Motorsport

LEWIS HAMILTON bounced back from his Monza disappointment to seal pole position for tomorrow’s Tuscan Grand Prix.
For the first time this season fans will be admitted, and they will see the British star start from the front after edging out Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas by 0.059 seconds..

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Hamilton, 35, sealed pole position in the first Tuscan GPCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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Lewis Hamilton is looking to return to winning ways this weekendCredit: AFP or licensors

Hamilton, 35, endured a nightmare race last weekend, finishing seventh as Pierre Gasly surprisingly secured a shock victory.
But the Frenchman crashed back down to earth with a bump in Tuscany, failing to get out of Q1.
Former champion Sebastian Vettel did make it out of Q1… just – but will start tomorrow’s race in 14th as his disastrous final season at Ferrari looks set to continue in disappointing fashion.
Meanwhile there was less good news for Hamilton’s compatriot Lando Norris, as he failed to reach Q3 for the first time this season in the McLaren.

As for the six-time champion himself, Hamilton will be looking to get back to winning ways after edging out Bottas in second and Red Bull star Max Verstappen in third.
He said: “It’s been a really tough weekend, this track is phenomenal.
“It’s a really, really challenging circuit.
“Valtteri was quicker than me all day yesterday and even this morning.

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“At the end there I think the wind picked up and I wasn’t able to go any quicker.
“But nonetheless it was a job well done.”
Hamilton secured his 95th career pole, as his remarkable, record-breaking season continues in this most unusual of F1 campaigns.

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FORMULA ONE welcomed back fans, as the doors to Friday’s practice for the Tuscan Grand Prix were opened to spectators.
Unlike the opening eight races to this 2020 season, this event has seen a relaxation to the Covid-19 controls.

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Fans returned to Formula One at practice for the Tuscan Grand PrixCredit: Reuters

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2,800 spectators piled into the stands as Covid-19 rules were relaxedCredit: Splash News

The circuit in Mugello has allocated 2,880 seats per day to punters who were lucky enough to get tickets.
Unsurprisingly, the event to mark Ferrari’s 1,000th race quickly sold out, with tickets now being sold for over £500.
However, some fans managed to sneak a peek of the action from vantage points around the circuit.
And Ferrari’s special race weekend has been overshadowed by news that their driver Sebastian Vettel will join Aston Martin next season.

The four-time world champ had already been deemed surplus to requirements at the legendary Italian manufacturers.
The German, 33, had even considered retiring from the sport before finding a seat for next year.
His new Silverstone-based team were formerly known as Force India and now race under the Racing Point name.
Sergio Perez quit Racing Point on Wednesday paving the way for Vettel to step into the rebranded set-up.

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Patches of fans could be seen in the crowdCredit: Splash News

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Supporters got to sample some F1 action for the first time this seasonCredit: Splash News

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Valtteri Bottas pipped Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to finish fastest after GP2.
The Finn edged out defending world champion and Mercedes team-mate Hamilton by just two tenths of a second.
However, Brit Lando Norris suffered a big spin and crash early in the session.

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MICHAEL SCHUMACHER’S former F1 boss Jean Todt says he has been to visit the stricken F1 star.
The seven-time world champion hit his head in a skiing accident in the French Alps in December 2013.

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F1 legend Michael Schumacher hit his head in a skiing accident in December 2013

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Former Ferrari team principal Jean Todt has revealed he visited Schumacher last week

And his condition remains a secret among those closest to the Schumacher family at their home in Lake Geneva.
But Todt, who oversaw five of Schumacher’s seven titles as boss of Ferrari, is one of only a handful of visitors to see the 51-year-old.
He said: “I saw Michael last week. He is fighting.
“My God, we know he had a terrible and unfortunate skiing accident which has caused him a lot of problems.

“But he has an amazing wife next to him, he has his kids, his nurses, and we can only wish him the best and to wish the family the best, too.
“All I can do is to be close to them until I am able to do something, and then I will do it.”
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As Ferrari celebrate their 1,000th race, Schuamcher’s son, Mick, will drive his dad’s F1 car on Sunday around the Mugello circuit.
Schumacher won 72 of his record 91 victories for Ferrari but Todt knows that record will be eclipsed by Lewis Hamilton, who currently stands on 89 wins.

The Brit is also likely to equal Schumacher’s seven world titles this season and Todt admits he never expected anyone to beat that benchmark.
He added: “Lewis will beat all of Michael’s records simply because he is a very talented driver.
“He is motivated and driving for the best team. He has the best car, the best engine so all the ingredients are there.
“It is positive logic that when you do so well in life you get the benefit of it, and that is what is happening with Lewis and Mercedes.

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“We thought the records would be very difficult to beat, but a long stability of the regulations has helped them.
“One driver I know very well, and the other I know superficially.
“Clearly both are completely different, but they have a common passion, professionalism, physical condition, talent and that is what makes both of them outstanding.”

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