Schumacher.

      The outgoing Ferrari star vyed with Hamilton, 35, for the championship when both men had four gongs under their belt.

      Since that 2018 triumph, the Brit has gone from strength to strength – beating Schumacher’s race wins record before levelling his title tally.
      Nevertheless, Vettel believes it is difficult to compare racers of different eras.

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt

      He noted: “Actually, it is presumptuous to name the best of all time.
      “It is impossible to compare a Fangio with a Senna.
      “Maybe Schumacher would have had a hard time in the 1950s, and Fangio wouldn’t have won in the 2000s.”

      Lewis Hamilton ahead of Schumacher and Senna on list of the 10 greatest F1 drivers of all time More

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      Lewis Hamilton claims he has worked harder than ever on and off track to win seventh F1 world title ahead of knighthood

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      LEWIS HAMILTON says he has worked harder than ever this year to win his record-equalling seventh world title.
      The 35-year-old, who SunSport have revealed will be knighted in the New Year, has made this season look easy with ten wins in 14 races but says it is all down to his hard work.

      Lewis Hamilton has discussed how the coronavirus pandemic forced him to work harder for his seventh world titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Brit has spent more time at home this year due to the pandemic and has used the time to study his car’s performance and understand the multi-function steering wheel.
      Hamilton said: “People may think it looks easy, but I tell you man it’s far from it. It has taken a long, long time to be as good as I am.
      “I think I’ve always had the talent. I have probably always had the tools, but I’ve been messing around in the toolbox not knowing what to do with those tools.
      “I’ve been fine tuning them. And I think it’s just focusing on things.

      “Every year, I write down where I’m not great, as there are plenty of places I’m not great, and then ask, ‘So how do we do that?’.
      “I’m not great at communicating sometimes, so how can I do that better with the guys in the team?

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “How can I be more positive every time I come to work and be more uplifting rather than drag on people? In the car, how can I better understand all the buttons?

      “It’s a lot of studying, I’ve done more this year than I would have done last year [because of coronavirus and its restrictions on life].
      “I never understood that when I was younger, I’d just arrive and drive.
      “The amount of homework I do in the background is probably the reason you see the results that I get today.”
      Meanwhile, his Mercedes team are looking to finish the season strongly in the final triple-header as the races swing to the Middle East, starting with Bahrain this weekend.
      Boss Toto Wolff added: “We witnessed something truly remarkable at the last race in Turkey with Lewis winning his seventh Drivers’ Championship and the way in which he did it was spectacular.

      Lewis has cemented his position among the all-time best sportspeople in the world.
      Toto Wolff

      “In general, it was a difficult weekend for us as a team and a big challenge for everyone, but Lewis did an outstanding job to come from sixth on the grid to take victory and he has cemented his position among the all-time best sportspeople in the world.
      “We had some mixed fortunes as it was a tough weekend for Valtteri, but we know how resilient and strong he is. I know he will bounce back stronger in these final three races.
      “Now we look ahead to Bahrain and returning to a familiar circuit. It always presents an interesting challenge, because of the variation in track conditions and temperatures between the sessions.
      “This makes it challenging to set up the car and gather the right information when it counts.” More